25 Essay Topics for American Government Classes

Writing Ideas That Will Make Students Think

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If you are a teacher searching for essay topics to assign to your U.S. government or civics class or looking for ideas, do not fret. It is easy to integrate debates and discussions into the classroom environment. These topic suggestions provide a wealth of ideas for written assignments such as  position papers , compare-and-contrast essays , and  argumentative essays . Scan the following 25 question topics and ideas to find just the right one. You'll soon be reading interesting papers from your students after they grapple with these challenging and important issues.

  • Compare and contrast what is a direct democracy versus representative democracy. 
  • React to the following statement: Democratic decision-making should be extended to all areas of life including schools, the workplace, and the government. 
  • Compare and contrast the Virginia and New Jersey plans. Explain how these led to the Great Compromise .
  • Pick one thing about the U.S. Constitution including its amendments that you think should be changed. What modifications would you make? Explain your reasons for making this change.
  • What did Thomas Jefferson mean when he said, "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants?" Do you think that this statement still applies to today's world? 
  • Compare and contrast mandates and conditions of aid regarding the federal government's relationship with states. For example, how has the Federal Emergency Management Agency delivered support to states and commonwealths that have experienced natural disasters?
  • Should individual states have more or less power compared to the federal government when implementing laws dealing with topics such as the legalization of marijuana  and abortion ? 
  • Outline a program that would get more people to vote in presidential elections or local elections.
  • What are the dangers of gerrymandering when it comes to voting and presidential elections?
  • Compare and contrast the major political parties in the United States. What policies are they preparing for upcoming elections?
  • Why would voters choose to vote for a third party, even though they know that their candidate has virtually no chance of winning? 
  • Describe the major sources of money that are donated to political campaigns. Check out the Federal Election Regulatory Commission's website for information.
  • Should corporations be treated as individuals regarding being allowed to donate to political campaigns?  Look at the 2010 Citizens United v. FEC ruling on the issue. Defend your answer. 
  • Explain the role of social media in connecting interest groups that have grown stronger as the major political parties have grown weaker. 
  • Explain why the media has been called the fourth branch of government. Include your opinion on whether this is an accurate portrayal.
  • Compare and contrast the campaigns of U.S. Senate and House of Representatives candidates.
  • Should term limits be instituted for members of Congress? Explain your answer.
  • Should members of Congress vote their conscience or follow the will of the people who elected them into office? Explain your answer.
  • Explain how executive orders have been used by presidents throughout the history of the U.S. What is the number of executive orders issued by the current president?
  • In your opinion, which of the three branches of the federal government has the most power? Defend your answer.
  • Which of the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment do you consider the most important? Explain your answer. 
  • Should a school be required to get a warrant before searching a student's property? Defend your answer. 
  • Why did the Equal Rights Amendment fail? What kind of campaign could be run to see it passed?
  • Explain how the 14th Amendment has affected civil liberties in the United States from the time of its passage at the end of the Civil War.
  • Do you think that the federal government has enough, too much or just the right amount of power? Defend your answer.
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Essay on Government

Students are often asked to write an essay on Government in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Government

What is government.

Government is a group of people who make decisions and laws for a country. They are responsible for providing services like education, healthcare, and security to the public.

Types of Government

There are different types of governments, such as democracy, monarchy, dictatorship, and communism. In a democracy, people choose their leaders through voting.

Roles of Government

Governments have many roles. They protect citizens, make laws, and manage the economy. They also provide public services like schools and hospitals.

Importance of Government

Government is important because it maintains order, protects citizens, and provides necessary services. Without it, society would be chaotic.

250 Words Essay on Government

Introduction.

The term ‘Government’ fundamentally signifies the governing body of a nation or state that exercises authority, controls, and administers public policy. It is the political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members, citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies, and states.

The Role of Government

The government plays a crucial role in society by ensuring the smooth functioning of the nation. It is responsible for maintaining law and order, protecting citizens’ rights, and providing public services. The government also shapes the economy by implementing policies that either stimulate or slow down economic growth.

Governments can be categorized into several types based on their structure and the extent of power they exercise. These include democracy, where power is vested in the people; monarchy, where power is held by a single ruler; and autocracy, where a single person holds unlimited power.

Government and Democracy

In democratic governments, citizens have the right to elect their representatives who make decisions on their behalf. This system promotes accountability, transparency, and the protection of individual rights. However, democracy’s success hinges on an informed and active citizenry that can hold the government accountable.

In conclusion, the government is a fundamental institution in any society. It plays a pivotal role in maintaining societal order, ensuring the welfare of its citizens, and driving the nation’s growth and development. The efficiency of a government is largely determined by its structure, the extent of its powers, and the level of citizen participation.

500 Words Essay on Government

Introduction to government.

The government’s primary role is to safeguard the rights and freedoms of its citizens. This involves ensuring the security of the people, maintaining law and order, and providing public goods and services. A government has the responsibility to protect its citizens from internal and external threats, which is why it maintains law enforcement agencies and a military.

The government also plays a crucial role in economic regulation and stabilization. By controlling monetary and fiscal policies, it can influence the country’s economic trajectory, ensuring growth, stability, and equity. Furthermore, the government is responsible for the provision of public goods and services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social welfare programs.

Forms of Government

In between these extremes, there are numerous variations, such as constitutional monarchies, where a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government, or oligarchies, where power rests with a small number of people.

The Importance of Good Governance

Good governance is integral to the effective functioning of a government. It is characterized by transparency, accountability, efficiency, and adherence to the rule of law. Good governance ensures that the government’s actions benefit the majority of the population and that public resources are used efficiently and ethically.

Conclusion: The Evolving Role of Government

In today’s rapidly changing world, the role of government is evolving. With the advent of technology and globalization, governments are not just confined to traditional roles but are increasingly involved in areas such as digital infrastructure, climate change, and global health crises.

As we move forward, the challenge for governments worldwide will be to adapt to these changes and continue to serve their citizens effectively. Understanding the nature, role, and complexities of government is crucial for us as we navigate the political landscape of the 21st century.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Writing in Government

How do i write a gov paper .

Expos teaches you about the fundamentals of writing an analytical argument. As you write papers in Gov, you are adapting the elements of argument to a particular audience: readers in the social sciences. These readers have specific expectations about how to present arguments and supporting evidence. Writing successfully in Gov requires you to identify those expectations in assignment prompts and then  respond to them by making well-supported and clearly reasoned arguments.

__________________________________

"Everybody's work has to stand or fall on the basis of the arguments presented and the evidence." - Prof. Eric Nelson

Do the Exercise

In these exercises, you have two goals: to identify the common elements of essay prompts, and to learn strategies for developing arguments that respond effectively to the expectations presented by a given prompt. 

Decoding Prompts

Developing a thesis.

What to Do:

  • Prepare  by reading about the elements of paper prompts in the "Tips" tool to the right.
  • Read  the three sample prompts below and select one to work with.
  • Answer  the questions in the text boxes below the sample prompts.
  • Write  a 1-sentence version in your own words of the prompt you have selected. You can do this in the first “Re-write” box below the questions.
  • Try re-writing  the other two prompts in a single sentence. 

Please note that these forms are not monitored; no feedback will be sent at this time.

Sample Prompts

1. The traditional definition of democracy is captured by Schumpeter’s statement that democracy is the “institutional arrangement for arriving at political decisions in which individuals acquire the power to decide by means of a competitive struggle for the people’s vote.” Is Schumpeter’s “free competition for the free vote” a sufficient conceptual and normative definition of “democracy”? What else, if anything, would you add to this definition?

2. The majority of Gov 97 has focused on state actors, but the Internet is a whole new non-state world that currently has little to no formal governance. Should the Internet be governed democratically? What does it mean to have democratic governance of the Internet? (Will there be elected bodies? Will the Internet be governed by democratic principles?) If you were on a committee to develop Internet governance, what democratic processes (if any) would you recommend? Why?

3. How do new technologies affect democratic politics? We have read a number of accounts of traditional forms of democratic participation and democratic institutions – choose one topic or outcome (e.g. elections, campaign finance, regime change, economic institutions, the welfare state, democratic peace etc.) that we have read about, and think about how new technologies challenge or add to traditional theories about that outcome.

( Taken from Gov 97, Spring 2015)

Understanding Prompts

Design and purpose.

Instructors have two main goals with most prompts: First, they want to test how well you’ve understood assigned material for the course and gauge your progress over the term. Second, they want to encourage you to think about certain questions in a way that may not be directly covered in the course materials themselves. In this way, prompts facilitates guided learning through writing.

In most cases, the instructor will have both of these goals in mind. Depending on the assignment, though, one goal may carry greater emphasis than the other. 

Central Question

This is the main question that the instructor wants you to answer. It may be a yes/no question, where you need to agree or disagree with a given statement. Or it may be an open-ended question, where you need to develop your own line of argument. Either way, the central question is the core of the paper, i.e., the question your instructor is asking in order to test your knowledge about material from the course or to encourage you to develop a reasoned opinion based on that material. Your thesis statement should respond directly to this central question.

Example of a central question:

What do you think is Aristotle’s strongest justification for participatory citizenship?

Example of a multi-part central question:

What do you think is Aristotle’s strongest justification for participatory citizenship? Does it translate from ancient democracy to the present; does it apply today?

Supporting Questions

In addition to the central question, prompts typically include additional points to consider as you write your paper, and these points often come in the form of secondary or supporting questions. Supporting questions are meant to prompt your thinking and can help remind you of important debates that may exist within the topic you are writing about.  

That being said, prompts made up of more than one question can be harder to decode. For one thing, the first question in the prompt is not always the central question, and it might be possible to interpret more than one of the questions as the central question. This ambiguity might be intentional (to allow students to write a range of essays), or it might be unintentional. For these reasons, it is always helpful to try putting the prompt in your own words. What is the central question being asked? And what is the central question your paper is answering with its thesis? What are the supporting questions being asked? And how will your paper answer those questions in relation to your thesis?

In the following example prompt, notice how the first set of questions (greyed out and in italics) form a multi-part central question about an idea of Aristotle and its relevance to the present day. The subsequent supporting questions provide a number of possible directions in which to elaborate on this question, but none of these supporting questions should be the main focus of an argument responding to this particular prompt.  

Example:        

What do you think is Aristotle’s strongest justification for participatory citizenship? Does it translate from ancient democracy to the present; does it apply today? How do modern democracies define citizenship? Do modern democratic institutions (representation, voting and elections, political parties) and/or the organized groups of civil society (voluntary associations, demonstrations, social movements) provide arenas for political participation? If so, how and why is participation valued? If not, why not, and how is the division of political labor justified?

Additional Cues

Prompts often provide cues about what should or shouldn't be the focus of a writing assignment. For instance, there may be debates or themes that have been raised in the course, but which are not meant to be the particular focus of the paper at hand. In the following excerpt from a prompt, you can see that Aristotle's definition of "citizen" is crucial, but the goal of the essay is to  use  the definition to make a further point, rather than getting bogged down in the definition itself. 

Example from a Gov prompt:

In the Politics , Aristotle defined a citizen as someone who takes turns in ruling and being ruled, identified who was eligible (and ineligible) for citizenship, gave an account of citizens’ judgment, and set out reasons for popular political participation.

Restrictions

Prompts often include additional requirements that either guide or limit a writing assignment. These restrictions are usually straightforward requirements for the essay's form (how long it should be) or for its content (what question(s) it should answer and which sources or cases it should use). 

