Hypothetical Scenario #1

International Child Labor

Global Industries Resolution to Combat Child Labor

Scenario:  You are a member of the Board of Directors of Global Industries, a multinational distributor for Allsport, makers of the best-selling line of sportswear in the world.  The Chair of the Board has proposed the following resolution.

Summary and Resolution: 

Recent information has been reported concerning numerous instances of questionable child labor practices at Allsport's manufacturing plant in Asiana, a developing country in central Asia.  Reports document the persistence of harmful and exploitative child labor practices at the plant and prevalent throughout the country.  Nearly 70% of children under age 13 in Asiana do not attend school and work as much as 10 hours a day.  Estimates reveal that children earn between one fifth and one tenth of what adult labor gets per statutory minimum wages.   Many children work without monetary compensation under conditions of servitude.  With regard to health it has been noted that among all patients in public hospitals, about 70% were at one time or another child laborers; among the tuberculosis patients about 80% were or had been child laborers.  Constant exposure to smoke, dust, noxious gases, chemicals, and high temperatures affect the lungs, eyes, kidneys, liver, and other vital organs of children.  Continuous sitting in the same position for long hours in tasks such as sewing and weaving affect the spinal column.  Working in dim lights and poorly ventilated and unhygienic conditions adversely affects growth, vision, and general psychological and physical development.

Given the conditions revealed by these reports, Global Industries hereby proposes to discontinue distribution of all products manufactured by Allsport.

Statement supporting the proposed Resolution: Chair of the Board

"As one of the directors of the future of Global Industries and as a member of the international community, I urge your support of this resolution. Although Allsport is one of our major accounts, Global Industries is in a position to play a major role in decreasing the 250 million children between the ages of five and fourteen that are estimated to work under harmful conditions worldwide.  First, given the large network of retailers we work with, our actions can reduce the sales of Allsport sportswear worldwide.  Second, our actions here will raise awareness with regard to the inhumanity of child labor practices and help to lead the international community to address abusive child labor everywhere in the world.  Finally, it is simply the right thing to do -- we cannot support a company or product that profits from inhumane and exploitative labor practices."

Prompt for individual writing:

On the pages provided, please answer the question below.  You will have 15 minutes to complete this segment of the exercise.

Do you agree or disagree with the proposed resolution for Global Industries to discontinue distribution of Allsport sportswear?  How would you vote on the resolution and why?

Hypothetical Scenario #2

Death Penalty
Alaska State Implementation

Scenario:  You are a member of the Alaska State legislature and are asked to vote on the following resolution.

Summary and Resolution:

Recent reports indicate that the number of first degree murder cases and convictions within the state of Alaska has grown at an alarming rate over the last ten years.  In the period from 1990-2000, the number of criminal arrests for alleged first degree murders has increased by 21%.  An increase in the number of murders which occurred during crimes of petty theft, armed robbery, domestic abuse, rape and assault are but a few of the types of cases that have contributed to this increase.  Currently the state relies on life imprisonment sentences coupled with rehabilitation measures to address these crimes, but as a deterrent they are clearly not enough.   

The recent reinstatement of the death penalty in Indiana has contributed to a decrease in the number of murder cases tried in that state.  In light of their results and careful consideration of the factors contributing to the growth of capital murder cases in our own state, we hereby support the establishment of the death penalty within the State of Alaska.  With this resolution we propose to expand the sentencing options for persons convicted of first degree murder to include death in addition to the current option of life in prison without the possibility of parole.   

Statement supporting the proposed resolution: The Alaska Coalition for Capital Punishment

According to the U.S. Supreme Court and the Constitution, capital punishment is allowable when the severity of the sentence has been deemed to be appropriate to the severity of the crime.  First degree murder is quite severe, and the death penalty is a just punishment administered by a just society.   Given the documented reduction in murder cases in Indiana after the implementation of the death penalty, we have concluded that brutal killings may be deterred by capital punishment and that it is truly a just punishment to individuals found guilty of taking a life.  Thirty-eight states, a majority of the country, currently have the death penalty on their statutes and believe in its necessity in contemporary society.  The death penalty has been employed throughout our nation's history, and at a time when it is still widely accepted, we urge you to support the reinstatement of the death penalty in Alaska.

Prompt for individual writing:

On the pages provided, please answer the question below.  You will have 15 minutes to complete this segment of the exercise.

Do you agree or disagree with the proposed resolution for the State of Alaska to expand the sentencing options for persons convicted of first degree murder to include death in addition to the current option of life in prison without the possibility of parole?  How would you vote on the resolution and why?