Chapter 9 Part 2– The Developed World in Comparison: Canada,

the US, Japan and the EUTuesday, July 7th 2015

Canada and the US:◦ Similar outlooks, economic entwinement

Japan◦ Rapid economic development, democratization

and international voice

The EU◦ Economic union, regional focus, the future of

international governance?

The States in Brief

Federal system, provinces, territories and the constitution

The Statute of Westminster - 1931

The Head of State, Queen and Governor General

Bicameralism◦ The Senate and House of Commons

Canada

30 years old and a little bit of property

Retirement at 75

Proposing laws (…well, some bills)

Vetoes and amendments

The Senate in Canada

Representation◦ By population

The Census

Proposing laws

Weird representational oddities in the constitution

The Parliament of Canada

Since 2004: Minority Governments◦ 2011 outlier?

Major parties in parliament: ◦ Conservatives, NDP, Liberals, Forces et

Democratie, Bloc Quebecois, Green Party

Long periods of Liberal and Conservative rule◦ Different within provinces

Party Politics in Canada

Powerful executive◦ Concentration of power, appointment

Resource rich state◦ Massive geographical area, major markets easily

accessible

Diversified(ish) economy◦ Staples Trap?◦ Strong voice for free trade, highly globalized◦ 2/3rds of GDP from international trade

At a glance:

A multicultural state◦ Described in law

A “middle” power?◦ Punches well above weight, relationship with the US

Despite trade, military and political relationships with the US, shared cultural and political values, Canada remains surprisingly independent◦ Significant disputes with US

Role in Numerous important International Organizations◦ NAFTA, APEC, OECD, NORAD, NATO, G-8, G-20, La Francophonie

At a glance 2:

North America(source mapresources.com)

Among the first democratic republics◦ Had trouble getting going

The War that changes everything◦ Post-1865, the nature of the relationship between

states and the federal government changes

3rd largest by population and 4th by area

Significantly more complicated relationship with First Nations than a state like Canada

The United States

President Head of State

A Democratic Federation◦ 50 states and a district

Also four territories that are much less democratic

Definitive separation of powers, horizontally and vertically

Very strong checks and balances◦ 435 Members of the House of Representatives◦ 100 Senators

A Republic

Current constitution written in 1789◦ 27 amendments (first 10 are the Bill of Rights), last

one happened in 1992

The electoral college◦ Four year term, 2 term limit

Strong court system, remnant of British tradition

Two party system◦ Splits in ideology not nearly as deep as portrayed

American Politics

Political culture (theoretically) based on freedoms◦ Like freedom of religion and freedom of speech

A melting pot◦ End goal to make immigrants Americans◦ In practice more multicultural

A cultural and political hegemon in the world?◦ Hollywood, the music industry, MNCs

The United States at a Glance

A liberal state, seeks a free market

Significant government intervention, historically◦ $1.5 trillion in government spending each year

Remains the world’s largest (single-state) economy◦ Head offices and banks

The Capitalist Ideal?

The transatlantic bargain◦ Only two post-war powers, US seen as Europe as best

defence against Communist encroachment◦ Doesn’t always play by international rules

21st century challenges◦ 9/11, Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan◦ Economic downturn

US economic dominance can’t last forever◦ But it’s also been declared over many times in the past, not

there yet◦ Remains, in many ways an exemplar in politics, economy and

culture

Global Police?

A constitutional monarchy◦ Emperor is the Head of State

Primarily ceremonial Significant public deference

Bicameral legislature◦ The Diet: upper House of Councillors, lower House

of Representatives

Primarily a one party dominant state: The Liberal Democratic Party

Japan

PM leader of largest party in the Diet◦ Appointed by Emperor◦ Head of government◦ Powers of Appointment

Judicial system appointed◦ Supreme Court hierarchically dominant◦ Bill of Rights

A Familiar System?

Among the oldest political traditions◦ Aspects of “statehood” emerged in the 5th and 6th century◦ High centralization for early history◦ Significant warfare during 12-16th C

Japan had been a highly isolationist power until the 19th century, though European powers sought partnerships

Commodore Perry, with American government back, forced the opening of trade with Japan◦ Led to an array of trade pacts with a variety of European

powers

A VERY Brief History of Japan

Isolationist history led to strong nationalism in Japan towards the end of the 19th C

Colonization of the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan, the Liaotung Peninsula and Manchuria followed, captured German colonies during WW1

Isolationist policies returned post-WW1, though ended by 1931 when colonization of continental Asia resumed.

Pre-WW2 Japan

Japan at the Centre(source: Reddit)

Much of Japan had been destroyed by war

New constitution introduced (imposed?), which explicitly limited the growth of the military

The Yoshida Doctrine:◦ Global non-intervention◦ Support of US global hegemon◦ Focus on rebuilding local economy

Post-War Japan

Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)◦ Identified potential market opportunities globally◦ Control of “orchestrating domestic ventures”◦ Route of electronic and technological revolution

State corporatism

Became a model for economic development in the developing world (though soon realized that it was hard to export development)

Japan’s Emergence as Economic Power

Focus on emerging areas of the market◦ Less competition

Rules the kept foreign investors out early

Trade liberalization globally◦ Diversified export markets

Protectionist?

How Did Japan Succeed?

Political insecurity:◦ China, North Korea, Russia and Pakistan

Environmental Insecurity◦ Population density◦ Limited resources and arable land◦ The Ring of Fire

Regional Insecurity

The EU(source: WikiCommons)

More accurately, perhaps, what is a European?◦ Physical boundaries? Culturally European? Ethnically

European?

Idea of a common Europe first grows out of the Renaissance◦ does not become more than a vague concept until Churchill

proposes a “United States of Europe” post WW2

Built from the dual concepts of functionalism and Institutionalism◦ Working collectively to achieve social goals, through the use

of non-government organizations◦ Achieving social goals through the use of institutions

What is Europe?

Avoid the potential for future wars

Working together can be a positive sum game◦ West Germany after WW2

Establishing a Common Market◦ The Treaty of Paris in 1951 established the

European Coal and Steel Community (between Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, West Germany and Italy)

◦ Coal, iron, steel and scrap

Why a Union?

The European Economic Community◦ Free trade for industrial and agri-products◦ Create a common agricultural policy

European Atomic Energy Community◦ Govern Nuclear Power throughout Europe

By 1993, the organization would be renamed the European Union and begin the process of further integration◦ Seven periods of growth, increasing the community

from 6 to 27 (and maybe more, or less, soon)

The Treaties of Rome - 1958

The European Parliament (754 members)◦ States decide method of election◦ Small states overrepresented◦ Shared legislative power with European Council of

Ministers (local heads of state and government)◦ Provide democratic oversight for the EU’s

institutions◦ Determine and control budget

◦ High levels of voter apathy

Institutions of the EU

Council of the EU◦ Local ministers dealing with common areas of

concern◦ Also includes the European Council (one might

think that they would choose a more distinct name)◦ All states represented, though large ones get more

heavily weighted votes◦ “big” issues require unanimity, though often a

majority will suffice

◦ Responsible for implementation of policies (like the executive)

Institutions Cont…

The European Court of Justice◦ 27 judges, one from each member◦ Deals with any EU related laws, can overrule

national governments if national law is against EU law

European Central Bank◦ Sets monetary policy◦ The challenge of the South (and Ireland too)

The principle of subsidiarity

More Institutions…