For this assignment, you will compare and contrast the governments of three nation-states in Asia: Japan, North Korea, and the Philippines. To complete the assignment, follow these steps:
To get the best grade possible, follow the instructions in the assignment closely and answer all of the questions completely. This assignment is worth 20 points.
Use these links to conduct research on the governments of Japan, North Korea, and the Philippines and then answer the questions that follow. This section is worth 5 points.
Japan
CIA World Factbook (Japan)
Encyclopaedia Britannica (Japan)
North Korea
CIA World Factbook (North Korea)
Encyclopaedia Britannica (North Korea)
The Philippines
CIA World Factbook (Philippines)
Encyclopaedia Britannica (Philippines)
1. Classify the government of each country by who has the power. Is the government a democracy, a monarchy, or a dictatorship? If it is a monarchy or a dictatorship, explain what kind. (1 point)
2. To what extent can the people participate in the governing process of each country? Explain your answers. (1 point)
3. Classify each government by how much power is held. Does the country have a constitution that limits government power? If government power is not limited, explain whether the system is authoritarian or totalitarian. (1 point)
4. How is power distributed in each government? Is there a separation of powers between branches? If branches do exist, are there checks and balances between them? (1 point)
5. Describe the overall level of rights and freedoms, including economic freedom, each country grants its citizens. (1 point)
Use the notes gathered in your research to answer the questions that follow. Support your responses with specific details from your research. This section is worth 9 points.
1. People’s ability to express their will varies depending on their country’s form of government. How do the governments of Japan, North Korea, and the Philippines differ in their attention (or lack thereof) to the will of the people? (3 points)
2. Japan, North Korea, and the Philippines each have a constitution. What role does each country’s constitution play in organizing power in the government and shaping the lives of citizens? (3 points)
3. Given what you already know about the types of governments in Japan, North Korea, and the Philippines, what role do you think rule of law plays in each nation-state? (3 points)
You will now evaluate the most significant strengths and weaknesses of each of the three government systems you have researched. For each nation-state, select one strength and one weakness to discuss. Be sure to back up your choices with evidence and reasoning. This section is worth 6 points.
North Korea
The Philippines