...perhaps the most decisive turning point in the history of the country of Russia. While the NEP system was not formally repudiated, official policies increasingly came to contradicts fundamental assumptions. The first five year plan (1928-1933) could be construed as a general success even though it did have its moment of failure. The first five year plan was introduced in Russia in an attempt to catch up with the more advanced west. As Stalin said 'We are fifty or a hundred years behind the advanced countries. We must make good this distance in ten years.' The focus of the first five year plan on heavy industry made huge strides in modernising industry and increasing output, in that 'Coal, iron, and the generation of electrical power all increased in huge proportion’s and Russia felt it could compete again on a scale with its western rivals. However, despite overarching economic development, many of the targets set by central panning didn't consider the quality of products or waste of materials and on reflection, highlight a number of fundamental flaws in the measurement of success of the first five year plan. Stalin's idea of collectivisation forced the peasants to move to a commune, share the livestock and equipment whilst having to give the government their share of the revenue. 'The government figured that new technology and new farming machines, would allow mass production of food without the large amount of workers that was needed before'. Collectivisation was therefore...
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...Outline the policies that New Labour have introduced to the education system since 1997 [12 marks] Labour governments since 1997 have sought both to reduce inequality of achievement and promote greater diversity, choice and competition within the education system. They believed that achieving these goals would also make Britain as a whole, more competitive in the global economy by turning the nation into a high skill, high wage society. The labour party has traditionally had a strong focus on promoting equality. After 1997, Labour governments introduced several policies aimed specifically at reducing inequality in achievement by targeting support on disadvantaged groups. One such policy was known as the ‘Aim Higher’ programme and worked to raise the aspirations of groups who are under-represented in higher education. Also, the Labour party designated some deprived areas as education action ones and provided them with additional resources. A final policy was known as Educational maintenance allowance (EMA); it gave small amounts of money, weekly, to students from low-income backgrounds to encourage them to stay on in school after 16 to gain better qualifications. Critics such as Whitty (2002) see a contradiction between labour’s policies to tackle inequality; EMA is an example of a policy that may encourage working-class students to stay on until they’re 18, however tuition fees for higher education may deter them from going to university. Whitty thus concludes that Labour’s...
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...For New Zealand’s democracy, the media plays a central role. Ideally, the media’s role is to inform the public with in-depth, accurate information about political decision-making, propose a forum for the exchange of opinions, experiences and perspectives, and act as a watchdog against the misuses of power. From both National to International level, these functions help the public to understand complex social and political issues. The media may act in a democratic role, but their ability to fulfil this role is affectedby many things such as laws protecting freedom of expression. The media had much greater freedom of expression in the 2000s. Though this was limited by a number of laws introduced to protect other rights like The Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the Human Rights Act 1993 had provisions designed to avert discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, gender or disability. Legal recognition of the media’s crucial watchdog role is found in the Evidence Act 2006, which banned the media from publishing anyone’s name who were granted name suppression in court. (McQuail, 1992,pg 123) The media is also affected by the media accessing government information. The Official Information Act 1982 is an essential tool for the media. This act allows all official informationto be made available upon request unless there is a genuine reason for withholding it. Journalists have complained that officials and ministers use a range of methods to delay or refuse such releases of information...
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...Credible Keynesianism?: New Labour Macroeconomic Policy and the Political Economy of Coarse Tuning Ben Clift & Jim Tomlinson The article has been accepted for publication in the British Journal of Political Science © Cambridge University Press, 2006. Forthcoming, Volume 36 (2006). Material on these pages is copyright Cambridge University Press or reproduced with permission from other copyright owners. It may be downloaded and printed for personal reference, but not otherwise copied, altered in any way or transmitted to others (unless explicitly stated otherwise) without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. Hypertext links to other Web locations are for the convenience of users and do not constitute any endorsement or authorisation by Cambridge University Press. Ben Clift, University of Warwick b.m.clift@warwick.ac.uk http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/staff/clift Jim Tomlinson, University of Dundee j.d.Tomlinson@dundee.ac.uk Abstract This article questions prevailing interpretations of New Labour’s political economy. New Labour’s doctrinal statements are analysed to establish to what extent these doctrinal positions involve a repudiation of Keynesianism. Although New Labour has explicitly renounced the ‘fine tuning’ often (somewhat problematically) associated with post-war Keynesian political economy, we argue that they have carved out policy space in which to engage in macroeconomic ‘coarse tuning’ inspired by Keynesian thinking. This capacity...
