Use the framework presented in Stone’s Policy Paradox and the expertise you have developed in your previous assignments (position paper, discussion boards, web exploration, and readings) to consider your policy issue, understand the politics surrounding it, analyze and critique the arguments on both (or all) sides of the issue, and finally, argue persuasively for what you believe. In other words, in your analysis, show how both the main proponents and opponents of the issue think, what they believe, and what their strategies are. By doing this you will in effect deconstruct both positions—yours and the others—to then argue for what you believe. Your aim is to produce a clear, compelling evidence-based report that could be presented to legislators or policy organizations. Ground your paper in policy research, published analyses, and other credible sources.
Include the following in your analysis:
Introduction (1 page maximum)
Provide a brief introduction, including the proper citation of the legislation and its sponsors
Describe how the issue evolved (context, legislation, political history, persons and groups involved)
Describe your interest in the issue (briefly)
Position Statement (2 pages maximum)
Clearly state your position on the issue
Specify who or what organizations or groups support your position
Specify who or what organizations or groups oppose your position
Analysis (3 pages maximum)
Discuss, from the perspective of your position and those in opposition, how the following are used in your policy:
Goals
Equity, efficiency, security, liberty as applicable
Problems
Symbols, numbers, causes, interests, decisions as applicable
Solutions
Inducements, rules, facts, rights, power as applicable
Conclusion and Recommendations (1 page maximum)
Persuasively present your conclusion as to the most appropriate or best solution and your recommendations for legislators. State the intended outcomes of your recommendations.
Advocacy Plan (1 page maximum)
Describe the strategies you would use to advocate for this policy.
Use the most recent APA style, include a title page and abstract. Include supporting evidence from the literature or credible websites in each of the above listed areas. The paper should be absolutely no more than 8 pages in length excluding references, title page and abstract. Two points will be deducted for every page over the maximum.
