Analysis and Review of the Political Situation in Europe and Asia - Annotated Bibliography Example

Annotated Bibliography for Political Environment for Europe and Asia Introduction This exercise looks closely at the political environment in parts of Europe and Asia in terms of personalities and political parties. The six countries that are looked at are Britain, Germany, North Korea, Russia, France and China. 1. Laybourn, Keith. A century of Labor: a history of the Labor Party 1900-2000 2000. England: Sutton Publisher. This is an illustrated book that was written through a comprehensive search of historical facts by Keith Laybourn. Published by Sutton at the beginning of the millennium, the book offers readers with an insight of what was the environment at the beginning when labor party of England was being formulated. It is a good read because it portrays the events that have characterized the buildup of the labor party and how its governments have fared on in the last one hundred years. Perhaps as a surprise to many people, Keith actually spells out the fact that initially the labor party was not a political party but as a trade union. Throughout the one hundred years, the labor party has managed to from governments for about four times. The first one according to Keith was in 1924 to the 1931 due to the strong membership of the workers at that time. Through various ups and downs, the party was able to create a huge impact not only Britain but also in the globe more especially when Tony Blair took office in 1997 landslide victory. The writer takes the mind of his readers in a step by step journey through which the party has evolved over time to become what it was at the beginning of 2000. Perhaps other writers can take a cue from Keith to document what has happened to the party since then to date. 2. Meisner, Maurice. Mao Zedong: A Political and Intellectual Portrait.2007. Hong Kong. Polity Publishers. P1-222 The writer is a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin with a vast experience in political parties and individuals throughout the world. In this work he looks at various aspects that makes Mao Tse Tung (Mao Zedong) one of the most respected historical figures in Chinese History. In this 222-page read, Meisner also portrays some information about Zedong which are rarely told hence a balanced account of the happenings. The book depicts the early life of this great life by showing the picture of a young man of a poor peasant farmer in Hunan province of china who rose to become a successful politician to the extent of being equated to a cult of a person. His political ideologies that were aimed at balancing the aspects of imperialism and feudalism in both the social and political environment gave him a liking amongst his people. However, this did not come on a silver platter because at one point he is said to have fled the place because of his radical views. As matter of fact, he had views of violent revolution amongst the rural poor peasants. According to the writer Zedong was a staunch Marxist who positioned himself as not only a liberator but also as a fearless confronter of issues. Through his quotes and publications, that writer frequently quotes in his book; Mao Zedong is attributed to be a pioneer of revolution in the general Asian continent. Meisner agrees through this autobiography that the legacy of this individual is one thing that cannot be swept under the carpet easily. This is one of the best reference points of the Chinese history. 3. Gaffney, John. Political leadership in France: From Charles De Gaulle to Nicholas Sarkozy. Palgrave Macmillan Journals. 2011. 8(1) pp 1-56 This is a comprehensive journal that involves contributions of various editors and writers. It is based on the dynamics that have surrounded the governments which have been headed by De Gaulle to the present Nicholas Sarkozy. It is not a typical journal where endless literature is put across by random writers. Rather, it is a semi-review that displays all the facts with data back up by the writers who have the capacity to make such high level contribution. The journal which is compiled by Gaffney is a detailed focus on the French politics and issues of globalization, technology, foreign policy and the role that France has played in international scene. Each of the presidents that have fallen between these two individuals have indeed approached the issues from their own perspectives. The peer reviews and contributions are based on institutional analysis as well as political behaviors which have been displays by the presidents of France over the time. It is an authoritative source which not only displays the wealth of the knowledge that the contributors have but an in-depth factual accounts of the political climate in France. 4. Mcdermott, Kevin . Stalin: Revolutionary In An Era Of War New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006) 41-43. This is a book that looks candidly at one of the figures of the Russian politics of the 20th century. This is from the controversial takeover of government whereby his predecessor ruled him out because of his aggressive and ambitious nature. The book focuses the revolutionary Stalin and gives in depths focus on his times as the head of the communist party of Russia. Mc Dermott is an a American scholar who looks at the situation of Russia from an outside point of view hence does not appear to be biased in the way he carries his reports. The book published in 2006 when the world politics were focusing on the issues of communism in Russia and the political standstill that was being witnessed in Hungary provides a perspective that most of the readers had not had a chance to know. He also explains the relationships that various leaders of the communist party over the history have had and the impact that their views made to the masses over Russia. This particular work is a neutral look at Stalin and what he had for Russia. In some instance McDermott looks at the intolerable nature that stalin portrayed when dealing with the people he perceived to be his enemies abroad. This therefore puts this book as one of the most important in looking at the history of Russia. 5. Andersen, Jeffrey. German Politics and Society. Berghahn Journals. 2011. 30(1) pp 1-345 This is a joint publication by the BMW centre of Germany whereby various contributors look at Germany’s history and political environment. Surprisingly it is an American based company that analyses the Germany issues through various writers and contributors Although it does not look at a particular politician or political party alone, it is a good read because of the comprehensive approach that it takes on the political parties and the general societies that have been on the country. Jeffrey who is the managing editor manages to select the best contributors who carry out an opinion based review on the political environment of Germany in a honest manner. The collection has various articles by renowned writers such as, Andreas Fahrmeier and Marc Howard; who are all German political analysts. This publication is a tri-annual issue which various aspects that surround political parties in Germany are able to be addressed and in a current manner. The current issues that are being addressed by the journal range from the political parties lobbying to the European Union question of Greece and its debt crisis. Another perspective contributed is the historical look at the German politics from the Nazi regime to the current federal parliamentary government that is headed by the chancellor. It’s an authoritative source which can be relied on when one tries to get a candid look at the political aspect of Germany and society. 6. BBC News. Profile: Kim Jong-il 16 January 2009. Web 14 march 2012. “Profile: Kim Jong-il” BBC News. 16 January 2009. Retrieved14 March 2012. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1907197.stm This online article by BBC tries to look at the little known former leader of North Korea and how he operated with impunity. The BBC correspondents were able to dig sensitive information from the North Korea government and how it internalized all its affairs. Due to the fact that such international media is highly conspicuous the BBC database is linked to various other sources that gives the reader a wide array of references. BBC published this article when Jong-il was still alive but gravely ill with cancer. However, it was business as usual in Korea because of the highly secretive tactic that the leader employed. This couldn’t have happened elsewhere if the president was in such a condition because of the obvious implication. The source displays the man as a strategist who used the state media and other internal resources to hold the grip on the country for such a long time. In a near monarch running of the country, Jong-il was able to customize his tactics by appointing generals and others who led a propaganda government. It is an authoritative source which with little doubt makes any reader form an opinion on the man and North Korea in general. Read More