Assignments

What a campus life without any assignments?

In fact, there's a little too much assignments given by our "beloved" lecturers and professors.

I've finally letting go of my holiday mode, and slowly trying to catch up on my long ignored campus life. After all, I may be lucky with my result last semester, but it may not repeat itself. I have to work hard to ensure that history repeats itself.

Dream will always be a dream unless we change it.

So, let's start with the course that has the most difficult (maybe not so difficult, just plain annoying) assignments.

PAD 170 - Government & Politics

So far, we've only been given two assignment. Yes, only two. Hold your judgment until I'm done elaborating.

One of the assignment is a book review; another is an analytical-critical essay.

Book Review

We can look for any book related to government and politics. it can be conceptual, analytical or descriptive book about government and politics in Malaysia or abroad. It can also be theoretical, discussing about the different school of thoughts in the study of the field. The review should be no less than 2000 words.

We have to submit our review on September 11, 2009. no review will be accepted later.

Essay

1. According to Francis Fukuyama in his book, "The End of History and the Last Man", western liberal democracy is the best form of government. He writes: "What we may be witnessing is not just the end of Cold War, or the passing of a particular period of post-war history, but the end of history as such: that is, the end point of mankind's ideological evolution and the universalisation of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government" (Fukuyama 1989, p. 162). Those who support Fukuyama believe that he is right by looking at the fact that most democratic countries achieve better economic development and political stability than non-democratic ones.

• Do you agree with Fukuyama's thesis? Why?
• What do you think are the obstacles for a country like Malaysia to adopt a democratic form of government?
• How do you explain the principle of parliamentary democracy in Malaysia?
• Does the current political situation in Malaysia reflect her commitment to such principle? Why?

2. The President of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Yong Teck Lee had attempted to table a motion of no confidence in former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Not later than that, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Wan Azizah Ismail followed suit. Both, however, failed.

• By referring to the workings of a parliamentary system, explain the reasons why both leaders failed to force Abdullah to step down through a motion of no confidence.
• What are the roles of a "party whip" in parliamentary system?
  
• What are the main differences between British and Malaysian parliamentary system?

3. Technically speaking, the president of the United States of America cannot be impeached easily by the legislative branch.

• Explain, with specific examples, why the impeachment process is difficult.
• Compare the selection and removal of a president in presidential system with that of a prime minister in parliamentary system.

4. The legislative process in the United States of America is relatively difficult and can cause deadlock. In Malaysia, a piece of legislation can be passed easily without much hassle.

• Explain, with specific examples, why it is difficult for a bill to be passed in the United States and why it is relatively easier in Malaysia.
• Do you agree with the suggestion to broadcast parliamentary debate in Malaysia? Why?
• How do you assess the quality of parliamentary debate in Malaysian parliament?

The essay should be no less than 2500 words excluding endnotes/footnotes and references. References cited must be listed and should follow the latest Harvard Referencing Style.

The essay should be submitted on September 11, 2009.

Don't fuss yet, take a deep breathe. We only have to choose ONE of the topics for essay assignment. Our professor are not evil demon trying to torture our souls on Earth. He know that we can't possibly do ALL four of them.

2500 words is approximately 15 pages. 2000 words should be around 10 pages then.

That mean, we have to write about 25 pages by September 11.

Note the date. The day World Trade Center was attacked by terrorist.

So, which topic do you think I should choose for my essay assignment? I already chosen "May 13: Declassified Documents on the Malaysian Riots of 1969" for my book review.



P/S: This is only for PAD 170. I have 5 more courses this semester.