Get Custom Essay Help-Policy Memos
POTENTIAL OUTLINE FOR YOUR POLICY MEMOS
Note: International problem or challenge selected should determine “your selected audience,” to whom you must write this memo as an expert on the issue.
Assignment Objective: Apply class theories to a real-world problem
Word Count: 3,000 to 3, 500
Section 1: Describe the Problem & Cite Sources
–what is the international challenge or problem and why is it important?
–cite sources that demonstrates its importance (think tank reports, policy articles, news media, scholarly journal articles, conference papers, government reports)
—NOTE 1: examples of news media sources include–wall street journal; the economist; foreign policy review; cnn; the new york times.
—NOTE 2: examples of think tanks include—council on foreign relations, the brookings institution, cato institute, carnegie endowment for international peace, center on budget and policy priorities, center for global development, center for strategic and international studies, economic policy institute, the heritage foundation, ford foundation, national bureau of economic research, pew research center, rand corporation, international crisis group.
—NOTE 3: examples of scholarly journal periodicals
- For Political Science ProQuest which provides full text from over 150 political science and international relations journal with coverage from 1986 – current, click: https://search-proquest-com.umasslowell.idm.oclc.org/politicalscience/index?accountid=14575
- For UML Library, which provides search access by catalogue, article quick search, and or e-journal by title articles, click https://www.uml.edu/library/
Section 2: List the Key Stakeholders (Players, Actors, Agents, & Experts)
–describe what is being done about international challenge or problem
–carry out a stakeholder analysis using strengths, weakness opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis
–conduct stakeholder analysis using political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental (PESTLE) analysis
Section 3: Mapping of Root Causes
–identify root causes of international challenge or problem based on sources consulted or statements made by any of the players, actors, agents, and or experts
–explain why what is being done is not adequate or acceptable
Section 4: Formulate Public Policy
–formulate a solution to the international challenge or problem
–articulate your MAIN POLICY solution using or applying any of the theoretical concepts from class lectures to explain a.) the problem, b.) your observation of its root causes, c.) your proposed solution (should be creative and innovative) and d.) basis for it.
NOTE 1: do not regurgitate the problem or solutions of others taken elsewhere. Be original.
NOTE 2: theory is always ‘for someone,’ and ‘for a purpose.’ Thus, think of the audience and the purpose behind the problem you are trying to unravel and explain as you select theoretical concepts used in class.
NOTE 3: when selecting your theoretical paradigm of choice, think of how it helps you critic as well as logically and coherently sort the phenomena you are investigating (international challenge/problem) into manageable categories that includes the appropriate use of units and levels of analysis.
NOTE 4: in a nutshell, your selected theory/concept should explain, predict, & resolve (tell us possibilities that exist for human action and intervention).
–what advantages (ie: strengths, unique perspectives, extension of the discourse) does your selected theory or its concepts confer in explaining the problem?
–what disadvantages (ie: limitations) are inherent in the theory or its concepts?
–identify TWO OR MORE potential alternative policies (1 of the policy recommendations should be for a country other than the U.S.). Preferably a country experiencing the same problem as your selected primary location.
NOTE 1: be brief, exact, clear, and very precise in all your policy recommendations
Section 5: Analyzing Feasibility–Examine Benefits & Costs of Policy Implementation
–advocate for the policy you believe would be most effective & explain how it improves on current policy.
–using a schematic, assign rankings to capture the position, power, and priorities of each player with a brief justification of your rationale for rankings made.
— devise a feasibility score that assess the degree to which your policy can be implemented.