  • You must analyze Aristotle’s text
  • You may pick just one or two government institutions or civil society groups to 
illustrate your answer.
  • You must refer to at least two authors (in addition to Aristotle) in composing your 
response. 
  • Prepare by reading about the elements of thesis statements in the "Tips" tool to the right.
  • Read the sample prompt below.
  • Answer the questions in the text boxes below the sample prompts.  

Sample Prompt & Theses

Making reference to the cases of Rwanda and Yugoslavia, construct an argument that addresses the following questions: When you consider the various theories you've encountered about the emergence of ethnic politics in your readings as well as in lecture, how well (or how poorly) do specific elements of these two cases fit those theories? What is the strongest explanation overall for why ethnic violence broke out in these two cases and eventually assumed the proportions it did? Does the same answer apply to both cases, or do different answers best explain Rwanda and Yugoslavia separately?

  • The Rwandan and Yugoslav genocides were similar in some ways. In other ways, though, they were different. 
  • Ethnic politics leads to the emergence of ethnic violence.
  • I argue that ethnic politics is important for understanding violence in Rwanda and Yugoslavia and for explaining the genocides there.
  • Rwanda and Yugoslavia both experienced similar levels of ethnic politics and ethnic violence during the 1990s and followed similar paths to genocide.
  • Ethnic politics does not always lead to ethnic violence, but in cases where the state collapses like it did in Rwanda and Yugoslavia, the path from ethnic politics to genocide will be similar.

Taken from Gov 20, Fall 2015

What is an Argument?

In the social sciences, an argument typically make claims about the way the world works. It argues that the world is one way rather than another, and explains why it is that way .

The first part of the bolded statement above is really important. In social science courses, you will rarely be asked to just summarize a set of facts. You will instead be asked to make assertions about how something came to be or how some phenomenon caused another.

This implies a counterfactual , which is a statement about how the world would have been, if something else had happened. For example, you might argue that polarization in American politics is caused by people moving to areas where most people share their political beliefs. This implies that if people didn't move to neighborhoods or cities with like-minded people, there wouldn't be polarization. But they do , so there is .

The first part of the bolded statement above also implies that you will give evidence to show us that your argument is correct.

The latter part of the statement, in turn, implies that you will show us the "why" of the phenomenon you're looking at: how exactly does it work?

Thesis Requirements

A thesis statement will be in response to a specific question, whether that question is explicitly asked in a prompt or is a question you have yourself developed in response to course readings or class discussions. Therefore, your thesis statement should clearly be an answer to a question!

Your answer should not just contain a "what is" statement, but a statement of "how" your argument works. What is the "mechanism" of your argument? If you say that wealth causes democracy, make sure the “how” or “because” is also clearly previewed in your thesis.

This is also your introduction to the reader of what the paper’s really about, and it is your chance to explain how the paper will work. It should prepare them for the direction the paper is going, so they know what kinds of evidence they should expect.

In college-level papers, thesis statements can be more than one sentence long. Being concise is good, but it's ok to have a slightly longer thesis statement if your thesis is somewhat complex, e.g., if there are two or three steps in the "how" part of your paper. 

Scope Conditions

Most papers are not about making universal arguments that showcase  everything you know, but about making an valid argument within a set of parameters that are either provided by the assignment itself, or that you decide to keep your argument clear and effective.

In writing, be clear: what are the “scope conditions” of your argument? In other words, under what conditions or in which cases is your argument valid?

Example: “In democracies,” i.e., not for every country we’ve looked at, but only for democracies.

Example: “Among late developers” i.e., only in those countries that developed recently.

Make sure your these boundaries are clearly stated in your thesis statement . Do you think it will be intuitive to the reader why you used these scope conditions in particular? If not, you may need to briefly explain why you're using them, either in the thesis statement itself or just before (or after) your thesis statement.

Evaluating Theses

Can readers take your thesis statement and test it like they would a hypothesis? Would they know what to look for in order to evaluate how well your argument is made? If so, it's probably a strong thesis.

A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested . For example, in the statement "wealth leads to democracy," we can imagine testing it by looking for wealthy countries that aren't democratic.

If readers can look at your thesis statement and come up new evidence to refute your claim, it might mean there's room for healthy debate on the topic--and it might mean there's a genuine weakness in your argument--but it also means you probably have a clearly written thesis statement! 

A really common thesis-related problem for students is that readers don't know how to evaluate whether the argument is right or wrong . This idea of being able to test arguments against new evidence is what makes political science "scientific."

Additional Tips

Be direct, and own your answer. Don’t say, “The purpose of my paper is to show that economic development causes democracy.” Say, “Economic development causes democracy, because…”

But it is OK to use the first-person voice in political science! (Example: "Wealth is a necessary condition for democracy. I show this by examining all countries with an average GDP above $6,000 per year")

Make it clear where your thesis statement is. You don’t have to put the thesis statement at the end of a short, first paragraph...but this is common, because it keeps you from writing too much/too little introduction, and it’s often where your reader will look first (because it is so common!)

Avoid the word “prove,” which implies definitive proof (which is rarely possible in social sciences)

Avoid overly stylized language in your thesis statement, and keep it as clear, specific, and unambiguous as possible.

It’s ok to argue that sometimes things work one way, and sometimes another. For example, “wealthy countries are usually democratic, but sometimes they aren’t.” However, it’s much stronger to try and make this difference part of your argument---”Wealthy countries are usually democratic because [reason], but oil-rich countries are an exception because [reason].”

332 American Government Essay Topics & Research Ideas

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American Government essay topics present a comprehensive spectrum for exploration, each varying in depth and complexity. Some themes may include the functionality of constitutional democracy in the United States (U.S.), the examination of civil liberties and rights, or the intricacies of the federal system. Students may delve into the analysis of influential Supreme Court decisions, the evolving role of the Presidency, or the workings of Congressional lawmaking. Contemporary subjects, like campaign finance reform, immigration policy, or the impact of media on political discourse, are also important. Unraveling the politics of environmental policy or the checks and balances system’s practicality offers bright themes. In turn, investigating the role of lobbyists and interest groups or dissecting the dynamics of public opinion and voting behavior can give intriguing insights. Thus, American government essay topics not only foster a deeper understanding of the nation’s political landscape but also stimulate critical thinking and analytical skills.

Top Government Essay Topics

  • Privatization of Public Services: Merits and Criticisms
  • Freedom of Information Laws: Transparency and Accountability in Government
  • Understanding E-Governance: Potential and Pitfalls
  • Interrogating Federalism: Power Dynamics in Multi-Tier Governments
  • Political Polarization and Governance: A Detailed Analysis
  • Digital Surveillance: Privacy Concerns and State Interests
  • Immigration Policies: Comparative Analysis of Different Governments
  • Climate Change Policies: Effectiveness and Implementation Challenges
  • Political Accountability in the Age of Social Media
  • Public Health and Governance: Lessons From Pandemics
  • Decentralization in Government: A Thorough Examination
  • State Autonomy vs. Federal Overreach: Tensions and Resolutions
  • Analyzing the Concept of Sovereignty in the 21st Century
  • Justice System Reforms: Understanding the Need and Potential Approaches
  • Social Welfare Programs: Effectiveness and Public Reception
  • Education Policy and Governance: Ensuring Equal Opportunities
  • Tensions Between Civil Liberties and National Security
  • Emergency Powers: Necessary Tool or Slippery Slope to Authoritarianism
  • Campaign Finance Reforms: Balancing Transparency and Political Freedom
  • Understanding the Separation of Powers: Checks and Balances in Action

American Government Essay Topics & Research Ideas

Easy Government Essay Topics

  • Understanding Democracy: Basic Concepts and Principles
  • Different Types of Government: A Comparative Study
  • Voting Systems: Pros and Cons of First-Past-the-Post
  • Government’s Part in Economic Development: An Overview
  • Public Health: Government’s Responsibilities and Duties
  • Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens: A Closer Look
  • Elections: Understanding the Electoral College System
  • Why Do We Need a Constitution? An Elementary Explanation
  • Importance of Civic Education in a Democracy
  • Federal vs. State Powers: An Introduction
  • Social Security: Functions and Challenges
  • Government Regulation of Media: Freedom vs. Responsibility
  • Public Transportation and Government’s Involvement: An Overview
  • Differences Between Presidential and Parliamentary Systems of Government
  • Local Governments: Responsibilities and Functions
  • Citizen Participation in Government: Why Does It Matter?
  • Understanding Public Policy: A Basic Analysis
  • Freedom of Speech: Government and Constitutional Protection
  • National Security and Individual Privacy: Striking a Balance

Interesting Government Essay Topics

  • Privatization vs. Public Ownership: Theoretical Considerations
  • Decentralization of Power: Unraveling Its Implications
  • State Surveillance: Dilemma of Privacy vs. Security
  • National Debts: Examining Their Economic and Political Effects
  • Monarchies in the 21st Century: An Analytical Perspective
  • Cryptocurrency Regulation: Assessing Different Government Approaches
  • Digital Governance: Opportunities and Pitfalls
  • Constitutional Interpretation: Originalism vs. Living Constitution Theory
  • Understanding Federalism: A Comparative Analysis
  • Emerging Role of Artificial Intelligence in Governance
  • Climate Change Policy: National vs. International Responsibilities
  • Democracy and Technology: Influence of Social Media on Governance
  • Public Administration Reforms: Lessons From Around the World
  • Immigration Policy: Factors Influencing Government Decisions
  • Separation of Powers: An Inquiry Into Its Real-World Implications
  • Fiscal Policy during Recessions: Strategies and Outcomes
  • Authoritarian Regimes in a Digital Age: Unpacking the Complexities
  • Intelligence Agencies: Examining Oversight and Control Mechanisms
  • Social Equity and Government Policy: Challenges and Opportunities
  • Political Dynasties: Assessing Their Influence on Democratic Governance

U.S. Government Research Paper Topics for College

  • Gun Control Policies: Analyzing the Effectiveness in the U.S.
  • Unraveling the Complexity of U.S. Immigration Reform
  • Affordable Care Act: A Comprehensive Analysis Post Implementation
  • Effects of Social Media on the U.S. Electoral Process
  • Campaign Finance Laws in the United States: A Closer Look
  • Government Shutdowns: Causes and Consequences in the U.S.
  • Federalism in the United States: Changing Dynamics
  • Dissecting the Patriot Act: Implications for Civil Liberties
  • Constitutional Rights and Digital Privacy: An American Perspective
  • Polarization in American Politics: Causes and Effects
  • U.S. Tax Reform: An Analysis of Recent Changes
  • Influence of Lobbying on Law-Making in the United States
  • Supreme Court Appointments: Politics and Consequences
  • Federal Reserve’s Monetary Policy: A Comprehensive Review
  • Investigating the Role of Super PACs in U.S. Elections
  • American Infrastructure Spending: Assessing Need and Impact
  • Analyzing the U.S. Response to Climate Change
  • Understanding the U.S. Electoral College: Pros and Cons
  • U.S. Drug Policy: Lessons Learned From the War on Drugs

