Dean Foster

Mr. Hauck

AP Comparative Government and Politics

24 June 2019

Summer Assignment: Part 1 – Weekly Journal

Week 1: June 24th – 28th

 China:http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201906/27/WS5d143cfca3103dbf1432a975.html
Huawei Technologies on Thursday warned against the risks of intellectual property being
politicized, saying that such a move will break the foundation of global innovation.
 Iran: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48661843 Iran has announced it
will breach on 27 June the limit on its stockpile of enriched uranium that was set under a
2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
 United States: https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/28/politics/democratic-debate-2020-
viewership-ratings/index.html Thursday night's democratic debate featuring some of the
brighter stars in the race: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, and Kamala Harris.
The debate drew 18.1 million viewers, making it the highest-rated Democratic
presidential debate in history.

Week 2: July 1st – 5th

 Russia: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/07/02/russian-passport-drops-in-
worldwide-ease-of-travel-ranking-a66252 Russia has fallen four spots in three months in
a ranking of countries whose citizens enjoy the most freedom of travel abroad, according
to a quarterly rating of passport “strength.” The country had tied for 47th place in the
January-March index compiled by the Henley & Partners residence and citizenship
planning firm, with 118 destinations available to its passport holders.
 Nigeria: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/house-of-reps-member-akin-alabi-
launches-empowerment-scheme-for-women/ Member House of Representatives, Akin
Alabi has announced the launch of a community outreach program to assist widows and
indigent women. The program labeled as the “Women Empowerment Scheme” aims to
provide financial and material support for rural and urban women within the Egbeda/Ona
Ara constituency and surrounding areas.
  China:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201907/02/WS5d1ac566a3103dbf1432b6d2.html
Several provincial-level regions on Monday started implementing the "China VI" vehicle
emission standards ahead of schedule to ramp up efforts against a major source of air
pollution. Sales and registrations of new vehicles in regions including Beijing, Shanghai,
Tianjin, Hebei province now must comply with what is believed to be one of the world's
strictest rules on automobile pollutants.

Week 3: July 8th – 12th

 Russia: https://meduza.io/en/news/2019/07/09/putin-rejects-unanimous-state-duma-
recommendation-for-sanctions-against-georgia Russia’s State Duma unanimously called
on the country’s federal executive branch to introduce sanctions against Georgia “in
connection with anti-Russian provocations”, which Putin rejected. This chastised “radical
forces in that country” for spurring the “further degradation of Russian-Georgian
relations.” The Duma’s vote followed a wave of anti-Russian demonstrations and an anti-
Putin, profanity-laden tirade broadcast live on air by a Georgian television host.
 Great Britain: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48937120 Sir Kim Darroch has resigned
as UK ambassador to the US, as a row over leaked emails critical of President Trump's
administration escalates. Theresa May said Sir Kim's departure was "a matter of deep
regret" after the ambassador said it was "impossible" for him to continue. Tory leadership
candidate Boris Johnson has faced strong criticism for failing to fully support him.
President Trump said on Monday that the US would not deal with Sir Kim.

Week 4: July 15th – 19th

 United States: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/16/john-lewis-

trump-tweets-i-know-racism-when-see-it/1751089001/ Saying "I know racism when I see
it," Rep. John Lewis, an icon of the civil rights movement, condemned recent tweets by
President Donald Trump's that told four congresswomen of color to "go back" to their
countries. Lewis made the comment on the House floor ahead of a vote on a resolution
condemning Trump's tweets, which invoke a racist trope. The House voted 240-187 to
denounce Trump's tweets as racist, with only four Republicans and one independent
voting with Democrats.
 Nigeria: https://guardian.ng/politics/nigeria-on-the-brink-a-message-to-our-president-
and-the-national-assembly/ (From author Emeka Anyaoku’s perspective) In the face of
the current state of affairs in our country, I would like to take this opportunity to deliver a
message principally to our president and members of the National Assembly.
  Mexico: https://www.debate.com.mx/mundo/EEUU-niega-libertad-bajo-fianza-a-lider-
de-La-Luz-del-Mundo-20190716-0272.html The leader of the Mexican church La Luz
del Mundo was ordered on Tuesday to be held without bail for charges of child rape and
human trafficking. Previously, a bail of $ 50 million had been set for him to take his
process free. “Naasón Joaquín García is a danger to the community and could escape,”
said Superior Court Judge David Fields.

