An interest group is generally a voluntary group or association that intends to publicly promote their mission, vision, or cause. If you analyze contemporary American society and the political system, you’ll find interest groups at the very center. This phenomenon, which has seemingly risen to unprecedented heights, has changed the political landscape and significantly impacted the policy process. There are some arguments over the value of interest groups, including the notion that interest groups pose a significant threat to democratic government.For this Discussion, review this week’s Reading and consider the role of interest groups in your community, town, state, or another country and how they may be helpful or harmful to democracy.Post by your explanation of how interest groups impact policy process. Then, describe the extent to which interest group lobbying has diminished or increased over the last two presidential administrations. Explain the basis for your impressions. Then, explain whether interest group activity should be curtailed by federal legislation and why or why not. Include in your explanation how curtailing the power of interest groups might be beneficial or harmful for American democracy. Also explain how interest groups impact the policy process in Nigeria and how it has impacted democratic governance or movements.ReadingsHudson, W. E. (2017). American democracy in peril: Eight challenges to America’s future (8th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Chapter 4, “The Fourth Challenge: Citizen Participation” (pp. 137-170)Shafritz, J. M., Lane, K. S., & Borick, C. P. (Eds.). (2005). Classics of public policy. New York, NY: Pearson Education. Chapter 3, “Interests Groups and Public Policy”The Governmental Process (1951) (pp. 83–87) Chapter 4, “Agenda Setting”The Dynamics of Agenda-Building (1972) (pp. 128–136)Arnstein, S. R. (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 35(4), 216–224. doi:10.1080/01944366908977225.

Week 1 Case Study: Imperialism and ExploitationSubmit Assignment Points 100 Submitting a file uploadIntroductionThe exploitation of colonial resources and indigenous labor was one of the key elements in the success of imperialism. Such exploitation was a result of the prevalent ethnocentrism of the time and was justified by the unscientific concept of social Darwinism, which praised the characteristics of white Europeans and inaccurately ascribed negative characteristics to indigenous peoples. A famous poem of the time by Rudyard Kipling, White Man's Burden, called on imperial powers, and particularly the U.S., which the poem was directed at, to take up the mission of civilizing these "savage" peoples.InstructionsRead the poem at the following link:Link (website): White Man’s Burden (Rudyard Kipling) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.After reading the poem, address the following in a case study analysis:Define social Darwinism in your own words.Analyze the motivations and consequences that Kipling presents for undertaking the "White Man's Burden."What specific examples of ethnocentrism can you identify?Were the "Half-devil and half-child" peoples truly uncivilized?Writing Requirements (APA format) Length: 2-3 pages (not including title page or references page)1-inch marginsDouble spaced12-point Times New Roman fontTitle pageReferences pageRubricCase Study Grading Rubric - 100 ptsCase Study Grading Rubric - 100 ptsCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLength5.0 ptsMeets length requirement0.0 ptsDoes not meet length requirement5.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent10.0 ptsPaper addresses all aspects of the assignment.8.5 ptsPaper addresses most aspects of the assignment.7.5 ptsPaper addresses some aspects of the assignment.6.0 ptsPaper addresses few aspects of the assignment.0.0 ptsNo effort10.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnalysis30.0 ptsThroughout the whole work, content expresses original thoughts or interprets the subject matter in a different perspective.25.5 ptsThroughout most of the work, content expresses original thoughts or interprets the subject matter in a different perspective.22.5 ptsThroughout some of the work, content expresses original thoughts or interprets the subject matter in a different perspective.18.0 ptsThroughout little of the work, content expresses original thoughts or interprets the subject matter in a different perspective.0.0 ptsNo effort30.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSupport20.0 ptsThroughout the whole work, claims are supported with detailed and persuasive examples; accurate facts and circumstances are used for support.17.0 ptsThroughout most of the work, claims are supported with detailed and persuasive examples; accurate facts and circumstances are used for support.15.0 ptsThroughout some of the work, claims are supported with detailed and persuasive examples; accurate facts and circumstances are used for support.12.0 ptsThroughout little of the work, claims are supported with detailed and persuasive examples; accurate facts and circumstances are used for support.0.0 ptsNo effort20.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar, Mechanics, and Style20.0 ptsThroughout the whole work, the text is free of major errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation; demonstrates strong word choice and sentence variety.17.0 ptsThroughout most of the work, the text is free of major errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation; demonstrates strong word choice and sentence variety.15.0 ptsThroughout some of the work, the text is free of major errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation; demonstrates strong word choice and sentence variety.12.0 ptsThroughout little of the work, the text is free of major errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation; demonstrates strong word choice and sentence variety.0.0 ptsNo effort20.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA: Citation and Reference Formatting10.0 ptsThroughout the whole work, in-text references are formatted using APA style; references page includes complete bibliographic information for sources using APA style.8.5 ptsThroughout most of the work, in-text references are formatted using APA style; references page includes complete bibliographic information for sources using APA style.7.5 ptsThroughout some of the work, in-text references are formatted using APA style; references page includes complete bibliographic information for sources using APA style.6.0 ptsThroughout little of the work, in-text references are formatted using APA style; references page includes complete bibliographic information for sources using APA style.0.0 ptsNo effort10.0 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA: Title Page & References Page5.0 ptsPaper includes both title page and references page.2.5 ptsPaper includes either a title page or references page.0.0 ptsPaper does not include a title page or references page.5.0 ptsTotal Points: 100.0PreviousNext