Roskin Ch. 8

I feel bad for the people of India, as they are under complete control of their government. I noticed in the book that it says that the people of India are constantly getting their resources stolen from them by their own government. They have done this so much that they have developed the sociological term called "learned helplessness" which means since they can't find a way to stop what's happening they just accept it as absolute. Not only this but In the Article attached to this shows that Russia is now taking a stab at this chance. Since the government of India is corrupt and is only taking resources, all Russia would really have to do is bribe the government to allow them to take what they want from their people without any resistance. I can only hope the people of India will stand up for themselves as previous countries did like Libya did.

Link: Moscow's deal with India

Roskin Ch. 7

When reading about how China fared economically roughly seven years ago, I find it interesting that they are still dealing with the same issues, as it seems to stay be in a stasis point. China is still bailing out its banks as they continue to repeat this process. If anything the government will eventually feel this sting if they continue to let the banks to take so many risks on all of the loans they keep giving out. I also understand that if they do stand in however, it would upset the dominant party in their legislature as they would feel the government is overstepping its boundaries. I personally however feel that they should regulate what the banks are doing a little bit so that the banks can come up with different ways to give loans out to its people in the long run. I feel that they should invest in export goods as this is the where their get their main source of income, and if they tried to expand this and be more proficient at it. It would help rebalance their economy so much more.

Link: http://www.stratfor.com/sample/geopolitical-diary/chinas-two-sessions-conclude-warning

Roskin Ch. 6

     I can't help but to remember a sociological term called social control when reading about this chapter on Russia. Russia has people that use the system to their advantage, and they can get away with it easily so long as they are able to do it without any widely known press to make it widely known. In the article, it shows this kind of behavior as they treat the Ukraine people are nothing more than an obstacle. They are under control of the Russian army, thought Russia itself claims they have no one there when in reality the soldiers that are there are wearing Russian army attire, just without the patches. I find it sad and rather blunt that they are doing this. It shows that they do not really care what other nations think of them, so long as they are able to continue to cultivate what they want  in their country along with the neighboring ones surrounding them.

Link:  US warns Russia not to annex Crimea

Roskin Ch. 5

In the beginning of the text when it was referring to the Meiji Restoration of Japan in 1868, I can't help but to think about the economy it has now. Upon looking at the attached link, I feel that Japan is following a similar pattern as their ancestors did during this time period. They seem to only desire to ensure the growth of their country, not gaining more power. This is seen when they try to do trades with countries such as China and Europe to increase the revenue they can get compared to just trying to survive as a stand-alone country. Another thing that I am reminded of between the readings and this current event is the sociological term "economic determinism". The term refers to the idea that social changes, conditions, activities, and institutions are factors towards the economy, with this being said Japan is being influenced by its culture. The people of Japan are very competitive and strive to be the best, with this being said the reason for them to want Japan to simply prosper instead of gaining power over other countries has helped it to achieve its dream and to make it a country that has others depend on it.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/foreign-direct-investment-in-china-rises-16

Roskin Ch. 4

I find it interesting that the people of Germany find relief in a cartoon picture of a Swabian woman. I feel that they are still in the mindset of a successful communist economy. The reason I say this is because in the text by Roskin, Germany has tried to make an economic conglomerate with the east and west parts of it before to keep the east side of Germany afloat. Sadly it is apparent now in the link provided that this plan is not working. They are struggling and are failing to create any plans to increase possible revenue for the future. I am reminded of Malthus' Theory of Population. Malthus is a sociologist that believes that a population increases far more than its food supply. Ignoring the food supply part I feel that the economy is moving too slow for the dramatic population change that occurred. Combining a struggling economy with one that is in a neutral state eventually made it crumble, since the one that was neutral was dealing with only one side of Germany.

Link:  http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21595503-views-economics-euro-and-much-else-draw-cultural-archetype-hail-swabian?zid=307&ah=5e80419d1bc9821ebe173f4f0f060a07

Roskin Ch.3

        Upon reading the chapter on France, I find it somewhat confusing on why many of its citizens in the link below are leaving France when they could learn from their past and perhaps fix France instead of leaving it to rot. As it states in the book the French economy was good because it was based off of “earning a good living, with no intention of growth”(112 Roskin)** of the country. I feel the sociological term integrationist perspective or a “crowds behavior emphasizes how people in crowds reinforce and heighten on another’s reaction”(497 Basirico)*** applies. Many people from France are leaving due to word of mouth of how Israel is flourishing economically due to the small business. This is because they get people that move from France to make quick short term profits that will help immigrants at first but would only be a quick fix to get out of debt. This however is impacting Israel on a positive note at least.

Link:   

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/immigration-to-israel-slowing-except-from-france/2014/01/24/162861b8-8416-11e3-a273-6ffd9cf9f4ba_story.html

Source:   

*** Basirico, Laurence A., Barbara G. Cashion, and J. Ross. Eshleman. Introduction to Sociology.                                                                   Redding, CA: BVT Pub., 2009. Print.

**Roskin, Michael G. (2012-10-28). Countries and Concepts: Politics, Geography, Culture (12th Edition) (Page 112). Pearson. Kindle Edition.

Roskin Ch. 2

I find it interesting when learning about the British politics, that they don’t have a bureaucracy. They do have different status sets. I find it interesting that they have this and it usually causes role perceptions. Role perception is a sociological term that describes how an individual perceives their role which could differ considerably from their actual role that is prescribed to them. This is shown in the Prime Minister’s position.  They are elected as the prime minister from the House of Commons and they are given the powers of party chief, top parliamentarian, and head of government combined which applies towards the minister’s status, role perception and the quote from Lord Acton. Because the Prime Minister has such a high status in British politics, it is possible for them to perceive themselves more important than they really are, which in turns causes them to become corrupt by their power and in the words of Acton “Absolute power corrupts  absolutely”.

Below is a link relevant to this topic as the Prime Minister tried to have the U.K. aid the U.S in the situation with Libya however he was thwarted by the House of Commons, showing that the Commons believe that he is attempting to use his position to his advantage to go to war alongside with the U.S against Libyan rebels.

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/british-prime-minister-david-cameron-loses-parliamentary-vote-on-syrian-military-strike/2013/08/29/4fabb080-10f7-11e3-bdf6-e4fc677d94a1_story.html