Great Britain: Constitutional Rule

Great Britain is considered to be the only democracy with no written constitution but with constitutional rule.

British constitution consists of acts that the Parliament has passed. Also, the Parliament has the power, by a simple majority vote to change any aspect of the British constitution. The rest of the constitution consists of court precedent, decisions that have been made by judges in cases of constitutional significance. Parliament is ultimately supreme, because a new statue passed by it would override decisions by any court and would of course, override any practices that had grown up. Important parts of the constitution exist in practice. They are what one does. For example, the prime minister and cabinet are probably the most powerful single part of the process of government in Britain. Cabinet controls closely what happens in the Parliament. Prime minister is dominant within the cabinet and can ask members to resign or to exchange posts. British monarch will always sign into law a bill passed by the Parliament. One must understand that the system depends on the goodwill of those who are interested in it. In case of disadvantages clever people often feel challenged to find loopholes. Also, the monarch has the right to veto acts of Parliament. However, if the monarch was to try to exercise the right, constitutional crisis would occur where the monarch would be eliminated.

Brave New Foundation Presents: Rethink Afghanistan

Here is an amazing documentary about Afghanistan, please watch it, and sign the petition (link below).


Rethink Afghanistan is a ground-breaking, full-length documentary focusing on the key issues surrounding this war. By releasing this film in parts for free online, we are able to stay on top of news of the war as it continues to unfold. We hope to raise critical questions regarding Afghanistan that Congress must address in oversight hearings, which inform the public and challenge policymakers. We strive for more discussion among experts on Afghanistan, like the debates seen below released in conjunction with our documentary campaign.




Rethink Afghanistan Part 1 (Afghanistan + More Troops = Catastrophe)



Rethink Afghanistan Part 2 (Rethink Afghanistan): Pakistan: "The Most Dangerous Country"



Rethink Afghanistan Part 3: The Cost of War




You can also sign the petition:

http://rethinkafghanistan.com/#petition


Find more @

http://rethinkafghanistan.com/

Country Brief: Sweden

After Somalia, it's time to bring you closer Sweden. In the segment I'd like to call, country breakdown.



Sweden


Health Care: Universal Health Care (covers everybody)
Cost: 9% of GDP

Life expectancy: men 79 years, women 83 years
Infant deaths per 1,000 births: 4


Population: 9 mln.
Unemployment rate – 8.3% (March stats), 404,000 unemployed

Central Governmental Debt: ~1,337,333,803 US Dollar (as of April 30th, 09)

Local Transportation costs: ~$90.00 per month.

GDP per capita: ~$38000.00
Form of government: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy

College tuition: tution is heavly subsidized by the government, therefore it's free (with rare exceptions)
Adult literacy rate: 99%

Internet Users: 7,295,200 Internet users (as of Dec, 08)

Same sex marriage: Allowed




Sources
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/world/europe/02briefs-swedenmarriage.html
https://www.riksgalden.se/default____16791.aspx
http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Work-live/Society-welfare/Health-care/Facts/Swedish-health-care/
http://www.thelocal.se/10402/20080311/
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/countries/country_sweden.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/country-profile/sweden
http://www.internetworldstats.com/europa.htm#se
http://www.thelocal.se/19044/20090423/

Swine Flu / H1N1 / death of 300,000 pigs

Egyptians took the flu really seriously despite the fact that the number of reported cases of swine flu was the astonishing number of 0. So, the smart officials decided to slaughter around 300,00 pigs. They call it proudly, flu prevention. What is really funny, is a fact that it was a blow (in a place that hurts as hell :)) to the 10% Christians population occupying Egypt because majority if the country is off course Muslims (and everybody knows Muslims can't eat meat) Expect, Halah Meat, Right?!.
So now, average Coptic Christian, has to survive without pigs which used to be the source of economic support. Scary politicians, are discussing a possibility of paying 180$ for each pig that was slaughter (gov't would lose 54$ mln). Thats unbelievable, what can a farm do with 180 dollars for the rest of the year? I know maybe he could purchase another pig as replacement for the one that was slaughter? Ups, I forgot there are not pigs left in Egypt. :(

Lets hope the other nations would not follow the Egyptian example,

No swine flu cases = 300,00 slaughter pigs = 54$ mln in loses).

