Economist: What is Going On in the Globalized World?

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Article #

Title of Article

Date of Issue

Focal Country/
Countries

Focus of Article
(politics, economy, finance, social, etc.)

Brief Synopsis of article
(One paragraph, no bullet points)

What is your reaction to this article? In your reaction, explain something that struck you & that you want to remember. Try to connect your comments to your own life experiences or things you have learned in other classes. (Explain your thought process; paragraph form, no bullet points)

After reading the article, what are you curious about? What else would you like to know about what you read in the article and why? Try to connect your comments to your own life experiences or things you have learned in other classes.
(Explain your thought process; paragraph form, no bullet points)

1

Future of the Union: From the United Kingdom to the United Kingdom

April 15th, 2021

England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Politics

The state of the Union of the United Kingdom is facing uncertainty following the calls Britain’s exit from the European Union. Political leaders from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland weigh their options regarding their stay in the union of the United Kingdom. Once regarded as a formidable social, political, and economic Union, the United Kingdom now faces an uncertain future due to the dissenting views concerning Brexit.

Shockingly, the spirit of the union that forged a formidable front against the social, political, and economic challenges gets downplayed by nationalistic principles and ideologies. Party politics cultured on nationalist tendencies downplay the strong ties across the outlined dimensions through which the Union of the Kingdom came to life. A consensus on the well-being of the United Kingdom’s union is needed to deal with Brexit to avoid further weakening the ties that bound the Kingdom to its once a revered global social, political, and economic force.

The weakening state of the United Kingdom’s union prompts one to envision its position and influence at the global level and wonder how it will deal with emerging challenges across the social, political, and economic dimensions. How will each of the countries, for instance, deal with the threat of terrorism or immigration now that border issues have emerged? The Kingdom’s disintegration through increasing majority sentiments for autonomy, in the likes of Scotland, weakens United Kingdom’s influence across the different dimensions.

2

Argentina is in no hurry to strike a deal with the IMF

April 3rd, 2021

Argentina

Economic

Argentina is facing a major financial crisis in an electioneering period and politicians basing their campaigns on the deplorable economic state of the country. The government has put measures in place to curb the harsh economic conditions in the nation through various measures including, price caps and ban on exports. The country’s debt to the IMF amounts to $45 billion with the government claiming it cannot finance the debt at moment as it focuses on the elections and steering the country through the tough economic times.

The occurrences in Argentina are reminiscent of the poor leadership and unaccountability among leaders in the developing nations. The blame game witnessed during the electioneering period as a way of wooing the electorate promotes corruption in Argentina. Leaders wait until it is time for elections to carry out their responsibilities of investigating alleged misappropriation of public funds by former or existing public servants. It is also the electorate that bears the burden of rampant corruption in governments as witnessed by the approximately $1,000 that each Argentine owes the IMF.

The article prompts one to wonder whether or not the public oversight institutions in Argentina have the capacity to ensure accountability among its nation’s leadership. Though the government has set measures in place for mitigating the adverse effects of the country’s economic problems, it is equally important to promote accountability measures. The public’s political involvement also comes out as an area of concern as its participation in matters politics appears to be limited to elections alone.

3

Bhutan Vaccinated almost all of its adults against covid-19 in a week

April 8th, 2021

Bhutan and India

Social

Bhutan makes an excellent depiction of the development and implementation of effective interventional measures for dealing w...