U.S. Government Research Paper Topics for University

  • Native American Treaties and U.S. Government: A Detailed Study
  • Rise of Partisanship: An Exploration Into U.S. Politics
  • Education Policy in the United States: A Critical Assessment
  • American Antitrust Legislation: A Review and Analysis
  • U.S. Military Strategy in the Post-Cold War Era: A Comprehensive Study
  • Housing Policy and Inequality in the United States: A Detailed Examination
  • U.S. Trade Agreements: Analyzing Their Success and Failures
  • Unfolding American Diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific Region: An In-Depth Review
  • Citizens United Decision: An Analysis of Its Implications on U.S. Elections
  • Racial Profiling and Law Enforcement in the U.S.: A Study on Systemic Bias
  • Space Exploration Policies of the U.S.: A Comprehensive Overview
  • Gerrymandering in the United States: Analyzing Its Impacts on Representation
  • Public Health Policy in the U.S.: Lessons From the Covid-19 Pandemic
  • Women in U.S. Politics: A Study on Representation and Influence
  • Privatization in the U.S.: A Critical Analysis of Its Effects on Public Services
  • U.S. Welfare Policy: An Evaluation of Its Efficacy and Inclusivity
  • Privacy Rights in the U.S.: Analyzing the Balance Between Security and Liberty
  • Minimum Wage Policies in the United States: A Comparative Study
  • U.S. Energy Policy: A Study of Transition towards Renewable Resources
  • Cybersecurity in the U.S.: Analyzing Government’s Role in Protecting National Infrastructure

American Government and Foreign Policy Essay Topics

  • Middle East Policies: A Review of U.S. Strategy and Diplomacy
  • Democratization and American Foreign Policy: A Critical Examination
  • China-U.S. Relations: A Study of Economic and Security Dilemmas
  • American Strategy in Containing North Korea’s Nuclear Ambition
  • Shifts in U.S.-Russia Relations: Post-Cold War Analysis
  • Climate Change and American Foreign Policy: An In-Depth Study
  • Human Rights in American Foreign Policy: Case Studies From the 21st Century
  • Evaluating U.S. Intervention in Afghanistan: A Retrospective Study
  • Cyber Warfare and U.S. Foreign Policy: Exploring Strategies and Consequences
  • U.S. and NATO: Analyzing the Changing Dynamics of Transatlantic Alliance
  • Latin America in U.S. Foreign Policy: A Historical Analysis
  • American Policy in the Indo-Pacific: Security, Diplomacy, and Economics
  • U.S. Foreign Aid: Analysis of Trends and Effectiveness
  • Arms Control and American Foreign Policy: A Review of Key Agreements
  • U.S.-EU Relations: Trade, Security, and Diplomatic Perspectives
  • American Policy Towards Israel and Palestine: A Critical Evaluation
  • The Iran Nuclear Deal and U.S. Foreign Policy: A Comprehensive Study
  • Global Health and American Foreign Policy: Priorities and Challenges
  • Climate Diplomacy in U.S. Foreign Policy: A Study of the Paris Agreement

American Government and Media Essay Topics

  • Media Influence on Presidential Elections: A Case Study
  • Influence of Media in Shaping Public Policy: An Analysis
  • The First Amendment: Press Freedom and Its Limits
  • Media Portrayal of U.S. Foreign Policy: A Critical Examination
  • Partisan Media and Polarization in American Politics: An Exploratory Study
  • Fake News and Its Influence on American Political Discourse
  • Public Broadcasting in America: A Historical Analysis
  • Digital Media and American Politics: Understanding the Shift
  • Social Media’s Influence on Political Mobilization: Case Studies From the U.S.
  • Media Bias in Coverage of Gun Control: A Comparative Study
  • Media Framing of Immigration Policies in the U.S.: A Discourse Analysis
  • Network News and Its Influence on Public Perception of the Presidency
  • The Power of Political Cartoons in Shaping Public Opinion
  • Censorship and Self-Censorship in American Media: A Comprehensive Study
  • Media Coverage of the Supreme Court: A Critical Review
  • Cable News and Polarization in U.S. Politics: A Longitudinal Study
  • The Role of Satirical News in American Political Discourse
  • Media and Public Perception of Climate Change Policies in America
  • Traditional Media vs. Social Media in U.S. Political Campaigns: A Comparative Analysis

American Political Parties and Elections Topics

  • Campaign Strategies in Modern American Elections: An Analysis
  • Transformative Elections in American History: Case Studies
  • Minor Political Parties in U.S. Electoral Politics: A Comparative Study
  • Influence of Lobbying on Election Outcomes: An Empirical Investigation
  • How Gerrymandering Shapes American Politics: A Comprehensive Review
  • American Presidential Primaries: A Historical Examination
  • The Electoral College: An Evaluation of Its Efficacy in Modern U.S. Politics
  • American Politics and the Issue of Voter Suppression: A Critical Study
  • Dynamics of Swing States in U.S. Presidential Elections: An In-Depth Analysis
  • Candidate Image Crafting in American Elections: A Semiotic Analysis
  • Polarization and Its Effect on American Elections: An Empirical Investigation
  • Public Financing in American Elections: A Comparative Study
  • Third-Party Candidates and Their Influence on U.S. Elections: An Exploratory Study
  • American Midterm Elections and Their Effect on Presidential Governance: An Analysis
  • Effects of Negative Campaigning in U.S. Elections: A Quantitative Study
  • Dynamics of Coalition Building in American Political Parties: A Case Study
  • Presidential Debates and Their Influence on Election Outcomes: An Empirical Investigation
  • Changes in Electoral Behavior in the American South: A Longitudinal Study
  • The Effect of Voter Turnout on Election Results: A Statistical Analysis
  • The Future of American Elections: Predicting Trends in the Digital Age

Government Research Paper Topics About the Executive Arm

  • Presidential Decision-Making in Times of Crisis: A Comparative Analysis
  • Foreign Policy Execution and the American President: A Critical Study
  • Cabinet Appointments and Policy Outcomes: An Empirical Investigation
  • Transformations in the Executive Office: A Historical Review
  • Executive Orders: A Quantitative Analysis of Their Use and Effectiveness
  • Exercise of Veto Power: A Comparative Study Across Presidential Administrations
  • War Powers and the U.S. Presidency: A Constitutional Analysis
  • American Presidency and the Pardon Power: A Legal Examination
  • Executive Privilege: Its Use and Misuse in American Politics
  • Presidential Succession and Continuity of Government: A Policy Analysis
  • Dynamics of Executive-Legislative Relations: An Interdisciplinary Study
  • The Vice Presidency: Evolution and Influence in Modern American Politics
  • Presidential Campaigns: Financing and Its Influence on Policy Outcomes
  • National Emergency Declarations and Presidential Power: A Constitutional Study
  • The Power of Persuasion: Rhetoric and the American Presidency
  • The Cabinet’s Influence on Presidential Decision-Making: A Qualitative Study
  • Presidential Nominations and the Confirmation Process: A Policy Analysis
  • Environmental Policy-Making in the Executive Branch: A Historical Review
  • Immigration Policy Execution and Presidential Discretion: A Comparative Analysis
  • National Security and the Use of Executive Power: A Critical Investigation

Legislative Branch of Government Essay Topics in American Politics

  • Committee Power in the U.S. Congress: A Quantitative Study
  • Bicameralism and Its Influence on Legislation: A Comparative Analysis
  • Parliamentary Procedure and Democratic Governance: A Policy Review
  • Policy-Making Dynamics in the Senate: A Historical Review
  • Congressional Oversight and Its Effect on Executive Power: A Qualitative Study
  • Gridlock in Congress: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions
  • House Rules Committee and Its Influence on Legislation: An Empirical Investigation
  • Legislative Agendas: Partisanship and Its Effects on Lawmaking
  • Lobbying and Influence in the Lawmaking Process: A Critical Analysis
  • Congressional Elections: Campaign Financing and Electoral Outcomes
  • Redistricting and Its Effect on the Balance of Power in Congress: A Quantitative Analysis
  • Filibuster and Its Impact on Legislative Efficiency: A Policy Analysis
  • Political Polarization in the House of Representatives: A Comparative Study
  • Congressional Ethics and Conduct: A Legal Examination
  • Minority Representation in the U.S. Congress: A Quantitative Analysis
  • Leadership Dynamics in Congress: A Historical Review
  • Term Limits and Legislative Productivity: An Empirical Investigation
  • Congressional Budgeting Process: A Critical Examination
  • Lawmaking and the Influence of Interest Groups: A Comparative Analysis
  • Checks and Balances: The Role of Congress in National Security Policy-Making

Political Behavior and American Government Essay Topics

  • Identity Politics and Policy Preferences in American Government
  • Shifts in American Political Behavior: Historical Analysis
  • Public Opinion, Ideology, and Policy Change in U.S. Politics
  • Media Consumption and Its Influence on Political Preferences
  • Digital Democracy: How the Internet Has Transformed Political Participation
  • Voting Behavior and Electoral Outcomes: An Empirical Examination
  • Effects of Civic Education on Political Engagement: A Comparative Study
  • Partisan Realignment and Its Consequences for American Politics
  • Dynamics of Political Polarization in Contemporary America
  • Political Trust and Its Relationship With Government Performance
  • Cultural Factors and Their Influence on Political Attitudes
  • Citizen Engagement and Its Relationship With Political Accountability
  • Exploring the Nexus Between Socioeconomic Status and Political Behavior
  • Environmental Concerns and Their Influence on Voting Behavior
  • Political Socialization and Its Impact on Political Affiliation
  • Understanding Populism in the Context of American Politics
  • Racial Politics and Its Effect on the American Government
  • Religious Beliefs and Their Influence on Political Behavior
  • Public Opinion and Foreign Policy: A Historical Analysis

Political Theory and American Government Essay Topics

  • Applying Rawlsian Justice to American Policy Making
  • Hobbes and the Foundation of American Political Structure
  • Lockean Ideals in the American Declaration of Independence
  • Exploring the Influence of Machiavellian Theory on U.S. Politics
  • Marxist Interpretations of American Economic Policies
  • Application of Communitarianism in U.S. Social Welfare Policies
  • Classical Republicanism and Its Echoes in American Government
  • Neo-Conservatism and Its Theoretical Foundations in U.S. Politics
  • Postmodern Perspectives on American Democracy
  • Utilitarianism and Its Reflection on American Economic Policies
  • Feminist Political Theory and Its Relevance in U.S. Politics
  • Concepts of Liberty in American Political Discourse: A Theoretical Analysis
  • Civil Disobedience: From Thoreau to Modern American Protests
  • Pluralism and Interest Group Politics in America
  • Exploring Libertarianism in the Context of U.S. Government Policies
  • Populism as a Political Theory: Reflections in American Politics
  • Deliberative Democracy in Practice: U.S. Town Hall Meetings
  • Contractualism and the American Constitution: A Theoretical Analysis
  • Understanding Identity Politics through the Lens of Queer Theory in the U.S.
  • Anarchist Theories and Their Relevance to American Political Movements

Public Policy and Administration Topics

  • Understanding Policy Feedback and Its Implications on Program Sustainability
  • Public Administration Reforms: Comparative Analysis of Best Practices
  • Fiscal Federalism and Public Policy Making in Decentralized Systems
  • Emergent Public Policy Challenges in Cybersecurity
  • Public Administration and Crisis Management: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Public Policy Responses to Technological Disruption
  • Transparency, Accountability, and Ethics in Public Administration
  • Policy Diffusion in Intergovernmental Relations: Patterns and Challenges
  • Incorporating Behavioral Insights Into Public Policy Design
  • Interrogating the Influence of Lobbying on Public Policy
  • Urban Planning Policies and Sustainable Development Goals
  • Gender Mainstreaming Strategies in Public Policy and Administration
  • Public Administration’s Adaptation to Digital Transformation
  • Healthcare Policy Reforms: Balancing Efficiency and Equity
  • Exploring the Nexus of Public Policy and Social Justice
  • Multiculturalism in Public Policy: Incorporating Diversity in Service Delivery
  • Trade Policy Negotiations and National Interests: A Diplomatic Tightrope
  • Fostering Innovation and Creativity through Education Policies
  • Public Policy Making in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges

Questions About the American Government

  • American Government System: Why Does It Operate on a Two-Party Structure?
  • Supreme Court Appointments: How Do They Influence the Balance of Power?
  • Understanding the Bill of Rights: Which Amendments Have Provoked the Most Controversy?
  • Federalism in America: How Does It Affect State Policies?
  • Impeachment Process in the United States: What Are the Criteria and Consequences?
  • Why Does the United States Employ an Electoral College in Presidential Elections?
  • American Government and Lobbying: Is There a Need for Stricter Regulations?
  • Deciphering the Role of Super PACs in American Politics: Are They a Necessity?
  • How Does Gerrymandering Influence Political Representation in America?
  • Citizens United Decision: What Are Its Implications on American Democracy?
  • Understanding the Powers and Limitations of the American Presidency: Is It Truly a Democratic Office?
  • How Does the American Constitution Protect Individual Rights?
  • Campaign Finance in American Elections: How Does It Affect Political Outcomes?
  • Functioning of the American Legislative Branch: What Makes It Efficient?
  • Why Do Executive Orders Play a Vital Part in the Functioning of the American Government?
  • Effect of Gridlock in Congress on American Policy Making: Is It Detrimental?
  • How Does Public Opinion Influence Government Decision-Making in the United States?
  • Influence of Interest Groups on American Government: Boon or Bane?
  • Bicameral Legislature in America: What Are Its Rationale and Significance?

