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Communications & Media
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Reflection on “Democracy Hacked” Film and the Possible Policy

Essay Instructions:

The goal of this assignment is to reflect on the film Hacking Democracy and critically think about possible policy approaches to a real world issue.
I also attach the instruction and outline as a word file.
Link for the Film: https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=6YldIdkjrqM

 

Essay #2 - Democracy Hacked - Due: Oct 29 at 11:59

The goal of this assignment is to reflect on the film Hacking Democracy and critically think about possible policy approaches to a real world issue.

 

Link for the Film: https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=6YldIdkjrqM 

 

Procedure

  1. You are expected to watch the film Hacking Democracy. Please limit distractions and conversations as you view the film.
  2. Based on your viewing, articulate a problem statement. Use this problem statement to craft a thesis for this essay. Your thesis is the major claim driving the remainder of the essay.
  3. Use examples from the film to support your thesis or sub-claim(s). Sub-claims are claims that speak to your thesis, but tend to be more specific.
  4. Use at least three sources, the film and at least two other sources to support your thesis or sub-claim(s). These should be credible outside sources, you can use a reputable news organization, academic study, non-profit and or government source. Cite these sources in your text and at the end of the essay in list of works cited in APA or MLA.

APA: Ardizzone, S., Michaels, R., Cohen, R. C., Naughton, J., Home Box Office (Firm), Public Interest Pictures (Firm), Teale-Edwards Productions., ... New Video Group. (2007). Hacking democracy. New York, N.Y.: Docurama.

  1. Write a one-to-two page essay following the outline below (approximately 500 – 1000 words). You will not be penalized for going over two pages, as long as your writing is concise and non-redundant.

OUTLINE

        I.            Introductory Paragraph

Your first paragraph should be an introduction in which you give the reader a general overview of your impression of the film Hacking Democracy. Be sure to mention major themes of the film and the stakeholders involved.

Your introductory paragraph should also include a thesis statement that will serve as the focal point of your paper. This thesis statement should explicitly articulate your opinion on the nature and extent of the problem. 

Below is an example of a thesis statement, you are not required to follow this format.

Example Thesis: [Stated problem] is a problem because [your rationale] that could be addressed by policy that [approach to policy]. Efforts to address [stated problem] should focus on policy at the [level of government OR specific organization/company/agency] because [your rationale].

      II.            Body Paragraphs

In the first body paragraph, write about one reason the film made the impression on you that it did. Then, write about why. Use specific examples from the film.

In the second body paragraph, write about any recent changes, events or research since the release of this film. For this paragraph, use at least one credible outside resource. This can be a news article, government, non-profit or academic institution. Then, write about how this change, event or research relates to the film – be sure to relate this back to your thesis.

In the third body paragraph, write about your policy recommendation. Explain whether or how policy could address your thesis. You might consider focusing on a specific aspect of the film (e.g. vulnerabilities of e-voting), identifying the level of policy (federal, state, local, company or individual) and specifying any important conditions of your proposed policy approach. Use at least one outside source to support your claim. Your policy recommendation does not need to be especially detailed, however, the approach needs to be explained (who, does what and why).  Remember the definition of policy as discussed in class.

    III.            Conclusion

Recap your thesis statement and the reasons you provided in the body of your essay. Sum up your thoughts with some final thoughts on your subject, and some closing reflective thoughts.

Suggested/Example sources:

Below are suggested sources, however, you can certainly go outside of this list.

Brennan Center:

https://www(dot)brennancenter(dot)org/our-work/research-reports/brennan-center-overview-voting-equipment

https://www(dot)brennancenter(dot)org/sites/default/files/analysis/Fact_Sheet_Voting_System_Security.pdf

National Conference of State Legislatures:

http://www(dot)ncsl(dot)org/research/elections-and-campaigns/voting-equipment.aspx

Oakland County, Michigan letter regarding ES&S M-100 voting machine tabulators: https://www(dot)eac(dot)gov/assets/1/6/Oakland_County_Michigan_letter_regarding_ES_S_M-100_voting_machine_tabulators.pdf

The Guardian:

https://www(dot)theguardian(dot)com/us-news/2019/apr/22/us-voting-machine-private-companies-voter-registration 

Rubric:

 

  • At least three outside source, be sure to include the film as one source
  • At least two credible outside sources
  • APA or MLA citation style, in text and works cited
  • Free of typos and grammatical errors
  • Essay is at least five paragraphs
  • Follows outline provided
  • Each paragraph relates to the thesis
  • Student’s own voice is obvious (your impression of the film; explain your thought process and rationale for policy approach)
  • Creativity, thoughtfulness and depth of analytical thinking

 

 

 

 

Hacking Democracy Notes

You are not required to submit these. This is for your personal use.

According to the film, why and how is democracy in jeopardy? Do you agree with the problems as presented in the film?

 

 

How are American’s votes counted?

 

 

What are the specific vulnerabilities to e-voting systems?

 

 

 

What does the documentary reveal about the computer code used in memory cards?

 

 

 

What does the documentary reveal about backdoors in trade secret computer software?

 



 

What is the story behind Diebold?

 

 

 

What safeguards could be put in place to prevent e-voting tampering?

 

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Reflection on “Democracy Hacked” Film and the Possible Policy Approach To the Issue
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Reflection on “Democracy Hacked” Film and the Possible Policy Approach to the Issue
Many countries, including world-leading democracies such as the United States, are still struggling to guarantee or deliver an election that meets the threshold of a purely free, fair, credible, transparent, and accountable election. The film titled “Hacking Democracy” reveals that all along, the U.S elections have been nothing but a sham process where the vote of Americans never counts (Ardizzone et al., 2007). While Americans queue every election circle to exercise their democratic rights, it is the election machines that vote and determines their leaders. It exposes the rot in the voting system that is punctuated by secrecy, conspiracy, and negligence of responsible governmental authorities. The security and reliability of the U.S voting system can be achieved through the creation and enforcement of state and federal policies that put stringent measures on the procurement of election equipment and ensure effective management of the entire process.
Reason for the Impression Made
The election process is the essential democratic tool that people use to express their will and aspiration in shaping the destiny of the nation. It is the engine that propels and the wing that flies the country in the right direction. American democracy is in jeopardy as the election results do not reflect the will and aspiration of the people who cast their votes. It is the machine that does but without their knowledge. This revelation casts aspersion on the supposed democratic space that people utilize to choose those they want to govern and how they want to be governed. It hijacks their dreams, aspirations, and values that inform their choice of leaders to elect into political offices. The voting machine has codes that can be used to manipulate votes without being detected. They have executable software that counts votes backward to give a candidate negative votes. The county election registrars are reluctant to check the security of the system, insisting that everything is all right, yet that is not the case (David et al., 2019 & Ardizzone et al., 2019). Negligence and complacency by institutions mandated to oversee the election process can cost any country the integrity of this critical process. Law requires that the voting machines be tested by Independent Testing Authority (ITA) before they are used for election (Ardizzone et al., 2007). However, from the clip, the voting machines did not undergo any independent testing as is required by the law resulting o security flaws. More appalling is the revelation that one can hack into the voting machine without knowing even how the system works. 
Recent Events and Changes
It is 13 years since the release of Hacking Democracy” film and a lot have since happened. The United States has made v...
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