Week 5: July 22nd – 26th

 Iran: https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/438432/Iranian-Intelligence-Ministry-breaks-
up-CIA-spy-ring Iran’s Intelligence Ministry announced on Monday that it had broken up
a CIA spy ring and arrested 17 professional spies, some of whom have been sentenced to
death by the Judiciary. According to the director general of the Intelligence Ministry’s
counter-espionage department, the spies were employed in sensitive and vital state and
private sectors in economic, nuclear, infrastructural, military and cyber centers, where
they collected classified information.
 Russia: https://www.rt.com/news/464901-gulf-concept-russia-us-iran/ Russia has
unveiled its Concept of Collective Security in the Persian Gulf, outlining arms control,
joint anti-terrorist efforts and giving up on foreign military presence as keys conditions
for stability in the turbulent region. The concept singled out security in the Persian Gulf
as “one of the prime regional problems of today.” The document, presented by Deputy
Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov at the Foreign Ministry in Moscow on Tuesday, with
diplomats from Iran, Gulf Arab States, the US, UK, China, EU and other countries in
attendance, noted that tensions in the strategic area, which have remained high over the
past several decades, threaten the political and economic wellbeing on a global scale.
 Great Britain: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49100271 Great Britain,
Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands have recorded their highest ever temperatures, in
a heatwave searing Western Europe. The Belgian town of Kleine Brogel hit 39.9C, the
hottest since 1833. The southern Dutch city of Eindhoven beat the 75-year-old national
record, with a new high of 39.3C. Germany's weather service said a new record of 40.5C
had been set in Geilenkirchen, near the Belgian and Dutch borders. The new German
record was still to be confirmed, it said, warning that it could get even hotter on
Thursday.
Week 6: July 29th – August 2nd

 Nigeria: https://guardian.ng/news/babalakin-urges-nigerians-to-be-more-educated/ Pro-

chancellor of the University of Lagos Dr. Wale Babalakin has described education as
continuous, while pointing out the need for Nigerians to be “more equipped and more
educated”. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Lagos Bar Centre in Lekki
Phase 1, Babalakin, who is the chairman of the project committee, said: “We have to
improve the education of lawyers as well. That is the bedrock. When you have good
education, you will be able to decipher what is good and what is bad and make your
demands”.
 Great Britain: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-49179114 Roads
have been closed, rail services cancelled and homes flooded as severe downpours affect
large areas of the north of England. A day of heavy rain has led to 16 flood warnings
across the North West, the North East, Yorkshire and the Midlands. Cheshire Fire and
Rescue Service declared a major incident amid widespread problems in Poynton.
Vehicles were left trapped in the town, and a nursery, several homes and a farm were also
swamped.

Week 7: August 5th – 9th

 China: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201907/31/WS5d4190fca310d830564020fc.html
The Ministry of Education Wednesday issued a regulation on undergraduate student
entrepreneurship and innovation to promote college education reform. The regulation
illustrated the responsibilities of related departments and the project process according to
the national innovative project launched in 2007, the ministry said in a statement.
The national innovative project, focusing on talent training system reform, stipulated in
detail the course content, curriculum system and concrete practice.
 Iran: https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/439003/Rouhani-says-war-with-Iran-will-be-
mother-of-all-wars-and-peace President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that peace with
Iran will be “mother of all peace” and war with Iran will be “mother of all wars”.
Rouhani made the remarks as he visited the Foreign Ministry for a meeting with Foreign
Minister Zarif, who was sanctioned by the U.S. on July 31, his deputies and other top
ministry officials.
 Mexico: https://www.debate.com.mx/migracion/CNDH-alerta-de-colapso-por-
sobrepoblacion-de-migrantes-en-albergues-20190809-0239.html The National Human
Rights Commission (CNDH) warned that Mexico's international protection system could
be collapsed due to the large number of refuge requests and overpopulation of the
National Migration Institute shelters. Such a situation places children and adolescents in a
defenseless situation, since their requests may not be taken into care.
Week 8: August 12th – 16th

 United States: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/08/11/jeffrey-epstein-

suicide-jail-site-draws-complaints/1981132001/ Over the years, critics have described
New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center – the site where disgraced financier Jeffrey
Epstein died of an apparent suicide – as having inhumane conditions. Mexican drug lord
Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán called the place “torture”. Since the government will send
me to a jail where my name will not ever be heard again, I take this opportunity to say
there was no justice here,” Guzmán said at his sentencing July 17. "It has been
psychological and mental torture 24 hours a day."
 Russia: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/08/16/moscow-authorities-discover-
flocks-of-birds-near-plane-crash-landing-site-a66898 Moscow authorities said they have
“discovered” gulls flocking around one of two garbage sites near the airport where a
Russian passenger plane made a “miraculous” emergency landing on Thursday. All 234
people on board the Ural Airlines Airbus A321 survived when it landed in a cornfield
southeast of Moscow after both of its engines struck a flock of gulls. Moscow region
officials initially rejected claims that the gulls may have come from a nearby landfill,
saying the closest garbage dump to Zhukovsky International Airport was 14 kilometers
away.
 Great Britain: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49352250 Jeremy Corbyn has
urged the leaders of the other opposition parties and Tory rebels to install him as
caretaker Prime Minister in order to stop a no-deal Brexit. If he wins a no-confidence
vote in the government, the Labour leader plans to delay Brexit, call a snap election and
campaign for another referendum. But Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson said she
would not support making Mr Corbyn prime minister.

