Group items tagged

Mandatory voting proposal. Compares to Australia, which has had mandatory voting since 1924.

The prime ministers has agree to add the proposition for Scottish independence into then ballot. Voting on the issue of "yes for independence" or "no for independence" will be open to all citizens 16 years of age an up (2 years younger than their legal voting age). While some believe that the Scottish people will be better of separate, others disagree. The vote allows a simple yes or no answer to separation, which could prove disastrous with a sudden and complete separation of states and economies.

"A total of 184 countries on Wednesday voted in favour of a resolution to demand the end of the US economic blockade on Cuba, for the 29th year in a row, with the United States and Israel voting against"

(Wikipedia) "The United States embargo against Cuba prevents American businesses, and businesses organized under US law or majority-owned by citizens of the United States, from conducting trade with Cuban interests. It is the most enduring trade embargo in modern history."

I thought this was an interesting article because it called into question the authority Obama really has on the decision to use armed forces in Syria. Since the United States is not directly in danger, the article points out how Obama legally needs to put the decision before the UN security council to make a decision.

I also think it's fascinating that there are parallels drawn between Obama's justification that not intervening in Syria would give the message that Syria's violation of the ban on chemical weapons is okay and Obama's willingness to violate the rule that prohibits use of military force without Security Council authorization. The question raised about which rule is more important is very thought-provoking.

explains first past the post, plurality, two-round voting. . .

A Columbian referendum intended to ratify the peace deal signed last week between Columbia and the FARC was shockingly rejected, with 50.24% voting against.

I saw that news. I was stunned! What's behind that vote?

This isn't for the international news assignment but I just thought it was an interesting and relevant article. I don't think that these contentions are even comparable to what has happened this year but I just found it interesting to learn that election results have been contested in congress many times prior to yesterday.

Super interesting to bring up Jalen. After class today, I watched the speech that Mitch Mcconnel gave prior to the certification vote (thanks Fink for sharing that) and it was interesting to see that he also mentioned this is not the first time. He noted however, that every time in the past, the vote has gone through and suggested to his fellow republican senators that like in the past, it was their duty to certify the Electoral College votes.

In our last few classes we have focused on Jamaica and how its relationship with the IMF has greatly impacted Jamaica's economy. As we all know, Greece is in desperate need of economic help, which is why finance officials from all over the world have come together to decide on how to rescue Greece. But that is easier said than done. This article mostly explains that the IMF wants to change their original agreement with Greece, but Germany, the biggest contributor to the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) wants to keep the original policy.

I think it is interesting how the IMF's stance has varied between Jamaica and Greece. From what I understood from the movie, the IMF did not give Jamaica the time of day when it asked for a modification on its loan to make their economy improved and sustainable- their interest seemed more in making it a reliable market place for foreign exports. Greece, on the other hand, has exports that other rich consumer countries want (shoes, oil, and cars come to mind), so it gets greater consideration from the IMF. Since these consumer countries represent a significant portion of the voting power within the IMF, the interests of the IMF and of Germany are understandibly different: Germany wants its money back, and the other countries want Greece to reestablish a functioning economy so they can et their goodies. Side note: Germany has 6% of the voting power in the IMF, and the US has close to 17%, http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/memdir/members.aspx

Great find, Michelle! So relevant to our Jamaica discussion.

There still remains a fear of white empowerment in today's South Africa, and this has certainly contributed to the loyalism that has kept the ANC in power. Yet because the current unemployment rate for men and women aged 15-24 averages 49.8%, and the median age of South Africa is 25.5 years, the younger demographics of the country will lend itself to chipping away at the ANC's majority vote. The ANC has fallen to nepotism and other forms of corruption in recent years, and has angered many South Africans. As a result, the Democratic Alliance (main opposition party) will possibly gain more votes, as might the recently formed Economic Freedom Fighters party. However, it is important to note that the leaders and constituents of these parties aren't the most attractive to the majority of South Africans--but neither is the behemoth of the ANC. It appears these three major parties (ANC, DA, EFF) are extreme or corrupt in one way or another, so elections will be more akin to choosing the lesser evil.

This article is about how the protesters are experiencing a divide between those who want to work on consensus building versus those who would like to have majority "winner takes all" vote. The current issue is about how to vote for a massive public works program funded by ceasing America's overseas military operations.

As the title implies, Beglium extends euthanasia policy to cover physically and mentally ill children.

This is the first time the EU has ever invoked Article 7.

This article reviews an ad run in Australia advocating a no vote on the marriage equality postal survey. I think it is interesting because I've never seen an ad like this before. Perhaps this is because I live in a liberal environment, but I was still interested to see such an ad and also their take on the issue.

As the article mentions, the Kurds are considered the largest ethnic group without a homeland. For the Kurds to finally get their own country would be momentous for them, but many external forces are opposing the vote for secession. Considering the fragility of the Middle East right now, I am very intrigued by this vote in Iraq and what the repercussions could be. 

What seems to be long awaited independence for the Kurds from Iraq after Saddam Hussein's atrocities is in trouble because of external worries. Many countries fear a split in Iraq could result in a civil war. In addition, the independent Kurdish state is 20 billion dollars in debt. However, a referendum similar to Brexit will be held soon. The result will not be recognized by the capital Baghdad.

I wonder what the discussion of the rise of other oil states has been like in the context of negotiations for the creation of an independent Kurdish state with Kurkuk's oil resources. Especially with the large number of other new governments formed that grew to power with stakes in the oil industry but ended with large amounts of corruption and class divide, I'm curious to know how the Kurds that have been involved in negotiations plan to avoid these pitfalls.