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...campaigning. Parties also have organisation. They have a structured hierarchy with the most powerful people at the top. There is a leader such as Gordon Brown for Labour, then senior members, which in a government would be the cabinet. Then there are lower MPs and also whips to enforce party policy. 2. Explain Three ways in which ‘new’ labour differs from ‘old’ labour. 10 marks New Labour removed clause IV from its constitution. This was a reference to common ownership and so removal of old labour policy of nationalisation. Old labour’s core socialist value of common ownership meant that everyone had a share in business and so an equal share of rewards and input. New Labour, however, has adopted capitalist ideas of a free market with private businesses. There were even talks of part-privatisation of the royal mail. New labour has also abandoned its socialist core value of class. This was that they fought for the rights of the working class alone and believed that over time there should be no classes. They rejected the idea of Natural Order. New Labour has largely abandoned this ideology in pursuit of political power. To gain office New Labour needed votes from all levels of society and so introduced policies to please all different classes in Britain. New Labour has also become less dependent on Trade Unions. Old Labour was basically formed by trade unions and had the financial backing of them as well as...
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...Examine the ways in which social policies affect family life A social policy is a law implemented by the government to benefit society. Most social policies will affect families in some way or another. There are 2 types of policies, direct and indirect. A direct policy has a direct and immediate affect on the family, and an indirect policy is other policies not directly aimed at families but may still have an affect on them. Social policies have attempted to promote the nuclear family, such as those introduced by New Labour and the Conservative government, although New Labour are more accepting of family diversity. The New Rights ideology has influenced government policies. They argue that policies have weakened the nuclear family leading to family diversity and more problems for family members. The New Right have the view that social policies should avoid doing anything that might undermine the 'natural' and self reliant nuclear family and will often criticise many government policies for undermining the family by providing over generous welfare benefits e.g. council housing for teenage mothers. The New Right argues that social policies like the legalization of abortion and the availability of the contraceptive pill is the beginning of family decline. They also state that equal opportunities and equal pay lows distract women from their 'natural' career as a mother. The New Right feel that policies like this is causing a decline in the traditional nuclear family, resulting...
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...n Australia the "New Right" refers to a late 1970s/1980s onward movement both within and outside of the Liberal/National Coalition which advocates economically liberal and increased socially conservative policies (as opposed to the "old right" which advocated economically conservative policies and small-l liberals with more socially liberal views). Unlike the United Kingdom and United States, but like neighbouring New Zealand, the 1980s saw the Australian Labor Party initiate Third Way economic reforms, which bear some familiarity to "New Right" ideology. After the John Howard Coalition defeated 13-year Labor government at the 1996 federal election, economic reforms were taken further, some examples being wholesale labour market deregulation (e.g. WorkChoices), the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax (GST), the privatisation of the telecommunications monopoly Telstra, and sweeping welfare reform including "work for the dole". The H. R. Nicholls Society, a think tank which advocates full workplace deregulation, contains some Liberal MPs as members and is seen to be of the New Right. Economic liberalism, also called economic rationalism in Australia, was first used by Labor's Gough Whitlam.[2] It is a philosophy which tends to advocate a free market economy, increased deregulation, privatisation, lower direct taxation and higher indirect taxation, and a reduction of the size of the welfare state. The politicians favouring New Right ideology were referred to as "dries", while...
