Over the course of this semester, we’ve looked at three major tendencies in political theory from the ancient world up to the present day: A reformist ap

Over the course of this semester, we’ve looked at three major tendencies in political theory from the ancient world up to the present day:

A reformist approach seeks to slowly fix problems with the system, preferably through the mechanisms of that system (voting, protesting, etc.);

There are of course overlaps between these tendencies. Consider Nazism, for instant: a reactionary political ideology that used revolutionary tactics to gain power. Many more combinations are possible, of course!

In this essay, I want you to choose one social or political concern that is important to you, and then determine whether reform, revolution, or return would provide the best remedy.

As we discussed in class, it may be useful for you to approach this assignment via the STAR method:

Situation. Carefully describe the issue you are concerned with.
Don’t be too broad: just saying “global warming,” for instance, isn’t enough. What specifically about global warming concerns you: rising sea levels and their impact on coastal communities, dangers to wildlife posed by increasing temperatures, “climate migrants” from the global south who will seek more livable conditions in the north?
Whatever big topic you choose, make sure to sketch out a sub-topic within that. Otherwise the essay will be messy and unmanageable.
Task. What are the concrete tasks that must be undertaken to fix the situation?
This is where your own personal political theory will come into play;
Consider the following — if Marx, Jefferson, Confucius, and Rousseau were all alive today, they likely would be concerned with global warming. But would they all come up with the same solution?
Your tasks should be informed by a political theory; therefore, in this section of the paper, you should quote from two or more of the theorists we’ve discussed to justify the tasks you suggest we should pursue.
Action. How would you go about implementing your tasks?
Be imaginative! This is a college paper — be as wild or as conservative as you like.
The “action” section should also be informed by a political theory we’ve covered in class.
What sorts of resistance will you meet as you implement your plan? How will you meet that resistance?
Results. This is speculative — but what would result from your action?
First, do you realistically think you could curb the problem you describe in your lifetime?
What unintended consequences could follow from your plan?

Your final paper should be 5 – 6 pages, double-spaced.