Humanities desk | ||
---|---|---|
< November 24 | << Oct | November | Dec >> | November 26 > |
Welcome to the Wikipedia Humanities Reference Desk Archives |
---|
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages. |
Hello,
I've been reading through the articles but I still haven't figured it out completely. The Federation article seems to give a nice explanation : "A unitary state is sometimes one with only a single, centralised, national tier of government. However unitary states often also include one or more self-governing regions. The difference between a federation and this kind of unitary state is that in a unitary state the autonomous status of self-governing regions exists by the sufferance of the central government, and may be unilaterally revoked" So am I getting this straight : if all congressmembers in the USA from 49 states decide that things like death penalty are to become federal matters, they still can't take that form of authority from the 50th state? Or what about this question : what would it take for the USA to become a central state (in a peaceful and democratic way)
But then there is the difference between a confederation and federation? I found differences but they are vague? Does a confederation have to be a country? Does a confederation have to use the same currency? Can inhabitants from one part of the confederation freely move to another and participate in regional elections?
Thank you, Evilbu 00:08, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
This concerns the location of sovereignty, the absolute right to rule – it is nothing to do with the location of power.
Britain and France are unitary states. Their governments in Westminster and Paris fight with no-one, for the final say in ‘’any’’ policy in the UK. Although there are Scottish and Welsh governments, they hold power only at the pleasure of Westminster. Tony Blair could dissolve them – by law – whether they liked it or not. All sovereignty is at national level.
The US is a federation. So is Canada, Australia, Germany, Brazil and Russia. Normally bigger countries, but sometimes smaller ones, like Austria. Sovereignty is divided between national (ie. Washington DC, in the US) and state (eg. Schwartsnegger is Governor of California). Normally external relations – eg power to declare war – are the job of the national govt. Who has the power to legislate where is defined in the constitution. But California, as a state, can decide its own education policy. That’s included in the 10th Amendment to the constitution. California is different to Scotland in that it is very difficult to abolish their government. That would need a constitutional amendment, which is, as noted above, difficult. California cannot leave the US without its own, and Washington’s, permission. California’s right as a state, is entrenched in constitutional law, which is difficult to change, and superior to all other laws of congress.
The EU is a confederation. Spain, Portugal, etc. are all sovereign state (ie. it is all at a lower level) and Brussels has no absolute right to rule. That is why if the UK Independence Party where in power in the UK, they could remove the UK from the EU whether the EU liked it or not. All sovereignty is at provincial level, and the EU rules only because the sovereign states let it rule. It’s right to rule has been granted by a normal law, not constitutional amendments.
martianlostinspace 11:13, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
- If EVERY resident of let's say California wanted to make it illegal for people under 18 to drive, but every other citizen of the USA vigorously opposes it. What happens? I hear people speaking about amendments? Are they a tool to take competencies away from states. - Doesn't Texas has some sort of special status, a right to decide for themselves whether or not they wanna leave the USA,
And about Europe : - I often hear people proposing a federal Europe. Would that necessarily imply voting rights depending on where you live (in that case I would definitely oppose it)
And about Serbia/Montenegro :
-was this a confederation or federation? Did it have subnationalities? I mean did a Montenegran who moved to Serbia keep his Montenegran nationality? I'm asking because I read that Montenegrans took a train from Serbia to Montenegro to participate in the referendum (and that Serbia paid train tickets for groups who disapproved of a split) Evilbu 16:42, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
Lets deal with the Constitution. Most countries' constitutions are entrenched in law (the UK is an exception) - ie it takes a very difficult law to change it. Eg. a law in the US requires a majority of both houses of Congress. But a constitutional amendment needs 2/3 of each house, and ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures (law making bodies). Amendments in Ireland need to be by referendum. If something is a federation, the rights of states is said to be "entrenched" in the text of the constitution.
Let me start over and give the short answer to
Evilbu's question.