I'm sure that in the developing nation as Egypt, 54 mln could be used much wiser, such as building new schools for the poorest.

link to the article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/01/AR2009050100437.html

The major post - World War II changes in ideologies

Liberals and Conservatives for first time accepted governmental obligation to intervine in economy for social benefits in order to help reduce extremes of poverty and wealth. On the other hand, socialist for the first time accapted market economy rather than full socialization and welfare state. Emergence of issues which cut across quality of life including; environment, rather than social issues such as abortion; drugs (distributive issues).
The recession of the 1980 lead to less government control and less regulations. These ideas in United States were known as neo-Conservatism, and in Europe neo-Liberal. They caused reduction in welfare state, reduction in power of union. Institutions once owned by government now were privatized. After collapse of Communism in Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in 1989, parties in those countries either dissolved or "reformed. Ideas of "new Democrats" in US or "new Center" in Europe supported the new role of government, to target specific group in need or specific issues and problems rather than to have government programs covering everyone.

Constructivism/Bush Doctrine

Constructivism (bush doctrine in terms of promoting democracy, domestic policy influence)

State identities are complex, changing come from interactions with other states, often through process of socialization. In a long term can lead to peaceful time, with no danger of arm races or security dilemma.

State value social concept of reputation. Switzerland is neutral non aligned member. Such status gives Switzerland power and prestige that can be critical in diplomacy and international affairs.

Believe in spread of international norms: through entrepreneurs, international organizations (ex. UN or NATO) which can point what is appropriate and inappropriate form of behavior. And break trust between two nations

Bush Doctrine: Attack first before they attack you. Spread democracy to the world. If everybody in the world is like us, world would be save. It’s because democracy won’t fight democracy.

For more on the Bush Doctrine, please visit:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2008/09/12/BL2008091201471.html

Democracy

Types:

Presidential (ex. United States)
Parliamentary (ex. Western Europe, Canada, Australia, India)
Semi – presidential (ex. France, Belarus, Poland, Russia, Ukraine)

Characteristics:

Concentration of power: power is dispersed a) no overall between political and social or economic power b) various form of political power: local, state, national; c) institutional division into several branches (legislative, executive, judiciary) d) strong private sphere

Access to power: broad; competitive and multiple avenues for exerting pressure; a) in theory almost can achieve position of power – access is limited only by resources rather than formal barriers; b) access to power is trough electoral competition; c) citizens can exert broad and multiple pressure on those in power through voting, lobbying, demonstrating, writing letter, etc. d) citizens can organize themselves in pressure groups to influence policies

Degree of power: Power is limited in variety of ways: a) constitutions; b) strict separation of public and private with government power to stay out of private sphere; c) free and critical media; d) courts

Mode of governing: a) through rule of law and constitutional procedures; b) rule by persuasion, bargaining, compromise, consensus; c) acceptance of conflict and competition as essential to democratic politics; d) “democratic bargain” adhered to by both those who govern and those who have lost elections; ex. those in power do note discriminate against losers, who in turn accept legitimacy of those in power to govern.

Citizen participation: a) purely voluntary b) politics only one area of activity; citizens may seek to pursue public goods in other forms of activity (charity, volunteering)

Responsiveness: a) very responsive to popular demands; b) high levels of policy input by citizens, lobbies, pressure groups, and high policy output in response.

Electoral Systems: Parliamentary & Proportional

Breakdown of 2 electoral systems; Proportional Representation, and Parliamentary. Enjoy.

Proportional Representation

Decrease number of votes that are wasted, increase number of parties in legislature
Relies on electoral boundaries that create multi member districts
Voter cast their ballot for party rather than for candidate
Percentage of votes a party receives in a district determines how many of that district’s seats the party will gain
Even small percentage of the vote can result in winning seats
Political parties draw up in advance a list of their candidates for each electoral district
Smaller parties stand a better chance of winning at least some seats in legislature.
PR is most democratic form of electing officials, it wastes much smaller degree of votes, allows greater range of political interests to be expressed.
Ex. Canada.