Week 9: August 19th – 23rd

 Nigeria: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria-calls-for-closer-military-ties-with-bangladesh/
The Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas, on Tuesday called for
closer military cooperation between Nigeria and Bangladesh. A statement by
Commodore Suleiman Dahun, the Navy’s Director of Information, on Tuesday in Abuja,
said Ibas made the call when he received Mr Shameem Ahsan, the Bangladesh High
Commissioner to Nigeria in Abuja. Ibas said that Nigeria valued its relationship with
friendly countries like Bangladesh, noting that many Nigerian officers have trained in
that country.
  Mexico: https://www.excelsior.com.mx/nacional/nueva-escuela-mexicana-no-puede-ser-
victima-de-malos-lideres-sindicales-sep/1331299 “In the construction of the New
Mexican School we cannot be victims of the practices of bad public servants and bad
union representatives who use their power to abuse the teaching profession; We want a
transparent agreement agreed among all so that the education system is an example in the
formation of incorruptible Mexicans”, said the Secretary of Public Education, Esteban
Moctezuma Barragán .

Week 10: August 26th – 30th

 China:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201908/29/WS5d672895a310cf3e355687da.html
Information technology specialists said the application of artificial intelligence has been a
trend in fighting online fake goods on e-commerce platforms such as Taobao in recent
years. As online shopping has become more popular among Chinese people, some big
enterprises, including e-commerce giant Alibaba and Amazon, have tried taking
advantage of technologies, especially AI, to identify counterfeit goods, according to Ji
Shouling, dean of the College of Computer Science and Technology at Zhejiang
University.
 Russia: https://www.rt.com/russia/467494-russian-antigay-bakery-fined/ Russian bakers
from the city of Kemerovo, trading in a very pricey artisan bread, have been fined for
inciting hate after they displayed expletive-laden signs strongly implying they would not
serve homosexual customers. The bakery, dubbed ‘Bread from a Russian furnace by the
Ipatov brothers’, was fined 10,000 rubles (around $150) over offensive signs.

Summer Assignment Part 2 – Key Concepts / Terms Definitions

 Socialism: The idea that the government should be in primary control of all or most
productive resources and their administration instead of private enterprises. In addition,
potential remaining private production should be highly regulated by the government.
 Rentier State: A country or state which receives substantial amounts of oil or other types
of revenues from the outside world on a regular basis. It is often independent from its
society, unaccountable to its citizens, and retains an absolute leader, making its long-term
prospects very slim and adverse. For example: Iran, Nigeria, and Gabon
 GDP: An estimate of the total money of all the goods and services produced in one year
that are located within a country's borders.
 Coup d'état: Simply put, the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government
by a small group. Examples include the assassination of Julius Caesar, and Napoleon
Bonaparte overthrowing the five-member Directory that ruled France.
  Pluralism: the view that in liberal democracies power should be dispersed among a
plethora of economic and ideological groups and should not be held by a single dictator
or group of elites. Examples include the United States government, as well as smaller
groups such as labor unions and employers sharing in meeting the needs of employees.
 Bicameral legislature: A bicameral legislature simply refers to a body of government that
consists of two legislative houses. In certain instances, a bicameral system may include
two parliamentary chambers, such as the House of Representatives and the Senate within
the United States government.
 Unitary System: a system in which most or all the governing power for a state resides in
a centralized government, in contrast to a federal state. For example, the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
 Ethno-nationalism: Nations that are defined by a shared heritage, which usually
includes a common language, a common faith, and a common ethnic ancestry.
 Technocrat: Someone who exercises their governmental authority based on their
knowledge and promotes the idea that societal problems are easily solvable through the
use of technology.
 Policy and Policymaking: Refers to the actions taken by government and decisions that
are intended to solve problems and improve the quality of life for citizens of a state or
country. Many processes are implemented before a policy is imposed into the lives of
everyday citizens.
 Linkage Institution: A connection within a society that allows the people linkage to the
government or centralized authority. These societal connections include elections,
political parties, interest groups, and the media.
 Referendum: A vote taken by the general public to decide an important legislative or
social policy issue directly rather than having the issue decided by a legislative agency.

5 Questions About Concepts:

1. Do Socialists often differ in their ideas of how much power the government should have,
or are there certain factions that strictly give amounts and statistics for government
control?
2. What efforts have there been to prevent the existence or Rentier States which often house
poor infrastructure and low quality of life for its citizens?
3. Are Ethno-nationalist nations conservative in their way of living and their nationalities or
has assimilation of other cultures been welcomed with open arms?
4. Do policies have a direct influence on the law or are many of them created and given
time to disperse amongst the population?
5. Are linkage institutions often showed to improve or decrease public interest in politics
and number of voters in a particular election?
 Summer Assignment Part 3 – Interesting Facts

United States:

 The United States uses 18% of the world's energy.

