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.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete2. Putin is president. Medvedev is prime minister.
ReplyDelete3. Russia is the former USSR and as such has had to deal with the fallout of the communist regime. Russia therfore is authoritarian in order to try to control and organize society and there is wide distrust of the police.
4. https://www.google.com/search?q=russia+adoption&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#q=russia+adoption&hl=en&client=safari&source=univ&tbm=nws&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=b6MvUZ-HHImk8ASBx4DQCw&ved=0CDgQqAI&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&bvm=bv.43148975,d.eWU&fp=af2d9f3de26c5fcc&biw=1024&bih=672
This is a link to the Russian Dumas decision to ban american adoption of russian babies. This illustrates the political culture of Russia because the government has the distrust of a former foe to not allow that country to adopt and help russian children.
5. I shall comment on someone's comment.
1. Duma is the legislative body.
DeleteThis is a pointless attempt by Putin to raise his approval by turning something benign into an issue
Deletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21615448
ReplyDeleteEmma, Taylor, Alysha, Beatrice
DeleteI honestly don't doubt that the U.S. has been involved in cyber espionage to some degree, however, I do feel like the Chinese are likely exaggerating to justify their own hacking. If the U.S. says we're hacking to provide security for ourselves, then the Chinese will say the same and it will just be a huge circle. Neither party is going to be willing to completely stop all of this activity, but rather it will have to come to a slow stop to try to change things. Otherwise, both parties will continue to just try to be secretive about the cyber espionage.
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ReplyDelete1. The Communist People's Congress
ReplyDelete2. Hu Jintao is president of China.
3. Communist Movement with Mao (1935)
Ping Pong Diplomacy with Kissinger (1971-72)
4. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/world/asia/chinese-intellectuals-urge-ratification-of-rights-treaty.html?_r=0
This article shows how the chinese government is authoritarian and does not support human rights. It illustrates how china is not liberal in its concern for human rights.
This shows how much China has not followed Marx especially in the emphasis on good work conditions and human rights. It is going to take a long time for the government to do something about this. I doubt that they were working to ratify the treaty.
DeleteThe increasing prominence of Chinese intellectuals who demand human rights that are supposed to be recognized universally makes me wonder how much longer the Chinese government can go without guaranteeing these rights to their citizens before they are facing some sort of uprising.
DeletePresident, prime minister and parliament
ReplyDeleteVladimir Putin is the president and Dmitry Medvedev is the prime minister
Enlightened despots, communist leaders, authoritarian democratic rulers, all show the importance of a strong controlling government to Russians
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21578520 This article illustrates the role of political culture as well as media and interest groups. In the article the attempt by Russians to ban "gay propaganda" was detailed showing that many Russians are homophobic and are afraid that the media condoning homosexuality will lead to the spreading of homosexuality. Also this highlights the political culture surrounding the homophobia of many Russians that the article had quotes saying are due to a lack of information. Emma, Alysha, Taylor May, Beatrice
Some cultures are not accepting of modern society. Its interesting to see how the government is responding to the wants and beliefs of the people when it comes to social matters. The government should now respond to the people' s economic problems.
DeleteTaylor May, Emma Wilkenson, Beatrice David, and Alysha McLelland
ReplyDeleteChina
The major policy making institutions are the president and the general secretary, in a communist regime
President: Hu Jintao he is the ceremonial figure head and can declare state of emergency and has special presidential decrees.
Communist Party General Secretary: Xi Jinping most authority and power over state and government
3. Imperial China, Mongol Rule, Republic, Communism and Feng Shu (divine rule).
4. bbc.co.uk/news/world-Asia-21618283
Demonstrates nationalism and resulting discrimination
1. Major Policy making institutions
ReplyDeleteChina: people's congress
Russia: Duma
2. Current leaders? Power and position they hold?
China: Hu Jintao - president
Russia: Vladimir Putin - president
3. Most important events that occurred?
China: communist movement by Mao (1949)
Russia: Bolshevik revolution (1919)
4. Related articles
China: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21611882
This article discusses china's political decision making and use of the military.
Russia: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21598356
This article discusses illegitimacy within the country with opposition figures such as Alexei Navalny
I like the article about Russia because it demonstrates Russia's strong authoritarian government.
DeleteFor your China article: When any policy-making institution contains an wide age group of member, especially those who are a part of different generations, agreements are far from possible. Then again to have a unanimous decision among any institution is quite difficult to achieve.
DeleteRussia:
ReplyDelete1. The Kremlin
2. Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Mendvedev are the two main current leaders. Putin is currently the president and Medvedev is the premier, in the past Putin has also served as the premier when his term limit was up as he was appointed as such by Mendvedev. As president he has a substantial amount of power, however a parliament and premier exists to provide checks to his power.
