...Political parties are formed around a platform of their ideas, views and goals as a party. This paper is focused on Radical Right Parties; whose policies are considered extremist. According to Powell (1986, p. 359), an extremist party “represents a demand for major transformation of the society, either towards some future vision or back to an idealized past. Such demands diverge from the general, current policy consensus.” According to this definition, the new radical right can in most instances be considered examples of extremist parties. Radical right parties either focus on a change towards a future vision or backwards towards their idealized past. This type of party is defined by its development in response to supposed threats against...
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...Many political scientists- such as Crewe and Franklin- have argued that since the 1970s there has been a decline in loyalty to political parties, especially the two main parties, meaning party dealignment is taking place. Party dealignment is a decline in loyalty towards a political party, which is more evident in the Labour party and the Conservative party. We can see that support for the two main parties never fell below 87.5% between 1950 and 1970, which shows party alignment. However there has been a decline is support for the two main parties, shown in that the support for both parties combined hasn’t been higher than 74% since 1974. This could be because a lot of voters left the two main parties when parties such as the Liberal Democrats or Scottish and Welsh nationalist parties emerged. Voters are also no longer loyal to a single party and so we’ve seen an increase in the ‘floating vote’ as, according to Bruter, many voters decide who they’re voting for shortly before election day. There are various reasons for the decline in class loyalty, but it can be argued that the main one is a decline in class loyalty- class dealignment. Prior to the 1970’s voters stayed loyal to the Labour party or the Conservative party, as they were mostly class based. In the 1960’s Pulzer wrote that ‘class is the basis of British party politics’ meaning that class was the main factor for political views. It is true that most people voted according to their social class for example between...
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...and the Department of Sociology, University of Oxford http://www.crest.ox.ac.uk Is Britain Facing a Crisis of Democracy? by Catherine Bromley, John Curtice and Ben Seyd EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Britain is widely believed to be suffering a crisis of democracy. This briefing examines whether this perception is justified or not. Our findings - which are based on a four year research project funded by the ESRC - address four key issues: the legitimacy of governments, patterns of participation in politics, the impact of constitutional reform, and the explanation for any crisis. Legitimacy There has been a decline in levels of trust in government and confidence in the political system. Thirty years ago, four in ten people in Britain trusted government to put the needs of the nation above those of their political party; today, just one in five do so. But much of this decline set in during the early 1990s, although trust and confidence have fallen further since 1997. Participation Turnout at all elections has declined since 1997, most noticeably at the 2001 general election, when the participation rate was the lowest since 1918. At the same time, levels of non-electoral participation have increased somewhat. Meanwhile, it is not the case that people engage outside the ballot box as an alternative to voting; rather, most people use non-electoral activities as a complement to participating at elections. One reason why non-electoral participation has not declined is because people...
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...scene of one of the most famous duels in American history in this chapter. He tells us that truth behind the fight between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Ellis found that the common version of the duel story has been told many times, and that although historically accurate, is too brief. The legendary battle between two prominent political figures could only be understood if we consider the personalities of the assailants and the argument that had brought them the duel in the first place. To understand it’s true significance, Ellis not only recounts the events of the fight, but relays information about the events leading up to the battle and who Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton really were. On July 11, 1804, a famous duel took place on the plains of Weehawken, NJ, which was later refuted by Ellis, who said that the fight actually took place on a narrow ledge twenty feet above water level, at the base of a cliff near Weehawken. Ellis captures the reader by...
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...The index provides a snapshot of the state of democracy worldwide for 165 independent states and two territories—this covers almost the entire population of the world and the vast majority of the world’s independent states (micro states are excluded). The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Index of Democracy is based on five categories: electoral process and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning of government; political participation; and political culture. Countries are placed within one of four types of regimes: full democracies; flawed democracies; hybrid regimes; and authoritarian regimes. Free and fair elections and civil liberties are necessary conditions for democracy, but they are unlikely to be sufficient for a full and consolidated democracy if unaccompanied by transparent and at least minimally efficient government, sufficient political participation and a supportive democratic political culture. It is not easy to build a sturdy democracy. Even in long-established ones, if not nurtured and protected, democracy can corrode. Democracy in decline The global record in democratisation since the start of its so-called third wave in 1974, and acceleration after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, has been impressive. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s measure of democracy, one-half of the...
