Class Questions for Readings, November 18th

Questions from  Steve Parker

Article 27:  Terrorist Rivals

1.  Richardson says that the United State's current approach to combating terrorism is flawed in several ways.  Where does he see these flaws?
 
2. Richardson suggests an origin of resentment for the Middle East is the United States attempt to impose its democratic views in order to bring prosperity, stability, trade, and oil.  How does this imposition relate to Sach's enlightened globalism?  Is it different or essentially the same?
 
3.  What is Richardson's solution (hint there are six principles)?
 
4.  What do you believe could halt terrorist threats? 

5.  Richardson says (p. 121) that "The potential of militant Isalam posing a greater threat to the United States than any rising power is a real one."  Why does he say this?  Do you agree?


Questions from James Collins

Article 30:  Lifting the Veil

1.    In 2007, the U.S. installed a missile shield program to protect Israel. After reading the article, do you think the author would argue for against this. Why?

2.    On page 131, the author states, “61 percent of Indonesians held a favorable view of the United States. By May of 2003, only 15 percent did.” Why is this, compared to the other statistics he gives, most telling of the Muslim world?

3.    In terms of the evidence shown in the article, how is Saudi Arabia a loner in terms of Al Qaeda vs. the United States?

4.    What is Munsun’s suggestion for calming the anti-American feelings in the Middle East?


International Futures

Questions from  Lindsey Ready

Chapter  11  The Global Sociopolitical System

1. On the global sociopolitical scale, which country has increasing global power?  What will happen if that country gains military and/ or economic equivalence with the United States and then moves into an even more powerful position?
 
2. Does the prospect of continued expansion of democracy therefore mean that we might be moving into an economically competitive, but more peaceful era of global community? (page 180)
 
3. Does military spending strengthen power and the security position of a country? (page 184)

4.  Is power (POW) a "zero sum" game?  Explain.

5. What is the definition of power? Look athe the chart below and then explain how power is measured? (Pages 182/183)
 


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Questions from  Elizabeth Barrett

Jeffrey Sachs, Common Wealth

Chapter  12  Rethinking Foreign Policy

1.    In this chapter, Sachs says that “It is a hallmark of U.S. national security doctrine that U.S. security rests on the pillars of defense, diplomacy, and development.”  He then presents a graph showing U.S. Military and Overseas Spending in 2007, divided between military, development, international security, and diplomacy spending.  In analyzing this bar graph, what can be said about the U.S. government’s priorities in national security spending?  Does Sachs think this is an effective approach to ensure our country’s security?

2.    Why does Sachs say that when it comes to present-day wars, “the vast industrial might of the U.S. military can easily prove useless”?

3.    Sachs maintains that the United States is no longer threatened by an armed invasion of a foreign army and an ensuing industrial war.  Instead, what threats does he say that the U.S. currently faces? P 281-282

4.    Sachs identifies the demographic trend of youth bulges as a fundamental driver of violence in many developing nations.  What is a youth bulge and how does it contribute to civil conflict in these nations?  What is the solution for eliminating youth bulges and their potential to trigger conflict?
P 279

5.  How much does Sachs suggest be cut from the US military budget (bottom page 285)?  What does he suggest be done with the savings (top of page 286)?   Do you agree?