States: Strong-Weak-Failed-Collapsed

What makes a state is the ability to provide security to it's people - security in the form of basic safety, basic services and the ability to prosper.  But there is much more to a state's responsibilities and each state around the globe can be ranked at a different level of strength.  What factors cause a state to be considered weak or failed and waht does a collapsed state look like?  These are a few of the questions we are considering during our unit 1 study in comparative politics. 

http://www.economist.com/node/18396240

http://www.cfr.org/africa/failed-states-world-terror/p4733#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xON22c7pZ6c

Power of the State

Your assignment:

• Go to http://www.cnn.com/
• Find one story of your choice
• Read it
• Determine which country is the focus of the story
• Analyze this country in the following terms:
• What type of legitimacy does the leadership of this country represent?  Explain.
• Is this state considered a stong state or a weak state?  Why?
• Is the power in this state centralized or decentralized?  Why?
• What type of capacity does this state have?  Explain your answer.

These key terms are found in your textbook on pages 34-38.  Additional help can be found at www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook  

Please link the article you are using from CNN. You should post your responses on your blog (along with at least two pictures that relate to your chosen topic.)

Free Trade vs Protectionism

Your subject has been assigned.  You've begun the research.  Next week we will have our debate.  Wrap up your argument by researching real-world examples that show why your side is a better policy.  You should spend classtime today researching and finding examples in the news that help to build your argument, print them and have them ready for class on Monday.