Political Culture Government Project - Any Kind Souls Out There?

[Celeste]

1. On average how involved/interested are people in your country in/about the political happenings in your country?
Not enough, especially in Toronto. People here are ridiculous. There isn't a single conservative representative elected, which SCREAMS that EVERYONE is collectively left-wing as can be, but people chose to vote for the corrupt Liberal party over the New Democratic Party. The NDP MIRRORS THE IDEALS of the city more than the Liberals ever have, and people would know that if they bothered to read their platform or listen to Jack Layton when he speaks...They only pay attention to the two main parties and chose the lesser of two evils. Torontonians are pretty much socialists. NDP = the only party that should matter.

EDIT: Wow, I didn't mean to make that response so...municipal. Oh well, my answer is still "not enough" xD.

2. On average how involved/interested are you in/about the political happenings in your country?
I'm a Political Science major. I think that clearly illustrates it for you.

3. How many major political parties are there in your country?
Four; The Liberal party, the Progressive Conservative party, the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Québécois.


4. What is the relationship between religion and government in your country?
Canada actually practices bright idea of seperating church and state. With ethnic distribution of the population, it couldn't be any other way.

5. In your opinion do the general morals of your country differ from those of America? If so, to what extent?
There are no evangelical conservatives influencing government policy with their money, for one...I could write an essay for this question but I'll refrain.


6. Does the average person in your country have a lot of say in the political happenings of the government? Is this more or less than that of Americans?
I think the average person here has less to get passionate and fired up about than Americans do, so it'd be less.

7. Are you afraid of your government? Are you afraid the American government?
I'm not afraid of the Canadian government, I don't have a reason to be.
I don't fear the American government either, moreso the people who elected to give the current administration a second term in 2004. How's that turning out for you?...

8. Are you satisfied with performance of your government? What do you think needs to be changed? Do you think that it is doing better or worse than that of the American government?
Uhh, the government of EVERY WESTERN COUNTRY is performing better than the American government. I respect the fiscal conservatism of our PC Prime Minister. He has made actual changes for the better, lowering the GST by 2 percentage points for one. The healthcare system is ****ED, and NO, it's NOT because it's ~*socialized medicine*~. It's just ****ed, for lack of a more articulate term. He needs to check up on that, but I know if he had his conservative heart's desire, it'd all be privatised. Canada wouldn't stand for it though.

9. Do you feel that each person has a responsibility to participate in the political process?
In Canada? Yes. In America? No.

...Right, now back to my Iowa Caucus CNN coverage viewing party of one.

 

[Squall7]

Yeah, a local "control sub-culture" would be great. Sorry, this thread kinda got lost in my CP.

I didn't write these, another group member did, sorry for asking the same question and the wording. It was aimed at foreign exchanged students. Substituting "the general idea of your country" would be helpful.

No probs. I'll give it my best shot.

If you wouldn't mind answering any of these, I'd freaking love you...yeah.

That won't be neccessary. Lol.

1. On average how involved/interested are people in your country in/about the political happenings in your country?

We seem to have quite a diverse amount of people in this country that is interested in politics to some degree. Some only delve as much as a newspaper into what's going on, usually not a very good one either. Some people don't fully understand everything that goes on, and there's plenty of awareness about issues both around the world and at home.

In essence, I think most people are interested in politics in this country, it's just a case of how much. And involved - There's Shelterbox (which is down the road in Helston, Cornwall) which has consitantly sent aid of all kinds to people in need all over the world. Sorry for the "round about answer"

2. On average how involved/interested are you in/about the political happenings in your country?

I'm very interested in politics, both locally, nationally and internationally. Not that I want to be a politician, I just feel that it's important to know about the world if you're going to be a filmmaker recreating it.

3. How many major political parties are there in your country?

3 main ones: Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats (although some may argue that Lib Dems don't count, but I believe the opinions are rising enough to consider it a potential leading party). Thankfully, at the current moment in time, I don't think ones like the BNP are capable of getting in to power. Although, that does seem to be changing slowly.

4. What is the relationship between religion and government in your country?

There is no direct one per se. Obviously, laws stem from a sense of morality, which was in sync with the church at one time, but there is little to no religious cause to any politics in the UK (I do believe that some Labour MP's are even from a range of other religions). There again, there doesn't seem to be as much of a Christian following (as far as I can tell) as even America, so that might influence it).

