1. The Comparative Method (quantitative analysis, use of statistics,case studies, etc.)
2. Sovereignty, Authority, and Power (regime type, legitimacy, political ideology, etc.)
3. Political and Economic Change (types of change, attitudes toward change, existing trends)
4. Citizens, Society and the State (citizen/state relationships, social movements, civil society)
5. Political Institutions (characteristics of different levels of government, executives, bureaucracies, legislatures, linkage institutions, parties, elections, etc.)
6. Public Policy and Current Issues
Explain how this article helps to illustrate a core concept, characteristic or attitude that is important to understand the political system in your country. This is a warm up for the review booklet your group will be preparing that covers all of these concepts. It will then all be put together for review purposes before the AP test.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27035196
ReplyDeleteUkraine says Donetsk 'anti-terror operation' under way
There's perhaps not a single better example of Political Change and questions of Sovereignty in the world than in Eastern Ukraine right now. Not only is it an issue of nationalism and ethnic identity, with a number of pro-Russian rebels in the province of Donetsk fighting against the Ukrainian forces of the region, but there is also a question of political legitimacy. Who exactly is in power? The new Ukrainian parliament claims to be legitimate, but they have certainly lost their monopoly of violence in the region. The rebels are not a ruling body, they are simply a mass of people committing political violence for their cause, not actually leaders. Is it the Russians then? They are not officially in the region, but they have set up their military alongside Ukraine's Eastern border. The Ukrainian government is too afraid to crack down on the rebels, because such an action may solicit a Russian response. So are the Russians really in power? I would not say so, right now Donetsk is a lawless region characterized by an ethnic conflict propagated and overseen by the Russians, but no one truly has political authority there. The Ukrainian government may have the legitimate claim to that region, but if they really were in power then this wouldn't be a worldwide story.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcmediaaction/posts/A-new-Nigeria-begins-with-meLiberalism requires a lot of public responsibility and participation, because of years of military rule in the 90's many of the people feel helpless in making the government accountable. But recently, through radio talks and focus groups the people are beginning to understand their role in politics. Nigeria is ravaged with inefficiency and political corruption so technically Nigeria is considered a democracy it's lack of public participation means it isn't fully democratic. It's plagued by road blocks and regional terrorism and authorities and the people just ignore it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-27032149
ReplyDeleteUK prepared to 'make sacrifices' to help Ukraine - Hague
Like many other articles proceeding this one, it comments on the issue of Crimea and its annexation from Ukraine to Russia. However, this time, it points out the advances being made by other governments in order to protect the sovereignty and authority of Crimea. Foreign Secretary William Hague said that UK is prepared to make economic sacrifices to protect Ukraine from Russian efforts to destabilize. Furthermore, the European Union has imposed sanctions on Russians and Ukrainian officials. These actions made by the UK and fellow European countries are evidence of the UK's efforts towards globalization.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27047575
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, perhaps one major aspect of Mexico’s characterization is the corruption that takes place among the country. Within this article there is the mentioning of how a Mexican ‘cartel city’ mayor was arrested over extortion claims. Although in comparison to presidential executives a mayor would seem less effective to the policies of Mexico, in general it depicts the influence of narcotics within the social community of Mexico and its constant association within politics. The lack of economic stability that still deems the country as developing one could be a reason to the corruption of politics; however, there is the inclination that the politics in Mexico is sometimes difficult to view as legitimate because of constant social problems that arise which include social class inequality and staggering accounts of negative relations with bordering nations like the United States because of the affiliation with drugs.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-18595716
ReplyDeleteThis article is a compilation of quotes from a socioeconomically diverse group of Mexicans, recorded during their 2012 election season. Although Mexico has a stable, legitimate democracy, all of these people seem to have little faith in the government to help them or accomplish anything. These people seem to know what they want out of the government, but they say the government is unconcerned with its constituents. Mexico was essentially ruled by the PAN party until the late 20th century, and the party was notorious for ignoring popular opinion unless it agreed with their views. Because of this, the current government struggles to appear legitimate to the populous, even if the elections are fair and the government makes an honest effort at making positive change. The article has perspectives from urban Mexicans and rural, traditional peoples alike, and their mutual dissatisfaction with the government shows that in the past and present, the Mexican government has failed to adequately represent the people to their expectations. The government seems detached from its people, maybe not to the extent of Maximilian's empire, but certainly enough to cause dissent. Throughout history, the Mexican people have overthrown governments because they felt misrepresented, so the current government needs to ensure its own survival by addressing the needs and desires of the people.
http://m.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27047575
ReplyDelete4. This article demonstrates corruption within the state. A mayor is able to extort money from Mexicans and give it to the Knights Templar. Because of events like these, Mexicans have taken up arms against cartels. This kind of event sums up Mexico's citizen, state and society relations because Mexico has a huge problem with corruption within its government and many of its citizens are unsatisfied with it. Also, the country is dominated by cartels which usually use violence to get what they want. The fact that Mexicans are starting to take up arms against these cartels is also common around Mexico, showing that the citizens are trying to make an active effort in trying to change their current conditions but it also shows state and citizen conflict because the state believes that it's own security should be effective in dealing with the cartels.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27047575
ReplyDeleteDrugs have a major influence in Mexico. It's unfortunate that this drug money leads to such corruption. This article covered how a mayor was arrested for corruption. He was basically a cartel mayor, but the fact that a mayor can be bought is scary. It helps emphasize how difficult the rule of law is there, and why the nation is often listed as still developing. If a mayor can be bought by these outlaws, it shows how badly the system actually is.