State and Local Government Essay Topics in the American System

  • Decentralization Dynamics: A Study of Power Shifts in State and Local Governments
  • Strategizing Municipal Finance: Effective Revenue Generation Models
  • State Sovereignty vs. Federal Guidelines: An Examination of Conflict and Cooperation
  • Examining the Efficacy of Participatory Budgeting in Local Government
  • Local Governments and Environmental Sustainability: Policy Design and Implementation
  • Diversity in Local Government Leadership: A Comprehensive Analysis
  • Education Policy Formulation at the State Level: A Comparative Study
  • Municipal Bond Market: Understanding Its Function in Infrastructure Development
  • Public Health Management at the State Level: Lessons From Pandemic Response
  • Understanding Land Use Policy: A Perspective From Local Governments
  • Fiscal Decentralization: Its Effect on State and Local Economic Development
  • Urban Planning and Local Governments: A Critical Analysis of Current Practices
  • Evaluating the Effectiveness of State Governments in Disaster Management
  • State Government Pension Systems: An Analytical Review of Their Sustainability
  • Public Transportation Policy: A Case Study of State-Level Initiatives
  • Revenue Sharing Between States and Localities: An Assessment of Current Mechanisms
  • Local Government and Community Engagement: Strategies for Effective Citizen Participation
  • Accountability Measures in State Government: An Investigation of Transparency Practices
  • Public-Private Partnerships in Local Government: A Review of Best Practices
  • Challenges and Solutions in State-Level Cybersecurity Policy Implementation

The Constitution and Bill of Rights Topics

  • Interpreting Freedom: First Amendment Controversies in the Digital Age
  • Second Amendment Debates: Understanding the Constitution and Gun Control
  • Protection vs. Privacy: The Fourth Amendment in an Era of Technology
  • The Eighth Amendment: Contemporary Challenges in the Context of Criminal Justice
  • Dilemmas of Due Process: A Critical Examination of the Fifth Amendment
  • Origins and Applications: A Deep Dive Into the Tenth Amendment
  • Historical Analysis of Constitutional Amendments: Understanding Their Significance
  • Cultural Shifts and Constitutional Interpretation: Exploring the Changing Landscape
  • Examining the Thirteenth Amendment: The Legacy of Abolition and Modern-Day Implications
  • Constitutional Equality: The Unratified Equal Rights Amendment
  • The Nineteenth Amendment and Beyond: Women’s Suffrage and Contemporary Gender Politics
  • Voting Rights: The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and Current Debates on Age and Citizenship
  • The Jurisprudence of the Supreme Court: Notable Cases Interpreting the Bill of Rights
  • Constitutional Debates and Democracy: Analyzing the Balance of Powers
  • Influence of International Law on Constitutional Interpretation
  • How the Bill of Rights Influences Modern Social Movements
  • The Constitution and Indigenous Rights: Historical Context and Present Implications
  • Reevaluating the Commerce Clause: A Critical Exploration in the Context of Globalization
  • Constitutional Perspectives on Data Privacy and Protection

The Judicial Branch of Government Essay Topics in American Politics

  • Deciphering Judicial Independence: Origins, Challenges, and Prospects
  • Understanding the Supreme Court: Composition, Function, and Influence
  • Appointment Controversies: Analyzing the Supreme Court Nominations
  • Federal Courts and Politics: An Examination of Judicial Decision-Making
  • Checks and Balances: The Judiciary and the Executive Power
  • Courts as Policy Makers: Exploring Activism Within the Judicial Branch
  • The Art of Interpretation: Statutory Construction in the Supreme Court
  • From Marbury to Modernity: The Evolution of Judicial Review
  • Exploring Sentencing Disparities: An Examination of Federal Courts
  • Diversity in the Judiciary: Assessing Representation in Federal Courts
  • Law, Order, and Ethics: A Critical Analysis of Judicial Conduct
  • Public Perception and Confidence in the Judicial Branch
  • Case Precedent and Legal Stability: The Doctrine of Stare Decisis
  • Securing Justice: The Role of Federal Public Defenders
  • Judicial Power in the Context of Constitutional Crises
  • Assessing the Effectiveness of Specialized Courts: A Comparative Study
  • Judicial Restraint and Activism: Ideology in Supreme Court Rulings
  • The Federal Judiciary and Civil Liberties: Trends and Implications
  • Administrative Law and Federal Courts: A Study in Regulatory Litigation
  • International Law in U.S. Courts: Application and Controversy

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government about essays

By the People: Essays on Democracy

Harvard Kennedy School faculty explore aspects of democracy in their own words—from increasing civic participation and decreasing extreme partisanship to strengthening democratic institutions and making them more fair.

Winter 2020

By Archon Fung , Nancy Gibbs , Tarek Masoud , Julia Minson , Cornell William Brooks , Jane Mansbridge , Arthur Brooks , Pippa Norris , Benjamin Schneer

Series of essays on democracy.

The basic terms of democratic governance are shifting before our eyes, and we don’t know what the future holds. Some fear the rise of hateful populism and the collapse of democratic norms and practices. Others see opportunities for marginalized people and groups to exercise greater voice and influence. At the Kennedy School, we are striving to produce ideas and insights to meet these great uncertainties and to help make democratic governance successful in the future. In the pages that follow, you can read about the varied ways our faculty members think about facets of democracy and democratic institutions and making democracy better in practice.

Explore essays on democracy

Archon fung: we voted, nancy gibbs: truth and trust, tarek masoud: a fragile state, julia minson: just listen, cornell william brooks: democracy behind bars, jane mansbridge: a teachable skill, arthur brooks: healthy competition, pippa norris: kicking the sandcastle, benjamin schneer: drawing a line.

Get smart & reliable public policy insights right in your inbox. 

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Federalist Papers: Primary Documents in American History

Full text of the federalist papers.

  • Introduction
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  • Federalist Nos. 31-40
  • Federalist Nos. 41-50
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The Federalist , commonly referred to as the Federalist Papers, is a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison between October 1787 and May 1788. The essays were published anonymously, under the pen name "Publius," in various New York state newspapers of the time.

The Federalist Papers were written and published to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution, which was drafted in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. In lobbying for adoption of the Constitution over the existing Articles of Confederation, the essays explain particular provisions of the Constitution in detail. For this reason, and because Hamilton and Madison were each members of the Constitutional Convention, the Federalist Papers are often used today to help interpret the intentions of those drafting the Constitution.

The Federalist Papers were published primarily in two New York state newspapers: The New York Packet and The Independent Journal . They were reprinted in other newspapers in New York state and in several cities in other states. A bound edition, with revisions and corrections by Hamilton, was published in 1788 by printers J. and A. McLean. An edition published by printer Jacob Gideon in 1818, with revisions and corrections by Madison, was the first to identify each essay by its author's name. Because of its publishing history, the assignment of authorship, numbering, and exact wording may vary with different editions of The Federalist .

The electronic text of The Federalist used here was compiled for Project Gutenberg by scholars who drew on many available versions of the papers.

One printed edition of the text is The Federalist , edited by Jacob E. Cooke (Middletown, Conn., Wesleyan University Press, 1961). Cooke's introduction provides background information on the printing history of The Federalist; the information provided above comes in part from his work.

This web-friendly presentation of the original text of the Federalist Papers (also known as The Federalist) was obtained from the e-text archives of Project Gutenberg. Any irregularities with regard to grammar, syntax, spelling, or punctuation are as they exist in the original e-text archives.

Table of Contents

No. Title Author Publication Date
1. Hamilton For the --
2. Jay For the --
3. Jay For the --
4. Jay For the --
5. Jay For the --
6. Hamilton For the --
7. Hamilton For the --
8. Hamilton From the Tuesday, November 20, 1787
9. Hamilton For the --
10. Madison Frm the Friday, November 27, 1787
11. Hamilton For the --
12. Hamilton From the Tuesday, November 27, 1787
13. Hamilton For the --
14. Madison From the Friday, November 30, 1787
15.  Hamilton For the --
16. Hamilton From the Tuesday, December 4, 1787
17.  Hamilton For the --
18. Hamilton and Madison For the --
19. Hamilton and Madison For the --
20. Hamilton and Madison From the Tuesday, December 11, 1787
21. Hamilton For the --
22. Hamilton From the Friday, December 14, 1787
23. Hamilton From the Tuesday, December 17, 1787
24. Hamilton For the --
25. Hamilton From the Friday, December 21, 1787
26. Hamilton For the --
27. Hamilton From the Tuesday, December 25, 1787
28.  Hamilton For the --
29. Hamilton From the Thursday, January 10, 1788
30. Hamilton From the Friday, December 28, 1787
31. Hamilton From the Tuesday, January 1, 1788
32. Hamilton From the Thursday, January 3, 1788
33. Hamilton From the Thursday, January 3, 1788
34. Hamilton From the Friday, January 4, 1788
35. Hamilton For the --
36. Hamilton From the Tuesday, January 8, 1788
37. Madison From the Friday, January 11, 1788
38.  Madison From the Tuesday, January 15, 1788
39.  Madison For the --
40. Madison From the Friday, January 18, 1788
41. Madison For the --
42. Madison From the Tuesday, January 22, 1788
43. Madison For the --
44. Madison From the Friday, January 25, 1788
45. Madison For the --
46.  Madison From the Tuesday, January 29, 1788
47. Madison From the Friday, February 1, 1788
48. Madison From the Friday, February 1, 1788
49. Hamilton or Madison From the Tuesday, February 5, 1788
50. Hamilton or Madison From the Tuesday, February 5, 1788
51. Hamilton or Madison From the Friday, February 8, 1788
52.  Hamilton or Madison From the Friday, February 8, 1788
53. Hamilton or Madison From the Tuesday, February 12, 1788
54. Hamilton or Madison From the Tuesday, February 12, 1788
55.  Hamilton or Madison From the Friday, February 15, 1788
56. Hamilton or Madison From the Tuesday, February 19, 1788
57. Hamilton or Madison From the Tuesday, February 19, 1788
58. Madison -- --
59. Hamilton From the Friday, February 22, 1788
60. Hamilton From the Tuesday, February 26, 1788
61. Hamilton From the Tuesday, February 26, 1788
62.  Hamilton or Madison For the --
63. Hamilton or Madison For the --
64. Jay From the Friday, March 7, 1788
65. Hamilton From the Friday, March 7, 1788
66.  Hamilton From the Tuesday, March 11, 1788
67.  Hamilton From the Tuesday, March 11, 1788
68. Hamilton From the Friday, March 14, 1788
69.  Hamilton From the Friday, March 14, 1788
70.  Hamilton From the Friday, March 14, 1788
71. Hamilton From the Tuesday, March 18, 1788
72.  Hamilton From the Friday, March 21, 1788
73.  Hamilton From the Friday, March 21, 1788
74.  Hamilton From the Tuesday, March 25, 1788
75. Hamilton For the --
76. Hamilton From the Tuesday, April 1, 1788
77. Hamilton From the Friday, April 4, 1788
78. Hamilton From McLEAN's Edition, New York --
79. Hamilton From McLEAN's Edition, New York --
80. Hamilton From McLEAN's Edition, New York --
81. Hamilton From McLEAN's Edition --
82. Hamilton From McLEAN's Edition --
83. Hamilton From McLEAN's Edition --
84. Hamilton From McLEAN's Edition --
85. Hamilton From McLEAN's Edition --
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government about essays

Essay on Politics: Topics, Tips, and Examples for Students

government about essays

Defining What is Politics Essay

The process of decision-making that applies to members of a group or society is called politics. Arguably, political activities are the backbone of human society, and everything in our daily life is a form of it.

