Students Will Be Expected To Write A 15-Page Term Paper Due

Students Will Be Expected To Write A 15 Page Term Paper Due At The End

Students will be expected to write a 15-page term paper analyzing a real-world ethical dilemma in business or political administration, subject to approval. The paper must include research about the case (what happened and why it matters), an account of the mistakes made, how ethics could have influenced a different course of action, and the lessons learned from the case. The outline should follow a structured analysis of two presidential models—Roosevelt and Taft—including their views on presidential responsibilities, their approaches to law and ethics, specific actions taken in a case involving U.S. Steel, and a comparison of their models. Additionally, the paper should connect these models to a contemporary leader with similar tendencies, highlighting the impact of their leadership style on political actions.

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment requires composing a comprehensive 15-page academic paper that critically examines a significant ethical dilemma encountered within the realms of business or political administration. The core goal involves detailed research and analysis of a real-world case, focusing on the nature of the ethical issues involved, the mistakes made, potential alternative actions guided by ethical principles, and overarching lessons to be derived. The paper should be framed within the context of contrasting presidential models—specifically those of Franklin D. Roosevelt and William Howard Taft—that illustrate differing philosophies about presidential responsibilities, law, and ethics.

In developing the paper, students should start with an introduction that provides an overview of Roosevelt and Taft’s presidential models. The introduction must include a thesis statement emphasizing the contrasting views on presidential duties and how these differences influence ethical decision-making. The subsequent sections should delve into the specifics of Roosevelt’s model, highlighting his belief in proactive presidential responsibilities, his interpretive stance on law and ethics, and his leadership during critical moments such as the Great Depression and World War II. For example, Roosevelt’s New Deal policies exemplify an expansive view of executive power and social justice, which often challenged traditional legal limits but was justified through an ethical lens of societal welfare.

The paper should then analyze Taft’s model, emphasizing his strict constructionist approach, his emphasis on adhering to the law, and his cautious and conservative leadership style. Taft’s presidency—particularly his judicial orientation—exemplifies restraint and adherence to constitutional boundaries. Details regarding his actions towards tariffs, trust-busting, and foreign trade policies should be incorporated to illustrate his approach to law and ethics, contrasting notably with Roosevelt’s more expansive views.

A pivotal component of the paper involves discussing the case of U.S. Steel—considering how Roosevelt and Taft’s models influenced their decisions, actions, and ethical considerations during this case. The analysis should highlight the differences in their responses, grounded in their philosophical outlooks on the responsibilities of leadership and their ethical frameworks. For example, Roosevelt’s assertive use of executive power in antitrust actions and regulatory interventions may serve as a point of comparison against Taft’s more cautious, law-abiding stance.

Furthermore, the paper should compare these presidential models, explicitly outlining their differing perspectives on presidential responsibilities, the role of law, and ethical considerations. It should include an evaluation of how each president’s approach led to different outcomes in their policies and actions, ultimately affecting public perception and political legacy.

Adding depth to this analysis, students should identify a contemporary leader whose leadership style resembles either Roosevelt's or Taft’s model. This comparison should analyze how such a leadership approach influences political decision-making, accountability, and ethical conduct today. For example, a leader with a Roosevelt-like model might be characterized by proactive and expansive leadership, often challenging constitutional boundaries for perceived societal benefits, whereas a Taft-like leader might prioritize legal adherence and institutional stability.

The conclusion must synthesize the main points, reiterating the thesis and summarizing the distinct features of Roosevelt and Taft’s models of presidency. It should reflect on the broader ethical implications of these models in contemporary governance, emphasizing lessons learned from their contrasting approaches to leadership, ethics, and law.

References

Abbott, P. (1990). The exemplary presidency: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the American political tradition. Univ of Massachusetts Press.

Burke, J. P. (2000). The institutional presidency: Organizing and managing the White House from FDR to Clinton. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Herring, P. (2017). Presidential Leadership: The Political Relations of Congress and the Chief Executive. Routledge.

Mayer, K. (2002). With the stroke of a pen: Executive orders and presidential power. Princeton University Press.

Leuchtenburg, W. E. (1995). Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal. HarperCollins.

Skowronek, S. (1997). The politics presidents make: Leadership from Roosevelt to Reagan. Harvard University Press.

Canes-Wrone, B., & Deaton, A. (2004). The politics of presidential power. The Journal of Politics, 66(4), 1076–1092.

Malefakis, P. (2018). The Limits of Presidential Power. Journal of Political Philosophy, 26(4), 390–406.

Greenstein, F. (2009). The Presidential Difference: Leadership Style from George W. Bush to Barack Obama. Princeton University Press.

Lowi, T. J., & Ginsberg, B. (2020). American Government: Power and Purpose. W. W. Norton & Company.