Abstract
The paper presents a scholarly analysis and critique of Merle Black's, "The Transformation of the Southern Democratic Party." The paper discusses Black's analysis of the fundamental changes that have occurred in the voting patterns of the American South.

From the Paper
"In his article, entitled "The Transformation of the Southern Democratic Party", author Merle Black attempts to understand the fundamental changes that have occurred in the voting patterns of the American South. Once a bastion of democratic support over the second half of the twentieth century, the south has turned increasingly away from democrats at the polling booth. According to Black, the emergence of the Republican party as a realistic alternative to the Democrats is the most dramatic story in Southern politics during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries."

Tags:merle black, southern democrats, article critique, voting

Abstract
The paper relates that the Democratic Party's views on education call for teaching fundamental skills, like math and science, but also citizenship education, reform and expanded resources for education. The paper further discusses how they call for expanded early education, including the Head Start program, and more individualized attention for students with special needs or special talents. The paper relates that they call for improving teacher quality, starting with raising pay, and they want fair methods of evaluating teacher performance, helping those who can improve to improve, and removing those who cannot improve.

From the Paper
"The latest "official" Democratic Party views on education come from the 2004 Platform, adopted at the same convention which nominated John Kerry for President. Now, as never before, education is the key to opportunity, essential to a strong America. So we believe in an America that offers the best education to all our children - wherever they live, whatever their background. Period."

Tags:democrats, campaign, education

Abstract
In this article, the writer examines the inner mechanisms of the political system of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The writer maintains that there are several key factors that account for its undeniable success, the most prominent of which include its complex structure and diverse support base, its ability to be flexible, pragmatic and non-ideological, and its relatively weak, fragmented and unorganized competition. Furthermore, the party also possesses the extraordinary ability to overcome the plethora of political barriers and scandals they have faced. The writer concludes that the conservative foundation built by the Liberal-Democrats is firmly entrenched within Japanese culture and its structural fundamentals suggest that its enormous influence on Japanese life will remain for many more years to come.

From the Paper
"In additional, further bias of election law is evident in the mal-apportionment of Japanese electoral districts. A census, which dates back to 1946, has provided the framework for the current distribution of the lower house and the corresponding districts associated with them. At that time, rural communities were the dominant force of Japanese demographics due to the drastic decline in population of major urban centers, such as Nagasaki and Tokyo. This was due to the various ramifications of the Second World War, including, ordered civilian evacuations, the tens-of-thousands that had left to serve in the military and, most significantly, the atomic bomb which desecrated two entire Japanese cities in a matter of moments. Once the War had receded, the urban centers where swiftly repopulated. It did not take long until the cities had grown considerably since the pre-war era and despite this major demographic shift, the distribution and apportionment of seats for the House of Representatives has remained unchanged."

Tags:democracy, economy, conservative, culture

Abstract
This paper is a major memorandum on the German Christian democratic party's future strategy for consolidating and increasing its political support and chances for governing. A leader for a long time, the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is all geared up for further success. With brilliant plans for action combined with moral integrity, it wants to remain one of the most powerful political parties of Germany. Pleased with its heritage, the CDU would like to retain its reputation for helping Germany through thick and thin.

Abstract
This paper discusses the book "The Emerging Democratic Majority," by John Judis and Ruy Teixeira. The book's authors argue that the Democratic Party is destined to be the majority due to minority groups' rise in demographic terms. The paper's author argues against this belief, stating that political belief crosses many spectra, rather than solely through minorities.

From the Paper
There can be little doubt that today's political landscape is buffeted by many cross-currents, but increasingly it does seem to be the case that the Republican Party speaks in the name of universal causes, while the Democrats raise minority rights or self-interest. This reverses the relation between the parties from just forty years ago when a provincial Republican Party proclaiming the virtue of diversity faced off against a nationalist Democratic Party; however, it also represents a return to the parties' respective positions through much of their histories.

Tags:political, theory, GOP

Abstract
This paper describes the problems faced by the NDP in Atlantic Canada in gaining the popularity needed to form a government in any of the three provinces in the region. The paper analyzes the stigmas created including the idea of not having proven themselves on the political stage, traditional values of the voters, and the ideals of the surrounding electorate. The writer uses as a reference an example of the NDP in Nova Scotia where all three stigmas can be seen. Also provided are other explanations for the NDP's failure.