Understanding the essence of politics, reflecting on its internal elements, and critically analyzing them make society more politically aware and let them make more educated decisions. Constantly thinking and analyzing politics is critical for societal evolution.

Political thinkers often write academic papers that explore different political concepts, policies, and events. The essay about politics may examine a wide range of topics such as government systems, political ideologies, social justice, public policies, international relations, etc.

After selecting a specific research topic, a writer should conduct extensive research, gather relevant information, and prepare a logical and well-supported argument. The paper should be clear and organized, complying with academic language and standards. A writer should demonstrate a deep understanding of the subject, an ability to evaluate and remain non-biased to different viewpoints, and a capacity to draw conclusions.

Now that we are on the same page about the question 'what is politics essay' and understand its importance, let's take a deeper dive into how to build a compelling political essay, explore the most relevant political argumentative essay topics, and finally, examine the political essay examples written by the best essay writing service team.

Politics Essay Example for Students

If you are still unsure how to structure your essay or how to present your statement, don't worry. Our team of experts has prepared an excellent essay example for you. Feel free to explore and examine it. Use it to guide you through the writing process and help you understand what a successful essay looks like.

How to Write a Political Essay: Tips + Guide

A well-written essay is easy to read and digest. You probably remember reading papers full of big words and complex ideas that no one bothered to explain. We all agree that such essays are easily forgotten and not influential, even though they might contain a very important message.

If you are writing an essay on politics, acknowledge that you are on a critical mission to easily convey complicated concepts. Hence, what you are trying to say should be your main goal. Our guide on how to write a political essay will help you succeed.

political-essay

Conduct Research for Your Politics Essay

After choosing a topic for the essay, take enough time for preparation. Even if you are familiar with the matter, conducting thorough research is wiser. Political issues are complex and multifaceted; comprehensive research will help you understand the topic better and offer a more nuanced analysis.

Research can help you identify different viewpoints and arguments around the topic, which can be beneficial for building more impartial and persuasive essays on politics. Sometimes in the hit of the moment, opposing sides are not able to see the common ground; your goal is to remain rational, speak to diverse audiences, and help them see the core of the problem and the ways to solve it.

In political papers, accuracy and credibility are vital. Researching the topic deeply will help you avoid factual errors or misrepresentations from any standpoint. It will allow you to gather reliable sources of information and create a trustworthy foundation for the entire paper.

If you want to stand out from the other students, get inspired by the list of hottest essay ideas and check out our political essay examples.

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Brainstorm Political Essay Topics

The next step to writing a compelling politics essay is to polish your thoughts and find the right angle to the chosen topic.

Before you start writing, generate fresh ideas and organize your thoughts. There are different techniques to systematize the mess going on in your head, such as freewriting, mind mapping, or even as simple as listing ideas. This will open the doors to new angles and approaches to the topic.

When writing an essay about politics, ensure the topic is not too general. It's always better to narrow it down. It will simplify your job and help the audience better understand the core of the problem. Brainstorming can help you identify key points and arguments, which you can use to find a specific angle on the topic.

Brainstorming can also help you detect informational gaps that must be covered before the writing process. Ultimately, the brainstorming phase can bring a lot more clarity and structure to your essay.

We know how exhausting it is to come up with comparative politics essay topics. Let our research paper writing service team do all the hard work for you.

Create Your Politics Essay Thesis Statement

Thesis statements, in general, serve as a starting point of the roadmap for the reader. A political essay thesis statement outlines the main ideas and arguments presented in the body paragraphs and creates a general sense of the content of the paper.

persuasive politics essay

Creating a thesis statement for essays about politics in the initial stages of writing can help you stay focused and on track throughout the working process. You can use it as an aim and constantly check your arguments and evidence against it. The question is whether they are relevant and supportive of the statement.

Get creative when creating a statement. This is the first sentence readers will see, and it should be compelling and clear.

The following is a great example of a clear and persuasive thesis statement:

 'The lack of transparency and accountability has made the World Trade Organization one of the most controversial economic entities. Despite the influence, its effectiveness in promoting free trade and economic growth in developing countries has decreased.'

Provide Facts in Your Essay about Politic

It's a no-brainer that everything you will write in your essay should be supported by strong evidence. The credibility of your argument will be questioned every step of the way, especially when you are writing about sensitive subjects such as essays on government influence on economic troubles. 

Provide facts and use them as supporting evidence in your politics essay. They will help you establish credibility and accuracy and take your paper out of the realm of speculation and mere opinions.

Facts will make your essay on political parties more persuasive, unbiased, and targeted to larger audiences. Remember, the goal is to bring the light to the core of the issue and find a solution, not to bring people even farther apart.

Speaking of facts, many students claim that when they say ' write my essay for me ' out loud, our writing team is the fastest to respond and deliver high-quality essays meeting their trickiest requirements.

Structure Your Political Essay

Your main goal is to communicate your ideas to many people. To succeed, you need to write an essay that is easy to read and understand. Creating a structure will help you present your ideas logically and lead the readers in the right direction.

Sometimes when writing about political essay topics, we get carried away. These issues can be very emotional and sensitive, and writers are not protected from becoming victims of their own writings. Having a structure will keep you on track, only focusing on providing supported arguments and relevant information.

Start with introducing the thesis statement and provide background information. Followed by the body paragraphs and discuss all the relevant facts and standpoints. Finish it up with a comprehensive conclusion, and state the main points of your essay once again.

The structure will also save you time. In the beginning, creating an outline for essays on politics will give you a general idea of what should be written, and you can track your progress against it.

Revise and Proofread Your Final Politics Essay

Once every opinion is on the paper and every argument is well-constructed, one final step should be taken. Revision!

We know nothing is better than finishing the homework and quickly submitting it, but we aim for an A+. Our political essay must be reviewed. You need to check if there is any error such as grammatical, spelling, or contextual.

Take some time off, relax, and start proofreading after a few minutes or hours. Having a fresh mind will help you review not only grammar but also the arguments. Check if something is missing from your essays about politics, and if you find gaps, provide additional information.

You had to spend a lot of time on them, don't give up now. Make sure they are in perfect condition.

Effective Political Essay Topics

We would be happy if our guide on how to write political essays helped you, but we are not stopping there. Below you will find a list of advanced and relevant political essay topics. Whether you are interested in global political topics or political science essay topics, we got you covered.

Once you select a topic, don't forget to check out our politics essay example! It will bring even more clarity, and you will be all ready to start writing your own paper.

Political Argumentative Essay Topics

Now that we know how to write a political analysis essay let's explore political argumentative essay topics:

  • Should a political party take a stance on food politics and support policies promoting sustainable food systems?
  • Should we label Winston Churchill as the most influential political figure of World War II?
  • Does the focus on GDP growth in the political economy hinder the human development index?
  • Is foreign influence a threat to national security?
  • Is foreign aid the best practice for political campaigning?
  • Does the electoral college work for an ideal political system?
  • Are social movements making a real difference, or are they politically active for temporary change?
  • Can global politics effectively address political conflicts in the modern world?
  • Are opposing political parties playing positive roles in US international relations?
  • To what extent should political influence be allowed in addressing economic concerns?
  • Can representative democracy prevent civil wars in ethnically diverse countries?
  • Should nuclear weapons be abolished for the sake of global relations?
  • Is economic development more important than ethical issues for Caribbean politics?
  • What role should neighboring nations play in preventing human rights abuse in totalitarian regimes?
  • Should political decisions guide the resolution of conflicts in the South China Sea?

Political Socialization Essay Topics

Knowing how to write a political issue essay is one thing, but have you explored our list of political socialization essay topics?

  • To what extent does a political party or an influential political figure shape the beliefs of young people?
  • Does political influence shape attitudes toward environmental politics?
  • How can individuals use their own learning process to navigate political conflicts in a polarized society?
  • How do political strategies shape cultural globalization?
  • Is gender bias used as a political instrument in political socialization?
  • How can paying attention to rural communities improve political engagement?
  • What is the role of Amnesty International in preventing the death penalty?
  • What is the role of politically involved citizens in shaping minimum wage policies?
  • How does a political party shape attitudes toward global warming?
  • How does the federal system influence urban planning and attitudes toward urban development?
  • What is the role of public opinion in shaping foreign policy, and how does it affect political decision making
  • Did other countries' experiences affect policies on restricting immigration in the US?
  • How can note-taking skills and practice tests improve political engagement? 
  • How do the cultural values of an independent country shape the attitudes toward national security?
  • Does public opinion influence international intervention in helping countries reconcile after conflicts?

Political Science Essay Topics

If you are searching for political science essay topics, check our list below and write the most compelling essay about politic:

  • Is environmental education a powerful political instrument? 
  • Can anarchist societies provide a viable alternative to traditional forms of governance?
  • Pros and cons of deterrence theory in contemporary international relations
  • Comparing the impact of the French Revolution and World War II on the political landscape of Europe
  • The role of the ruling political party in shaping national policies on nuclear weapons
  • Exploring the roots of where politics originate
  • The impact of civil wars on the processes of democratization of the third-world countries
  • The role of international organizations in promoting global health
  • Does using the death penalty in the justice system affect international relations?
  • Assessing the role of the World Trade Organization in shaping global trade policies
  • The political and environmental implications of conventional agriculture
  • The impact of the international court on political decision making
  • Is philosophical anarchism relevant to contemporary political discourse?
  • The emergence of global citizenship and its relationship with social movements
  • The impact of other countries on international relations between the US and China

Final Words

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Annie Lambert

Annie Lambert

specializes in creating authoritative content on marketing, business, and finance, with a versatile ability to handle any essay type and dissertations. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a passion for social issues, her writing not only educates but also inspires action. On EssayPro blog, Annie delivers detailed guides and thought-provoking discussions on pressing economic and social topics. When not writing, she’s a guest speaker at various business seminars.

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is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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Introductory essay

Written by the educators who created Cyber-Influence and Power, a brief look at the key facts, tough questions and big ideas in their field. Begin this TED Study with a fascinating read that gives context and clarity to the material.

