Politics
Politics
Fair Observer's analysis of political issues, events and trends and their national, regional and international consequences.
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By Fact BlinkThe total absence of certain topics in the election campaigns shows an unpleasent side of the American electorate. In the last days of the US Presidential campaign, Hurricane Sandy has brought to the fore a topic little-mentioned until now: climate change. The absence of debate around this topic is perplexing to many in the world, given America’s role as the source of a fifth of global carbon dioxide emissions. Some may see this as strategic denial. Yet it points to a broader divergence between scientific consensus, on one hand, and the views of the American electorate. This appears especially true among Republican voters. While 39.2 per cent of Republicans, for example, deny that...
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360° Analysis / America / Barack Obama / Destiny / Election / future / Mitt Romney / obama / Politics / Romney / United States / USBy Atul SinghAtul Singh observes that a deeply divided American society is deadlocked over different visions for the future in an uncertain world and, regardless of the result of the election, the battle to define a new American destiny shall continue for another few years. A century ago, Britain was deeply divided over two visions of the future. The Conservatives wanted the rights of the property holders, the Dukes and other members of the land owning aristocracy, to remain sovereign as in the past. The Liberals wanted redistribution of wealth through raised taxes and a social welfare program. Other European countries also witnessed increased internal tensions and, at the heart of the...
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360° Analysis / Barack Obama / Campaign / Election / Mitt Romney / non-compulsory voting / obama / Politics / presidential elections / Romney / United States / USBy Uma PatelNon-compulsory voting has got to end. It is probably contrary to everything you have been told but it is true and it is time we recognized it. The US has got to stop allowing potential voters to stay at home while others attend the ballot box and perform their civic duty and vote. Not voting has made the elections more costly, superficial and emotional. It impinges upon America’s ever-lasting search for the perfect democracy and has steered it into an ever-lasting sporting contest with the world’s last remaining super power as the prize. I should state from the outset that I am Australian and we force all citizens over the age of 18 to attend the ballot box on...
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360° Analysis / Barack Obama / China / Foreign Policy / obama / Politics / Romney / United States / AsiaBy Jeffrey ChenUS-China relations are complicated and expansive, characterized by unprecedented interdependence and potential for both deepening cooperation and intensifying competition. The question is: will Barack Obama's China policy continue to serve American interests? Despite the shortcomings of his foreign policy with regards to China, President Obama has recognized this complex reality from the start, avoided any serious diplomatic crises, and succeeded in preserving regional stability. In 1972, US President Nixon took the big step that opened China to the world after decades of isolation. Chinese scholars of American politics are fond of pointing out that rapprochement during the...
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360° Analysis / Hamas / Israel / Orientalism / Palestine / Politics / United States / Middle EastDespite his promise of change, Obama's approach to US-Israeli relations and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is influenced by a persisting American Orientalism, which has its roots in the rhetoric of the first settlers. This is the final part. To fully understand the Obama Administration's discourse and its practice, it is crucial to establish when the terminology for Israel/Jews and Arabs emerged. Possible answers could be the creation of Israel and its subsequent victories over Arab states during the Cold War era, or when considering the language of terrorism, the 9/11 attacks. Significantly however, a basis for the double-standards in Barack Obama's discourse and practice,...
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360° Analysis / Barack Obama / Indonesia / Mitt Romney / obama / Politics / President / presidential elections / Romney / United States / US / US elections / AsiaBy Jarno LangFor Indonesia, the outcome of the American presidential election in November 2012 will be of great importance. This article will outline the most important contemporary matters of interest in the Indonesian-American relationship from a pre-election perspective. On November 6th 2012, the people of the USA will either grant President Barack Obama a second term in office or they will make Governor Mitt Romney the new president of the US. This election is of special relevance to Indonesia as the two candidates have very different perspectives on how American foreign policy of the near future should be. This article is the first of two installments on the relevance of the US presidential...
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360° Analysis / Assad / Damascus / Politics / Syria / Middle EastAs the Syrian conflict continues, Bassam Haddad reviews the complexity of the crisis as he addresses the structural causes of the initial uprising and the issue of sectarianism. Read part 1 here. Amid the mounting and tragic violence, loss of life, and loss of Syria, it seems difficult to write about history and causes. Yet it is equally difficult to write critically about the current chaos, precisely because of the information gap. One also wonders, what can be said about Syria anymore? In this vein, and following the despair in first part of this article, I retreat to the basics, to what we think we know a little better. In the first part, I addressed what I called "Stubborn Factors...
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360° Analysis / Algeria / Politics / Middle East / AfricaRecent soccer incidents underline the political fragility in Algeria, and have aroused fears that protests could at any time spill back into the streets. An upsurge in soccer-related violence in Algeria serves as a warning. Eighteen-months after the government quelled mass protests with increased wages and social spending, frustration is mounting with the failure of Algeria's gerontocracy in control since independence to share power with a younger generation, create jobs and address housing problems. Soccer-Related Violence In the latest incident, the Kuwait news agency reported that dozens of people, including a player, were injured this weekend when supporters of Jeunesse Sportive de...
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360° Analysis / Gaza / Hamas / Israel / Palestine / Politics / United States / Middle EastDespite his promise of change, Obama´s approach to US-Israeli relations and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is influenced by a persisting American Orientalism, which has its roots in the rhetoric of the first settlers. This is the first of two parts. Before US President Barack Obama faces a tough election night, it is crucial to examine whether he has brought the “change we can believe in” to Americans and — to be scrutinized here — the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Beyond a factual check, it is necessary to explain the implemented policies in their historical context. The Cairo Speech One of Obama´s promises as a candidate,...