Group Discussion Topic #8: “Should Legislatures Play a Role in Deciding Whether to Use Military Force?” Due: March 27th -29th, 2023

DQ #8  Let’s Debate the issue: “Is the Legislative Branch or the Executive better equipped in Deciding Whether to Use Military Force?”

Preamble: 

Chapters 7 & 8 Lesson:  The Executive Branch and Legislative Branch

Lesson Activity DQ #8: In this Lesson Activity you are prompted to Debate and Reflect on the executive and legislative process and strategies through policy making on matters of wars.  Consider reviewing the Executive Powers and Legislative Powers as well as the ‘War Powers Act’.  

Examine the questions:  What is the proper relationship between a legislature and the executive regarding the use of military force? Should initiating military force be invested only in the Executive, or should the Legislative Branch also have a say in when and where a countryàmilitary is put in harmàway?

Justification:

Consider the case scenario: “Should Legislatures Play a Role in Deciding Whether to Use Military Force?” 

‘Justify’ your arguments through qualitative supportive research and by using key terminology from the Chapters’ theories/concepts. 

Choose if you are pro or against the military attempt to support your position in reflection to the case scenario and consider the questions of the Debate to guide you through your qualitative research to justify you position; form 3 arguments of your own to support your position. (Don’t try to answer the questions but rather to help you form your arguments).

Use critical thinking of the main concepts such as ‘War Power Act’  and theories of the Chapters to express and support your arguments.  

Use Key Terminology from Ch. 7 and Ch. 8  and even from previous chapters to support your arguments.  

Please Debate by posting 2 Rebuttals Commentaries to your fellow peers either agreeable or not. 

Task and Mission:

1) Choose a position either supporting the Legislative or the Executive declaring a war and use of military force.  post an initial ‘response’ with 3 supportive arguments in regards to the Debate Questions (don’t answer the questions but rather use them to create your executive argument position). Please put your Name and your Position!  (300-500 words)

2)Then start debating with the rest of your classmates for 3 Days W-F  by posting 2 times on the DQ Thread; Post 2 times with – Rebuttals ‘counter’ or ‘support’ your classmates commentaries.  Your argumentative posts (commentaries) count for your participation points (250-300words.) 

3) Cite your sources … see pages tab (APA or Chicago style Format)

Guidelines and Questions to consider for this activity: 

1. Should legislatures play a role in the decision to use military force? Are there some circumstances that are better or worse for a society to have open debates about potential military action?
2. Short of military action, should legislatures play a significant role in other foreign policy areas such as economic sanctions, immigration, or military alliances? (Think about potential adversaries N. Korea, Iran).
3. Do you think potential adversaries pay attention to debates within a country contemplating military force? Do potential adversaries use this information to their advantage? Should this be a concern for a country contemplating the use of military force?