Comparative Politics is a method in which people use to develop perspective on how certain governments fail and succeed. Instead of determining the effectiveness of a government based on present success and standards, comparative politicians are able to gain a more unbiased view of the source and effects of the government in the certain state. It is also important to note that many locations also provide differences as to how a state should be governed. With comparative politics, scientists are able to create theory’s after witnessing more scenarios with certain governments compared to others. It is basically the study of refining politics.
Apr
18
After undergoing the coalition agreement process, I gained a better understanding of German politics as a whole. I was impressed by the ability of that government, as displayed in our mock election, to work together rather than against each other in determining certain policy issues. Surprisingly, the FDP gained no representation even though they shared the most similarities with each of the other parties (mainly because of arrogance from the party’s representative).
Amazing to myself and I’m sure many of the other students in the class, my party (the Greens) actually gained some representation as each of the three remaining parties (Greens, CDU, and SPD) worked against the usual winner (FDP) to find a stable equilibrium of party wants and needs. As the main need of the Greens, my party luckily gained the Environment cabinet position, but failed in attaining Education. The SPD gained Labor and Health, with privatized labor and “limited” health benefits as us Greens could agree upon. The CDU gained Education and the Interior, as well as the Chancellorship, which we all agreed would serve the best for the people as it had the majority membership out of the three parties.
Overall, the election proved to be a success in a more equitable form of government with more representation from the different parties. Although not all views were the same on all issues, each party could settle for accepting another party’s cabinet position, given that they too would gain some superior representation in a different area. In the end, I was just happy that the Green Party finally gained some representation,(some one even considered giving us the chancellorship) in contrast with the lack of representation it has had in past years.
Apr
08
The Canadian and Australian democracies have provided potential universal health care plans for the USA. Australia is a great example of a country that took initiative and instituted a public health care plan for all citizens of Australia. While costly, universal health care seems like it should be a prerequisite in a democracy; a type of government that attempts to put its citizens first. In this document the reader can get the actual health care coverage that Australia offers. From outpatient to extensive surgery, here is how Australia provides for its citizens:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/health-ahca-agreement.htm
Apr
02
We recently learned from a powerpoint and lecture in class by Professor Dasovic that Rational Thought theory is defined as individuals acting in accord with their preferences and beliefs. We learned that preferences deal with an individuals immediate wants and needs, while beliefs are determined by the conditions of the outside world. Both of these aspects of Rational Thought coincide with voting in Australia, a country in which voting is compulsory. Naturally democratic people in a democratic state, Australians voted for the law to make voting mandatory because they wanted the people in office to represent the will of all people. Thus, the wants, needs, and beliefs of the people are reflected in their natural yearning to vote in candidates that will voice how they feel, and deal with the most important issues at hand according to the general public. As stated in the article, the mandatory voting law has remained basically unchallenged since its beginning – the people are happy with these forms of coercion; these forms of reflecting peoples’ preferences, wants, and needs. More information on this topic can be seen on the following link, which begs the question of whether or not the United States can do the same:
Apr
02
Jon and I have decided that we are interested in comparing health care systems of different countries. We will focus mainly on comparing Australia’s health care plan with the United States plan, as well as other democracies globally.
Apr
01
“We all have to acknowledge that our problems were in part brought on by the failure of our government to regulate the institutions and markets that are now in crisis.”
see more…
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/22/Dobbs.January23/index.html
Apr
01
According to CNN….
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Karl Rove dismissed Hillary Clinton’s Michigan primary win Wednesday, telling a group of Republican party leaders that her victory showed signs of weakness.
Clinton, the only major candidate to appear on the Democratic presidential primary ballot, received roughly 55 percent of the vote. About 40 percent of those voting in the primary opted for the “uncommitted” option, and 5 percent of the vote went to other candidates, including Dennis Kucinich, Chris Dodd and Mike Gravel.
“Think about that. She’s running against ‘nobody’ and ‘nobody’ gets 40 percent of the vote,” said Rove. “The other 5 percent of the vote went to three other people: 27,924 votes went to the guy who believes in UFOs, the guy who dropped out and the guy who last held public office somewhere around 1855.”
He also said the New York senator should release documents in the Clinton presidential library that relate to her time in the White House during the administration of her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
But the former adviser to President Bush didn’t reserve all his criticism for Hillary Clinton, taking aim at her chief Democratic rival, Barack Obama, as well. He echoed recent Clinton campaign criticism of the Illinois senator’s “present” votes as a state representative and doubts about his relative lack of national experience. He also blasted him for a voting record that he described as “more liberal” than Clinton’s – “and that’s hard to do.”
The political strategist also had some advice for the Republicans in the race. As soon as the party has a nominee, said Rove, the candidate will have to “introduce themselves to the American people,” focus on “kitchen table” domestic issues like jobs and healthcare, “campaign aggressively in places where Republicans don’t usually campaign” (including efforts to reach black, Latino and union voters), and present a positive vision on Iraq and the surge.
–CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand