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...to discuss both economic and geo-political/security dimensions, and make reference to at least two historical periods, whether identified by particular doctrines, presidencies, or regimes of international relations. Current state of Latin Ameican international relations with the US— * Emerging independence from US—US is no longer the immediate partner of choice. Regional resentment of US perceived self-serving exercises of power * Economics: * Increased intra-regional economic integration—ALBA, UNOSUR * Expanding economic partners outside the hemisphere—China * Security: * States worry about subordination to the “gringos.” Address problems themselves or with immediate neighbors, rely less on US— * LatinAmerican presidents joined together to defuse tension between Colombia and Ecuador/Venezuela after Colombia’s March 2008 raid inside Ecuador * South American Defense Council (2008)—aimed at institutionalizing and coordinating “defense and security policies in the region while preventing and mediating conflicts within South America * United States: * Economic dependence on the region on the rise— * 50% of US energy imports (largest share accounted for by any region) * 32% of all US FDI * Environment, illegal drug trade, and immigration have intensified interdependence * Economic stronghold at risk * China—offers a path independent of US and liberal economic orthodoxy ...
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...BOOK REVIEW THE RULEMAKERS HOW THE WEALTHY AND WELLBORN DOMINATE CONGRESS The congress or the House of Representatives and the Senate or the upper house are the two components of the legislative branch of the Philippine government. They are meant to pass bills, create laws, and approve budgets that benefit their constituents and the nation as a whole. In theory, this is the ideal upon which they were built, they would legislate for the people to best serve them and to ensure the nations capacity to carry out the legislation that they pass and that they are aligned with the needs of the people they represent. This is not the case however, even as we step in to the 15th congress the House of Representatives is still truly not representative. Since the 1898 Malolos Congress to our 15th congress, The Filipino people have witnessed, participated, fought and experienced how senators and congressmen handle the power and opportunity they gain from membership in this institution. The way in which the power and privileges that come from their positions are used are often kept secret and outside the knowledge of their voters and even if it was known it is beyond the power of the citizenry to interfere in most cases. The Constitution imposes limitations and prohibitions and there are also general guidelines and principle of law that should be followed, however they do not seem enough of a deterrent to reduce or eradicate the illegitimate, illegal, manipulative, selfish...
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...Brief Background of Thailand’s Political Unrest The 2013-2014 Thai political crisis was a period of political instability in Thailand. Anti-government protests first took place to remove former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who locals viewed as highly corrupted and damaging to Thailand’s democracy. From November 2013 to May 2014, demonstrators obstructed the traffic and destroyed infrastructures to call for the resignation of Yingluck Shinawatra and her government. On 8 December 2013, all 153 opposition Democrat Party MPs resigned and Yingluck dissolved the House of Representatives, calling a snap general election. Voting was disrupted by protesters who wanted to annul the results of the election. Sporadic violence, including shootings, bomb attempts and grenades thrown at protesters, led to 28 deaths and over 800 injuries during the course of the protests. Analysis of the Implication on International Business...
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...THE TRADE UNIONS IN UK INTRODUCTION Historically, trade unions in the United Kingdom have been viewed as: (1) collective employee organisations established to protect employees from arbitrary actions by employers in matters of pay and working conditions, and (2) as promoters of the legitimate interests of people at work. In practice, they have also played an important role in the political life of the nation, and, to a lesser extent, in its social affairs. The ability of trade unions to exercise power and influence over users of their service depends on the relative demand for that service. Thus, when demands for skilled labour in the economy are high trade unions are in a relatively powerful position to negotiate a high price for the use of labour. They are also able in such circumstances to employ a wide range of sanctions against employers (and even governments). When demand for labour is slack and unemployment begins to rise, trade union power to influence events becomes more limited. In Britain the boom period for trade unions was during the 1970s when membership reached a peak of 13.2 million (1979). At that time the demand for labour was high, many skills where in short supply and there were few legal controls over collective action by unions. By 1990 the situation had changed dramatically with a deep recession, record levels of unemployment, changes In working practices brought about by new technology and last but not least, a substantial framework of labour legislation...
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...country to country. Corruption can be split into separate categories including grand, petty, and political. These categories vary greatly depending on the amounts of money lost and the sector where it occurs (Shah 4). Grand corruption generally refers to acts committed at the highest level of government that usually distort policies and the general functioning of the state. This enables leaders to benefit greatly at the expense of the public good. On the other hand, petty corruption refers to everyday abuse of entrusted power by lower...