Parliamentary

Leader of the party or coalition of parities with most support in parliament becomes the prime minister or chancellor
PM forms a cabinet usually from members of parliament, the cabinet then forms the core of gov’t.
Executive emerges directly from elected legislature and is integral part of it.
The Executive in parliamentary system is directly dependent an and accountable to, the legislature which can veto legislation with majority vote. It can also bring down executive with vote of no confidence.
PM and cabinet can dissolve parliament and call an election.
PM and cabinet are responsible to parliament.
Ex. Belgium, Canada, UK.
Strength: most of the world stable democracies are parliamentary systems. Fusion of executive and legislature can create strong and effective gov’t
Weakness: Large legislative majority with tight party discipline can produce leaders with too much power. Parliamentary systems without a legislative majority can be weak and unstable.

Swine Flu / H1N1 Update May 11th, 2009.

May 11th, update on Swine Flu, worldwide.


Country

Canada 284 cases. 1 death
USA 2532 cases, 3 death
Mexico 1626 cases, 48 deaths
Costa Rica 8 cases, 1 death


1 case confirmed in the following countries:


Austria,Argentina,
Denmark, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Holland, Sweden
Ireland,Portugal
Switzerland,Guatemala
Poland, Australia


El Salvador 4 cases

Germany 11 cases
Isreal 7 cases
UK 47 cases
Italy 9 cases
France 13 cases
Spain 95 cases
Rep. Of Korea 3 cases
New Zealand 7 cases
Brazil 8 cases
Panama 15 cases
Japan 4 cases
China 2 cases
Colombia 3 cases

TOTAL 4694 cases globally (in 30 countries), 53 deaths

Source: World Heath Organization (WHO)
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_10/en/index.html
Map:
http://whoterrance.vo.msecnd.net/mediacentre/swine_flu/GlobalSubnationalMaster_20090505_1610.jpg

The Majoritarian model: British Version

British Version of the majoritarian model (electoral system), in form of study notes.

Cabinet is the most powerful organ of British gov’t. Composed of members of the party that has majority of seats in the House of Commons
Party that wins the elections usually represents no more than a narrow majority, and the minority is relatively large.
Cabinet is dependent on the confidence of parliament. For example in US, presidential executive can’t be removed by the legislature (except impeachment)
British parliament consist of two chambers. House of Commons (popularly elected), and House of Lords (nobility).
All legislative power belongs to the house of commons. (asymmetric relationship)
House of commons can only delay legislation : ex. money bills.
British politics is dominated by two parties: Labour (left of center preferences) and the conservative party (right of center pref).
Main difference is in social economic policies.
650 members of the House of Commons are elected in single member districts, also known as “first past the post”.
Local gov’t are the creatures of the central gov’t and their powers are not constitutionally guaranteed.
All power is concentrated in the house of commons, not room for referendum (direct form of democracy)

Single member district electoral system

Here is a breakdown of single member district electoral system. Enjoy.

Several candidates compete to be the sole representative of that constituency
Candidate with the largest number of votes win the seat
Majority of votes is not important rather plurality of votes (largest share of total)
Votes cast for other candidates are wasted, if the candidate for which a vote is cast does not win.
System can amplify the power of some parties, while weakening the political power of others.
Under the system most people are unwilling to vote for smaller parties,
Produce a legislature dominated by two parties. Ex. US, UK.
Single member district make easier for individual to connect with their elected representatives
It eliminates fringe parties from political scene.

International Relations: Paradigms

Offensive Realism


· Concern with large state. How nation will behave under condition of anarchy
· Nation state will expand their borders until someone says stop
· Dominant power (hegemon) is measured by army strength
· Smaller states have to establish relations with the (dominant power) state.
· Georgia, Isreal, Poland are smaller countries with hegemon support
· Ex. US said stop to Russia (After it invaded Georgia)
· Realists believe morale is spiritual, countries does not follow morale.
· Realists does not worry about domestic constitution.

Example of offensive realist: John J. Mearsheimer (true pioneer)

Defensive Realism

· Accept the idea of self interest and self preservation.
· Argue that states search for equilibrium, a balance of power in the world.
· Balance of power – major states have to find balance with other countries in orer to create peace.
· State would rather exist peacefully than be in a war state.
· Believe in multi polar world

Example of defensive realist: Stephen M Walt

Eco / Pol Vocabulary

In 2009, with global stagnation, is good to know the following vocabs:


Eurodollar – dollar dominated bank accounts and loans managed by banks outside of the United States.

