For a seminar this morning, I have been reading a number of articles and chapters on the topic of mass incarceration in the United States. One in piqued my interest, however. Loic Wacquant's article, published in the New Left Review in early 2002, offers a fascinating theorem on the continuing confinement of African Americans. Entitled … Continue reading Loic Wacquant’s article ‘From Slavery to Mass Incarceration’
Essays
A selection of essays I have written since I started studying history, including A-Level essays, essays submitted during my degree, and essays written as teaching material.
What are ‘swing voters’ and how important are they in the USA? (Short essay)
Also known as ‘floating voters’ in the UK and ‘independent’ in the USA, swing voters are de-aligned and lack strong party identification, and their votes cannot be predicted or taken for granted. They are targeted in campaigns and can be crucial in deciding elections, especially in swing states. Approximately 30% of voters describe themselves as … Continue reading What are ‘swing voters’ and how important are they in the USA? (Short essay)
Explain the importance of religion as a voting factor in the USA (Short essay)
The USA is unusual (in comparison with Britain) in that religious identity has strongly influenced voting behaviour. Religion has an important impact in how the voter looks at specific issues, such as abortion, homosexuality, the environment, and economics. The voter then uses his or her response to these issues as a guideline to help determine … Continue reading Explain the importance of religion as a voting factor in the USA (Short essay)
Explain the ‘gender gap’ which exists in the USA (short essay)
The ‘gender gap’ refers to the different voting patterns of men and women found in all modern elections, although the gap narrows or widens at each election as voters respond to different candidates and issues. In elections, the Republican Party receives a majority of votes from men, and the Democratic Party a majority of votes … Continue reading Explain the ‘gender gap’ which exists in the USA (short essay)
Explain the increasing importance of the Hispanic vote in the United States (short essay)
The USA is made up of various immigrant groups with different cultural identities and traditions. It has assimilated new immigrants, from the first WASP settlers, through waves of European immigration, and more recently to immigrants from Asia and Latin America. The most significant minority racial groups in the American electorate are African-Americans and Hispanics. Hispanics … Continue reading Explain the increasing importance of the Hispanic vote in the United States (short essay)
Explain the importance of race and ethnicity in voting behaviour in the USA (Short Essay)
The USA is made up of various immigrant groups with different cultural identities and traditions. It has assimilated new immigrants, from the first WASP settlers, through waves of European immigration, and more recently to immigrants from Asia and Latin America. The most significant minority racial groups in the American electorate are African-Americans and Hispanics. The … Continue reading Explain the importance of race and ethnicity in voting behaviour in the USA (Short Essay)
Why does turnout in USA elections tend to be relatively low? (Short Essay)
It is paradoxical that in the country that is the world’s greatest advocate of democracy, turnout at elections is among the lowest in the democratic world, particularly as other forms of participation, such as pressure group activity, are high. High voter abstention in US elections can be explained using a number of simple terms such … Continue reading Why does turnout in USA elections tend to be relatively low? (Short Essay)
Was Theseus more important to Athens as a monster-slayer or as a political leader?
Ancient history is not my forte, but here is a short exam-style ancient history essay - not referenced. __________________________ Theseus, as a Greek king of the heroic age, played many roles in the development of Athens; these were both political roles in the everyday development of Athens and his less realistic roles as a mythical … Continue reading Was Theseus more important to Athens as a monster-slayer or as a political leader?
What sources do we have for the history of the early Roman Empire, and what problems do we have in their interpretation?
Not an essay I got a particularly great mark on since I spent a lot of the time before the due date in hospital and had to research, write and reference this in the space of a morning, but it is a little different to my normal assignments so possibly still worth a skim-read. ____________________________ … Continue reading What sources do we have for the history of the early Roman Empire, and what problems do we have in their interpretation?
‘Elizabeth was justified and correct to execute Mary Stuart on the grounds of the threat she posed to the Queen.’ Discuss. – Short A-Level History Style Essay
Mary Stuart, more commonly known as Mary Queen of Scots, was believed to be the legitimate heir to the English crown presenting a threat to the Queen of England, Elizabeth I. Mary Stuart, being under threat from Protestants in Scotland, travelled to England in 1568 seeking help and protection. When Mary arrived in England, Elizabeth … Continue reading ‘Elizabeth was justified and correct to execute Mary Stuart on the grounds of the threat she posed to the Queen.’ Discuss. – Short A-Level History Style Essay
The Historian's Apprentice 