From the Paper
"It has been the situation in the past that the Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives have formed the governments of Nova Scotia seemingly in turn of one another and without fear of the NDP. In recent elections however the NDP have gathered a support base of voters and have been seen, possibly an unintentional consequence, as the only alternative to the two parties that seem almost as one. The people of Nova Scotia have finally decided that they have had enough and are willing to vote for an alternative to the corruption and hierarchy of the powers that be. But will that mean an upturn for the NDP or will people over look their alternative status because of their seemingly narrow scope of ideals and principles."

Tags:brunswick, culture, new, nova, pei, political, scotia, elections, politics

Abstract
Historically, African Americans were strong supporters of the Republican Party after the Civil War. Throughout the nineteenth century, The Republican Party were perceived as the champions of Emancipation while the Democrats were associated with white supremacy.

From the Paper
"Historically, African Americans were strong supporters of the Republican Party after the Civil War. Throughout the nineteenth century, The Republican Party were perceived as the champions of Emancipation while the Democrats were associated with white supremacy. However, by the Great Depression and Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1936 presidential campaign, African Americans had made a dramatic shift toward supporting the Democratic Party. African American support for the Democratic Party has remained steadfast in the sixty years since the New Deal. To a great extent, the change in African American perceptions of the two parties has changed because of the remarkable transformation these parties underwent from the beginning of the twentieth century through FDR's 1936 election. This paper will focus on the three presidential elections ..."

Abstract
Privatization of Ontario Hydro is most often discussed as a provincial issue that is rooted in the capital of Toronto. However, the selling off of Ontario Hydro plants in smaller communities of the province is an important aspect of the privatization. The leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, Howard Hampton, represents Rainy River, a community in which hundreds of Ontario Hydro workers and others stand to be affected by the changeover. In these areas that have by tradition had significant poverty, the prospect of higher hydro costs as well as lost employment should plants and existing services be closed or reorganized has particular importance. 5 pgs. 5 sources.

Tags:CANADIAN STUDIES AND ISSUES / GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT POLICY, opposition to privatization

Abstract
The paper analyzes two systems of government; those of the United Kingdom and Russia, in order to determine the extent to which the political parties and the electoral system shape the democratic environment in a country. The paper shows how democracy can be interpreted, but, the political party system is essential for ensuring the basic elements of a democratic political construction. Therefore, the paper concludes that the power sharing system and the representative system that is present in Russia and the UK are important for the guarantee of democracy. The paper points out that in Russia there is need for a strong and tough reform of the electoral and political system in order to reach the status of the United Kingdom.

From the Paper
"The political party framework in any modern country represents the guarantee for the democratic nature of that system. During the Cold War era, the political parties and political plurality was considered to be a true luxury in countries from the Communist bloc. On the other side, western democracies enjoyed a vivid political life which ensured that the basic human and civil rights are respected and taken into consideration. After the end of the Cold War, the freedom of expression and the rapid increase in the democratic tendencies determined a massive reorientation of the political spectrum towards a more opened society and political spectrum. However, the recent elections from the Russian Federation have stirred up controversy over the validity of the democratic mechanism and discussions have been raised as to the extent in which the elected president, Dimitri Medvedev is in fact the most democratically legitimized future Russian leader."

Tags:turnout, vote, seats, representation

Abstract
The paper discusses how California passed physical education legislation in 2007 to ensure that California students met the minimum requirements in the state of passing two years of physical education courses prior to graduating from high school ("New", 2007). The paper relates that according to Senator Tom Torlakson, a democrat from Antioch, many students were failing the two year requirements and still receiving exemptions from participating in physical education classes during high school ("New", 2007). The paper explains that the legislation, therefore, makes it mandatory for students to pass physical education exams "in grades five, seven and nine in order to be eligible for exemption from physical education in high school" ("New", 2007).

From the Paper
"The California Democratic Party states that "education must provide a well-rounded curriculum including the arts, music and physical education" (para. 1). California passed physical education legislation in 2007. The purpose of the legislation was to ensure that California students met the minimum requirements in the state of passing two years of physical education courses prior to graduating from high school ("New", 2007). According to Senator Tom Torlakson, a democrat from Antioch, many students were failing the two year requirements and still receiving exemptions from..."

Tags:edu, ca, bill