Introduction
As an undergrad student, you are probably aware that political science is one of the most popular fields of study. So much so that there are plenty of universities around the world offering majors in this subject. And if you’re a first-year student, it is safe to assume that your Political Science 101 class was packed with other students who felt the same about this subject as you did. In that case, perhaps now would be a good time to consider taking things further and enrolling in a more specialized course as an elective. The challenge, however comes as to Political Science Research Paper Topics to consider.
With an abundance of political science programs out there, there has to be something that piques your interest. If so, why not combine your enthusiasm for political science with your academic aspirations? A research paper on a topic related to politics will not only demonstrate your passion but also help you gain valuable insight into the field and its future implications.
Why Should You Write a Research Paper in Political Science?
Political science is an interdisciplinary field of inquiry that aims to understand political behavior and the relationship between governments and their citizens. It has many sub-fields, but all of them explore why people participate in political activities, what types of governments exist, how those governments are controlled, and what happens when governments fail to control their citizens and/or vice versa.
If you are passionate about current affairs, the role of governments, and potential future trends, political science will give you plenty of topics to explore in your research paper. You can select a specific government and analyze it, or you can choose a trend such as populism and explore how it is affecting political systems around the world.
Whatever you choose, your research paper will allow you to gain insight into how governments work, why they make certain policies, and how they interact with their citizens.
Tips for Writing a Great Political Science Research Paper
There are a few things you should keep in mind while researching and writing your political science paper. Some of the most important tips include:
– Carefully select your research topic – Before you get started on your paper, you need to select a research topic. Although this may seem like a daunting task, there are plenty of topics to choose from in political science – you just need to find one that interests you.
– Find a mentor – While all research papers require you to consult sources and conduct research, political science papers can be particularly tricky because they are interdisciplinary fields of study. This means you will need to consult sources from a variety of fields, including political science, economics, sociology, and history. As such, it is a good idea to find a mentor who can guide you through the process.
– Make a plan – You don’t want to start writing your paper without a plan. You need to outline your paper, determine how long it will be, and decide on a structure.
– Outline your paper – Once you have a plan, the next step is to outline your paper. It is a good idea to create an outline that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
– Use credible sources – Whenever you are writing a paper, you need to make sure you are using credible sources. You don’t want to include information that is not backed up by research or facts.
– Use correct citation – Once you have finished writing your paper, you will need to cite the sources you used. There are specific citation styles for political science papers, so make sure you check these before you start the process.
Modern democracy
A democracy is a form of government in which all citizens have equal rights, including the right to vote. In modern democracies, citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf on various topics, such as government policies. There are different types of democracies, but they all share the same core concept: all citizens have equal rights and therefore have the right to participate in their government.
Although modern democracies have existed for thousands of years, in many cases, the people in power have not always respected the rights of others. This highlights an important point in modern political science: democracy is not an end point; it is a process. Modern democracies have struggled over the past decades to ensure that all citizens have equal rights and that people are not discriminated against.
Modern Dictatorships
While many people associate political science with democracies, there are also several modern dictatorships. Most dictators rule their countries with an iron fist and have little respect for human rights. In some cases, dictators have been toppled and their countries have become democracies. In other cases, dictatorships have persisted for decades. Many dictators have ruled over Asia, Africa, and South America.
Examples include Idi Amin, who ruled Uganda from 1971 to 1979, and Augusto Pinochet, who was the leader of Chile from 1973 to 1990. People who are interested in modern dictatorships should study what makes these governments function. Many dictators rule their countries with an iron fist and eliminate political opposition. Other dictators control their countries through a cult of personality, in which they are praised as saviors.
People who are interested in modern dictatorships should study whether they are sustainable. Will these dictators be able to pass power on to successors? Will they be toppled by citizens who are sick of their rule?
Social Democracy
Social democracy is a form of government in which the state intervenes in the economy and provides citizens with access to social services. In social democratic states, the government provides access to healthcare, education, and other social services.
Some social democratic states have been described as “welfare states” because they provide citizens with benefits, such as pensions. In other words, social democratic states are heavily interventionist and have significant control over the economy. Social democratic states exist around the world, including in Europe. People who are interested in social democracy should explore how these states emerged and whether they are sustainable.
They should also explore whether these states are viable in the long term. In some cases, social democratic states have struggled to maintain economic growth and have had to reduce spending on social services. In other cases, there have been calls for reduced government intervention and loosening of state control.
Machiavellianism
Machiavellianism is a term that was coined by British philosopher and political scientist Sir Philip Sidney in his 1598 treatise “The Discourse of Civil Government”. In this treatise, Sidney used the term to describe a form of government that is willing to do anything to maintain its power. While “The Discourse of Civil Government” was written in the 16th century, the term “Machiavellian” has stayed in use in the modern era.
People who are interested in studying the emergence of Machiavellianism should explore how it functions in contemporary societies. Are there governments that are willing to do anything to maintain power? Are there certain types of government that are more likely to be Machiavellian? How do people in power use tactics such as fear to control their citizens?
The term Machiavellianism is also used to describe a person who can use manipulation and deception to achieve their goals. This is done through various tactics such as threats, lies, and even murder. This can be seen in modern politics when politicians are willing to make decisions that are not in the best interest of their country. The term Machiavellianism was coined by Sir Philip Sidney during the 16th century. His work “The Discourse of Civil Government” was written about how men should behave when they are in power.
He used the term Machiavellianism when he described how people who rule a state should make decisions that will maintain their power, even if it means doing morally wrong things. Sidney’s work has remained relevant for centuries because it describes how people gain power and maintain it through different methods including manipulation, deception, and fear-mongering.
Fear mongering is a tactic used by politicians who want to gain power over their citizens. Fear mongering can be seen all around the world as countries have different political systems depending on which government they have elected into office. Fear mongering is especially prevalent in modern societies where people have become more aware of what happens behind closed doors in government offices and institutions such as banks, hospitals, or schools.
Today, fear-mongering is so common due to the influence of social media and news channels where people can see what happens behind closed doors or on
Conclusion
The world of political science is vast and diverse, and there is a topic to suit every taste and interest. As an undergrad student, you are in a perfect position to explore this field, expand your knowledge and understanding, and put your enthusiasm and passion to good use. A research paper in political science will help you gain insights into this fascinating field while also demonstrating your academic potential with a well-researched paper that is sure to impress your professors.
Once you have decided on a topic, make sure you do your research thoroughly and cite your sources correctly. Keep in mind that a political science paper should be interdisciplinary, so make sure to draw from a variety of sources related to your topic.
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