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...go about their business without minimum interference from the government, which is sometimes referred to as “the state”. The Conservatives are a prime example of a “right-wing” party; the Labour party also adopted “right wing” ideas and began changes ways under the era of “blairism”, from being a “left wing-party” they adopted right wing ideas from the conservatives and were more or less similar to them. “Left-wingers” on the other hand generally have optimistic ideas about human nature and favour social change, left wingers tend to support liberty, equality and state intervention. The labour party is a “left-wing” party and has swifted back to its original ethos and ideas under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn who is a far-left wing socialist. Furthermore left-wingers are keen to reduce the gaps between the rich and poor. They believe that society should work together to help everyone, which is why schemes like the NHS and benefits were introduced, But they argue that the rich should pay taxes thus reducing the gap between the rich and poor. To what extent are the major parties internally divided over policies and ideas The major contending parties are the Conservatives and Labour party, although they seem to be strong and stable parties, they have divisions internally over policies and ideas. The conservatives have had ongoing divisions starting from “one nation”...
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...advancement of humanity as a whole. Migration facilitates the movement of labour, the transfer of ideas, diffusion of new technology and interaction of various cultures. It is therefore important to understand the trends in migration and the factors causing migration. Migration trends also need to be understood in terms of the characteristics of immigrating groups. In so doing the cause behind the migration of these groups becomes evident. This research tackles the factors causing immigration whilst paying special attention to the role played by government policy and state action. This is mainly because emigration and immigration have, over the years, become state affairs transcending the personal requirements of individuals. Countries have adopted strict laws, policies and protocols that guide the emigration and immigration processes. The paper established a deep correlation between these laws, policies and protocols and the migration patterns. This was after analysis of available migration statistics as well as government policy and state action. The latter was found to have a rooted influence on the former either directly or indirectly. In the direct influence, government policy presents a push or pull factor that necessitated migration. In the indirect influence, government policies affect other push or pull factors that in turn accept migration. Thesis Statement The current government policies, laws and protocols coupled with relevant state action impact the global emigration...
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...on the Labour Globalisation and the new international division of labour in East Asian countries 4 The regulation of the labour market in the world, which are the actors ? 4 6 The regulation issue for the labour market Labour law, and government policies 6 Responsive regulation, a solution to the deregulation policy problems ? 7 Conclusion 8 2 Introduction Globalisation represents a set of elements that have profoundly altered the world economy, the international trade, and the relations between each country. The globalisation has also changed the labour market and work in all countries, creating a "global work" market. The labour market is divided into two parts around the world: the labour force in developed post-industrial economies, which is a very expensive labour and less productive but provided high quality goods and a labour of works from developing countries, which offered low wage rates and few workers rights. In their search for economy and profits, multinationals have become increasingly interested in the potential offered by developing countries in terms of manpower often less expensive than in their countries of origin. Moreover, the deregulation policies pursued in United States during the '80s, have offered to the multinationals more freedom of action and more opportunities around the world. Asia was the cradle of the first movement led by multinationals offshoring, in their search for productive economy. However, this labour has often...
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...Executive summary: A new industry of ready-made garment is to be set up in Bangladesh. The reasons on which this decision is based includes, flexible business and investment policy of Bangladesh government, economic security, cheap labour, tax exemption etc. Garment industry requires less investment capital. Raw material would be purchased from the local markets, this will save time and money. Different brands will be launched according to the financial conditions of the consumer, this will capture maximum market. New export markets will be sort out and this will help in generating foreign exchange. Internet, catalogue, television, bill boards, radio, will be used as source of advertisements. Retail and wholesale markets will be the main target.Executive summary: A new industry of ready-made garment is to be set up in Bangladesh. The reasons on which this decision is based includes, flexible business and investment policy of Bangladesh government, economic security, cheap labour, tax exemption etc. Garment industry requires less investment capital. Raw material would be purchased from the local markets, this will save time and money. Different brands will be launched according to the financial conditions of the consumer, this will capture maximum market. New export markets will be sort out and this will help in generating foreign exchange. Internet, catalogue, television, bill boards, radio, will be used as source of advertisements. Retail...
