9: Business in Politics
10: Regulating Business
11: Multinational Corporations
13: Industrial Pollution and Environmental Policy
14. Managing Environmental Quality
Questions:
After reading the following cases, answer the pertaining questions IN YOUR OWN WORDS (not Wikipedia's, not via another classmate's - and when using ANY other source, as you will need to do research beyond the textbook this week, you must cite it). Include one brief paragraph per question.
PART 1 - 25 points
Ch 9: Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission
1. Legal Decision - Summarize the CU case and what the implications are during elections. CU is a direct response to a political / fiscal advantage that the Democrats had for decades. What was it?
2. The Money - Look up various sources and list the $ amount spent on both the Presidential and local elections during each of the 4 year cycles when we elect a President. Start with 2008 (before CU), then 2012, and 2016. Split out the total amount between what each of the Presidential candidates (on both sides) raised and then the total amount for local. The sources you use will be critical so don't be surprised if your numbers slightly vary from your peers. HOWEVER! Do not wait till last minute and copy the info from your peers either. I'll know who did the homework and who didn't.
3. The Beneficiaries - Wearing your CEO hat, what types businesses benefit most from the election? Be specific and list at least 4.
PART 2 - 10 Points
Ch 10: Good & Evil on Rails
5. The Event - Summarize what happened in this case.
6. Rail in America - What's the future of rail in America? For both commercial and individual transport? Consider recent accidents, political investment decisions and travel trends. Why isn't it as popular here as it is in other parts of the world?
PART 3 - 20 Points
Ch 11: Union Carbide and Bhopal
7. The Tragedy - Summarize the events of the case and also include if prior to reading it in the textbook you've heard of this catastrophe and/or if you know anyone who was there when it happened. In every other class I've taught a student brings a personal perspective to the narrative.
8. The Greed - List 4 distinct incidents of greed in this case. Who were the complicit parties? another way to look at it is name 4 ways in which this awful life-stealing tragedy could have been prevented.
PART 4 - 20 Points
Ch 13: World Melting Away
Ch 14: Harvesting Risk
9. The Background - Share the background of each case. What, in your own words, makes global warming such a controversial topic?
10. Paris Accord - Given President Trump's recent withdrawal from the Paris Accord, what is the true implication to American Corporations? Wear your CEO hat.
These last 2 questions will, no doubt, trigger some emotional writing. To remind the class, debate layered in facts is always welcome. However there's zero room for any personal attacks. Also, please keep your personal beliefs out of this.
REMINDERS (for all assignments)
1. Write down your own ideas, anchored in evidence. I want to hear your voice.
2. Be specific! Avoid redundancy and generalities/vague answers.
3. Cite ALL sources used (urls ok to use)
4. Comment, thoughtfully, on at least 6 other student posts
5. Since the full assignment is due on Sunday, and everyone has to comment on their fellow peers' work (75 points of the 150 possible), aim to have the above questions posted by Friday. You can also post these in sections as labeled above.
Let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to your work!