Description
As part of your course requirements, you will write a research paper. Your topic should be a current international phenomenon/event. For example, you can choose to cover a conflict (internal or external), international relationship (or non-relationship), a single issue of international concern (e.g. human rights, climate change, refugees), a breach of international law, a foreign policy decision, or a treaty negotiation.
The paper requirements are as follows:
- In your paper you should use at least one of the systems (International level, State level, Individual level) to analyze your chosen international phenomenon. The research paper should have a succinct introduction related to your topic, a clearly defined thesis indicating the lens you will be using for your analysis, body paragraphs supporting your thesis and a conclusion.
- Begin with a succinct introduction related to your topic and a clearly defined thesis (assertion of what you intend to prove in the paper) indicating the lenses you will be using for your analysis.
- Include explanations of the ways in which individuals develop, interact and organize themselves in at least one sphere (political, religious, social, economic, etc.) as it pertains to your topic
- Demonstrate the significance and vitality of social organizations ranging from groups to institutions in your topic
- Incorporate specific examples and evidence from scholarly sources into your paper, and explain how they relate to your thesis. You must use scholarly sources. Do not rely too heavily on one source. Although there is not a minimum number of sources, you will likely need 3+ sources to sufficiently support your thesis statement.
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of contenting explanations or interpretations for social, behavioral or historical phenomena as it pertains to your topic.
- Evaluate the evidence supporting conclusions about the behavior of individuals, groups, institutions or organizations as they relate to your topic.
- Assess the role of diversity among individuals, cultures or societies in the context of your topic.
- Identify ways social, behavioral or historical knowledge can impact personal, ethical, civic or global decisions and responsibilities.
- Illustrate the global interconnections through your topic and the impact of your topic on global stability/stewardship.
- Organize your paper logically by grouping together related evidence to show patterns, similarities and/or differences related to the focus of your paper.
- Conclude by summarizing the major points you have made in the paper and pointing out how they have led you to your conclusion. Your conclusion should match your thesis.
- 1250-1500 words, please include a word count of the text of the paper.
- Works Cited. Do not include the Works Cited in the word count.
- You can use the citation style you prefer, but you must be consistent throughout the paper.
- The research paper is worth 120 points.
Possible Topics for POLS 271 Research Paper:
US-Iran Relations
Brexit
Jordanian Refugee Policy
Nigeria and Boko Haram
Columbia-FARC Peace
Cuba US relations
Venezuelan Crisis
African countries withdraw from the International Criminal Court
Zimbabwe under Mugabe
Impact of NAFTA on Mexico, Canada, US (choose one)
Rise of Populism in Europe (choose a country)
Crimea
Russia Superpower Potential
China and South China Sea dispute
Israeli Settlements in Palestine
Guantanamo Bay
North Korea Relations with China
Iran Nuclear Treaty
Sudan
Climate/Environment Policy
Senegal
NATO
Foreign Aid Policy (Effectiveness—choose one policy or country)
International Criminal Court
US-Mexico “War on Drugs”
Yemen
Syrian Civil War
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Running head: Cuba – U.S. Relations
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Cuba – U.S. Relations
Institution Affiliation
Date
Cuba – U.S. Relations
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Introduction
Different countries have developed and maintained long lasting as well as short-lived
relationships for years due to different reasons. These reasons range from economic dependence,
political stability, peace, and security or even for just mutual co-existence. One such relationship
is the one between Cuba and the United States that have lasted for quite some time. This paper
focuses on the background of this relationship, the breakup, the political, socio-cultural and
socioeconomic and impact of the sanctions imposed by the U.S. government (Brenner &
Scribner, 2017). Through the engagement of various researchers, the study will focus on the
international response to the situation and the change of policies that helped in mending the
relations.
Cuba - U.S. Relations Background
The frozen relations between Cuba and U.S. are based on economic and political
antagonism that reached a peak in the early 1960’s, during the Cold War (Renwick, Lee &
McBride, 2016). In 1959, Fidel Castro together with a group of revolutionaries overthrew the
government that was headed by President Batista. The new regime started making trade deals
with the Soviet Union, changing ownership of the properties owned by the U.S. and increasing
tax rates for imports from America. The U.S. government led by President Eisenhower, retaliated
by slashing the import for Cuban sugar, which was the main industry. The U.S. went ahead and
instituted bans on almost all exports to Cuba and issued travel restrictions. The U.S. went further
and organized to overthrow the government by Fidel Castro, leading to a14-day stand-off that
caused the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Cuba – U.S. Relations
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Various Factors Influencing Cuba – U.S Relations
The U.S. policies towards Cuba were tightened further by the events of 1961-1962,
leading to diplomatic isolation and economic embargo, even after the Soviet Union collapsed
(Lee, 2014). Since then, the U.S. administration has placed very strict measures that include
prolonged economic sanctions and designated Cuba as a state that sponsors terrorism. The move
by Castro to formally t...
