British Politics Today: What exactly can and does the Queen do? Is the Parlaiment or Monarchy the ruling body in the United Kingdom?

Upon returning from break we'll be examining the British Government and modern politics in the United Kingdom. In brief, the leader of Parliment is the Prime Minister, and it is he or she who is essentially the exectuive leader of Great Britain. The Queen, however, remains the Head of State of the United kingdom and over a dozen independent commonwealths. Your blog this weekend asks you to analyze the changing and contested role of the British Monarchy in the modern world.

Directions: Actively read the articles below:

The British Government: An Overview
http://www.britannia.com/gov/gov4.html

How the Commonwealth sees the Queen:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4922394.stm

The Queen admits monarchy must evolve to survive:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-queen-admits-monarchy-must-evolve-to-survive-650187.html


2. Summarize the structure of government in Great Britain and the UK.
Reference each article and explain what powers and influence the Queen has on British politics and culture.


3. Based on the articles, how has the Queen's political and cultural role and influence changed in recent history? Refer to at least three nations and multiple perspectives in your response.

Due Wed. 4/7 at the begining of class

Can Theocracy Be Democratic: Analyzing Politics in Modern Iran

Article 1 of the Iranian Constitution reads:
The form of government of Iran is that of an Islamic Republic, endorsed by the people of Iran on the basis of their longstanding belief in the sovereignty of truth and Koranic justice, in the referendum of 29 and 30, March 1979, through the affirmative vote of a majority of 98.2% of eligible voters, held after the victorious Islamic Revolution led by Imam Khumayni.

Iran's population is 89% Shia Muslim, 9% Sunni Muslim, and 2% split among Judaism and Zoroastrian (the oldest monotheistic religion). As we learned in class, Iran is a theocratic regime that has democratic elements. (See BBC's "Iran, who holds the power?" http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/iran_power/html/default.stm)

This week's blog requires you to analyze some primary and secondary source documents on the experiences of religious minorities in Iran.

Directions:
1. Summarize two of the articles on the "Pilgrimage Through Iran" site (you'll have to click on two of the locations and view the articles/ videos or photo essays.)

The URL is:
http://newsinitiative.org/story/2007/07/26/interactive_map_pilgrimage_through_iran

What do they tell you about the experiences of religious minorities in Iran?

2. Consider the demographics of modern Iran. In a nation where over 90% of the population is Muslim can one argue that a constitution based on the Qu'ran IS democratic? Further, when a nation overwhelmingly favors one belief system, are democracy and theocracy one in the same? (In other words, does it make sense to have religious law when a vast majority of citizens share the same beliefs?)

Wagging the Dog: Does the media make politics or merely report it?

FOR ALL STUDENTS

Last week we considered impeachment cases in US history, examined the limits of executive privilege and began to analyze the role of media in American politics. Consider our discussions, the film Wag the Dog, the article Media Manipulation at http://www.globalissues.org/article/532/media-manipulation and your knowledge of current events for this week's blog.


Summarizer the article in a detailed paragraph
AND
Answer TWO of the following questions using specific examples from the film and modern politics:
•Does media reflect or shape/inform politics in the modern world?
•What role does the media play in shaping American political and cultural perspectives?
•Is the media's role in American politics an anomoly (unique) or can the media be argued as a prime mover of politics and public opinion in most modern democracies?

Due Fri 3/5

MAKE UP HW FOR STUDENTS WHO MISSED CLASS LAST THURS, 2/26

Summarize the article "Cohen criticizes Wag the Dog characterization" at http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/03/23/wag.dog/

In a detailed reflection of 8 or more sentences compare the Clinton scandal with the one described in the plot summary of Wag the Dog appearing at: http://www.eslnotes.com/movies/html/wag-the-dog.html