C/P/98. Japanese Welfare State

The paper critically considers the aspects of the Japanese welfare system where low unemployment levels coupled with low welfare expenditure made it a model for other countries. The paper argues that Japan's system is not unique are as it combines the elements of liberal and conservative values.

P/P/183. Dissertation. Mechanisms of corruption in US presidents administration

The dissertation looks at historical, social and political aspects of corruption offering a study of the US administration practices during the presidencies of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Literature of the subject of corruption is reviewed; the influence of big business and private money on Clintons and Bushs administration is revealed through analysis and case studies.

P/P/109. Democratic aspects of de-centralisation of power across Britain and France

The paper seeks to compare Britain and France as contrasting liberal democratic poles, both addressing the increasing demand of de-centralisation of power (also known as devolution, or regionalism) that seems to be a cure for the democratic deficit across Europe. Reforms of local governments and institutions in Great Britain and France are analysed; their judicial, economic and political implications are commented on. The advantages of electronic and tele-communication in ensuring democratic elections are highlighted.

P/P/103. The possibilities for a democratic rule in the Middle East

The paper seeks to answer the question, whether or not democracy can take root in the Middle East. Defining the concept of 'democracy' the author states that western style democracy is not the only type of democracy introducing the notion of 'Arab democracy'. Economic, cultural and religious barriers to democratic changes are outlined. These are rooted in control-based modes of production that create hegemony of classes and ideologies, and in the political and legal heritage if Islam. Case studies of Bahrain and Iran are conducted to illustrate the situation in the Middle East.

P/P/102. Political, social and economic reasons for the advancement of Islamic movements

The paper analyses the reasons for the worldwide advancement of Islamism that has been taking place over the past 30 ƒ 40 years. The definition of Islamic movement is given, its diverse make-up is described. The paper claims that the recent growth of the Islamic movements is caused by the failure of Western style reforms in the Middle East that was accompanied by the disillusionment over the Western values, ways and ideas (e.g. the idea of gender equality). Anti-western views of Islamic Fundamentalists are seen as a means to overcome social injustice and fill the gap left by the failure of the governments. Political situations in Turkey and Saudi Arabia are described focusing on the resentment of the people to secular reforms, increasing social and economic problems and support of the opposition movements.

S/P/12. Overview of the main electoral systems

This essay is an overview of the various electoral systems, describing the three main ones: majoritarian, proportional and mixed, with arguments on which system is best to choose.

P/P/89. Economic and political factors affect social inequality, which cause civil conflict: discuss

This paper examines social inequalities and two variables that possibly cause them: political and economic factors, and investigates whether they induce civil conflicts. The inequalities are classified on two types: direct (materials) and indirect (form of political and economic performance). Relevant theories and studies, which explain the origin of civil wars, were reviewed. External factors, like globalisation and internal ones (GDP, level of FDI) were studied within the topic. Next, a case study of the conflicts in Iran and Rwanda was explored. The range of variables, such as GDP growth, the military size, trade indicators and educational level were taken into examination. In the end, the paper concludes by highlighting the role of political and economic factors and their effect on the origin of civil conflicts.

C/P/20. Discuss Charles Taylor's claim that 'the supposedly fair and difference- blind society is not only inhuman, but also, in a subtle and unconscious way, itself highly discriminatory'.

Charles Taylor, in his well-known essay, points to the importance of "recognition" of individual and group uniqueness. Taking this argument a step further, he calls for "equal recognition" of all cultural groups in a liberal society - something, he says, that is manifestly lacking in many Western democracies, which through recognition of all cultures' equality, force everyone into the same mould of the predominant culture. To remedy this situation, Taylor advises measures to protect and even promote cultural uniqueness by adopting a series of seemingly anti-liberal measures, such as language laws. This paper argues that Taylor's policies of "cultural recognition" are profoundly controversial and, if implemented in practice, would create formidable difficulties: measures to protect one cultural group often amount to suppression of other cultural groups. Taylor's advice on multiculturalism is problematic in another aspect: whilst he is against compromising "fundamental values" of liberalism in his search for cultural accommodation, decision on what constitutes fundamental values and which values could be traded away is ultimately left with the policy-makers, allowing for wide implementation of utterly anti-liberal measures. The conclusion of this paper aims at separating the issue of cultures from liberalism. The credibility of a liberal society lies in taking a stand of equidistance from all cultures, even if such neutral position subtly favours the dominant culture. After all, the paper argues, it should be left to each cultural group to create opportunities for their own survival in a multicultural liberal society, while the state should keep itself from interfering in cultural issues, simply assuring that each cultures and individuals co-exist peacefully and that the societal order is preserved.

