FINAL EXAMINATION
INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS
Summer 2, 2020
Q2. Karl Marx has returned from the grave and is quite upset to learn that communist systems around the globe have been collapsing. He has asked you to write a paper explaining what communist systems were like after revolutions, and some of the reasons why they collapsed.\
Communism in Europe was devastated by the Revolution of 1980s. By the collapse of the Berlin wall which was used as a boundary between the communists of East Germany and the democrats of the West led to the culmination of communism. After the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the Soviet Bloc under the communism rule broke and new people came to rule. Frustrations in the Soviet Union due to the lousy economy and the reaction of its leaders fueled more oppositions in and outside the USSR. That is Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania who became independent. After the collapse, in 1981, the majority of communism leaders such as Gorbachev were arrested, and a coup attempt occurred with a state of emergency being declared. In December 1981, Belarus and Ukraine also folded out of the USSR thus continuing to devastate communism. After the pressure mounted on President Gorbachev, he resigned. This marked the ultimate end of the communist influence in East and Central Europe as well as in the USSR, which meant an end to the political, economic and ideological crisis in communism.
The main reason for the collapse of communism was Gorbachev allowing multiparty system for the Soviet Union as the steps in adopting democracy that eventually destabilized communism and the eventual fall of the USSR. The democratization led to political pressure. Later on, the US influenced President Gorbachev into withdrawing the red army from East Germany and the unification of Germany. Later on, an opposition leader, Yeltsin, led a coup and removed Gorbachev from power, that introduced more democracy in Russia, the mother of communism thus communism collapsed.
Q3. The new Government of South Sudan has hired you to advise them what type of economy to put in place— capitalist, planned, or mixed (like in a Social Democracy.) Please write a paper explaining the pros and cons of each system, and then stating what type of system you would recommend for South Sudan, and why.
Capitalism economic system
Capitalism economy is a system of economics where factors for production are owned privately. Capitalism covers, entrepreneurship, labour, natural resources and capital goods.
Pros of a capitalist economy
Capitalism economy is important as it produces the best products for the best prices which consumer need, willing and can be able to buy. Therefore the government of South Sudan can adopt capitalism in order to ensure the country’s economy can only produce what they have marketed for and also that which the target market can be able to purchase. Also, they can make their products more cost-effectively to maximize profit.
Con of capitalist
One major con for capitalism is that it does not provide to entities that lack competitive abilities such as children, elderly people and mentally disadvantaged. Therefore it means that the government will be required to set out policies to protect the vulnerable, therefore bringing more burden to the rulers. Additionally, communism does not promote equality
Planned economy
A planed democracy is a form of economy in which the government owns factors of production, which means that the markets forces can set prices for services and goods.
Pros of the planned economy
Prices are controlled; thus, everyone can afford it. Two, there is less inequality. Third, there is no duplication as allocations are done centrally and finally, It eliminates wastage through completion with peer clubs.
Cons in planned economy
Planned democracy has the following cons, that is, consumers do not have a chance to choose on services and goods since they are both determined by the government. Also, much time is consumed in communication between the government and the clients.
Social economy
A social economy is a mixed approach that combines private and public—the sectors. The economy is based on a non-profit, voluntary and cooperative approach.
Pros of Social economy
The following are the cons of social economy; it promotes more equality; it reduces poverty as all factors, and reduce excess flow into the market.
Cons of Social economy
Cons of social economy.
This economy increase taxes which discourages investment. Also, the government find it hard to regulate business. Additionally, excess labor may lead to less employment.
Conclusion
The government of Sudan can adopt planned economy as it is the most applicable in its fragile economy state after wars.
Q4. We live in the Era of Globalization or the Post Cold War era. What are some of the major challenges facing political systems today? How do you think political systems will evolve to address these challenges?
Political systems form the administrations of any country. Moreover, it is faced with the following challenges. First, it experiences hardship in recruiting international to get quailed people to do unique product or services provided. Second, there is difficulty in managing the migration of professionals thus meaning some countries will lose it’s trained personal such as doctors Third; countries lose the sense of identity through social influences by foreign cuisine, fashion and political ideologies. Forth foreign worker may prove exploitation by seeking a higher salary to the disadvantage of locals.
To get out of these challenges, the political system needs to evolve into empowering its people to become more competent; thus, the system shall not have a massive task outsourcing abroad. Instead, it will be exporting labor to its global partners. Also, the social institutions within countries need to ensure they teach people on how to respond to positively and sustainably to negative cultures that can be learned from global partners. Finally, salary should be defined through detail policy to make sure no employee is exploiting the country.