The balance of power between the Central and Local authorities may vary widely. Sufficient Home Rule may make a Unitary system look more Federal. Weak local government may, in practise, make a Confederation appear more Federal. B00P 18:39, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
DirkvdM 06:30, 27 November 2006 (UTC)
BTW, Canada is definitely not a confederation, it's no less a federation (and some would argue even more) than the US. It's our fault though, for introducing and maintaining this misconception, as we continue to refer to the founders of Canada as the "Fathers of Confederation". It's also got little to do with the right, or lack thereof of a constituent state/province to secede. This is also a misconception. It's true that the American Civil war seems to have established a precedent-of sorts-that state secession is forbidden, yet nowhere in the US Constitution are states formally forbidden to secede. A combination of the Civil War "precedent", along with the current Quebec separatist movement in Canada is the most obvious reason for this misconception. Believe me, if a good 20 million Californians were dead-set on separating from the US and forming the "Independent State of California", yes, the rest of the US would insist on negotiations regarding certain touchy subjects, most importantly those regarding military security, and of those, most importantly concerning nukes, nonetheless, rest assured that the US wouldn't send in the military to prevent California from seceeding.
The closest thing I can think of today as resembling a confederation would be the EU. Right now it's considered a "soft" confederation, yet it seems to be headed to becoming a "true" confederation in the near future. And who knows, perhaps one day it'll actually be a federation. Loomis 15:06, 27 November 2006 (UTC)
As a part of a Model UN conference I have to argue what the UN role if any at all should be concerning cultural imperialism. Specifically in regards to ALgeria. My question is what has been the UN's previous actions over this particularly any past resolutions, agreements or treaties? Ihave already done quite a bit of research and come up with very little. A simple website link or resolutions or treaties would be sufficent enough. Thanks. Yorktown1776 00:10, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
Which Shi'a Muslims live in Bangladesh and India? Jafaris? Ismailis? or Both?
Both! -- The Dark Side 04:32, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
Which Arab countries have the most Shi'a population?
Just type in Shi'a into the search box and click Go. To answer your question though, the nation of Iran has the most Shi'a muslims with a 90% population adherence or 61,924,500 people. -- The Dark Side 04:24, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
Which part of Bangladesh do these Pathans live?
What is that clothing with the curly collar that pirates wear, such as the pirate in disney's peter pan
How many documented cases exist where the U.S. Government has been exposed in the censoring of materials in textbooks given to students within the U.S., and possibly donor nations. I believe that it's well known for the most part, that there are massive discrepances in the education systems, in the west. Speaking that, most of our textbooks in many urban areas (in the U.S.) for the most part have an average lifespan of, 15 years. Also, which legislation grants such priviledge to the federal government if it is indeed "sanctioned" actions? Thank you. -- Former disgruntle Los Angeles HS Student, 2004
What is the origin and meaning of the statement "The North Will Rise Again" or is it "The South Will Rise Again"? I saw it on a poster once, and heard it in a song. I have a feeling it is to do with American politics? (I'm not American.)
I don't get it. Why doesn't Israel just grant independence to these two lands? Wouldn't that stop all the bloodshed? Or am I grossly oversimplifying things?
You didn't answer my question, Skarioffszky. I asked what Israel should have done in response to the invasion of its territory and murder and kidnapping of its soldiers. You say that (and, I suppose, Hezbollah's dozens of previous terrorist acts, such as the 1994 terrorist attack in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people) does not justify widespread airstrikes. Yet the refusal of the Lebanese government to take action against Hezbollah, or even to speak with Israel, makes the traditional methods of dealing with cross-border criminal activity impossible. So what should Israel have done? -- Mwalcoff 00:57, 28 November 2006 (UTC)
how can you tell if a quartz crystal is a diamond?
what exactly is the process and what are my rights?
i am trying to find out any information about this painter. the net give references to him and his work but little info. here is the article i submitted mainly to trty to learn more. any information, referral to sources, or where i can get a print of his le saltimbanques would be appreciated here is a copy of the article ( i mispelled his name and am trying to find how to change that):
pelez, fernand 1843-1913. painter, much social realism. very little information available on net. painted "a mouthfull of bread"; a trypich-(or, a four part piece?)"grimaces et miseres. Les Saltimbanques" 1888, now in the Petit Palais, Paris. see les saltimbanques at http://www.arthist.umn.edu/classes/ah3012/ ( the little boy is crying, the older girl is bored out of her mind, and the middle girl is saying-i just cant believe this!) another source gives:Fernand Pelez de Cordova (b.1820-d.1899). some say he was french, some spanish.
