Report

Your report should present a comparative state analysis in relation to a key contemporary issue.

It should be approximately 3000 words in length and may be NO MORE than 10% (300 words) more or less than this – ones that fall outside of these limits will be penalized. The word count does not include title, bibliography etc., but means everything from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion.

The report is intended to be an in-depth, comparative analysis. It requires you to:

– Compare and contrast TWO different modern states in relation to one of the topics listed on the next page
– You are free to select whichever states you wish – BUT in order to compare and contrast, there must be significant differences between them (e.g. a democracy v. an authoritarian state; a developed v. a developing state)
– The analysis should centre on the contemporaryperiod (21st century) – historical background will, of course, be important, but the main focus should be on the present-day

Issues to consider
You will need to analyze issues such as:
a) The meaning(s) and significance of your chosen topic for the modern state
b) How your topic affects/ relates to your two states
c) Why each state operates in the way that it does
d) How each state may have changed over time in terms of the topic
e) The main similarities and differences between the two states in relation to the topic
f) The advantages and disadvantages of each state’s approach to the topic
g) Conclusions about which state may be the more ‘successful’ or ‘effective’
The above list is not intended to be a rigid plan that must be followed – much will depend on the two states and the topic chosen – and how you organize and structure the report will be a matter for you to decide
Report topics
1. Comparing constitutions
Compare and contrast two states with different types of constitution (e.g. codified v. uncodified, or rigid v. flexible)

2. Comparing governments
Compare and contrast two states with different systems of government and the impact this has on policy-making (e.g. presidential v. parliamentary systems)

3. The welfare state
Compare and contrast two states that have adopted different approaches to the delivery of welfare (e.g. free market v. state-centred)

4. Multiculturalism and citizenship
Compare and contrast two states that have adopted different approaches to multiculturalism and citizenship (e.g. different approaches to integrating minorities)

5. Globalization
Compare and contrast two states that have adopted different approaches to globalization – in economics, politics and/or culture (e.g. embracing free markets v. protectionism)

6. Civil society
Compare and contrast two states that adopt different attitudes to civil society (e.g. encouraging v. restricting)

7. Protest movements
Compare and contrast the impact of two protest movements on the policies of different states (e.g. violent v. non-violent movements, or successful v. unsuccessful campaigns)