1. Political 'Power' in US, UK and as compared to France:
Parties:
US: Democrats: http://www.democrats.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_(United_States)
Republican: http://www.gop.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_(United_States)
UK: Conservative: http://www.conservatives.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Conservative_party
Labour: http://www.labour.org.uk/home
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uk_labour_party
Liberal Dem: http://www.libdems.org.uk/home.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Democrats
BNP: http://www.bnp.org.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_National_Party
Power-related questions to apply to the above:-
• FR: PS, UMP, FN
Which is the parallel body to which, above?
• In whom is ultimate power vested and where does such power come from?
• How did the holder (of this ultimate power) come to power?
• What is the power-base of this leader?
• How strong is his hold on power?
• Who are the powers behind his ‘throne’ and how do we recognise them? [Do they
operate in ‘daylight’ or in the ‘shadows’ and what influence do they exert?]
• Is there any sense in which power is being balanced, or shared … and is this
working?
• What are the major institutions and agencies through which he exercises his power?
• Are there any obvious points at which his power (or lack thereof) has been
dramatically demonstrated?
• What are the conditions upon which he/she may be removed from power?