Ai Wei Wei - "Never Sorry"

I hope you enjoyed the documentary and it gave you an inside look at the different methods and tools of the Chinese government in exercising authority over their citizens.  

1. For you, what was the most alarming method of repression by the Chinese government?  Did anything surprise you about the coercion and surveillance methods?

2. For you, what was the most memorable, impactful or emotional protest/installation/art piece of Ai Wei Wei?  Why did it have an impact on you as an individual?

3. What role can the internet (specifically Twitter) play in speaking out against authority?  Are the Chinese governments restrictions on internet usage helping them to stay in power or only highlighting the abuses of their power?  Explain your reasoning.

4. Why are judicial independence and free speech such important elements of a free society according to Ai Wei Wei?

A different kind of threat in China

Largely because of it's rapid industrialization and economic growth, China has been battling pollution problems (to put it mildly).  Do you think the economic benefits that come with economic growth outweigh the negative externalities (pollution, lower standards of health) that come with it?

Here is an article about the Chinese media spin on the smog crisis, and the pursuit of possible solutions.  What does this say about the state run media?  What about the business opportunities created form this misfortune?

Yanukovych ousted, his house seized, while uncertainty looms in Ukraine

Former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych fled Ukraine over the weekend after his power was officially taken away by the Ukrainian parliament.  He fled his home (which has become a physical symbol of the corruption and excess he claimed he was fighting) which has been handed over by the police to the armed protesters.  His whereabouts are still unknown, but for this post I want you to focus on the reaction of Russia and the difficulty many of these former Soviet republics have had in implementing democracy.  Read the four highlighted articles above and answer the following questions.

1.  Do you agree with the mass murder charges against Yanukovych?  Should he be held responsible for the deaths of the protesters?

2.  What are some reasons why the eastern part of Russia is still expressing support for closer ties with Russia?  Is it purely geographical, historical, religious, ethnic, etc.?  Explain your reasoning.

3.  What role do you think Russia should play in this new revolution?  Should they be involved at all?  Why or why not?

Any other questions, comments, or sources are welcome.  

What do you think?

In this controversial TED talk, Eric Li proposes that there is more than one way to run a modern nation.  Essentially he argues that China's one-party system is not as bad as everyone seems to think, and in fact is in many ways better.  In it he challenges the assumptions of the West about the Chinese government.  Watch the talk, considering the following questions and post your responses (one question-one post).  Also, keep in mind this is simply a mechanism to discuss some of the concepts we talk about in class so please keep it civil in your posts.

1. Generally, do you buy his idea that the Chinese one party system is based on adaptability, meritocracy and legitimacy?  Specifically cite the flaws or merit of the evidence he uses in his theory.
2.  Is the party organization in China a "human resources machine" as he claims?  Does the statement claiming that George Bush and Barack Obama couldn't have made a small county manager in China's system make his point about the merit of the party organization?  Why or why not?
3. Do you think the optimism of the Chinese people, especially the youth about their future helps to prove his point about the legitimacy of the Chinese regime?  Why or why not?
4.  What is one major issue that he largely avoids throughout the talk that many people would point to as evidence to nullify many of his arguments?

UN report on North Korean human rights abuses/unfathomable cruelty and oppression towards their people

Breaking news about the UN report on North Korea highlights the human rights abuses of the totalitarian regime.  These findings from the commission explain in horrific detail how this totalitarian regime continues to brutally maintain their power over their people.  The report is being handed over to the ICC for possible criminal charges.

Pick a story and a Prezi

Go to the BBC news China webpage, pick a story and answer the following questions, this time all in one post.  Also, read a story someone else picked and reply to their post.
1.  What story did you pick and why did it stand out to you among all of the stories?
2.  How does your story illustrate the nature of one party rule in China?

Also, here is a link to the Prezi on authoritarianism and totalitarianism, and the following Prezi on communist and post-communist regimes.

The Arab Spring or Fall?

