Most similar systems case study
Dr. Timothy C. Lim (author of Doing Comparative Politics) suggests that a research design for comparing similar political systems focus on significant differences.Here's a case study opportunity.
The U.S. and the U.K. are similar systems. And, yes, there are differences. The BBC reported on a case in Britain that would not happen in the U.S. (If New York Times v. United States, 1971 is a guiding precedent).
In two similar systems, the different outcomes (dependent variables) are brought about by differences between the cases (independent variables).
- Could your students identify the independent and dependent variables?
- Could they hypothesize reasons for the different outcomes?
- Could they outline a research strategy for determining the validity of their hypotheses?
- Would they be satisifed with easy or obvious "answers" and resist testing their ideas? (And why is that an important question to answer in political science?)
BBC gagged over cash for honours inquiry
"The BBC was banned last night from broadcasting fresh allegations in the cash for honours investigation.
"Lord Goldsmith, the attorney general [pictured at left below], obtained an injunction to stop the BBC proceeding with a news story for the 10 O'Clock News...
"The cash for honours inquiry was sparked in March last year by complaints to the Metropolitan police by MPs from the Scottish National party and Plaid Cymru that honours appeared to have been offered in return for financial support to the major parties..."A spokesman for the attorney general said the move was taken in response to a request from the Metropolitan police...
"He said police were concerned that the disclosure of information contained in the story could have harmed their inquiry.
Lord Goldsmith was acting independently of the government in seeking the injunction, the spokesman added...
"Inquiries have focused on loans totalling tens of millions of pounds used to bankroll the Labour and Conservative campaigns for the 2005 general election..."
Labels: pedagogy, rule-of-law, theory, UK
posted by Ken Wedding @ 8:07 AM
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