For this assignment you should watch the documentary Where to Invade Next by Michael Moore.
If this link isn’t taken down you can view the documentary here:
The film chronicles how other advanced industrialized democracies tackle some of the most critical issues societies face: the cost of education, healthy food, taxation, drug addiction, incarceration, work/life balance, womens rights, and worker rights, amongst others.
The core issues covered in the film are the following:
ITALY: WORK LIFE BALANCE With one of the highest rates of paid vacation, maternity leave, and honeymoon allowance, not to mention two-hour workday lunches, Italians take the stress out of a working life.
FRANCE: LUNCH AND THE TRUTH ABOUT SEX School children shun Moores offer of soda and feast upon a whole-food four-course lunch, and adolescents learn about the realities of sex and respectful relationships. The French say Oui! to life.
FINLAND: LET THEM PLAY! They should have more time to be kids, to enjoy life, stated a teacher in Finland. Children spend less time in school, no time doing homework, and lots of time playing, all while ranking at the top of global education stats.
SLOVENIA: FREE SCHOOL FOR ALL In this eastern European country, school is considered a public good and a basic human right, and a complete college education is afforded to anyone showing up for class, whatever passport a student may hold.
GERMANY: RESPECT AND REMEMBER Moore is shocked at the civility of working regulations in Germany, where employees are given an equal say in company matters and government-funded spa stays prioritize health. As for Hitler and the Holocaust, a policy of acknowledgment and understanding of the past fuels the potential to affect a positive future.
PORTUGAL: HUMANY DIGNITY AND DECRIMINALIZED DRUGS Portugals answer to the War on Drugs? Decriminalize their usage and offer free treatment and comprehensive healthcare. In the words of a Lisbon police officer, Human dignity is the backbone of our society.
NORWAY: BREED FORGIVENESS, NOT HATRED As a place for rehabilitation, not revenge, prisons in Norway offer a chance for prisoners to rehabilitate and regain humanity. Not even Breiviks killing spree could spark hatred, instead inspiring national unity.
TUNISIA: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS Government funded abortions and free womens health clinics ensure women are in control of their reproduction and in turn their basic rights. Let the individual focus on the private and government the public.
ICELAND: WOMEN ARE THE ANSWER When women dont work, nothing works. Strong words from Icelands first female president, who testifies to the power of the women that changed the tide of a nation, making it both potent and sustainable.
Directions
After viewing the film, I would like for you to select one of the issues discussed in the film and compare and contrast how the issue is handled in the country in the documentary and how that same issue is dealt with in the United States. You will also reflect upon our ability to enact change on these issues in the United States.
Students will be writing a more formal blog post, almost in the style of a blog or newspaper article, and posting it on the class blog. You must include images and/or other social media in your post.
I would like for you to cover the following four points:
What emotions did watching your topic in the film spark for you? What surprised or shocked you? Why do you think you had this reaction?
What did you find were the most significant similarities and differences between how your issue is handled in the country covered in the documentary and how that issue is handled in the United States? Please be specific.
America handles the issue you chose in an exceptionally different way than the country featured does. What have you learned about the myriad facets of American exceptionalism throughout the semester that might inform why we tackle the problem the way that we do. Please discuss the differences in light of the following Political Science topics and themes we have covered this semester (corresponding to the readings and topics of the course):
American Exceptionalism
American Political Culture
Public Opinion in the United States
The US Constitution
The structure of our political institutions
Federalism
Political Participation in the US
The 2016 Election
Parties and Elections
Inequality (economic, racial, gender, sexual orientation, etc.)
Please select one of these topics to place the American approach to this issue in context. Please discuss the connections thoroughly and thoughtfully, utilizing information from the textbook.
Would the model displayed in the film work well here in the United States? Could this model be a potential solution to this issue in the United States? Why or why not?
BE SURE TO INCLUDE SOME MULTIMEDIA IN YOUR PERSONAL REFLECTION (an image, meme, link, etc
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