Assignment 2/28

Read through the BBC country profile of Russia and China.  Answer the following questions (first Russia then China):

1. What are the major policymaking institutions?
2. Who are the current leaders, what positions do they hold and what powers do they have?
3. What are the most important events in their past that shaped some of the traditions and attitudes their people have about the government?
4. Find one article that we have not yet gone over in class on a recent policy issue (one for each country), make a link to it and discuss how it illustrates a major concept (e.g. legitimacy, political culture, role of media/interest groups, capacity etc.) in comparative politics.
5. Respond to at least one of the #4 posts of another classmate.

Mexican reforms, Chinese uniforms, and Irani...forms....

The Mexican President is set to announce major educational reforms that will check the power of teacher's unions, Chinese watchdogs catch a company making toxic uniforms and Iran is set to meet with the international community to negotiate nuclear proliferation.  Commence commenting!!

A British PM, Russian gun smugglers and a Chinese government hacker walk into a bar...

David Cameron travels to India for an historic visit to acknowledge and pay respects to victims of a 1919 massacre.  A two-for-one COGOPO story about Nigerian trials of alleged Russian arms dealers in an intriguing diplomatic conflict between the two countries.  Also, the United States accuses China of hacking US targets and China responds "Who? Us? Cyberwhat?? Naaaww."

Respect my authoritaaaaaayy!! (and watch out for meteors)

Today we are going to examine nondemocratic regimes, specifically authoritarianism and totalitarianism.  The recent events of the Arab Spring uprisings in the Middle East help to illustrate techniques of authoritarian regimes in maintaining control over the population.  In Bahrain, violence surrounds protests celebrating the second anniversary of failed pro-democracy protests that an estimated 10,000 Bahrainis participated in.  The ongoing uprising in Syria against the Assad regime is attracting rebels of all kinds in a bid to gain power in a time of violence and uncertainty.

Also, Chinese state-sponsored media responds to the public outcry over the North Korean nuclear tests in an attempt to allay fears about the effects of radiation from their neighbor.

On an entirely unrelated, apocalyptic note, 950 people are injured by a meteor crashing into Russia's Ural Mountains.  Seriously.  

Tea time! (with a side of the IRA, Scottish independence and the elderly)

Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein asks the IRA to end violence (again), some UK ministers outline what Scottish independence would truly mean, and the government proposes to cap the amount of money any elderly person should spend on healthcare in a given year.  Comments appreciated below!

Controversy!

In the UK controversy is erupting over gay marriage, Chinese citizens are outraged by more blatant police corruption, Iran is sending Ahmadinejad into Egypt and Nigerians wonder how sending troops into Mali would benefit them.

Scandal! (and space)

In the UK, scandal forced a high ranking MP to resign.  Meanwhile, a Nigerian MP stands accused of accepting bribes and the state media in China is prosecuting Tibetan monks for 'inciting self-immolations.'  Also, the release of French citizen Florence Cassez stirs controversy in Mexico.  On another note, Iranian President Ahmadinejad wants to be the first Iranian astronaut.  Which of these stories sparks your interest? Click on the country to go the article!  Comments encouraged below!