Political Science 221, Latin American Politics Winter Term 2005

Students will choose one Latin American country from any of those we covered in the course. In a short critical essay of five-six pages in length (typed, double-spaced, 12cpi, one-inch margins, paginated), students will design a policy position paper on a political reform to be implemented in the country they have selected. The paper should be organized into the following sections:

1. Statement of the Problem: Identify the economic and/or social problem that will be the focus of the policy in the selected country. 2. Statement of the Political Cause: Identify the major reasons why a political solution has not been found to these problems. 3. Statement of Proposed Political Reform: Suggest what aspects of the polity need to be remedied to address the economic and social problems you identify. Write this section with an eye to the major possible critiques of your position.

Use the course readings, but I encourage you to do some light research on the topics you choose.

MOST IMPORTANT: AVOID MERE DESCRIPTION AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. USE DESCRIPTION SPARINGLY TO SET UP THE PROBLEM AREA, BUT USE MOST OF YOUR PAGES OF TEXT FOR ANALYSIS AND PRESCRIPTION.

Prof. Montero will set aside a time for a discussion section concerning this assignment.

This paper is due March 8, Wednesday, at 5 p.m. in hardcopy format only.