Nigeria

In searching for a relevant article to share on Nigeria, I found a startling news report about the "bloodiest terrorist attack ever in Abuja."  Today, in Abuja at least 71 people were killed, and over 124 were wounded in a horrific bombing.  The President believed it was caused by an Islamic extremist group.  The bombing caused a serious amount a damage to the people, and to the city.  It is interesting to me, to think that a lot of this was primarily because of religious differences.  The article ended by emphasizing how divided the people are, with approximately half being muslim and the other half Christian.

Here is the link:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/14/explosion-bus-station-nigeria/7691853/

BRAZIL

Brazil is a very interesting example of democracy in Latin America.  In the past it has been termed "praetorianism" meaning that the ability for it's military to take over the government was seen as a legitimate possibility.  Overtime however, Brazil has modernized, and today is a legitimate democracy with a growing, educated, middle class.  The focus in the text revolved around whether or not Brazil's democracy would last, and with how far it's come since the 1970's, I believe it should preserver however with the violence occurring all over Brazil, it's difficult for me ignore.  How can a democracy survive if there is so much violence, and especially within it's working class?


I've shared a link below that I found interesting in relation to the reoccurring violence we always hear about in Brazil.  This time, riots formed over increased bus fare.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/07/rio-riots-bus-fare-hike_n_4745008.html

INDIA

As discussed in the text, India unlike most democracies is a relatively poor country, however due to it's successful political policy, it's been able to maintain it's economic growth over the years, and is now in competition with another world power, China.  I found it interesting that when Gandhi returned to India, he effectively transformed the Indian National Congress into an entity built around swaraj, or Indian independence.  This I believe aided in India's route to independence as well as the fact that it allowed for recognition by the rest of the world.

Interestingly enough, when I went to search on more statistical information regarding India's economic growth, I came upon a link that claimed "India's economy is growing slower than expected."

"India's Economy Grows Slower than Expected." BBC News. N.p., 28 Feb. 2014. Web. 21 Mar. 2014. <http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26385545>.

Ch. 4 Germany

Interestingly enough, the text mentioned that during 2008-2009, Germany weathered the recession much better than did the U.S.  In Germany, there was no “bubble” to burst, and furthermore, there wasn’t a dramatic change in mortgage cost considering Germany has always required 50% down on a property in order for an individual to obtain a loan.   

Below is link I found for an article on how US intelligence agencies hacked the cell phone of German chancellor when Gerhard Schoder was leader!  Very interesting. 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/04/us-nsa-gerhard-schroeder-surveillance

Britain Ch. 2

In my last blog, I talked about how democracy is simply an option, and not necessarily the best one either.  I shed light on the idea that there could be better, more efficient forms of government.  In reading up on Britain, they have a mixed monarchy and Parliament which has a lower house (the House of Commons) & an upper house (the House of Lords).  In the text I read how Parliament was supreme in the late eighteenth century, but was not democratic.  It was during the nineteenth century, that a two party system emerged.  The Liberal Party, and the Conservative Party, however there were still issues of representation, and when the middle class, and the working class grew, Parliament decided to pass multiple Reform Acts in order to allow more people to vote.  Interestingly enough, it stated in the book that “the growth of the electorate forced parties to become vehicles for democracy.”  




In a recent article I read online, Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, has chosen to ban internet based pornography. Interesting read simply because the government has the ability to do it.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/11/23/britain-s-idiotic-opt-in-porn-ban.html

The Uses of Comparative Politics Ch. 1

One of the most interesting aspects (when discussing comparative politics) is how the seemingly ideal political system is a democracy, as opposed to an authoritarian regime.  In a democratic society, it’s clear that individual citizens have a lot of power, and the right to influence decisions that impact how their country is governed, but how can we be sure that a democracy is the best option?  Authoritarian states, such as China limit the peoples power, but by doing so, strengthen their countries identity, and at the same time protect their country from outside interference, and resource exploitation.  It’s difficult to think of how else a country could operate  since I’ve only grown up understanding a democratic society.  

Below are two links to articles I found on the Huffington Post website explaining a couple ways China takes control, & how maybe it’s for the better.  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/07/china-ban-xbox-playstation-nintendo_n_4553615.html?utm_hp_ref=china

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/10/china-car-sales-pollution_n_4570452.html?utm_hp_ref=china

Here it is!

MY amaze blog is up and running! =)