Each and every one of us has a vital part to play in building the kind of world in which government and technology serve the world’s people and not the other way around. Rebecca MacKinnon

Over the past 20 years, information and communication technologies (ICTs) have transformed the globe, facilitating the international economic, political, and cultural connections and exchanges that are at the heart of contemporary globalization processes. The term ICT is broad in scope, encompassing both the technological infrastructure and products that facilitate the collection, storage, manipulation, and distribution of information in a variety of formats.

While there are many definitions of globalization, most would agree that the term refers to a variety of complex social processes that facilitate worldwide economic, cultural, and political connections and exchanges. The kinds of global connections ICTs give rise to mark a dramatic departure from the face-to-face, time and place dependent interactions that characterized communication throughout most of human history. ICTs have extended human interaction and increased our interconnectedness, making it possible for geographically dispersed people not only to share information at an ever-faster rate but also to organize and to take action in response to events occurring in places far from where they are physically situated.

While these complex webs of connections can facilitate positive collective action, they can also put us at risk. As TED speaker Ian Goldin observes, the complexity of our global connections creates a built-in fragility: What happens in one part of the world can very quickly affect everyone, everywhere.

The proliferation of ICTs and the new webs of social connections they engender have had profound political implications for governments, citizens, and non-state actors alike. Each of the TEDTalks featured in this course explore some of these implications, highlighting the connections and tensions between technology and politics. Some speakers focus primarily on how anti-authoritarian protesters use technology to convene and organize supporters, while others expose how authoritarian governments use technology to manipulate and control individuals and groups. When viewed together as a unit, the contrasting voices reveal that technology is a contested site through which political power is both exercised and resisted.

Technology as liberator

The liberating potential of technology is a powerful theme taken up by several TED speakers in Cyber-Influence and Power . Journalist and Global Voices co-founder Rebecca MacKinnon, for example, begins her talk by playing the famous Orwell-inspired Apple advertisement from 1984. Apple created the ad to introduce Macintosh computers, but MacKinnon describes Apple's underlying narrative as follows: "technology created by innovative companies will set us all free." While MacKinnon examines this narrative with a critical eye, other TED speakers focus on the ways that ICTs can and do function positively as tools of social change, enabling citizens to challenge oppressive governments.

In a 2011 CNN interview, Egyptian protest leader, Google executive, and TED speaker Wael Ghonim claimed "if you want to free a society, just give them internet access. The young crowds are going to all go out and see and hear the unbiased media, see the truth about other nations and their own nation, and they are going to be able to communicate and collaborate together." (i). In this framework, the opportunities for global information sharing, borderless communication, and collaboration that ICTs make possible encourage the spread of democracy. As Ghonim argues, when citizens go online, they are likely to discover that their particular government's perspective is only one among many. Activists like Ghonim maintain that exposure to this online free exchange of ideas will make people less likely to accept government propaganda and more likely to challenge oppressive regimes.

A case in point is the controversy that erupted around Khaled Said, a young Egyptian man who died after being arrested by Egyptian police. The police claimed that Said suffocated when he attempted to swallow a bag of hashish; witnesses, however, reported that he was beaten to death by the police. Stories about the beating and photos of Said's disfigured body circulated widely in online communities, and Ghonim's Facebook group, titled "We are all Khaled Said," is widely credited with bringing attention to Said's death and fomenting the discontent that ultimately erupted in the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, or what Ghonim refers to as "revolution 2.0."

Ghonim's Facebook group also illustrates how ICTs enable citizens to produce and broadcast information themselves. Many people already take for granted the ability to capture images and video via handheld devices and then upload that footage to platforms like YouTube. As TED speaker Clay Shirky points out, our ability to produce and widely distribute information constitutes a revolutionary change in media production and consumption patterns. The production of media has typically been very expensive and thus out of reach for most individuals; the average person was therefore primarily a consumer of media, reading books, listening to the radio, watching TV, going to movies, etc. Very few could independently publish their own books or create and distribute their own radio programs, television shows, or movies. ICTs have disrupted this configuration, putting media production in the hands of individual amateurs on a budget — or what Shirky refers to as members of "the former audience" — alongside the professionals backed by multi-billion dollar corporations. This "democratization of media" allows individuals to create massive amounts of information in a variety of formats and to distribute it almost instantly to a potentially global audience.

Shirky is especially interested in the Internet as "the first medium in history that has native support for groups and conversations at the same time." This shift has important political implications. For example, in 2008 many Obama followers used Obama's own social networking site to express their unhappiness when the presidential candidate changed his position on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The outcry of his supporters did not force Obama to revert to his original position, but it did help him realize that he needed to address his supporters directly, acknowledging their disagreement on the issue and explaining his position. Shirky observes that this scenario was also notable because the Obama organization realized that "their role was to convene their supporters but not to control their supporters." This tension between the use of technology in the service of the democratic impulse to convene citizens vs. the authoritarian impulse to control them runs throughout many of the TEDTalks in Cyber-Influence and Power.

A number of TED speakers explicitly examine the ways that ICTs give individual citizens the ability to document governmental abuses they witness and to upload this information to the Internet for a global audience. Thus, ICTs can empower citizens by giving them tools that can help keep their governments accountable. The former head of Al Jazeera and TED speaker Wadah Khanfar provides some very clear examples of the political power of technology in the hands of citizens. He describes how the revolution in Tunisia was delivered to the world via cell phones, cameras, and social media outlets, with the mainstream media relying on "citizen reporters" for details.

Former British prime minister Gordon Brown's TEDTalk also highlights some of the ways citizens have used ICTs to keep their governments accountable. For example, Brown recounts how citizens in Zimbabwe used the cameras on their phones at polling places in order to discourage the Mugabe regime from engaging in electoral fraud. Similarly, Clay Shirky begins his TEDTalk with a discussion of how cameras on phones were used to combat voter suppression in the 2008 presidential election in the U.S. ICTs allowed citizens to be protectors of the democratic process, casting their individual votes but also, as Shirky observes, helping to "ensure the sanctity of the vote overall."

Technology as oppressor

While smart phones and social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook have arguably facilitated the overthrow of dictatorships in places like Tunisia and Egypt, lending credence to Gordon Brown's vision of technology as an engine of liberalism and pluralism, not everyone shares this view. As TED speaker and former religious extremist Maajid Nawaz points out, there is nothing inherently liberating about ICTs, given that they frequently are deployed to great effect by extremist organizations seeking social changes that are often inconsistent with democracy and human rights. Where once individual extremists might have felt isolated and alone, disconnected from like-minded people and thus unable to act in concert with others to pursue their agendas, ICTs allow them to connect with other extremists and to form communities around their ideas, narratives, and symbols.

Ian Goldin shares this concern, warning listeners about what he calls the "two Achilles heels of globalization": growing inequality and the fragility that is inherent in a complex integrated system. He points out that those who do not experience the benefits of globalization, who feel like they've been left out in one way or another, can potentially become incredibly dangerous. In a world where what happens in one place very quickly affects everyone else — and where technologies are getting ever smaller and more powerful — a single angry individual with access to technological resources has the potential to do more damage than ever before. The question becomes then, how do we manage the systemic risk inherent in today's technology-infused globalized world? According to Goldin, our current governance structures are "fossilized" and ill-equipped to deal with these issues.

Other critics of the notion that ICTs are inherently liberating point out that ICTs have been leveraged effectively by oppressive governments to solidify their own power and to manipulate, spy upon, and censor their citizens. Journalist and TED speaker Evgeny Morozov expresses scepticism about what he calls "iPod liberalism," or the belief that technology will necessarily lead to the fall of dictatorships and the emergence of democratic governments. Morozov uses the term "spinternet" to describe authoritarian governments' use of the Internet to provide their own "spin" on issues and events. Russia, China, and Iran, he argues, have all trained and paid bloggers to promote their ideological agendas in the online environment and/or or to attack people writing posts the government doesn't like in an effort to discredit them as spies or criminals who should not be trusted.

Morozov also points out that social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are tools not only of revolutionaries but also of authoritarian governments who use them to gather open-source intelligence. "In the past," Morozov maintains, "it would take you weeks, if not months, to identify how Iranian activists connect to each other. Now you know how they connect to each other by looking at their Facebook page. KGB...used to torture in order to get this data." Instead of focusing primarily on bringing Internet access and devices to the people in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes, Morozov argues that we need to abandon our cyber-utopian assumptions and do more to actually empower intellectuals, dissidents, NGOs and other members of society, making sure that the "spinternet" does not prevent their voices from being heard.

The ICT Empowered Individual vs. The Nation State

In her TEDTalk "Let's Take Back the Internet," Rebecca MacKinnon argues that "the only legitimate purpose of government is to serve citizens, and…the only legitimate purpose of technology is to improve our lives, not to manipulate or enslave us." It is clearly not a given, however, that governments, organizations, and individuals will use technology benevolently. Part of the responsibility of citizenship in the globalized information age then is to work to ensure that both governments and technologies "serve the world's peoples." However, there is considerable disagreement about what that might look like.

WikiLeaks spokesperson and TED speaker Julian Assange, for example, argues that government secrecy is inconsistent with democratic values and is ultimately about deceiving and manipulating rather than serving the world's people. Others maintain that governments need to be able to keep secrets about some topics in order to protect their citizens or to act effectively in response to crises, oppressive regimes, terrorist organizations, etc. While some view Assange's use of technology as a way to hold governments accountable and to increase transparency, others see this use of technology as a criminal act with the potential to both undermine stable democracies and put innocent lives in danger.

ICTs and global citizenship

While there are no easy answers to the global political questions raised by the proliferation of ICTs, there are relatively new approaches to the questions that look promising, including the emergence of individuals who see themselves as global citizens — people who participate in a global civil society that transcends national boundaries. Technology facilitates global citizens' ability to learn about global issues, to connect with others who care about similar issues, and to organize and act meaningfully in response. However, global citizens are also aware that technology in and of itself is no panacea, and that it can be used to manipulate and oppress.

Global citizens fight against oppressive uses of technology, often with technology. Technology helps them not only to participate in global conversations that affect us all but also to amplify the voices of those who have been marginalized or altogether missing from such conversations. Moreover, global citizens are those who are willing to grapple with large and complex issues that are truly global in scope and who attempt to chart a course forward that benefits all people, regardless of their locations around the globe.

Gordon Brown implicitly alludes to the importance of global citizenship when he states that we need a global ethic of fairness and responsibility to inform global problem-solving. Human rights, disease, development, security, terrorism, climate change, and poverty are among the issues that cannot be addressed successfully by any one nation alone. Individual actors (nation states, NGOs, etc.) can help, but a collective of actors, both state and non-state, is required. Brown suggests that we must combine the power of a global ethic with the power to communicate and organize globally in order for us to address effectively the world's most pressing issues.

Individuals and groups today are able to exert influence that is disproportionate to their numbers and the size of their arsenals through their use of "soft power" techniques, as TED speakers Joseph Nye and Shashi Tharoor observe. This is consistent with Maajid Nawaz's discussion of the power of symbols and narratives. Small groups can develop powerful narratives that help shape the views and actions of people around the world. While governments are far more accustomed to exerting power through military force, they might achieve their interests more effectively by implementing soft power strategies designed to convince others that they want the same things. According to Nye, replacing a "zero-sum" approach (you must lose in order for me to win) with a "positive-sum" one (we can both win) creates opportunities for collaboration, which is necessary if we are to begin to deal with problems that are global in scope.

Let's get started

Collectively, the TEDTalks in this course explore how ICTs are used by and against governments, citizens, activists, revolutionaries, extremists, and other political actors in efforts both to preserve and disrupt the status quo. They highlight the ways that ICTs have opened up new forms of communication and activism as well as how the much-hailed revolutionary power of ICTs can and has been co-opted by oppressive regimes to reassert their control.