3. One of the most important events was the Bolshevik revolution, this established communism and eventually led to the dictatorship by Stalin. This was eventually overthrown however there are still some communist remains present in the Russia which prevent a purely capitalist system from taking place.
4.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21605251
This article shows the influence of Russian media. At first they did not report the horse eat being present, the fact that they later acknowledged its presence shows that Russia is making process towards openness and transparency.
China
1. One of the only major policy making institutions is the communist party.
2. Hu Jintao is the current president and has economic power as well as political due to his role in the communist party.
3. The Cultural Revolution set a precedent for communism, the Tiananmen Square revolt showed the power of the youth.
4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21615448
This shows the current state of China's government. Instead of accepting that they have impacted our security system they instead turn the blame onto the Americans. This further shows the impact of the communist party on the media and the control they exercise.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21612150
ReplyDeleteThis article challenges the capacity for the government to take care of China as the population and pollution increases. Despite this being a major issue in China since FOREVER, the government appears to do nothing about it. Smog and water pollutants are things that can spread internationally so I find this a very important issue.
1. The Kremlin and Communists people's congress
2. President Hu and President Putin, they both have a great deal of power
3. China: Confucius, cultural revolution, great leap backwards
Russia: Ivan the terrible, Peter the great, Stalin, the Cold War, the world wars
4. On top of page
Russia
ReplyDelete1. The Kremlin
2. Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Mendvedev are the two main current leaders. Putin is currently the president and Medvedev is the premier, in the past Putin has also served as the premier when his term limit was up as he was appointed as such by Mendvedev. As president he has a substantial amount of power, however a parliament and premier exists to provide checks to his power.
3. One of the most important events was the Bolshevik revolution, this established communism and eventually led to the dictatorship by Stalin. This was eventually overthrown however there are still some communist remains present in the Russia which prevent a purely capitalist system from taking place.
4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21605251
This article shows the influence of Russian media. At first they did not report the horse eat being present, the fact that they later acknowledged its presence shows that Russia is making process towards openness and transparency.
China
1. Only one policy making institution: communist party
2. President: Hu Jintao, as president he has power over the economy but he stood down his power in the Central Military Commission; Communist Party General Secretary: Xi Jinping, Xi has power in the Central Military Commission
3.Cultural Revolution, Great Leap Forward, Tiananmen Square, One-child policy, Tibetan unrest
4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21231198
This article illustrates that pressure that media recognition can put n the government. The Chinese public's thirst for the ridding of corrupt government official heightens with media attention.
1.Russia: Kremlin
ReplyDeleteChina: Communist Party of China and Central Military Commission. Standing Committee Politburo.
2. Russia: Vladmir Putin is the president. The Prime minister is Medvedev. The pres is the Head of government whereas the prime minister is the head of state where putin has the executive power.
China: Hu Jintao is the president. and Xi Jinping as General Secretary of Communist Party of China and sometimes chairman of the Central Military Commission.
3. Russia: The Chechen rebel fights have had a large impact on Russia. The Chechens seek independence from Russia and conduct various terrorist attacks, which would only frighten the Russia citizens.
China: They made a leap from Maoist radicalism to Communism, in which the government has a tight grip on society and constantly attempt control over their opposition. This would only create more contempt towards the gov't.
4. Russia: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21615448
In Russia there is a law actually banning Homosexual Propaganda. Some believe it hurts traditional families, others believe that it hurts human rights. I think this really shows the impact that media can have. Some are afraid that the propaganda will only spread homosexuality while others wish for it to spread understanding to those who re ignorant of it.
China: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21231198
This article talks about corruption in China and how Xi will try to stop corruption when he comes into power as president. I believe this shines a light on just how important and prominent corruption is in China, such as the parliament member working to get his nephew a seat.
5. In response to Nick's article about Chinese hackers I think this really creates more tension between China and the US. This isnt the first time China has been suspected of foul play when it comes to hacking, with many businesses tracing the origins of the hacks to China. However, it also make note o the importance of information. AS mr sharpe said previously, information is gold.
Your choice of the article on Chinese corruption is very relevant. I think the current state in Chinese corruption is a pressing issue that our world faces today.
DeleteRussia
ReplyDelete1. The Duma is the major policy making body. The Kremlin is essentially the Russian presidential area.
2. Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia. Dimitry Medvedev is the Prime Minister of Russia. The President is the head of state and has a lot of power to define both foreign and domestic policy. Additionally, he is the commander-in-chief of the Russian army. The President makes the policies and the Prime Minister implements them.
Nominates the officers (which include Cabinet members and Ministers for the President’s approval). The Prime Minister serves as the chief administrator who implements the domestic policy of the country, determines the priorities of the government according to the laws, submits proposals to the President regarding structure and functions of the executive branch and makes proposals regarding punishment and rewards for the government’s members, represents the Russian government in foreign and domestic visits and receives foreign dignitaries, and heads sessions of the government.
