What role does religion play in politics in Nigeria? Do you believe the commitment to a secular government and self-determination from both parties (candidates) is genuine? Why or why not?
Here is the corresponding article.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Nigeria elections: mixing religion and politics
What role does religion play in politics in Nigeria? Do you believe the commitment to a secular government and self-determination from both parties (candidates) is genuine? Why or why not?
Here is the corresponding article.
Nigeria election: mapping a nation divided
Identify the major ethnic or religious cleavages in Nigeria. Are they largely geographic in nature? What types of problems does this cause for Nigeria as a developing nation? Economically? Politically? Socially? Be specific and use examples from the text to support your explanations
Here is the corresponding article.
Is Nigeria serious about tackling corruption?
Identify two major obstacles to tackling corruption in Nigeria. Explain why it has been so difficult to achieve transparency. Historically, what has been the cause for such problematic levels of corruption in Nigeria and many other African nations?
Here is the corresponding article.
Here is the corresponding article.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Core Country Interaction: UK and China
The Chinese head of state and the (future) UK head of state visited with each other. Read the article here. Any comments or questions welcomed below.
Opposition leader Boris Nemtsov assassinated
Boris Nemtsov was murdered this Friday in what seems to be a "contract-style" hit. Read this article about the events surrounding the apparent assassination. Why do you think he was murdered? Do you believe it was politically motivated?
Listen here for an update from NPR on the assassination.
Listen here for an update from NPR on the assassination.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Khodorkovsky discussion (required)
Below I want to have a general discussion of what you learned about Russian politics from the documentary. For credit, post your initial reaction/response about what you learned and respond to at least two other posts. I want this to serve as a class discussion about the documentary, as we will not have time in class to discuss it. As a guide, here are some questions you might want to consider.
What have you learned about Russian politics after viewing this documentary? How does this documentary help illustrate corporatism and clientelism? Do you think Khodorkovsky will ever get out of prison? What do you think the motivation was for his imprisonment? How can this documentary shed light on the political culture in Russia? How has the power of oligarchs changed since Putin's rise to power in 2000? Why was running a "clean" business seen as such a threat to the Russian way of business? What does this documentary illustrate about the nature of political opposition in Russia? How do some of the events depicted in this documentary relate to recent events and headlines involving the Russian government?
Again, I want this to be a discussion, so please be concise and targeted in your responses to the posts of your classmates as well as your initial response as to what you learned from it.
What have you learned about Russian politics after viewing this documentary? How does this documentary help illustrate corporatism and clientelism? Do you think Khodorkovsky will ever get out of prison? What do you think the motivation was for his imprisonment? How can this documentary shed light on the political culture in Russia? How has the power of oligarchs changed since Putin's rise to power in 2000? Why was running a "clean" business seen as such a threat to the Russian way of business? What does this documentary illustrate about the nature of political opposition in Russia? How do some of the events depicted in this documentary relate to recent events and headlines involving the Russian government?
Again, I want this to be a discussion, so please be concise and targeted in your responses to the posts of your classmates as well as your initial response as to what you learned from it.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Xi Jinping: President and Communist Party leader fights corruption
Read this BBC article chronicling the fight against corruption in China by the leader of the communist party and Chinese president Xi Jinping and answer the following questions.
1. What are the motivations behind his apparent assault on corruption within the Chinese government?
2. Do a little more research. Do you think his campaign against corruption is genuine? Why or why not?
3. What should be a higher priority for the Chinese government, attacking corruption within their ranks or shoring up the human rights abuses by the government? Or do the two go hand in hand?
4. Do you think the Communist party will ever address the human rights abuses by the government or will suppression always be a part of any communist regime (specifically the Chinese regime)? In other words, do you think a communist government can, by focusing on economic control, allow basic human freedoms? Will outspoken dissent against the party ever be allowed? Do they need to 'let go' if their communist ideology to ensure human rights and freedoms for all of their citizens? Why or why not?
5. Do you think this is simply a ploy by the Communist party to win over citizens to the communist cause or is it to further consolidate their power by jailing or otherwise tkaing powerful government officials out of the equation? Or is it a little bit of both? Provide evidence (either from the book or other news sources) to back up your answer.
1. What are the motivations behind his apparent assault on corruption within the Chinese government?
2. Do a little more research. Do you think his campaign against corruption is genuine? Why or why not?
3. What should be a higher priority for the Chinese government, attacking corruption within their ranks or shoring up the human rights abuses by the government? Or do the two go hand in hand?
4. Do you think the Communist party will ever address the human rights abuses by the government or will suppression always be a part of any communist regime (specifically the Chinese regime)? In other words, do you think a communist government can, by focusing on economic control, allow basic human freedoms? Will outspoken dissent against the party ever be allowed? Do they need to 'let go' if their communist ideology to ensure human rights and freedoms for all of their citizens? Why or why not?
5. Do you think this is simply a ploy by the Communist party to win over citizens to the communist cause or is it to further consolidate their power by jailing or otherwise tkaing powerful government officials out of the equation? Or is it a little bit of both? Provide evidence (either from the book or other news sources) to back up your answer.
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