5. In your opinion do the general morals of your country differ from those of America? If so, to what extent?

I feel that my country's morality differs from America's only slightly. With the current climate of "Americanization", both culture and therefore morality is beginning to align itself with the dominant power. However, I do feel that general attitudes are different, even if morality itself isn't neccessarily.

Although one example of difference does come to mind, the death sentence. The UK got rid of the death sentence in the mid/late 90's (If I recall correctly). As far as I'm aware, the death sentence hasn't been abolished in the US (although, obviously, it's seldom used).

I do feel there is a lack of sensationalisation of morality in the UK (instead we see to have adopted sensationalisation of other things, such as national identities, celebrity culture, politics etc...), basing things not on what should not have been done, but rather on the focus on the individual. Take for example, the Madaline fiasco. Sure, it was a terrible case of kidnapping, but instead of wagging the finger, there was a slew of accussations and detailing of new leads and such. It was more like a soap opera, rather than a tale of morality.

6. Does the average person in your country have a lot of say in the political happenings of the government? Is this more or less than that of Americans?

I think the average person does have quit a bit to say. Whether many would agree with it, however, is debatable. Take for example, the long running "Have I Got News For You", "Mock The Week" etc... Both of these comedies rely on a group of people actually knowing the news completely, especially for their material. Then there's other things like "Bremner, Bird and Fortune", which seek out to actually make a fool of politicians and their policies themselves.

This is different to American shows of the same political agenda. Take for example, "The Daily Show". On this show, it's an aggressive style of imitation-format mockery (not that it isn't valid of course) in which, generally, the show hosts take on a role of imitating either a particular person or reporter with a cartoon-like personality. It goes to show how silly things are by deliberately OTT parodying them.

Overall, for the people themselves, politics in one form or another (since politics is everywhere) is usually discussed. I'm not sure about whether it's more than in America, but I do feel that there's a lot of discussion which is political in nature, that people don't even realise.

7. Are you afraid of your government? Are you afraid the American government?

Yes, to both counts. The fear is mostly over control. I do not feel that either government has the people's considerations at heart, when they make decisions. Take for example, the amount of unpopular moves made in the past 5 years (this one especially applies to the UK). For a start, we now have a Prime Minister that nobody in the general public voted in. Then there was the issue of the promised referedum to the EU (which would have been rubbish anyway, since newspapers have an axe to grind, and don't mind reporting hearsay and rumour as fact). Then there's the rise in taxes, top-up fees and most recently, things like the plan to stop NHS care for people they deem as "unworthy" because they smoke or drink to excess.

8. Are you satisfied with performance of your government? What do you think needs to be changed? Do you think that it is doing better or worse than that of the American government?

Personally, it feels as though each party plans to tinker with a broken system in the hopes of creating more efficiency. Personally, I believe the system of government is ultimately flawed, and should be rebuilt from scratch. I feel that America's Government too is flawed, and suffers from the same sorts of parties trying to "tinker" with the broken system. Both counties need to rethink exactly how their countries, and by extension, other countries work. Should we have nuclear weapons to disuade other countries' from attacking, and not expect other countries' to try and gather a nuclear arsenal? Afterall, a leader should lead by example, should s/he not?

But back on topic, both countries' attitudes towards the poor, disabled, unemployed etc... should be more sympathetic in general. So, as far as I'm concerned, they both fail as much as each other.

9. Do you feel that each person has a responsibility to participate in the political process?

If this means voting, then no. Unless there's an option to abstain from voting because there are no reasonable candidates, and even then, should a person be punished for not voting? I don't believe so, why should we be forced to choose the lesser of two (or three in UK) evils, when both evils are lying to get votes? And why isn't it the other way around? Shouldn't political parties be creating better policies, more democratic systems and strengthening state institutions rather than punishing or bribing the non-voting populace?

It's ironic, how terrorists "hate our freedoms", when our Government's responses is to take away our freedom to abstain. One has to question, who hates our "freedoms" more, terrorists from another culture, or the Governments of two members of the G8, that won't even go about writing off African debt, dispite the wishes of people all around the world.

