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Political Systems
- “Turkey and the EU”
http://europarltv.europa.eu/en/player.aspx?pid=f224d836-a56f-4758-a27d-9faa00a7b573(opens in a new window)
One of the most perplexing cases of membership in the European Union concerns Turkey. Seemingly incorporated into all the other aspects of European integration, for trade to defence, Turkey has not been able to move beyond its “applicant” status for membership in the EU. Turkey’s non-admission has much to do with politics, government rule, and regional politics. Its formal role in European confederation remains uncertain.
- “After Brexit, is Scotland heading for independence?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XITnP3dToG8(opens in a new window)
French broadcaster France24 looks at the prospect of a yes vote in a second Scottish independence referendum in the wake of Brexit. Contrary to the results of the first Scottish referendum in 2014, opinion polls indicate that Scots are now more likely to vote in favour of independence with many fearing the impact Brexit will have on Scottish industries.
- “India’s independence day, 1947”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGxhrBa1L00(opens in a new window)
This short newsreel depicts the celebrations in India when it received independence in 1947. British Pathé, or Pathé News, produced newsreels for the British public from 1910 to 1970. This was often the most immediate form of information many citizens received. This video is found at the British Pathé youtube.com channel.
- “Dustbowl horrors”
https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/dustbowl-horrors(opens in a new window)
This CBC radio clip from 1982 chronicles Canadian author James Gray’s experience in the summer of 1936 during the height of the Great Depression in the Canadian prairies. Coupled with the extreme economic downturn, the “dustbowl” in 1936 described the drought in Western Canada, putting farmers not only out of work, but also at risk for their lives. Heat, sun, and high winds made harvests impossible that summer. The dustbowl contributed to an economic disaster in the prairies, leading some political leaders to push for assistance from Ottawa. This was a big part of the push towards a different form of federalism in Canada, with income sharing across the regions.
- “CCF victory in Saskatchewan”
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1809997283(opens in a new window)
In this CBC Radio clip from 1966, the election of the CCF IN 1944 is chronicled. Twelve years after its founding, the CCF would go on to form the first social-democratic government in North America. The new government under the leadership of Premier Tommy Douglas went into a furious period of lawmaking and planning the likes of which few governments in Canada have experienced.
- “The Ideological Origins of American Federalism”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7K-ljaobGQ(opens in a new window)
In this video, produced by the University of Chicago, Professor Allison LaCroix looks at the ideological origins of American federalism. She argues that the roots of American federalism can be traced back to the ideas of divided government that existed before 1776, but the particular colonial circumstance of America, in particular the resistance to Great Britain, made these ideas change in important ways.