AP CompGov class: FT readings

This selection of articles picked by a teacher is part of the Financial Times free schools access programme. Details/registration here.

Below are some recent FT articles useful for the College Board’s AP Comparative Government and Politics course, which examines the political institutions and processes of six countries — China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia and the UK — and compares the ways they address problems.

• Activists trigger referendum that could end Swiss sanctions on Russia

Useful to illustrate three things: First, the general sense of fatigue that seems to be setting in among Ukraine’s allies as the war with Russia drags on. Second, the strong role that citizen-sponsored referenda play in Swiss government.  Third, the increasing power of the SVP - reflective of a general rise in the power of the far right in Europe due to the major parties being viewed as insufficiently alarmed by immigration.

• Vietnamese property tycoon sentenced to death over $12bn fraud

Seems like there’s an awful lot of corruption going on in Vietnam.  Important because of America’s attempt to reroute its global supply chain away from China.  Also shows the nexus of government and private industry that tends to yield bad outcomes.  Also quite a draconian punishment, if it actually gets carried out.

• Is time starting to run out for Benjamin Netanyahu?

Netanyahu is already the longest serving PM in Israeli history and has seemed to wriggle out of every trap that has ever been laid for him. His political obituary has been written countless times, but maybe this time he is really done?  Clearly a relevant piece due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

• How Volodymyr Zelenskyy upstaged G7 summit to confront Ukraine doubters

Even though much of the west has supported Ukraine in its struggle against Russia, many nations from the global south have been more standoffish. This article details a bold move by Zelenskyy to attempt to alter the status quo.

• Joe Biden expects imminent ‘thaw’ in China relations

Biden is walking a delicate tightrope when it comes to China. Its increased hawkishness and general belligerence has led to some harsher US policies, yet China still remains a very important trade partner for American industry.

• Ireland to label alcoholic drinks with detailed health warnings

It’s always interesting when health, economics and questions of sovereignty are brought to the fore in the EU.  Will other EU nations try to retaliate?

• Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis routs rivals in parliamentary election

A rare victory by an incumbent party in Greece - could this indicate that it is finally exiting the economic doldrums?

• WHO Declares healthcare emergency over

Even though the WHO has declared Covid to be basically over, it has brought huge effects to the world - from China’s disastrous Zero Covid policy to the flood of stimulus money leading to inflation leading to rate increases leading to bank failures in the USA.  Are there more chapters yet to be written in the Covid story?

• Is Japan’s military fit for purpose?

Given that a potential Cold War seems to be brewing in the Pacific, what is the state of Japan’s armed forces?  In the event of a cross-strait invasion, would Japan be able to help?

• Russia accuses Ukraine of attempting to assassinate Vladimir Putin

Was this an actual attempt by Ukrainian forces to take out Putin? Was it a false flag operation? Is it related to the much-anticipated Spring offensive?

• China walks back ambassador’s remarks on sovereignty of post-Soviet states

A good reminder of the difficult line that a new assertive China must walk as it seeks to appease Vladimir Putin’s war without alienating the rest of Europe (and the world)

• ‘You shut up shop or you die’: Colombia stumbles on path to ‘total peace’

The challenges that Petro is facing ending the long guerilla struggles in Colombia--will he be able to stick the landing? Or will his failure reignite the right wing opposition?

• ‘No elected democrat has lasted’: warring generals plunge Sudan into fresh bloodshed

Nice piece on the tremendous challenges of facing Sudan as it slips into civil war.

• Hyperinflation Argentina is ready to bloom

Useful to understand the importance of bond markets, the impact of (upcoming) elections on market confidence as well as the role of the gas and oil — and an exemplar of the economist Simon Kuznets’ quote that “There are four different types of economies: developed, developing, Japan and Argentina.”

• OECD calls on central banks to keep raising rates

Has the collapse of SVB and Signature and the shakiness at First Republic and Credit Suisse scared central bankers from their program of interest rate increases? The market seems to think so. But would this then concede that inflation will remain high? The OECD is trying to forestall this possibility; will its member countries be successful? Useful because it shows the interrelatedness of the financial system, the existence of collective action problems and the attempts by regulators to solve these problems.

• Exiled son of Iran’s last shah steps up to lead galvanised diaspora

Iran is one of the CompGov nations, so any news article about it is worth looking at. This piece links in to the unpopularity of the current regime, the need for opposition groups to unite behind one individual, and the role of the overseas/exile community in Iranian affairs.

Matt Polazzo, Stuyvesant High School, New York