Retrieved from " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelez%2C_fernando" thank you doug Mkpdp 18:16, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
im gay —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.156.187.81 ( talk • contribs)
How does it feel like have u revealed ur sexual orientation to ur family? Whats ur educational background? Do u feel attracted to a specific sect of youth irrespective of the community like the Asians , Africans ... or only the whites... How do you develop these feelings?? 18:50, 26 November 2006 (UTC)~
Humanities desk | ||
---|---|---|
< November 24 | << Oct | November | Dec >> | November 26 > |
Welcome to the Wikipedia Humanities Reference Desk Archives |
---|
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages. |
Hello,
I've been reading through the articles but I still haven't figured it out completely. The Federation article seems to give a nice explanation : "A unitary state is sometimes one with only a single, centralised, national tier of government. However unitary states often also include one or more self-governing regions. The difference between a federation and this kind of unitary state is that in a unitary state the autonomous status of self-governing regions exists by the sufferance of the central government, and may be unilaterally revoked" So am I getting this straight : if all congressmembers in the USA from 49 states decide that things like death penalty are to become federal matters, they still can't take that form of authority from the 50th state? Or what about this question : what would it take for the USA to become a central state (in a peaceful and democratic way)
But then there is the difference between a confederation and federation? I found differences but they are vague? Does a confederation have to be a country? Does a confederation have to use the same currency? Can inhabitants from one part of the confederation freely move to another and participate in regional elections?
Thank you, Evilbu 00:08, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
This concerns the location of sovereignty, the absolute right to rule – it is nothing to do with the location of power.
Britain and France are unitary states. Their governments in Westminster and Paris fight with no-one, for the final say in ‘’any’’ policy in the UK. Although there are Scottish and Welsh governments, they hold power only at the pleasure of Westminster. Tony Blair could dissolve them – by law – whether they liked it or not. All sovereignty is at national level.
The US is a federation. So is Canada, Australia, Germany, Brazil and Russia. Normally bigger countries, but sometimes smaller ones, like Austria. Sovereignty is divided between national (ie. Washington DC, in the US) and state (eg. Schwartsnegger is Governor of California). Normally external relations – eg power to declare war – are the job of the national govt. Who has the power to legislate where is defined in the constitution. But California, as a state, can decide its own education policy. That’s included in the 10th Amendment to the constitution. California is different to Scotland in that it is very difficult to abolish their government. That would need a constitutional amendment, which is, as noted above, difficult. California cannot leave the US without its own, and Washington’s, permission. California’s right as a state, is entrenched in constitutional law, which is difficult to change, and superior to all other laws of congress.
The EU is a confederation. Spain, Portugal, etc. are all sovereign state (ie. it is all at a lower level) and Brussels has no absolute right to rule. That is why if the UK Independence Party where in power in the UK, they could remove the UK from the EU whether the EU liked it or not. All sovereignty is at provincial level, and the EU rules only because the sovereign states let it rule. It’s right to rule has been granted by a normal law, not constitutional amendments.
martianlostinspace 11:13, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
- If EVERY resident of let's say California wanted to make it illegal for people under 18 to drive, but every other citizen of the USA vigorously opposes it. What happens? I hear people speaking about amendments? Are they a tool to take competencies away from states. - Doesn't Texas has some sort of special status, a right to decide for themselves whether or not they wanna leave the USA,
And about Europe : - I often hear people proposing a federal Europe. Would that necessarily imply voting rights depending on where you live (in that case I would definitely oppose it)
And about Serbia/Montenegro :
-was this a confederation or federation? Did it have subnationalities? I mean did a Montenegran who moved to Serbia keep his Montenegran nationality? I'm asking because I read that Montenegrans took a train from Serbia to Montenegro to participate in the referendum (and that Serbia paid train tickets for groups who disapproved of a split) Evilbu 16:42, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
Lets deal with the Constitution. Most countries' constitutions are entrenched in law (the UK is an exception) - ie it takes a very difficult law to change it. Eg. a law in the US requires a majority of both houses of Congress. But a constitutional amendment needs 2/3 of each house, and ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures (law making bodies). Amendments in Ireland need to be by referendum. If something is a federation, the rights of states is said to be "entrenched" in the text of the constitution.
Let me start over and give the short answer to
Evilbu's question.
The balance of power between the Central and Local authorities may vary widely. Sufficient Home Rule may make a Unitary system look more Federal. Weak local government may, in practise, make a Confederation appear more Federal. B00P 18:39, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
DirkvdM 06:30, 27 November 2006 (UTC)
BTW, Canada is definitely not a confederation, it's no less a federation (and some would argue even more) than the US. It's our fault though, for introducing and maintaining this misconception, as we continue to refer to the founders of Canada as the "Fathers of Confederation". It's also got little to do with the right, or lack thereof of a constituent state/province to secede. This is also a misconception. It's true that the American Civil war seems to have established a precedent-of sorts-that state secession is forbidden, yet nowhere in the US Constitution are states formally forbidden to secede. A combination of the Civil War "precedent", along with the current Quebec separatist movement in Canada is the most obvious reason for this misconception. Believe me, if a good 20 million Californians were dead-set on separating from the US and forming the "Independent State of California", yes, the rest of the US would insist on negotiations regarding certain touchy subjects, most importantly those regarding military security, and of those, most importantly concerning nukes, nonetheless, rest assured that the US wouldn't send in the military to prevent California from seceeding.