By listening to the contrasting voices of this diverse group of TED speakers, which includes activists, journalists, professors, politicians, and a former member of an extremist organization, we can begin to develop a more nuanced understanding of the ways that technology can be used both to facilitate and contest a wide variety of political movements. Global citizens who champion democracy would do well to explore these intersections among politics and technology, as understanding these connections is a necessary first step toward MacKinnon's laudable goal of building a world in which "government and technology serve the world's people and not the other way around."

Let's begin our exploration of the intersections among politics and technology in today's globalized world with a TEDTalk from Ian Goldin, the first Director of the 21st Century School, Oxford University's think tank/research center. Goldin's talk will set the stage for us, exploring the integrated, complex, and technology rich global landscape upon which the political struggles for power examined by other TED speakers play out.

Navigating our global future

Navigating our global future

i. "Welcome to Revolution 2.0, Ghonim Says," CNN, February 9, 2011. http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/02/09/wael.ghonim.interview.cnn.

Relevant talks

How social media can make history

Clay Shirky

How social media can make history.

How the Net aids dictatorships

Evgeny Morozov

How the net aids dictatorships.

Wiring a web for global good

Gordon Brown

Wiring a web for global good.

Global power shifts

Global power shifts

Why the world needs WikiLeaks

Julian Assange

Why the world needs wikileaks.

A global culture to fight extremism

Maajid Nawaz

A global culture to fight extremism.

Let's take back the Internet!

Rebecca MacKinnon

Let's take back the internet.

Why nations should pursue soft power

Shashi Tharoor

Why nations should pursue soft power.

A historic moment in the Arab world

Wadah Khanfar

A historic moment in the arab world.

Inside the Egyptian revolution

Wael Ghonim

Inside the egyptian revolution.

128 Federalism Essay Topics & Examples

Need to write a federalism essay? Looking for good federalism topics and samples for inspiration? This article is a great place to start!

⭐ Federalism Essay Prompts: Federalism in the United States

🏆 best federalism topics & essay examples, 🎓 good research topics about federalism, 🔍 federalism essay topics: simple & easy, 💡 most interesting federalism topics to write about, ❓ federalism essay questions.

What is federalism? Essay writing always starts with research, and we can help you with it. In short, federalism is a mode of government that combines general and regional governments. Your argumentative federalism essay can focus on federalism’s importance. Or, you can show your understanding of a unique system of governance in the United States.

In this article, you will find 74 excellent federalism essay topics and research ideas. You can also read our samples and use our free topic generator !

With its extensive territory and large population, the US required a robust government to sustain its infrastructure and grow into the global superpower it is today. However, its unique circumstances at the time of the formation made methods that were standard at the time inapplicable, forcing the Founding Fathers to innovate.

As a result, even two hundred years later, each state retains a considerable degree of independence. Your essay can cover any of the many different topics of federalism and its theoretical and practical applications:

  • You can center your essay on the conflicting ideas of Aristotelian happiness and utilitarianism, with the Republican and Democratic parties representing the options, respectively. The purpose of a country is to make sure that its citizens are as happy and comfortable as they can be. However, the task becomes complicated when the question of what happiness means is taken into consideration.
  • The emergence of the United States as a federation is a great federalism essay topic that can be explained by the circumstances of the nation’s formation. After fighting off the British in the Revolutionary War, the territory that would become the United States remained a loose alliance of small states, which can be considered a confederation. However, the system was ultimately non-viable, and the Founding Fathers had to create a more centralized country by creating and ratifying the Constitution.
  • Alternatively, you can focus on the role if Constitution and its history. At first, many states formed anti-federalist movements and opposed the initiative, but eventually, they agreed to it after their concerns were addressed in the Bill of Rights. The Constitution has been amended many times, but its core has remained unchanged. The United States is still a federation, and its states can adopt many critical laws without requiring the approval of the central government.
  • Discuss the idea of federalism in other countries that do not currently use it, providing examples. How much do the United States’ unique circumstances contribute to its ability to maintain a federation?
  • Talk about examples of other federations that currently exist or have existed in the past. Some of their models differ considerably from that used in the United States.
  • Discuss the idea of confederations and the reason why few to no countries can be classified as one despite their titles.

Find more ideas and excellent federalism essay samples below!

  • The Evolution of American Federalism Madison alone wrote over 20 articles on the subject and helped in the development and ratification of the US constitution and the 39th article as well as Federalist 51 is regarded as the most indicative […]
  • Federalism and separation of powers In the American constitution, specific powers were bestowed upon the national government and in the tenth amendment of 1791, it stated “the powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by […]
  • Federalism Advantages and Disadvantages This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of a federal system of government. A federal government can either be centralized where the central government has broad powers compared to state or provincial powers, or a […]
  • The United States Federalism and Political Culture Having established the central values of the United States’ political culture, it is worth discussing how some of them align with the concepts of federalism and anti-federalism. Therefore, it can be concluded that federalism is […]
  • “American Federalism” Article by Derthick This article considers the issue of the effective distribution of powers between the central and federal administrations. Thus, it shows the division of powers between the national and federal administrations in 1965-1980 and the current […]
  • Healthcare Regulations and Federalism’s Impact Although the ACA established the regulations for getting the coverage on federal levels, the government had to allow local policy-making due to the high autonomy of many regions.
  • The Account of the Pros and Cons of Federalism To conclude, federalism and devolution are rather efficient forms of the state government provided they are properly implemented in the country.
  • The Federalist Papers to Understand the United States Constitution The purpose of the federalist papers was to convince the people of New York to ratify the proposed constitution because most of the other states had already done so.
  • The Impact of Fiscal Federalism on Financial Operations The ADA requirements influenced the fiscal and budgetary operations of American College Health Association in terms of enforcement of employment rights and observing the rights of employers and students with disabilities.
  • Cooperative Federalism in the USA A vivid example of the implementation of the concept of dual federalism is the United States of America in the form in which they were initially formed.
  • American Federalism: Why It Is Good for the Nation? In conclusion, it is necessary to note that historical, political, and cultural peculiarities of the United States make federalism the most appropriate type of governance for the country.
  • The Major Eras of American Federalism The second category consists of the powers, which are “not delegated to [the national government of] the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states” and are referred to as the […]
  • Fiscal Federalism: The Performance of Third-Party Implementers In the article ‘Public Performance and Management Review,’ the research question is “what can states do to maximize the performance of third-party implementers in the context of fiscal federalism?” The theory included a review of […]
  • 10th Amendment & Federalism The 10th Amendment reads “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited to it by the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people”.
  • The Constitutional Debate About Government and Federalism The government provided for by this document was weak and this necessitated drafting of the American constitution after Shays Rebellion in the spring of 1787. There have been major changes in the media and technology […]
  • The Current State of Federalism in the 21st Century The outcome of the civil war of the 60-is of the XIX century was the doctrine of eternal union, recognizing the U.S.as a single state, created by the will of the entire American people, excluding […]
  • Federalism, Intergovernmental Relations, Fragmegration Finally there will be an analysis made of the difference in the theory of Fenno, Dahl and Lowi as compared to the normal text book definitions in regard to representation and legislation.
  • Constitutionalism and Federalism in State Politics The Constitution highlighted the fundamentals of American federalism and testified the domination of the centralization. As it can be view, the problem of centralization and decentralization was of great concern in the course of the […]
  • Federalism and Medical Marijuana Needless to say, United States faced political and social challenges as well, and the disputes over federalism and over the legal use of marijuana in medicine are still the most burning and controversial issues in […]
  • Federalists, Anti-federalist, and Republican Debate Generally, the state, that: It gave too much authority to the nationwide administration at the expenditure of the state management. Of these criticisms, the lack of a bill of rights was the most efficient.
  • Federalism Implications for Medicaid in California An example used to compare and contrast the two metaphors is the system of Medicaid as controlled by the federal government and by the state government.
  • Federalism and Gun Control in the United States 2 Each type of government possesses a set of duties and powers that it can exercise in the region, and the relationship between the levels is established in the Constitution.
  • Federalism: Policy Issues and Recommended Changes The concept of federalism is a well-known political trend, and the emphasis on its promotion is the practice that leaders of many states adhere to and develop.
  • Constitutional Convention of 1787 and Federalism James Madison was the key player on the issue of commerce under the Articles of the Confederation. He wanted the states to maintain the standards for the success of the social programs he wanted to […]
  • Federalism of the United States The end result showed that the federal government was using publicly owned land, which in the end, belonged to all citizens of the United States, thus the local state government had to make sure the […]
  • Federalism and Government Styles in the United States It is because the individual at the top is held accountable by the leaders of the local authorities. Top on the list is the fact that the division of power between the central government and […]
  • Presidential Power in Hamilton’s Federalist No. 70 The analogy presented in the Federalist paper number seventy formed the basis of the present-day powerful executive in the United States.
  • Judicial Branch in Hamilton’s Federalist Papers In this context, the purpose of the judicial branch should not be misunderstood and viewed with reference to the purposes of the executive and legislative branches.
  • Aristocracy Assailed: The Ideology of Backcountry Anti-Federalism The author examines the views of the consensus historians and the attitudes of the anti-federalists towards the idea of American democracy.
  • Contemporary American Federalism Dual federalism is a system characterized by a national government that only governs by the rules that have been laid out in the constitution, national and state governments that are supreme in their allocated spheres […]
  • Federalist Paper No. 51 He states that all the different arms of the government, as per the constitution, should be independent of one another though they should work in the direction of achieving the same constitutional goals it was […]
  • The Aggranoff’s Version of Federalist No. 44 Provision of the relevant leadership and administrative is by implementing policies and procedures that are standard in relation with what the nation anticipates. Additionally, evaluation of citizens’ performance in the work field and confirming whether […]
  • Significance of Anti-Federalist Papers Therefore, it is important to note that the anti-federalist paper served as an alternative voice by helping to pinpoint spheres that needed to be rectified to ensure that the constitution that was in the process […]
  • No Child Left behind Act: Federalism Concept Based on the three branches of a federal government, the legislative branch is bestowed with the responsibility of making the law.
  • Federalism and Policy Formulation This should be made with regard to views of the stakeholders since every federal government’s view must be represented in formulating the policies.
  • Current Issue in Federalism This has triggered the debate to shift from the state courts and legislatures to the federal courts with the interest groups looking for the best platform to present their case.
  • The Bill of Rights and the Anti-Federalist Concerns The Effects of the Bill of Rights Due to these facts and the essence of the Bill of Rights, it can be said that the efforts of the Anti-Federalists were not in vain.
  • Costs and Benefits of Federalism Conflicts between the state and national government in the running of the United States is one of the major costs of federalism. Federalism leads to the formation of small political units that help in the […]
  • Federalism in the United States The power assignments of the national government comprises of both implied and expressed powers. The Implied powers permit the central government to come up with decisions, which are not part of the expressed powers.
  • Federalism System, Its Advantages and Disadvantages The system causes government to have control of itself because of great rivalry of power between the state and the nation.
  • Federalist Paper Number 10 It is one of the most influential papers and it talks about faction and the role of government in regulating it as well as liberty. According to him, legislation should be put in place to […]
  • The Case for a Federalism Amendment The main agenda here is the evenness or equality on how the powers are shared between the federal government and the states governments without interfering with the rights of their people. For instance, the states […]
  • Modern American Federalism Development and evolution of democracy over the centuries has been focusing on devolution of central powers of government to increase independence of the local states.
  • Federalism in United States Federalism is therefore defined as a coordination of the regime in which control and the influence of power is partitioned with an attempt to distribute it in the central government and the constituent supporting units.
  • An Overview of the Change of Federalism and the Great Depression
  • The Implications of Elections for Federalism in Iraq: Toward a Five-Region Model
  • A Look at Power Shifts in Intergovernmental Relations as a Result of Fiscal Federalism
  • The Major Role Federalism Has Played in Our Government
  • Understanding the Political Ideology of Federalism and the Role of the Federal Government
  • An Initial Evaluation of Revenue-Sharing Arrangements in the New South African Fiscal Federalism
  • A Comparison of Federalism and Anti-Federalism and Their Arguments
  • Using Benefit-Cost Criteria for Settling Federalism Disputes: An Application to Food Safety Regulation
  • Adjusting To Economic Growth In Toronto Amalgamation And Federalism
  • Why Is Federalism Is The Best Option For The Philippines
  • Advantages And Disadvantages Of American Federalism
  • An Analysis of the Essential Principles of Federalism in the United States Government
  • An Analysis of the Three Examples of How Federalism Which Evolved From Its Origins To the American Political System
  • The Political Economy of Immigration Enforcement: Conflict and Cooperation under Federalism
  • A Fiscal Federalism Analysis of Debt Policies by Sovereign Regional Governments
  • An Evaluation of Federalism and the Civil War in America
  • What Is Federalism And How Does It Relate To State Governments And Other Forms Of Governance
  • Beyond National Standards: Reconciling Tension between Federalism and the Welfare State
  • An International Multi-Level System of Competition Laws: Federalism in Antitrust
  • Understanding Federalism Based on the Section: Picket-Fence Federalism
  • The Possible Impact of Federalism in the Government of America
  • The Tragedy of the Commons or the Curse of Federalism
  • A Research on American History: Federalism in the United States
  • An Overview of the Power Shift in Intergovernmental Relations as a Result of Fiscal Federalism
  • The National Schoolmarm: No Child Left Behind and the New Educational Federalism
  • The Relation of Federalism and Poverty in the US
  • A Report on the Methods of the Constitution to Guard Against Tyranny: Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Equal Representation
  • Walking in the Shadow of Pressman and Wildavsky: Expanding Fiscal Federalism and Goal Congruence Theories to Single-Shot Games
  • A Description of Federalism as a Type of Government Where Power is Separated Between a National Government and Various Regional Governments
  • A Description of the Federalist Papers and Federalism
  • Asymmetric Information and Regional Transfers: Federalism versus Devolution
  • The Role Of Federalism And Its Effect On American Government
  • A Fatal Distraction from Federalism – Religious Conflict in Rakhine
  • An Empirical Study of US Environmental Federalism: RCRA Enforcement From 1998 to 2011
  • An Analysis of the Extent of the Influence of the Constitution and Federalism on the Political Culture of the United States
  • An Analysis of the Federalism in the Government System of 18th Century United States
  • An Analysis of the Political System of Federalism in the United States of America
  • Adapting Federalism: Indigenous Multilevel Governance in Canada and the United States
  • A Reconsideration of Environmental Federalism
  • The Welfare Economics of Autarky, Federalism, and Federation Formation
  • An Introduction to the Analysis of Federalism
  • A Description of American Federalism as a Form of Government in Which the Constitution Distributes Governmental Powers
  • Between the National Government
  • The Lessons That The American Experience With Federalism
  • The Institutional Basis of Secessionist Politics: Federalism and Secession in the United States
  • An Analysis of Federalism and the French Canadians, an Ideological Anthology by Pierre Elliot Trudeau
  • What Makes Strong Federalism Seem Weak? Fiscal Resources and Presidential-Provincial Relations in Argentina
  • The Origin in Forming a Governmental Structure in Favor of the Newly Formed Constitution of Federalism
  • Understanding the Concept of Federalism in Political Science
  • The Use of Federalism in the Philippines Under the Administration of President Duterte
  • Abortion: The Impact of Federalism and the Separation of Power
  • The Role of Liberty and Democracy in the Enhancement of the Principles of Canadian Federalism in the Present and Future
  • Bargaining for Fiscal Control: Tax Federalism in Brazil and Mexico, 1870-1940
  • What Are Advantages and Disadvantages of Division of Powers and Checks and Balances and Federalism?
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  • Why Did Framers Choose Federalism?
  • What Is a Benefit of Federalism?
  • How Has Federalism Changed Since the Ratification of the Constitution?
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  • Can Courts Make Federalism Work?
  • How Does Federalism Protect Future Generations From Today’s Public Debts?
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  • What Issues Most Influence Federalism Today?
  • How Does Modern Federalism Work Effectively in a Complex, Networked World?
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  • Who Honors the Rules of Federalism?
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  • Why Does Procedural Federalism Remain in the USA?
  • What Is the Main Purpose of Federalism in Government?
  • How Does Russian Federalism Work?
  • What Did the Federalists Believe Threatened the Nation in the Election of 1800?
  • Why Is Federalism Important to the Constitution?
  • Democracy Titles
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  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

