Research Links and Critical Thinking Questions for May 2019 Issues

Apr 18, 2019 | Ideas For Teachers

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Green New Deal
Congress.gov: H.Res.109 – Green New Deal (Text)
Fox News: “Green New Deal Would Cost Up to $93 Trillion Over 10 Years”
Vox.com: “The Green New Deal, Explained”
Heritage Foundation: “GND Would Barely Change Earth’s Temperature”
FactCheck.org: “The Facts on the ‘Green New Deal’”
NPR: “Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Releases Green New Deal Outline”

Issue 2: Capitalism vs. Socialism
Christian Science Monitor: “GND: Saving America or Turning It Socialist?”
American Center for Law & Justice: “Truth About Socialism & Green New Deal”
The Balance Small Business: “Differences Between Capitalism and Socialism”
Investopedia.com: “Capitalist vs. Socialist Economies: What’s the Difference?”
Corporate Finance Institute: “What Is Socialism vs. Capitalism?”
Roll Call: “The Capitalism vs. Socialism Debate”

CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Green New Deal

  1. Read the text of the Green New Deal resolution (link above). Is the Green New Deal a step in the right direction or an example of government overreach?
  2. Why does the GND resolution include issues like jobs, health care and human rights? How do these issues connect to climate change?
  3. What crisis was Roosevelt’s New Deal responding to in the 1930s? What modern-day crisis is the Green New Deal responding to?
  4. What kind of a congressional proposal is the Green New Deal? If it was approved by Congress, what would happen?
  5. How important is the issue of climate change? Do you think this country is doing enough to address the problem?

Issue 2: Capitalism vs. Socialism

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of capitalism and socialism? Which economic system is more effective and why?
  2. Should property and the means of production (factories) be owned by businesses and individuals (capitalism) or the government (socialism)? Why?
  3. It is commonly argued that socialism is un-American. What are some arguments for and against this position?
  4. Should the government be involved in the economy? If so, to what extent?
  5. Who is responsible for a person’s well-being, the government or the individual?