Sorry if it's confusing, It's quite late here in the UK atm. Hope it helps (and most importantly, I hope it doesn't stray so much that you cannot use it).

 

[261311]

1. On average how involved/interested are people in your country in/about the political happenings in your country?
Voting turnouts in Canada are between 50-65% where I live (Ontario) in both Provincial and Federal elections (we have an awesome mayor so no one dares run for municipal).
2. On average how involved/interested are you in/about the political happenings in your country?
I'm very interested, can't be involved as I'm only 17 and the required age for voting is 18. I could volunteer but I think politicians make enough to pay me.
3. How many major political parties are there in your country?
3, NDP, Liberal, Conservative.
4. What is the relationship between religion and government in your country?
It was a key issue in the Ontario provincial election as it caused Conservative John Tory to lose the election (everyone hated the current Premier who has won again) due to faith-based school funding issues, outside of the rare occasion government tries to remain neutral.
5. In your opinion do the general morals of your country differ from those of America? If so, to what extent?
Yes, I think Jean Chretién revolutionized our government (served from 1993-2003) in sticking it to the Americans and their system of "Democracy"
6. Does the average person in your country have a lot of say in the political happenings of the government? Is this more or less than that of Americans?
Yes, they're always complaining and yet never vote or care to reform what they're complaining about. I think US politics lately has become a lot more active due to the up-coming elections and current war on terror.
7. Are you afraid of your government? Are you afraid the American government?
I laugh at my government, Harper and the rest of the Conservatives are pathetic (I swear, I'm not a Liberal! :lol I am afraid of the American government because of it's power and enemies worldwide.
8. Are you satisfied with performance of your government? What do you think needs to be changed? Do you think that it is doing better or worse than that of the American government?
Lately, it hasn't done too bad, hats off to Harper for not selling Canada's soul. Yet. We're also doing much better than the US government, we clean up their war-messes with aid relief, a stable economy and we make friends while doing it.
9. Do you feel that each person has a responsibility to participate in the political process?
Yes, it's everyones civic duty in my humble opinion.

Hope that helps you out dude.

 

[Celeste]

(we have an awesome mayor so no one dares run for municipal).[/b]
.

Is your "awesome mayor" by any chance...Hazel McCallion?
Just a stab in the dark.

 

[owlsgo]

1. On average how involved/interested are people in your country in/about the political happenings in your country?

in australia, voting is compulsory. some people see it as a burden and obligation but it generally thought of as a right and responsibility. i'd say 25% of people are interested and do nothing, another 25% are interested and active, and the rest take the laid back aussie stance.

2. On average how involved/interested are you in/about the political happenings in your country?

i'm quite interested. i vote, i read local and national papers as well as alternative views in order to gain a well rounded view. i like to communicate with the local government in order to get my ideas across to the wider government.

3. How many major political parties are there in your country?

it depends. there are a a few major. the Greens, Labour(which is more liberal or democratic), Liberal(which is more national or republican), and the Nationals. but the forerunners are Liberal and Labour.

4. What is the relationship between religion and government in your country?

there are some parties that take a strong stance on religion, whether positive or negative. the major parties tend to shy away from talk of religion, however it's quite clear to me that religion, more specifically christianity, dictates the goings on.

5. In your opinion do the general morals of your country differ from those of America? If so, to what extent?

the general core morals or many, if not all countries, are similar. and in that respect i agree with them. but america, and again many countries, stray from their morals or take them to an extreme extent.

6. Does the average person in your country have a lot of say in the political happenings of the government? Is this more or less than that of Americans?

there is alot of complaining but less doing. even so, i believe it's more than in america.

7. Are you afraid of your government? Are you afraid the American government?

no, but i am afraid of the american government.

8. Are you satisfied with performance of your government? What do you think needs to be changed? Do you think that it is doing better or worse than that of the American government?

in australia there's been a recent change-over. and i believe the new government is doing very well. better than the american government. the american government has seemed to halt on many important issues and is focussing on a narrow range of topics.

9. Do you feel that each person has a responsibility to participate in the political process?

yes. it's a right that has been fought for by many people. in some places, people still don't have the right to vote or speak out. it's a responsibility.

 

[261311]

Is your "awesome mayor" by any chance...Hazel McCallion?
Just a stab in the dark.

