McG Comparative Government

Summarize how Deng modernized the Chinese economy by crossing the river by feeling the stone. This is a Chinese expression meaning “to take things step by step.” Deng sought to find out what was best for the Chinese government through dismantling some of the fundamental communist policies. After Deng’s special economic zones was successful, he [...]

Iranian authorities imprisoned and executed a man named Ali Saremi for “fighting against the sacred Islamic Republic of Iran system and launching antagonist propagations.” He was a political prisoner for allegedly being a member of the People’s Mujahedeen of Iran, which is an opposition organization that has advocated for centuries the overthrow of the Islamic [...]

“Russian Spy? Maybe so. TV darling, Absolutely.” In June of 2010, a Russian spy ring was uncovered in the U.S. The spy ring consisted of ten individuals living under fake names and identities with the purpose of infiltrating what they called the “circles of U.S. policy making.” Of these ten spies was a young, attractive [...]

Next week, on January 13th, elections are being held in Oldham East and Saddleworth (two regions of the UK) to choose a minister to replace Labour Party minister Phil Woolas.  Woolas technically won the position of minister for this area in May, but a special elections court stripped him of the seat when it was [...]

Russia Detains 1,000 To Prevent Ethnic Clashes Ethnic conflict has erupted in Russia, leading to violence, endangering the safety of Russian citizens and potentially weakening the power of the government. Several riots throughout Russia ended with the police detaining over 1,000 civilians, and confiscating weapons and knives. Following the demise of the Soviet Union and [...]

Despite the fact that Mexico is faced with the War on Drugs that has seen an increase in deaths to about 30,000 in the past four years, Mexico City has prevailed as one of Mexico’s safest places. Statistics have proven that both the crime and kidnapping rates have declined in Mexico City; this has happened [...]

“Nigerian Presidential Candidate Ribadu Vows to End Corruption If Elected” By Elisha Bala-Gbogobo http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-03/nigerian-presidential-candidate-ribadu-vows-to-end-corruption-if-elected.html The election for a new Nigerian president will still be held on April 9th, however a new candidate is in the running. The ex-chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, announced his candidacy on December 15th. Mr. Ribadu [...]

On Christmas day, Qian Yunhui was rolled over by a truck in the middle of a busy street in Yuequing, China. Although the Chinese police and state media reported that the incident was a traffic accident, their strong front has not been able to silence suspicions. The internet has allowed Chinese citizens to voice their [...]

Attacks on Nigerian Churches Get the New Year Off to a Rough Start Jos, the central region in Nigeria, went through major attacks on Friday, December 24th. This picture shows a map of Nigeria and where Jos is located in comparison to the country’s capital, Abuja. Two recent attacks on Nigerian churches have killed thirty [...]