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Write an Essay on Government Policy

Students write essays about the role of government in their lives and how different policies have affected them directly.

Goal: Students think critically about government policy.

Learning Objectives: Students learn about the role of government in their lives and how different policies have affected them directly. Students think critically and do research to find evidence to back up their arguments for or against an issue.

Time: 4-5 classroom periods depending on class size and time available. Students work individually or in groups.

Teachers may use their own example or the example of federal versus states’ policies regarding marijuana. This has been a hot topic for years and high school students will be aware of the unusual nature of policies surrounding the medical and recreational use of marijuana.

Lead class in a discussion of the pros and cons of the policy as well as the creation of the law in their state. If using federal versus state regulations of marijuana, explain the creation of the Drug Schedule and the evolution of drug policy at the federal and local levels in the 2000s.

Have students choose a policy and write an explanatory essay. They may do so in groups or individually. Students will then research and write an essay about the legislation. Have each student include examples of two or three pros and two or three cons about the legislation and how it affects people’s lives.

Questions to Consider:

  • Choose a policy.
  • What were the arguments for and against this policy?
  • What were/are the social and political implications of that policy?
  • What do you view as some of the pros and cons for the policy?
  • What effects has the policy had on the United States and the world today?
  • Was this a good policy to enact? Why or why not?
  • Provide at least 5 examples to support your argument.

Examples of a policy to discuss:

  • Changing marijuana laws in students’ home states
  • Pure Food and Drug Act
  • Seatbelt laws
  • Legal drinking age
  • Legal voting age
  • Controlled Substances Act

Evaluation: Educators will ask student groups to present to their peers about what they learned and their essay’s.

Recommended Readings:

Drug Scheduling (DEA)

Drug Scheduling and Penalties (Campus Drug Prevention)

The Controlled Substances Act (DEA)

Drug Abuse (Get Smart About Drugs)

Statement of the Department of Justice Before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health For a Hearing Entitled “Cannabis Policy—For the New Decade,” January 15, 2020

Teens Ask: “Is There a Cure for Addiction?” (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Marijuana Withdrawal is Real (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Drug Facts (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Standards of Learning:

Common Core

9th-10th Grades

History and Social Studies

Key Ideas and Details:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending to such features as the date and origin of the information.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.3 Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.

Craft and Structure:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social science.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.5 Analyze how a text uses structure to emphasize key points or advance an explanation or analysis.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.6 Compare the point of view of two or more authors for how they treat the same or similar topics, including which details they include and emphasize in their respective accounts.

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.7 Integrate quantitative or technical analysis (e.g., charts, research data) with qualitative analysis in print or digital text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.8 Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author's claims.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.9 Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.

Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.10 By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 9-10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Text Types and Purposes:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content .

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.1.A Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among the claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.1.B Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying data and evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both claim(s) and counterclaims in a discipline-appropriate form and in a manner that anticipates the audience's knowledge level and concerns.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.1.C Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.1.D Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.1.E Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from or supports the argument presented.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2 Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2.A Introduce a topic and organize ideas, concepts, and information to make important connections and distinctions; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2.B Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience's knowledge of the topic.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2.C Use varied transitions and sentence structures to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2.D Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic and convey a style appropriate to the discipline and context as well as to the expertise of likely readers.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2.E Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2.F Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.3 (See note; not applicable as a separate requirement)

Production and Distribution of Writing:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology's capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.

Research to Build and Present Knowledge:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.8 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Range of Writing:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

11th and 12th Grades

History & Social Studies 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the key details and ideas.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.3 Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including analyzing how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines  faction  in  Federalist  No. 10).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.5 Analyze in detail how a complex primary source is structured, including how key sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text contribute to the whole.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.6 Evaluate authors' differing points of view on the same historical event or issue by assessing the authors' claims, reasoning, and evidence.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.8 Evaluate an author's premises, claims, and evidence by corroborating or challenging them with other information.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.9 Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.10 By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 11-CCR text complexity band independently and proficiently.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.1 Write arguments focused on  discipline-specific content .

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.1.A Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences the claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.1.B Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant data and evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both claim(s) and counterclaims in a discipline-appropriate form that anticipates the audience's knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.1.C Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.1.D Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.1.E Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from or supports the argument presented.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.2 Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.2.A Introduce a topic and organize complex ideas, concepts, and information so that each new element builds on that which precedes it to create a unified whole; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.2.B Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience's knowledge of the topic.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.2.C Use varied transitions and sentence structures to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among complex ideas and concepts.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.2.D Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary and techniques such as metaphor, simile, and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic; convey a knowledgeable stance in a style that responds to the discipline and context as well as to the expertise of likely readers.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.2.E Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation provided (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.3 (See note; not applicable as a separate requirement)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the specific task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Lesson Plan PDF

Home / Essay Samples / Government / American Government / The Role of Government in Society: Why is It Important

The Role of Government in Society: Why is It Important

  • Category: Government , Science
  • Topic: American Government , Global Governance , Political Culture

Pages: 3 (1450 words)

  • Downloads: -->

Role of Government 

Function of government .

  • The main function of government is to protect basic human rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property rights. The idea of natural rights is due to the fact that everyone deserves these rights. These are the rights that a God gave humans beings when they were born. It is assumed that people are born with these rights and should not be stripped of them without their consent.
  • Government has a duty to fight poverty and improve the quality of life of its citizens. To achieve this, the government must create an environment that is good for prosperity and economic growth.
  • All modern governments accept the responsibility of protecting the political and social rights of their citizens.
  • Government can participate directly in the economy for promoting various economic activities.
  • The function of government is to form a more perfect Union.
  • Government is form to establish justice in the society.
  • Government can provide health services, education and welfare services to the peoples of the societies.
  • Government can promote the common well-being in the state or the country.
  • Government provides security to the peoples live within a country or a state.
  • The government provides public services because the public is happier if they are taken care of and they also need support.
  • It gives national security because the defense of a country must be structured to ensure the safety and health of its population
  • Government can sets the laws, rules and regulations in the country because we need rules to determine how well a nation works so people know how to act. To enforce the 'rule of law', the government must operate a system of laws and courts.
  • Managing foreign affairs is one of the most important functions that the government performs.
  • One of the most important functions of government is to protect civil liberties.

Significance of Government 

Branches of government .

  • Executive branch
  • Legislative branch
  • Judiciary branch

Executive Branch

Legislative branch, judiciary branch, levels of government .

  • Federal government
  • State and territory government
  • Local government

Federal Government

State and territory government, local government, system of government.

  • Unitary system
  • Federal system
  • Confederate system

Unitary System

Federal system, confederate system.

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