Ins 320 Midterm

1. We are looking at two countries. Country “R” is rich, and country “P” is poor. Both of them export goods to other countries. What kinds of goods would you guess that each of them export? Why? Provide examples of “real life” countries that you see as being in similar situations.

Country “R” is most likely a commodities trader and textiles. Rich in resources that are in demand and need elsewhere. Oil, copper, gold, iron ore, etc. While country “P” would be an agrarian based society, for the most part. Their country relies heavily on the agriculture it produces for not only its GDP, but for its own people. Cambodia is an example of the poor country whose society is agrarian based, now this doesn’t mean it’s all food products. Some of their crops can be for garments manufacturing (cotton) as well. Though considered a poor country, Cambodia may be on the precipice of new found wealth. However, for now they’re still one of the poorest Asian countries. Country “R” could be Japan, for example. Japan is a highly educated society, industrialized and progressive in both nature (of their residents) and politics. There are agrarian characteristics to their society, but it’s on the low end of the spectrum. Japan’s exports include: motor vehicles, semiconductors (computer parts), iron and steel, as well as auto parts and plastics.

2. What are the main POLITICAL systems that we talked about in class? What do you consider to be their principal strengths and weaknesses? Provide examples.

Dictatorship and Democracy are two of the political systems we have discussed in class. When analyzing each on typical SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) model, it’s hard for a beginner like myself to break it down into each category. However, let me take a shot at dictatorship first. A dictatorship is an autocratic form of government where the whole of the government is ruled by the dictator. Strengths of a dictatorship include (usually) a military of...