Posted: November 17th, 2023
Essay Prompt:
Answer the following question in as much detail as you can, defining terms and providing examples. Points will be awarded on the basis of specificity and the coherence of the argument you provide. Do not use direct quotes from the book or online readings, but instead, paraphrase all examples in your own words, AND CITE THOSE EXAMPLES WITH A PAGE NUMBER, author (for the online readings), or Lecture Date.
2. | Compare and contrast the issue of collective identity in Britain, Germany, Japan, and India. How do people perceive themselves as part of the political-social community? What has been the experience of marginal sectors (ideological, ethnic/racial, religious) in terms of conflict and conciliation between these populations? Do the political systems also reflect their interests? (You will need to draw on the online readings in addition to the textbook to answer this question.) (250 points) |
How to Write Your Answer
I. INTRODUCTION/DEFINITION: Give a definition of collective identity to show me that you actually understand what this term means (since you’re going to be writing a whole paper on it). Reread the section in Chapter 1 of your textbook that defines and explains Collective Identity. You can keep your examples vague since you’ll be getting specific in the following categories. CITE with a page number or lecture date your definitions.
In the following sections, compare and contrast each of the four countries. Do not just summarize each country individually; that’s NOT a compare and contrast essay. Instead, weave these countries together where you point out their similarities and differences. In some cases, there will be nothing to compare and contrast (i.e., there is no caste system in Germany and Britain). In such cases, simply say this. You are, however, required to address all four countries in each category.
II. IDEOLOGY: Do political parties for these countries represent different classes? If so, how so? Is class conflict evident in these countries? Do these countries embody an individualist ideology or communal ideology? How are either of these two ideologies reflected in the political system?
III. GENDER: Japan and India in particular, are important here because you have had online readings about this topic, but Germany and Britain are also worth a mention based on the textbook readings.
IV. RACE/ETHNICITY: This is a big topic, but each of these countries have dealt with the issue. IMMIGRATION is also a topic you would include here, particularly in regards to how it affects collective identity. Has immigration created any conflict in these countries? If so, how? Are there potential economic/social consequences to restricting immigration? (India doesn’t have any immigration problems, but there has been India-Pakistani conflict you will need to address).
V. RELIGION: This is obviously a big topic in certain countries such as India and (to a certain extent) Germany (though stay current rather than going back to WWII.
VI. CASTE: This is a tricky one. In India it’s about religion, but in Japan it’s not, so it’s best to just treat it as a separate theme entirely. Do Germany and Britain have any caste issues? They do not, and it’s important to mention that.
VII. NATIONALISM: Each of these countries have dealt with this issue in their own way, from Germany’s goal of integration through the EU to Britain’s desire to leave it through Brexit. India and Japan have also dealt with this issue, both from different perspectives (for instance, in India it’s Hindu nationalism).
Remember that you must also address marginal sectors in the population of these countries and how/whether their interests are reflected in the political system.
Page numbers, author (for the online readings) and/or lecture dates are required, so don’t forget to include them (you gets point off for not doing so). You must cite ALL of your examples, but of course that doesn’t mean I want quotes. All examples must be in your own words.
Length and Format
Your essay should be:
Place an order in 3 easy steps. Takes less than 5 mins.