Write an essay in which you make an argument about the role of government.

Essay 3: Research Based Essay – Are we “Locked” in to Big Brother? (Singer)
In “Visible Man,” Peter Singer discusses transparency and privacy. While Singer seems to argue for transparency between government and citizens, he also acknowledges that technology that allows for such visibility may easily fall into the wrong hands.
Using the sources you found in the Research Exploration assignment, write an essay in which you make an argument about the role of government. To what extent should a government entity be allowed access to citizens’ privacy? Does government monitoring citizens’ every move ensure safety and security, or is it an invasion of privacy*? Is this monitoring democratic or totalitarian? Is some sacrifice of privacy necessary for a functioning society, John Locke social contract style? Do research on social or historical events (in the US, in Egypt, in the Middle East, in China, in Cuba, etc.) and/or on certain topics related to privacy (e.g., health surveillance, social media, whistleblowing, law enforcement and sousveillance, etc.).
Apply specific ideas and quotes from Singer as well as at least 3 sources from your research in order to support your analysis. I recommend you use sources from your research exploration assignment; if you feel the need to find new (credible) sources though, feel free to perform the additional research.

*Note:
“The right to privacy is not mentioned in the Constitution, but the Supreme Court has said that several of the amendments create this right. One of the amendments is the Fourth Amendment, which stops the police and other government agents from searching us or our property without “probable cause” to believe that we have committed a crime. Other amendments protect our freedom to make certain decisions about our bodies and our private lives without interference from the government – which includes the public schools.”
Basically, I’m just trying to make sure none of you say something like “privacy is a constitutional right,” because it isn’t . . . .
American Civil Liberties Union. “Students: Your Right to Privacy.” American Civil Liberties Union, 2021, https://www.aclu.org/other/students-your-right-privacy.
(You’re welcome to use this ACLU source in your essay in addition to Singer and the three outside sources you research on your own.)

Questions to help you brainstorm:
What things should be kept private from the government, if any?
What are some examples of the government taking too much advantage of the “social contract” between a government and its people?
How does technology impact the way a government and its people interact?

Formatting and requirements
Copy and paste your essay directly in Achieve. I strongly encourage you to write your essay in another platform (Microsoft Word or Google Docs) so that your document is saved in another location.
Your essay must be at least 1500-1800 words. Your heading and works cited do not count toward your official word count.
Format your essay according to MLA guidelines (see Documenting Sources: MLA Style in Achieve)
Include a Works Cited page listing all sources you used or consulted. Failing to cite your sources properly is considered plagiarism.

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