Stagflation – a combination of economic inflation and industrial recession

Deflation – a persistent price decline of goods and services--the inverse to inflation

Rule of Law – it a principle stating that no one is above the law. All citizens are equal before the law, also government is subject to the law.

constitutionalism – is a doctrine that states should be faithful to their constitutions because the rules so provided are all that can protect citizens from arbitrary decisions by powerful people. Countries with strong constitutionalism include; Canada, Australia and the United States. France is an example of a country with weak constitutionalism.

Tariffs – taxes imposed by the government on foreign goods coming into the country.

International Relations: Books

China, Inc.: How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World by Ted C. Fishman

Anyone interested in the growth of China. A country that had ~9% growth (GDP) per year for the last three decades. Read China Inc. I assure you would not be disappointed.

Interesting facts about China:
·China has more speakers of English as a second language than America has native English speakers
·220 billion text messages were sent over mobile phones in China last year.
· Three hundred million rural Chinese will move to cities in the next fifteen years. China must build urban infrastructure equivalent to Houston's every month in order to absorb them.

used copy for only $0.75 (plus shipping about 3.49) Total: 4.29

http://product.half.ebay.com/China-Inc_W0QQprZ5912900QQtgZinfo


Jeffrey D. Sachs, "The End of Poverty: Economic Possiblities for Our Time."
He is widely considered to be the leading international economic advisor of his generation. For more than 20 years Professor Sachs has been in the forefront of the challenges of economic development, poverty alleviation, and enlightened globalization, promoting policies to help all parts of the world to benefit from expanding economic opportunities and well being. He is also one of the leading voices for combining economic development with environmental sustainability, and as Director of the Earth Institute leads large-scale efforts to promote the mitigation of human-induced climate change.

Book is ideal for people planning to study sustainable development.

For those who are still undecided, please read Book Excerpt published by Time.com,
http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101050314/



For just $7.64 you can purchase the book here:
http://product.half.ebay.com/The-End-of-Poverty_W0QQprZ48316675QQtgZinfo

China's Foreign Policy

China foreign policy is based on the concept of soft power. In other words, they spread their influence peacefully, without any major military conflicts in the last 100 years. In the last 9 years alone, US is involved in 2 military conflicts: Afghanistan and Iraqi War, more news on those conflict later. Back to soft power. The concept was developed by Joseph S. Nye, Jr., former Assistant Secretary of Defense and Dean of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.


China's Soft Power Key points:

· soft power is an alternative to hard (military power)
· China primary goal is simply to maintain peace on its periphery, that allows china’s economy to grow.
· China uses its soft power to push Japan, Taiwan and even United States out or regional influence.
· China’s soft power – ability to influence by persuasion rather than coercion include economic measures, culture, as well as investment and aid. Ex, Cambodian students attend Chinese – language schools that receive assistance from Mainland China sources. Universities will enroll over 120,000 foreign students,
· Soft power can be “high” directed at elites, and “low” directed at broader public
· At high level, Beijing has increased influenced over leaders in less democratic nations. At low level, in places like Philippines leader can move closer to china since the public supports warming relations
· China is a rising hegemon in East Asia with hegemonic aspirations
· China crafted more nuanced strategy reinforcing the concept of peaceful development. Secondly, china establish institutes and language schools as leading South East Asian universities.
· In order to counterbalance China power Us is trying to ally with India (military alliance)
· As a part of their soft power China promotes Beijing Consensus, Chinese model for development. (china was able to maintain political dictatorship, and still have marketing economy). Model is tied to Chinese’s aid packages. China promise it won’t interfere in other countries domestic issues, “win-win” situation, china is only interested in resources. Ex. China get oil from Sudan, in exchange China does not care about mass genocide in Darfur. China wiped out all of Africa’s loans. In return, they signed minerals deals, which gave china opportunity to extract resources on favorable contracts)
· China in order to expand it influence peacefully in Central Asia, created, Shanghai Cooperative Organization. Designed as self help org, features three major oil countries form Central Asia.
· Disputes over Diaoyu islands between Japan and China may cause abandon of China’s soft power and use of military. Secondly, Taiwan is another example. China would not accept Taiwan movement to establish republic of Taiwan. US has defense treaty with Taiwan to prevent Chinese takeover.




enjoy.