 At only 4,400 words, the U.S. Constitution is both the shortest and oldest constitution of
any major world government.
 The largest air force in the world is the U.S. Air Force.
 The current 50-star American flag was designed by a 17-year-old as a school project in
1958. He got a B-.

Great Britain:

 The U.K. does not have a written constitution. It has a constitutional monarchy, meaning
a monarch has the ultimate authority over the government, although the monarch
generally follows the laws of parliament or abides by British tradition.
 10 Downing Street is the office and personal residence of the British prime minister, as
well as the meeting place of the Cabinet. It is one of the most recognizable addresses in
the world and is the equivalent of the White House in the United States.
 All political power rests with the prime minister and the cabinet, and the monarch must
act on their advice.
 The UK has suffered a deep economic slump and high public debt as a result of the 2008
financial crisis, which revealed its over-reliance on easy credit, domestic consumption
and rising house prices.
 Britain was the world's first industrialized country. Its economy remains one of the
largest, but it has for many years been based on service industries rather than on
manufacturing.
Iran:

 Persia, as Iran was known before 1935, was one of the greatest empires of the ancient
world, and the country has long maintained a distinct cultural identity within the Islamic
world by retaining its own language and adhering to the Shia interpretation of Islam.
 The Iranian revolution of 1979 put an end to the rule of the Shah, who had alienated
powerful religious, political and popular forces with a program of modernization and
Westernization.
 Since the Revolution, Iran has been ruled by a complex governmental structure. At the
top is the Supreme Leader, selected by the Assembly of Experts, who is Commander-in-
Chief of the military and oversees the civilian government.
Mexico:

 Mexico is a federal republic composed of 31 states and the Federal District.

Governmental powers are divided constitutionally between executive, legislative, and
judicial branches, but, when Mexico was under one-party rule in the 20th century, the
president had strong control over the entire system.
 Mexican society is sharply divided by income and educational level. Although a middle
class has struggled to expand in the cities, the principal division is between the wealthy
well-educated elite and the urban and rural poor, who constitute the vast majority of the
population.
 Día de los Muertos originated in ancient Mesoamerica where indigenous groups,
including Aztec, Maya and Toltec, had specific times when they commemorated their
loved ones who had passed away. Certain months were dedicated to remembering the
departed, based on whether the deceased was an adult or a child.
 Mexico has made significant efforts to improve educational opportunities for its people.
School attendance is required for children ages 6 to 18, and since 2004 preschool has
been mandatory as well. In addition to increasing the number of schools for children,
adult literacy programs have been promoted vigorously since the 1970s. By the turn of
the 21st century it was estimated that about nine-tenths of Mexicans were literate, up
nearly 20 percent since 1970.

Russia:

 Income from vast natural resources, above all oil and gas, helped Russia overcome the
economic collapse of 1998, but the oil price slump of 2014 ended the long run of
prosperity.
 Vladimir Putin - Russia's dominant political figure since 2000 - has enhanced his control
over state institutions and the media - a process supplemented more recently by an
emphasis on fierce nationalism and hostility to the West.
 Television is the most powerful sector of the Russian media industry. The main national
networks are either run directly by the state or owned by companies with close links to
the Kremlin (a fortified government complex in the center of Moscow).
China:

 A red phone, called "the red machine," sits on the desk of the people who run China's
largest fifty companies. These encrypted phones only have four digits and only connect to
other red phones, allowing the all-powerful men who run China unfettered access to each
other.
 In China, senior politicians are "addicted" to dyeing their hair black. Their hair turns
white only when they're shipped to jail or they retire.
 The People's Republic of China was founded in 1949 after the Communist Party defeated
the nationalist Kuomintang, who retreated to Taiwan, creating two rival Chinese states -
the People's Republic on the mainland and the Republic of China based on Taiwan.
 After stagnating for decades under the rigid totalitarian socialism of founder Mao
Zedong, China reformed its economy along partly capitalist lines to make it one of the
world's fastest-growing, as well its leading exporter. China is now a major overseas
investor and is pursuing an increasingly assertive foreign and defense policy.

Nigeria:

 Nigeria is Sub Saharan Africa’s largest economy and relies heavily on oil as its main
source of foreign exchange earnings and government revenues.
 Following the 2008-09 global financial crises, the banking sector was effectively
recapitalized, and regulation enhanced. Since then, Nigeria’s economic growth has been
driven by growth in agriculture, telecommunications, and services.
 Economic diversification and strong growth have not translated into a significant decline
in poverty levels; over 62% of Nigeria's over 180 million people still live in extreme
poverty