As we transition from studying advanced democracy in Unit 1 to studying authoritarian regimes, along with communist and post-communist transitions in Unit 2, I want to start by looking at major transitions that have transpired over the last few years in the Middle East.  The Middle East has undergone massive political upheaval over the last few years, attempting to transition from authoritarian rule to democracy.  When the Arab Spring started, there was a sense of optimism from the Western world and in the minds of the people starting these revolutions, that finally democracy would gain a foothold in many authoritarian regimes.  Obviously, the road to democracy is not as smooth as many people hoped it would be.  I want you to watch this TED talk by Wadah Khanfar and answer the following questions (remember to use the same format as before, "1 question-1 post" with the # displayed before it) keeping in mind what we know now about the difficulty of such transitions:

1.  Do you feel that Khanfar was too optimistic in his expectations for the outcome of the Arab Spring?  Why or why not?
2.  He focuses much on the youth of these countries as a driving force because they embrace universal values.  How has that played out over the last couple of years?  Do you feel that the youth in these countries have the same role they did when he made this talk (February 2011)?  Why or why not?
3.  What kind of role should the regional media (e.g. Al-Jahzeera) play in the Arab Spring?  Should they be active promoters of these regime changes or should they simply be a purveyor and distributor of information regarding these (attempted) transitions?
4.  There is a focus on the non-violent aspect of these regime changes.  Knowing now that some of these regime changes have turned violent, do you still think it is worth the loss for these people to bring democracy?  Why or why not?
5.  Compare the paths of Tunisia (an optimistic example), Syria (civil war scenario), and Egypt (very difficult and drawn out process with recent military influence).  What do you think was the most important distinction between these three countries that are all a big part of the larger movement of the Arab Spring?  Why did they take such seemingly different paths?

There's no party like a UK party cuz a UK party has tea?

Aah, the United Kingdom.  Known for tea time, the Royal family, rainy weather, Guinness, Premier League football, nationalized healthcare, and accents we wish we had.  Sherlock Holmes, Andy Murray, Austin Powers, Monty Python, The Beatles and William Wallace all have called the UK their home.  Our cousins across the pond have a bit of a different political system than us, and they like it that way.  We like to claim democracy as our own invention, when, in fact, democracy and local self governance have been traditions for centuries in the UK (not without their fair share of stumbles along the way).  We know the road to democracy is not a straight line, and the UK is an enduring example of overcoming historical and national problems to achieve, and now maintain, what we call an advanced democracy.  For the purposes of this course, the UK is the place we can go to see democracy in action, or is it inaction?

I have posted three articles to illustrate some of the current social, economic, and political debates raging in Parliament right now, more specifically, in the House of Commons.  I want you to read all three articles and answer the following questions, then respond to another of your classmates answers as well, disagreeing, agreeing, or raising another question.  I want these posts to take on a life of their own (don't simply respond "I agree with you" I want some real critical thinking displayed here, you're supposed to be some of the best young minds in the nation, prove it) and as always, only constructive criticism!  Opinions should be backed up with facts and logic.  Any nastiness will not be tolerated.  Nobody likes trolls, especially the British kind!  

A few more things that will apply to all future blog assignments. You must be logged in.  No anonymous posting or you don't get credit.  Also, post your answers with the number of the question you are answering leading the post to expedite and focus any responses. (e.g." #1. The article on tax breaks illustrated...")  Do not post answers to all 4 questions in one post.  In the end you should post 4 times, with each post starting with the corresponding question number.  If you do not understand, email me.

1.  Which of the three articles did the best job of highlighting some of the policy differences between the political parties in the UK?  What were some of those policy differences?

2.  Which issue (social, economic, political) should be a priority for these British lawmakers?  Why?

3.  What is the most interesting thing that you learned about the UK while reading these articles?  What would you like to learn more about?

4.  Does the fact that the BBC is a state-owned media outlet diminish the reliability of it's reporting?  Why or why not?  Would you generalize your answer to include all publicly owned media outlets or does context matter?  Explain.

Democracy and advanced democracy lecture

Here is a link to my Prezi on democracy and advanced democracy.  It is relatively minimal but is a good review tool after we do a couple debates in class.  Any questions or comments about democracy or advanced democracy welcomed and encouraged below!