Haha, so you know where I live :yesnod: yeah, she's much better than David Miller.

 

[Napalmbrain]

1. On average how involved/interested are people in your country in/about the political happenings in your country?

There seems to be quite a bit of interest. Although the UK would appear apathetic with a voter turnout is typically less than 50%, this seems to be more down to dislike of the major parties and the unfair "first past the post" system, which leads many people to think it's pointless voting. Just look at the support for some campaigns in the media and you'll see the British public isn't as apathetic as it would initially appear.

2. On average how involved/interested are you in/about the political happenings in your country?

I would say I'm somewhat interested, I tend to keep up with events and such. However, as there is no large party that shares my political view (classical liberalism), I'm not greatly interested.

3. How many major political parties are there in your country?

Three: Labour, a previously socialist party who have now taken to the centre ground, the Conservatives, who as their name suggest as are typically conservative on most issues (not to the extent of the USA's Republican party though) and the Liberal Democrats, who are obviously a liberal party. The Lib Dems have not yet been in power, but they command enough sway to be important in elections.

4. What is the relationship between religion and government in your country?

Limited, but it's there. Most of it is a result of archaic laws that were written many years ago, but these days the government usually prefers to stay out of religious affairs as they risk alienating the public, which largely isn't very concerned with religion when there are "more important" issues to be dealt with. Occasionally they will get involved (such as the recent religious discrimination law), but when they do they will tend to avoid favouring Christianity. Britain has a fairly sizable proportion of Muslims and non-religious people, and those that are Christian generally don't tend to express it as much as in the US.

5. In your opinion do the general morals of your country differ from those of America? If so, to what extent?

They tend to differ with American morals on "religious" issues (e.g. there's a lot more support for stem cell research, abortion, gay marriage etc.) because like I mentioned just now, people here aren't all that interested in religion. That said, Britain is probably closer to American morals than any other first-world country.

6. Does the average person in your country have a lot of say in the political happenings of the government? Is this more or less than that of Americans?

The average British person has limited say over what goes on in government, less than the average American that's for sure, however politicians can sometimes be scared into doing something by hysterical newspaper campaigns (not often though). Political decisions in the UK usually reflect the opinions of those in parliament rather than the public. Take the ban on fox hunting for example. Although personally I think it's barbaric and would be glad to see the end of it, most people in the UK did not want it banned, but the government did so anyway.

7. Are you afraid of your government? Are you afraid the American government?

Yes to both. Given how I've described our government as incompetent and selfish, I don't trust people like that making all the decisions which can effect our lives.

As for America, although I actually agree with toppling despotic regimes like the Taliban and Saddam Hussein's government, I still believe they have far too much power on the international stage. As the only current superpower in the world (though the EU and China look set to eventually become superpowers as well), America can throw its weight around and get its way, or just ignore the majority consensus anyway.

8. Are you satisfied with performance of your government? What do you think needs to be changed? Do you think that it is doing better or worse than that of the American government?

I think they're largely a bunch of lying, backstabbing toe-rags who are only interested in getting the money and freebies that come with the job. I think we should scrap the "first past the post" system of voting and change to some sort of proportional representation, so that the government more accurately reflects the votes cast.

I don't think Britain's government is worse than America, because like I mentioned in the previous question, they hold a lot of power and could drastically effect things on the international stage if they really wanted to, and it should be pretty obvious by now the American government isn't all that interesting in cooperating with the rest of the world.

9. Do you feel that each person has a responsibility to participate in the political process?

No. I believe people have the right not to vote if they think none of the candidates are up to scratch. I also believe people have the right to just not have an opinion.

 

[Squall7]

This thread only goes to prove that a political section is needed on these forums.

Personally, I wouldn't care if restrictions such as absolutely no foul language, racial persecution etc... were enforced more strictly. In the end, I think it's a bad decision to force people to go elsewhere to talk about politics, especially at a time like this (with the elections for US President near).

Heck, it'll also give the site a better rep, because it'll be obvious that Wii gamers aren't all "kiddies", and that inteligent discussion can and will happen.

 

[Brawny]

I forgot to give my thanks to all who posted! If this thing doesn't get an A, I'll be so pissed and blame it all on you guys.