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...‘An ideological battle between social democracy and democratic socialism.’ Discuss with reference to the policies and programs pursued by the Labour Party. Democratic socialism was popular in the first half of the 20th century and proposed that socialism could be achieved through peaceful, parliamentary means; like the ballot box. It puts emphasis on the promotion of working class and collective movements like the trade unions. Democratic socialism also believes in state ownership, an extensive welfare state and equality of outcome over liberty. Social democracy on the other hand became popular after the support of democratic socialism had faded; this was partly due to the decline in the working class but also because of the economic boom after the Second World War. Social democracy is a form of revisionist socialism and advocates for some state regulation in a mixed, largely private economy. Equality of opportunity is important along with freedom and fairness being of more importance than equality of outcome. The division between the two ideological stances has occurred throughout the labour party’s history. Under Ramsey Mcdonald in the 1920’s and 30’s the labour party took a democratic socialist stance, as this was the first time there was a labour government, the party was focused much on the left, concentrating on promoting the welfare of working class people demonstrated by Mcdonald’s Coal Miners act that introduced a minimum wage for a year and improved working conditions...
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..._____________________________________________________________________ Abstract The Swedish economic policy to combine full employment and equity with price stability and economic growth was developed by two trade union economists shortly after World War II. Through the use of extensive employment policy measures, a tight fiscal policy and a wage policy of solidarity, the Rehn-Meidner model represents a unique third way between Keynesianism and monetarism. This essay analyses the application and performance of the Rehn-Meidner model in Sweden. Although never consistently applied, it is possible to distinguish a golden age for the model from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. In the 1970s and the 1980s, governments abandoned the restrictive macroeconomic means of the model and were thus unable to combine low rates of unemployment with low inflation and high economic growth. Since the early 1990s, Sweden has not met the requirement of full employment in the Rehn-Meidner model. Recent declarations by the EU to prioritise full employment once again but without giving up the objectives of price stability and growth legitimise a renewed interest in the model. __________________ JEL classification: E24; E31; E62; J23; J31; J62; O23 Keywords: Swedish model; Rehn-Meidner model; third way; labour market policy; solidarity wage policy; productivity growth, fiscal policy; unemployment; inflation Contact author: Lennart Erixon, Department of Economics, Stockholm University...
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...Exercise government power by putting themselves up for election and gaining the support of the public. • They are grouped together by sharing common values and ideologies • Offer policies across a range of issues. • Examples include Labour and the Conservatives 2. Distinguish between a political party and a faction • A faction is a group of like-minded politicians, formed around a key leader or in support of a set of preferred policies, and operating within the House of Commons. E.g Cornerstone within the Conservatives • Political parties are more disciplined versions of factions • Have wider membership and organisation outside of parliament. 3. What is party government? • A system through which single parties are able to form governments • Parties have clear ideological convictions and develop rival programmes • Governing party is able to claim popular mandate and enjoys sufficient unity and cohesion to make government policies • Government is accountable to electorate through its mandate and opposition parties. E.g Labour won landslide victory n 1997, but in 2005 its majority was decreased 4. What is a two party system? • A two-party system is where there are only two major political parties dominating the system. E.g Labour and Conservatives • Only 2 parties have the chance of winning government power, even with minor parties • The larger of the two parties is able to rule alone, and the other party...
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...Evaluate the impact of Government policies and laws on family life in Britain (20 marks) Social policies are the measures taken by state, or Government, bodies such as schools and welfare agencies. They are usually based on laws introduced by Government. Laws and policies can have both direct and indirect effects on the family. There are many Government policies that can either benefit of have a negative impact on the family. These come from many different movements in Government, such as: New Right, New Labour and Coalition - these can be criticised by different types of sociologists such as Marxists and Feminists, which I will be expressing throughout this essay. The New Right have a Functionalist view on the family. They believe strongly in the advocation of the nuclear family and the other family criteria that they present, such as - as presented by the sociologist George Murdock - A heterosexual couple as part of a nuclear who engage in a socially acceptable sexual relationship, economic cooperation (or being self-sufficient) and provides basic functions such as socialisation, discipline and morality. The “Child Support Agency” was enforced in 1993, and forced natural fathers to provide for their own children financially in the event of a parental split. The Government fund this agency to ensure that the child is financially supplied to ensure good health and quality of life as they grow up. The impact that this had on the family is that the biological fathers are...
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