Topic: One particular aspect of New Zealand politics (1500 WORDS)

Type of paper: Essay (any type)

Discipline: Political science : Political Science

Format or citation style: Chicago / Turabian

PICK ONE!!!  ( I DONT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR 1500 WORDS SO I PUT 1100) CAN YOU STILL DO IT!!????
1.    In June 2019 a report ‘Foresight, insight and oversight: Enhancing long-term governance through better parliamentary scrutiny’ was released (you can find a copy of the report on Blackboard in the Assessments tab within the ‘Unessay or Essay’ folder). This report identifies some key concerns with New Zealand’s parliamentary processes and suggests options for reform. You should identify one reform in the report that you wish to critically evaluate. In your essay, you should explore the relative strengths and weaknesses of this reform, drawing on at least five academic peer-reviewed sources (not including the report) to make your argument. Please remember that your essay should have a thesis – in other words, you should be making a case for either adopting the reform or rejecting it (or, perhaps, revising it to address weaknesses you identify). In making your case, you should present arguments both for and against the reform.

2.    What role does Te Tiriti O Waitangi currently play in New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements? Do you think its role is sufficient or should it be strengthened? Why or why not? Justify your answer with reference to at least five academic peer-reviewed sources.

3.    Should all New Zealand constitutional law be consolidated into one Act? What are the most important elements you would expect to see in the Act, and should it be fundamental law or ordinary legislation? Remember that this is not simply a descriptive essay (i.e. don’t just explain what the constitutional arrangements should look like) – you should also give reasons for your answer, with reference to at least five academic peer-reviewed sources.

4.    ‘The role of New Zealand Prime Minister is now much more than ‘first among equals’. Do you agree or disagree? Justify your answer, with reference to at least five peer-reviewed academic sources.
5.    ‘Despite the change to MMP, the New Zealand Parliament is still failing in its role as an effective check on executive power’. Do you agree or disagree? Justify your answer, with reference to at least five academic peer-reviewed sources.
6.    Do you think that measures for public engagement with the New Zealand Parliament are sufficient? If so, why? If not, why not? Justify your answer, with reference to at least five academic peer-reviewed sources.

7.    In the 2017 New Zealand General Election, a number of small parties were not re-elected to Parliament, thus reducing the number of parties represented in the legislature. A number of political commentators have suggested that this illuminates deficiencies in the MMP electoral system. Do you agree? Justify your answer with reference to at least five academic peer-reviewed sources. In answering this question, it might help to consider the recommendations of the Electoral Commission’s review of MMP in 2012.

8.    Explain how and why the issue of customary property rights in the Foreshore and Seabed transformed the nature of Māori politics. To what extent have the effects been permanent or transitory? Justify your answer, with reference to at least five academic peer-reviewed sources.

9.    Assess the relative advantages and disadvantages of political parties in New Zealand’s political landscape. Do you think that they are an important and valuable feature of New Zealand’s democracy? Justify your answer with reference to at least five academic peer-reviewed sources. In answering this question, you may wish to consider the justifications for – and criticisms of – the Electoral (Integrity) Bill.
10.    What does it mean to talk of a constitutionally independent, expert and politically neutral public service? Do we have one in New Zealand? Use examples to illustrate your argument and justify your answer with reference to at least five academic peer-reviewed sources.

11.    Do you think that social media is largely a positive or negative influence on New Zealand’s democracy? Why or why not? You should draw on at least five academic peer-reviewed sources to support your answer.
12.    Is New Zealand’s Parliament sufficiently ‘representative’? In your essay explain and justify what you mean by representation before assessing whether or not it is ‘sufficiently’ representative. You should reference at least five academic peer-reviewed sources to support your answer.