The closest thing I can think of today as resembling a confederation would be the EU. Right now it's considered a "soft" confederation, yet it seems to be headed to becoming a "true" confederation in the near future. And who knows, perhaps one day it'll actually be a federation. Loomis 15:06, 27 November 2006 (UTC)
As a part of a Model UN conference I have to argue what the UN role if any at all should be concerning cultural imperialism. Specifically in regards to ALgeria. My question is what has been the UN's previous actions over this particularly any past resolutions, agreements or treaties? Ihave already done quite a bit of research and come up with very little. A simple website link or resolutions or treaties would be sufficent enough. Thanks. Yorktown1776 00:10, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
Which Shi'a Muslims live in Bangladesh and India? Jafaris? Ismailis? or Both?
Both! -- The Dark Side 04:32, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
Which Arab countries have the most Shi'a population?
Just type in Shi'a into the search box and click Go. To answer your question though, the nation of Iran has the most Shi'a muslims with a 90% population adherence or 61,924,500 people. -- The Dark Side 04:24, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
Which part of Bangladesh do these Pathans live?
What is that clothing with the curly collar that pirates wear, such as the pirate in disney's peter pan
How many documented cases exist where the U.S. Government has been exposed in the censoring of materials in textbooks given to students within the U.S., and possibly donor nations. I believe that it's well known for the most part, that there are massive discrepances in the education systems, in the west. Speaking that, most of our textbooks in many urban areas (in the U.S.) for the most part have an average lifespan of, 15 years. Also, which legislation grants such priviledge to the federal government if it is indeed "sanctioned" actions? Thank you. -- Former disgruntle Los Angeles HS Student, 2004
What is the origin and meaning of the statement "The North Will Rise Again" or is it "The South Will Rise Again"? I saw it on a poster once, and heard it in a song. I have a feeling it is to do with American politics? (I'm not American.)
I don't get it. Why doesn't Israel just grant independence to these two lands? Wouldn't that stop all the bloodshed? Or am I grossly oversimplifying things?
You didn't answer my question, Skarioffszky. I asked what Israel should have done in response to the invasion of its territory and murder and kidnapping of its soldiers. You say that (and, I suppose, Hezbollah's dozens of previous terrorist acts, such as the 1994 terrorist attack in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people) does not justify widespread airstrikes. Yet the refusal of the Lebanese government to take action against Hezbollah, or even to speak with Israel, makes the traditional methods of dealing with cross-border criminal activity impossible. So what should Israel have done? -- Mwalcoff 00:57, 28 November 2006 (UTC)
how can you tell if a quartz crystal is a diamond?
what exactly is the process and what are my rights?
i am trying to find out any information about this painter. the net give references to him and his work but little info. here is the article i submitted mainly to trty to learn more. any information, referral to sources, or where i can get a print of his le saltimbanques would be appreciated here is a copy of the article ( i mispelled his name and am trying to find how to change that):
pelez, fernand 1843-1913. painter, much social realism. very little information available on net. painted "a mouthfull of bread"; a trypich-(or, a four part piece?)"grimaces et miseres. Les Saltimbanques" 1888, now in the Petit Palais, Paris. see les saltimbanques at http://www.arthist.umn.edu/classes/ah3012/ ( the little boy is crying, the older girl is bored out of her mind, and the middle girl is saying-i just cant believe this!) another source gives:Fernand Pelez de Cordova (b.1820-d.1899). some say he was french, some spanish.
Retrieved from " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelez%2C_fernando" thank you doug Mkpdp 18:16, 25 November 2006 (UTC)
im gay —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.156.187.81 ( talk • contribs)
How does it feel like have u revealed ur sexual orientation to ur family? Whats ur educational background? Do u feel attracted to a specific sect of youth irrespective of the community like the Asians , Africans ... or only the whites... How do you develop these feelings?? 18:50, 26 November 2006 (UTC)~