An argument open to all

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Chris Cook and John Paxton

In compiling this volume the editors have aimed to gather together, in one volume, as many of the important political facts as possible for a critical period of European history. In addition this book has also been designed as a companion volume to the existing European Political Facts 1918-1973 and to the forthcoming European Political Facts 1789 - 1848. Once again the editors have taken all the countries of Europe, from Portugal and Spain to Tsarist Russia and the Ottoman Empire. Throughout the aim has been to provide comparable material, even though this has not always been easy to achieve, most particularly in the earlier part of this period, when reliable sources were extremely limited. For simplicity, the editors have adopted the use of the Gregorian calendar in this work.

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Peter Kien-hong Yu

"This work, written by an expert in the politics of Mainland China and Taiwan, looks at the role the Constitution of the Republic of China has played in the development of Taiwan since 1949 and its potential influence on the People's Republic of China. The Chinese Communists conducted the first long march for the sake of the majority of Chinese people, with the victory of MAO Zedong. In the second long march, CHIANG Kai-shek and his successors tried to convert the Chinese mainland from a Communist, totalitarian system, into a democratic, prosperous one by relying on the spirit of the Republic of China (ROC) constitution and by setting itself as a good example, in gradually guaranteeing freedom and democracy. Needless to say, this march is long and difficult. The Second Long March challenges other models and theories on the study of the relationship between the ROC (Taiwan area) and mainland China or the People's Republic of China (PRC) since China became politically (as opposed to legally) divided in December 1949. Arguably, it is the ROC Constitution that has helped ROC citizens to live in a non-Communist or anti-Communist political system. Actively promoting democracy and freedom on the Chinese mainland (neidi) can further guarantee the Taiwan area's survival. The book will provide valuable scholarship of interest to anyone researching the political history of China and its prospects for democratization."--Bloomsbury Publishing.

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Eric Nelson

The founding fathers were rebels against the British Parliament, Eric Nelson argues, not the Crown. As a result of their labors, the 1787 Constitution assigned its new president far more power than any British monarch had wielded for 100 years. On one side of the Atlantic were kings without monarchy; on the other, monarchy without kings.

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Elizabeth MacLeod

Shows how the different levels of Canadian government work together, how laws are made and challenged, and why it is important to vote.