3. The Russians respect strong leaders. This dates all the way back from the tsars of Russia (ex. Catherine the Great, Peter the Great, etc) and has continued with the Soviet leaders (Lenin, Stalin, etc). It also remains true today with Putin's presidency.
4.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21449889
This article helps to illustrate the role of the media in Russia, as one of Russia's newspapers was the first to break the story that the video had been banned in Russia and start talks of Russian censorship. This shows that Russian media can encourage resistance to the decisions made by the Russian government.
China
1. One policy making institution: The Communist Party
2. The current president of China is Hu Jintao. Jintao is the head of state, and he is responsible for conducting China's foreign affairs, gathering support for the general direction of policy, appointing the Premier, Vice-Premiers, State Council Members, ambassadors, Department Ministers (all subject to the approval of the NPC). He also has and has the power to give special decrees and declare states of emergency and war. The General Secretary of the Communist Party is Xi Jinping. The General Secretary of the Communist Party's role is essentially parallel to the President's and is extremely similar.
3. Some of the important events that shaped the way the Chinese people view their government are: the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, feng shou- cycles of clamp down political restrictions/increasing amounts of economic freedom
4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21597752
This article illustrates the fact that increasing Chinese economic freedom is causing numerous Chinese intellectuals to seek political freedoms as well. Due to China's tradition of feng shou, I wonder how much longer the Chinese government will allow these intellectuals to speak their minds without taking extreme measures in the form of violence to clamp down on this speech. If the Chinese government was to take such drastic measures, I wonder how increased restrictions on speech/freedoms would sit with Chinese citizens (especially those intellectuals who are trying to gain Chinese citizens assurances of human rights guaranteed to citizens around the world.
1. What are the major policymaking institutions?
ReplyDeleteRussia: Duma- Russian parliament
China: The Communist people's congress
2. Who are the current leaders, what positions do they hold and what powers do they have?
Russia: Putin is president. Medvedev is prime minister. Putin has been the dominant political figure since 2000.
China: Hu jintao is president of china
3. What are the most important events in their past that shaped some of the traditions and attitudes their people have about the government?
Russia: the former USSR and before that they were controlled by a Tsar. Russian people are used to the authoritarian control of society.
China: Communist movement with Mao in 1935 and Ping Pong diplomacy with Kissinger (1971-1972)
4. Russia: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21577898
Russians still like to smoke and even though they like safety and a strong government they still like some freedoms which demonstrates that human nature will cause communism to fail because we will want our individual freedoms.
China: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21618283
The Chinese government is limiting discrimination of other people which increases the liberty of these people.
So where do you see the Chinese economy heading in the future?
Delete1.the Duma is a fairly weak check on the kre,lin's power. The Chinese have several committees, but most power lies jintao and his advisors.
ReplyDelete2the leader of Russia is V Putin. He was the head of the KGB before moving to the presidency he keeps switching power with his prime minister Medvedev. He builds an image of himself as a macho man. He holds much of the power in Russia he's only checked by the rubber stamp parliament the Duma .
The leader of china is xi jinxing, he will be president in 2013, and has already been selected when the communist party met last. Hu jintao is the current president, but the two positions are essentially parallel so it's moot.
3. Important Historical Events that have shaped china are the cultural revolution and the leadership of deng Xiaoping. The cultural rev is now viewed as an unfortunate and excessive display of power. Xiaoping's rule allowed a somewhat free market to form.
Important historical events that have affected Russia are the fall of the ussr which has created a feeling of nostalgia for the past glory days. The Cold War and the sacrifice that accompanied it have also affected attitudes.
The link I posted relates to the Chinese government's legitimacy.
Russia:
ReplyDelete1) the Duma is the major policy making body
2) Vladimir Putin (president), Dimitry Medvedev (prime minister)
Putin is the head of state and has a lot of power, being able to define the foreign and domestic policy of Russia along with being commander in chief of the Russian army. Medvedev implements these policies and is the head of the Duma.
3) traditionally, Russia's government is very strong, running from the tsars (Peter and Catherine, for example) to the soviet leaders, to the presidency now. On the whole, the Russian people refer a strong central government.
4) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21532140
This article illustrates capacity, or a lack thereof. It is estimated by the bank chief that Russia has lost billions of dollars illegally and as of now have not been able to do anything about it.
China:
1) the communist party of china
2) Hu Jintao (president) Xi Jinping (general secretary of the communist party). The president basically has near unlimited power, being able to appoint officials and decide the policies of china. Jinping has similar powers within the communist party.
3) China has traditionally had strong leadership. In terms of historical events, mao's long march and great leap forward, as well as the reaction of the government to the tianamen square protests, have shaped the way the Chinese government is viewed.
4) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21590331
This article demonstrates the state's monopoly over violence, improving the navy in order to secure their country.