P/P/61. The significance attached to the concept of the 'frontier' explains the unique character of American political development, as compared to Britain, up to 1900. Discuss

This paper is discussing to the concept of the 'frontier', its significance and argues whether the significance attached to the concept of the 'frontier' explains the unique character of American political development, as compared to Britain, up to 1900

P/P/58. The Role of Quangos

The essay critically assesses the role of Quangos in the modern state with special reference to Scotland. And discusses to what extent the Public Bodies and Public Appointments (Scotland) Act 2002 addresses the problems perceived of Quangos.

P/P/51. National Health Service & Community Care Act of 1990

The paper critically evaluates the causes, measures and effects of the reforms introduced by the National Health Service & Community Care Act of 1990

P/P/45. The Development of Socialism since the Nineteenth Century till 2000

The paper analyses the development of socialism since the nineteenth century till 2000

P/P/46. The Federal System of Governance in German

The paper outlines the strengths and weaknesses of the federal system of governance in Germany and illustrates the discussion with specific examples.

P/P/49. Cuban Reforms in 1990s

The paper critically analyses the Reforms introduced in Cuba in the 1990s and discusses whether they were designed to save the revolution, not to transform it.

S/P/11. Why is Religion such an important issue in Indian Politics?

Of all the issues that have (and have had) an effect on Indian politics, religion is perhaps the most influential. This essay explores that influence, particularly focusing on how religion is important in regards to how Indians regard their identity. The scope of the essay covers the time of the Raj to the current BJP-led coalition government, commenting on issues such as partition from Pakistan; the secular state sort by Nehru; the tensions felt between religious communities (including the Punjab) and how they were exploited by political parties. Comment is also made on how the issue affected the relative fortunes of the Congress Party and BJP.

P/P/39. Electoral Systems in Western Countries

The paper discusses the significance of electoral systems in shaping party systems in Western democracies

P/P/15. To what extent was Mussolini's Fascist regime 'Totalitarian?'

This paper attempts to determine the extent to which the Fascist regime was built upon, what Mussolini himself defines as; "everything within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state". In order to evaluate the extent of Fascist totalitarianism, the following work will attempt to use as a comparison, the equally debated totalitarian regimes of Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Russia.

P/P/14. The UK government has over the past few years implemented a series of policy reforms known as the 'welfare-to-work' strategy. Explain the rationale for these reforms and critically evaluate their impact on economic welfare and the labour market.

H/P/13. A Case Study of the Vietnam War

"Caught up on their Cold War crusade, U.S, leaders had plunged reluctantly and blindly into Vietnam. What they encountered was a people with a will and solidarity that far exceeded their own, with allies ready to take real risks, and, in the final analysis, with a capacity to absorb the blows of an uneven war undeterred until the enemy-demoralized in the field, divided at home-abandoned Vietnam to its stubborn people, just as the Chinese and French had done. Americans are likely to continue to examine the war with its unsettling outcome as they might look onto a mirror, the better to reflect on not just their recent tumultuous Cold War past but also their long-held claim as a special people." (Hunt 126)

H/P/11. The East Asian Miracle

Introduction: People often use the term East Asian Miracle to describe what happened in the East Asian countries of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore between 1960 and the 1980s. This time period saw high levels of economic growth and development that have yet been replicated. Was it really a miracle? Did all these countries coincidentally experience similar success at the same time and in the same region? Most analysts would say no and instead offer up some sort of explanation explaining their successes in a much more detailed and exact way instead of letting chance and coincidence explain it. While most analysts of this phenomenon agree that this "miracle," as it is most often called, was not coincidental but rather the result of a variety of controllable factors, they have come up with a number of very different explanations and theories which they each feel best explains this phenomenon.

P/P/21. 'Compare and contrast the conceptions of the state of nature in the work of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. How do their conceptions inform their consequent view of civil society?'

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