POSC 220: Political Leadership Directed Essay #1 General Directions: Respond to ONE (1) of the following three prompts. Please read all the options before deciding your response choice. The response MUST incorporate at least two independent thinkers to receive a passing evaluation. So, while we read excerpts of Plato’s Republic separately, they are still all Plato. Be sure to respond in essay form and stay focused on the prompt. Be certain to “frame” your essay with a solid introduction and conclusion. Extended quotations are to be avoided and any quotations extending beyond three lines of text will not be counted in the page-length requirement, so please be conscious of the length of quotes when assessing page length. Textual quotations are absolutely necessary for adequate support, but use of paraphrasing and personal interpretation also shows a deeper grasp of the material. A complete essay must be a full 3-6 pages (if you “stumble onto” the third page it will work against you). If the essay is underdeveloped (less than three full pages) or unfocussed (more than six pages), please feel free to ask the professor for assistance. The responses must be typed, double-spaced, and in 10-12 font. The best responses have two main characteristics: Identification: Display clear understanding of the concept identified or the thought of the thinker referred to in the question. This is establishing your completion and understanding of the assigned reading and related class discussion. Application: Provide an example or examples (depending on the prompt) that shows how the theory of the thinker or concept applies to a real event, person, action or a hypothetical one that displays the student’s ability to apply the knowledge beyond mere memorization – displays critical thinking. A. Aristotle formulates a main question with regard to political leadership as whether it is better to be ruled by a good man or good laws. Discuss what he means by this question and the strength and weaknesses of both answers. How does this relate to the political leader identified in any of our other thinkers/readings? B. According to Xenophon and Plato, can a good leader be educated or are they born into the role? If education is possible, how does one go about it? If education is not possible, how does one find a qualified political leader? C. What characteristics make a true philosopher as articulated in Plato’s Republic. Do these characteristics also apply to a strong political leader or is Plato just “messing with” his interlocutors when he introduces his philosopher-king? In other words, is Plato serious? ***As an added element of educational fun, one of the questions above will be awarded a bonus 3 points for attempting it, one will be awarded a 5 point bonus, and one will just be graded as is with no bonus awarded. Hmmm….