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...American o Hispanic American/Latino o White/Caucasian • Write a 150- to 300-word summary of the economic, social, and political standings of that group. Use additional resources if necessary, from the University Library or your textbooks. Provide citations for all the sources you use. Collectively, African Americans are more involved in the American political process than other minority groups in the United States. Why? Because, as indicated by the highest level of voter registration and participation in elections among these groups in 2004. African Americans collectively attain higher levels of education than immigrants to the United States. African Americans also have the highest level of Congressional representation of any minority group in the U.S.The large majority of African Americans support the Democratic Party. In the 2004 Presidential Election, Democrat John Kerry received 88% of the African American vote compared to 11% for Republican George W. Bush. Historically, African Americans were supporters of the Republican Party because it was Republican President Abraham Lincoln who helped in granting freedom to American slaves; at the time, the Republicans and Democrats represented the sectional interests of the North and South, respectively, rather than any specific ideology, and both right and left were represented equally in both parties. The African American trend of voting for Democrats can be traced back to the 1930s during the Great Depression, when Franklin...
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...The Hezbollah have played a major role in contributing to the conflict in the Middle East. As a ‘party of God’ they have been labelled as a terrorist organisation for their ‘revolutionary resistance’ to Israeli presence in the Middle East. The future of the Hezbollah is currently unknown but many believe it has passed its time. Almost every conflict seen or heard in the media and on the news about the Middle East has been attributed to a war or a ‘Jihad’ against Western ideology. There are many different groups and Islamic extremists that have declared war on Western society including the Jewish people within the State of Israel. But one extremist Islamic political party or militant group behind anti-Israeli culture and their occupation in...
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...The Development Intelligence Gazette The Development Intelligence Gazette is a news journal that summarizes the most significant political and economic stories related to sustainable economic and democratic development in the world. Comments and questions can be addressed to Joseph Merton at merton.stratintsol@gmail.com. Inside This Week’s Issue United States and the European Union Mild eurozone recession likely in 2012: economists………......................................................................................4 Euro declines in its longest losing streak since 2010..............................................................................................5 Head of Russian Church Urges Action on Vote Fraud Allegation….…………….……………………………..……………….…..…6 Tribute to Václav Havel attracts thousands…………………………………………………………….……………………………….……….7 Middle East Islamists' chance to lead change ............................................................................................................................ 8 Why Islamism Is Winning ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Kenyan troops join AU Somalia mission .............................................................................................................. 10 Asia WH calls for stable transition in North Korea . ..............................................................................................
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...crisis) * World Bank (promotes economic development via low interest loans for infrastructure projects) * G20 (Forum with major countries to respond to crisis) * United nations (Maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, promote respect for human rights) Drives of Globalizations: * Decline barriers to free flow of goods, services and capital * Tariff around 4%, more favorable environment for FDI, facilitate global production * Technological change * Internet, transportation technology, microprocessors and telecommunications * Allow to lower cost * Changing demographics of global economy * The changing world output and world trade picture * Developed countries sees its share of world output lower and in contrast developing countries sees its share of world output grow * The changing foreign direct investment picture * Developed countries sees its FDI flows lower and in contrast developing countries sees its FDI flows grow * The changing nature of the multinational enterprise * Number of Non-US multinational...
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...undesirable economic situations, low living standards, political instability and lack of freedom. As a whole, the cause for these situations, thereby leading to the fall of Soviet Communism, can be categorized in two main reasons – developments inside of USSR, and developments outside the USSR. While the external developments such as role of Ronald Reagan & his policies, the Pope’s involvement, rise of non communist movements in Eastern Europe and price of oil and effects on USSR did played a significant role in breaking the Soviet Communism, it is still undeniable that the internal developments, mainly the USSR leaders’ (Brezhnev and Gorbachev) policies, made larger and more tangible impacts that raises the resentment and opposition to Soviet domination, causing it to fall apart. The developments inside the USSR therefore did more to cause the collapse of the Soviet Communism. To begin with, one of the early causes of the fall of communism is due to the stagnation period under Brezhnev where economy did not improve, or rather, declined (which can be seen from USSR’s continuous importing of grain from US). This stagnation was due to expanded military and neglected domestic economy. As a whole, this period played an important role as it caused standard of living to worsen and people started to question the Soviet’s ruling capability to provide them with their Utopian ideal of communism. For example in Poland, the decline in economy led to food & fuel shortages and high...
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