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| a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. EXAMPLE: On Feb 8, in Raleigh North Carolina thousands of people opposing republican policies marched in the “Moral March on Raleigh.” Because the US is a democracy, these people have a real voice. |
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| to make (something) available to all people: to make it possible for all people to understand (something). EXAMPLE: There is currently a battle in the US to make marriage available to all people, not just heterosexual couples. |
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The elements such as freedom of speech, an independent judiciary, etc., that make up a democratic society: EXAMPLE: The protests about gay marriage across the country right now are examples of freedom of speech, one of the elements that makes the US a civil society. |
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| a system of democratic governance of a state in which the executive branch derives its democratic legitimacy from, and is held accountable to, the legislature. EXAMPLE: The UK is offering to cede more power to the Scottish government right now through devolution. |
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| a republican system of government where a head of government is also head of state and leads an executive branch that is separate from a legislative branch. EXAMPLE: Barrack Obama, President of the United States (an example of the presidential system) signed a law on Feb 7th cutting 8.7 billion dollars of food stamps. |
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| a legal system for making democratic choices. EXAMPLE: In Thailand, polls were interrupted by protests, threatening to “prolong political paralysis” |
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| SMD (Single Member District; First Past the Post) |
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| an electoral district that returns one officeholder to a body with multiple members such as a legislature. (Voting for a person-whoever gets the majority of the votes. 36%, 32%, 32%) EXAMPLE: The united states is a an example of a SMD |
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| PR (Proportional Representation: |
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| Also called multimember districts): a system in which the number of seats held by members of a political party in a legislature (such as a parliament) is determined by the number of votes its candidates receive in an election EXAMPLE: In Halifax, a call for Atlantic Canadian senators to act together as a group to represent the interest of their region was made. Currently there is inequality in the strength of different regions voices, as members are elected by proportional representation. (Party gets 25% of votes, so they have 25% of seat) |
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| the right to vote in an election. EXAMPLE: It appears the pan-democrats are split as an oath taking ceremony for the Occupt Central movement was disrupted by some members of the party. This movement is an effort to gain universal suffrage in Hong Kong. |
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| the restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws. Chris Christies having to answer for his actions is an example of Rule of Law. |
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- Complete obedience or subjection to authority, especially to one person or a small group, often not elected by the people, as opposed to individual freedom. Private institutions are allowed. EXAMPLE: Russian and Crimea
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| the constriction of parties and differences of opinion, and dictatorial control by a centralized government. EXAMPLE: Talks with Iran and six other world powers began on Tuesday the 18 over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran is a totalitarian government. (Strong Ideology, which leads to restrictions of other ideas. This is when it gets scary because you can justify almost anything. North Korea) EXAMPLE: On Feb 17th, a new report came out painting an awful picture of what is going on in North Korea and the UN sent a warning to Kim Jong Un. |
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| excessive public admiration for or devotion to a famous person, esp. a political leader. EXAMPLE: In Afghanistan, platforms for running for office have looked like the running of personality cults for over 30 years, but on Feb 4th, we saw something different as candidates had a debate similar to what you might see in a US presidential election. (They kinda view the individual as God.) N. Korea is a good example as well. |
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- : A form of government where God is recognized as the supreme civil leader, and God’s laws are often interpreted and enforced by ecclesiastical leaders. EXAMPLE: The huffington post had an article on Feb 14th about Raif Badawi, an intellectual and editor of a website in Saudi Arabia, talking about his impending trial facing the charge of Apostasy. Saudi Arabia is a theocracy. (True Theocracy’s; Vatican, iran, African central republic is trying to, sudan is trying to) |
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| a term that applies to countries that have a long history of democracy that has stabilized as the established form of government, high degree of legitimacy and social capital. EXAMPLE: In an article in Today’s Zaman on Feb 19th, it was reported that although Turkey’s Prime Minister has dubbed Turkey to be an advanced democracy, the recent graft probe has shed light on the fact that Turkey may not be as advanced as they would like to think. |
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| the internal condition of a society or state, or a state that is integrated into a larger international community. EXAMPLE: The acting Ukrainian President has said that European integration is a priority right now. |
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| the transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, esp. by central government to local or regional administration. EXAMPLE: The UK trying to give power to Scotland right now is an example of Devolution. |
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| Both a theory of integration and a method of decision-making in international organizations, that allows states to cooperate in specific fields while retaining their sovereignty. In contrast to supranational bodies in which authority is formally delegated, in intergovernmental organizations states do not share the power with other actors, and take decisions by unanimity. EXAMPLE: In the Irish Times, Michael McDowell was reported saying that “Intergovernmentalism is not a dirty word in my mind. The idea that member states continue to be the source of EU legitimacy is one with which I am very comfortable.” This is pertaining to the issue of Europe becoming a united group of states like America, versus keeping the EU as it is. |
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- transcending established national boundaries or spheres of interest, where authority is formally delegated. EXAMPLE: On Feb 20th, an article was written talking about the European supranational framework, stating that it is unable to ensure the confidence Europeans need at this time, especially relating to its foreign policy. |
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| a set of values that emphasizes quality of life over concern for material gain, preservation of the environment and promotion of health care and eduction. EXAMPLE: In an article in the Wall Street Journal by Edward Lucas, he claims that Geopolitics are being practiced on the doorstep of the EU and that although in the postmodern world we don’t want to talk about geopolitics, we need to. (A focus on the standard of living. This only comes after modern values have been well established) |
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- the majority of people are employed in the service sector, including industries like technology, health care, business and legal services, finance, and education. EXAMPLE: Japan is an example of a postindustrial country. On feb 17th, Japans GDP for the fourth quarter of 2013 was announced to be a stark 1% growth. |
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- industries like technology, health care, business and legal services, finance, education, etc. EXAMPLE: Reported in RTT news, I quote “Sentiment among U.K.'s service sector firms improved to an all-time high in the three months to February as the sector recorded growth for a third successive quarter” |
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- a political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. EXAMPLE: On Sunday March 2nd, it is thought that some Uighur terrorists from what is called East Turkestan launched a mass stabbing in a train station in China. China is a communist country, and it is thought that these attacks were done as a statement by the Uighurs to proclaim their desire for freedom for the communist regime. (Not just political and economic, but also SOCIETAL. China is not actually communist. Controls everything political, economic, and societal. This is how it was in the Soviet Union. N. Korea, and Cuba. |
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| An economic system in which economic decisions are made by the state or government rather than by the interaction between consumers and businesses. EXAMPLE: In The Atlantic on March 3rd, and article was written showing the demographic that most strongly opposes Obamacare to be wealthy, healthy, white people. Obamacare is an example of Central Planning. |
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| Trying to open up the economic situation. No gov. controls on anything. OVERNIGHT. (Chile and Bolivia have been able to turn their economy around through this method) |
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