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13 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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How can the history of the United Kingdom helpus understand its democracy today? |
British democrasy is slow and gradual |
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“Collectivist Consensus” |
the 2 major parties (Labour, and Tories) are able to work together despite ideological differences. They are able to work together to make a difference |
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The Prime Minister of the UK is unique among democratic executives. |
The prime minister and the majority of Parliment are the same political party, so the Prime minister is able to pass his/her legislation easily. |
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“reform” in the past 25 years. Identify the most important changes to the decision-making structures and processes. In the UK |
•Blair: DEVOLUTION •Restoredpolitical power to the distinct nations ofthe UK as well as to local gov’ts - gave autonomy to municipalgovernments, Greater London Assembly, directly elected mayor of London•1997Scotland and Wales votedin referendato create own legislatures•GoodFriday Agreement restored peace and made it possible to re-established the No.Ireland Assembly. •1stmayoral election for London in 2000 |
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How does an understanding of Russia’s historyhelp us understand Russia in 2017? |
Russia has sort-of always been an empire. From the day of the Tsars to the Soviet-era, to even now. Power has always remained within the Russian elites. Even now, Putin has a dictator-level of power even though Russia is supposed to work in a semi-presidential system. |
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most important features of the Soviet state |
•CommunistParty (CPSU) controlled allgovt and state activity•CommParty elites assigned to posts of power (nomenklatura)•Russians were given preference over allother ethnic groups•Independentparties and organizations and media bannedSecretpolice force responsible for controlling dissent. Cult of Personality.•CPSU used centralplanning (and5-year plans) to allocate resources, guide production, and distribute goods. •Rapidindustrialization, collectivizationof agriculture•Propertyconfiscated, held collectively bythe state.•Individualshad limitedprivate property (food,clothing, housewares, furniture)•Powercentralized in away that it had never been.•CPSU power enforced by the secretpolice, “show trials” and terror•Millionsarrested, executed, imprisoned |
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“super-presidency” in Russia |
extreme centralized power to Putin. Unchecked power. party goes with Putin |
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Vladimir Putin has taken a handful ofimportant steps to further centralize power. Identify and explain. |
, power has shifted between the presidency and the prime minister’s seat – as he served 2-4 year terms, chose Medvedev to replace him for 1 term, and then returned to the presidency. He could serve til 2024, most legislation has been initiated by the Pres or PM (similar to other parliamentary systems). Dominated by the “Kremlin’s party,” some see it as a “rubber stamped", •to pure PR system (to reduce # of independents), and threshold raised from 5-7% (% of pop necessary to win any seat), •efforts to reduce regional power and to induce compliance with national laws and legislation. In 2000, created 8 districts headed by pres appointee. Ongoing effort to exert presidential control. |
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Has China’s political culture changed? Explain |
•TraditionalCentralized Authoritarianism•e.g. respect for elders (still seenin CCP)•Maoism•Class struggle, egalitarianism,self-criticism•Confucianism –•hierarchy, social harmonyobedience.•Belief that peace, order, stabilityflow from right action – of benevolent superiors and obedient inferiors•Nationalism•Dominant feature in 20th C China – and may be moreimportant today•National pride (which sometimesappears xenophobic);unicode-8; |
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Differences between Chinese Communism and Soviet Communism, |
Chinese Communism has been allowed to change. In1978 Deng Xiaoping embraced the goal of “socialism with Chinese characteristics” qCentral goal was rapid economic growth – “socialist market econ” qLargely private farming (for quotas, then for profit) qDecentralization/gradual privatization of industry qCreation of special economic zones (to lure FDI, along the coast) qSparked 30 yrs of 10%+ economic growth g, Soviet Communism has not allowed certain changes |
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important political and economic changes in the post-Mao period. |
Beijing Consensus, and Deng Xiaoping, promoting economic growth |
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“the Beijing Consensus” |
an alternative to Westernneoliberalism, down-to-earth pragmatic concern with serving the people;[14]constant trial and error experimentation;[14]gradual reform rather than neo-liberal economic shock therapy;[14]a strong and pro-development state;[14]"selective cultural borrowing" of foreign ideas;[14]a pattern of implementing easy reforms first, difficult ones later |
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Is China still Communist |
Yes/No, State Capitalism (Neo-Mercantilism) qMany state-owned enterprises closed qPrivate sector output now ¾ of total output qBut remaining SOEs large, important - + favored qParty retains control of oil, coal, transportation, telecomm qOf 85 Chinese firms on the Fortune 500, 78 are SOEs qReceive preference – support and protection (in lending, market access, subsidy) (e.g. green tech) q= “the Beijing consensus” (an alternative to Western neoliberalism) qChallenges: instability in labor mkts, inequality (from .16 1978 to .47 Gini) – esp in rural and Western China (causes incr in migration to cities), resource shortages, environmental damage (1/3 lack clean H2O – and safe air), trade wars with other states, and slowing growth |
