research paper related to the politics of the United States and another country
In this research paper, you will be asking and answering a research question related to the politics of the United States and another country (e.g., Russia, China, Venezuela, Mexico, Rwanda, etc., etc.). You must also decide which subfield to approach the issue from: International Relations (IR) or Comparative Politics (CP). In other words, if it’s IR, you will be asking a question related to the relationship between the US and the other chosen country. If it’s CP, you will be asking a question related to similarities and/or differences between the US and the other chosen country.
EVERYONE:
Step one: Choose a country.
Step two: Decide whether you prefer to analyze the relationship between the US and [COUNTRY] (IR) or whether to analyze the similarities and/or differences between the US and [COUNTRY] (CP).[unique_solution]
IF YOU CHOOSE IR:
Step three: Actively read, save, and write a citation for the ‘Bilateral Fact Sheet’ on the [COUNTRY]’s state.gov page. (Just click on the country on the above-linked website.)
Step four: Choose an aspect of the ‘Bilateral Fact Sheet’ that seems most interesting to you. This will vary based on the country you choose. Perhaps it was when the relationship began or changed, or when a particular treaty was signed, or alliance formed. There are several possibilities that fine papers can be written on.
Step five: Using references cited on the state.gov website, Google Scholar, and this library database, dig deeper into the chosen issue you found most interesting. If there’s nothing to be found, choose another one.
Step six: If it seems like there’s enough information out there, then great, you have the beginnings of a research question! It must be a “why?” or “how?” question. Do not ask a “what” question. It will vary but will be something like: “Why did the US and Russia sign the START Treaty?” or “How did the US approach the NAFTA negotiations?” This is the title of your paper.
Step seven: Continue looking at sources (actively reading, saving, and citing) until you feel you adequately understand this issue.
Step eight: Write a 1,000-1,500 word paper (that’s about 3-4 pages of normal spacing and formatting) that synthesizes the information you have discovered into a coherent paper. Imagine that the reader of your paper is a high school junior to whom you are trying to explain this issue using evidence you discovered.
IF YOU CHOOSE CP:
Step three: Actively read, save, and write a citation for the [COUNTRY]’s profile on the CIA World Factbook.
Step four: Choose one of the following topics listed on the CIA website to compare to the US: People and Society; Government; Economy; Energy; Communications; Transportation; or Military and Security.
Step five: Using Google Scholar, this library database, census.gov, and other government or otherwise reputable websites, dig deeper into the chosen issue you found most interesting, narrowing it as you go. (Perhaps you go from the broad topic of “Energy” to “Natural Gas,” for example.) If there’s nothing to be found, choose another one of the topics listed above.
Step six: If it seems like there’s enough information out there, then great, you have the beginnings of a research question! It should be something like “What are the similarities and/or differences between the US and Russia militaries?” It must be a “what?” question. Do not ask a “how” or “why” question.
Step seven: Continue looking at sources (actively reading, saving, and citing as you go) until you feel you adequately understand this issue.
Step eight: Write a 1,000-1,500 word paper (that’s about 3-4 pages of normal spacing and formatting) that synthesizes the information you have discovered into a coherent paper. Imagine that the reader of your paper is a high school junior to whom you are trying to explain this issue using evidence you discovered. Organize it appropriately into sections and paragraphs. Please use an acceptable citation format (MLA, APA, etc.)