The Big Politics Questions

By: The Big Question team (The Open University)

Some countries have democracy; some have despots - but no nation is free of politics.

26 Nov

2004

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Used with permission An election poster in South Africa

The politics issues investigated by The Big Question so far have been:

What is democracy? Production team

It is the most widespread political system in the world. It is over 2000 years old, and it can have presidents, prime ministers and even... Read more : What is democracy?

Does democracy work? BBC

If people got to vote on what style of government they'd like, democracy would win. But is it the best system on offer? Read more : Does democracy work?

What inspired Marx? BBC

His philosophy has outlived many States which claimed to be based on it, but what inspired Marx? Read more : What inspired Marx?

Can there ever be a classless society? BBC

Last week's Big Question studied the formative years of Karl Marx. It was the years that saw Marx in Paris (1843 to 1845) that... Read more : Can there ever be a classless society?

Why are so many Americans so patriotic? BBC

To an outsider, it can appear that Americans are stridently patriotic. is that so - and why does it seem like it? Read more : Why are so many Americans so patriotic?

What swings elections? BBC

With the two main candidates contesting the 2004 US presidential election , Republican candidate George W Bush and Democrat John Kerry running neck and neck... Read more : What swings elections?

Should Africa be left alone? Production team

Might Africa, as a continent, be better off if the rest of world wasn't always trying to help? Read more : Should Africa be left alone?

How Important Is America? BBC

After the collapse of the Berlin Wall and Communism, America appeared to be the only superpower. But was the nation really so important? Read more : How Important Is America?

Is this China's century? Production team

So how did a communist country become so good at capitalism? Emma Joseph travels to Shagnhai and asks: why are so many people saying this... Read more : Is this China's century?

How Much Choice Do The People of China Have? Production team

Communist crack-down or capitalist playground? Do the Chinese have freedom of choice? Read more : How Much Choice Do The People of China Have?

You might also like...
Reith Lectures: The Climate of Fear - Wole Soyinka draws on his time as a political prisoner and compares the behaviours and motivations of the "quasi-states" who use terror to further their aims
Journeys In Thought - Jonathan Ree explores how travel inspired the politics and ideas of some of the great thinkers
The Mark Steel Lectures - Mark explores the sometimes surprising lives of political figures

Courses
If you'd like to take your interest in this area further, the Open University might have a course for you - regardless of where you live. Many OU courses are available worldwide, making use of the web, email and electronic conferencing. The exact range of courses available to you will depend on the country in which you live.

The Big Question in more depth:

About The Big Question BBC World Service

Every week, Emma Joseph and her guests go beyond the soundbites to explore the Big Questions facing the world - from celebrity to cloning, from... Read more : About The Big Question

OU on the BBC: The Big Question - The Big Question week-by-week BBC

A full year's worth of questions investigated by the BBC World Service and The Open University Read more : OU on the BBC: The Big Question - The Big Question week-by-week

Meet Emma Joseph Used with permission

Meet Emma Joseph, presenter of The Big Question on BBC World Service. Read more : Meet Emma Joseph

The Big Economics Questions BBC

The "dismal science" is brought to life by Emma and the Big Question team Read more : The Big Economics Questions

The Big Environment Questions BBC

The world we live in is under attack - quite a bit from the way we live in it. Explore environmental questions. Read more : The Big Environment Questions

The Big Health Questions Used with permission

Keeping healthy - and getting better. Emma and the team investigate health questions. Read more : The Big Health Questions

The Big History Questions Used with permission

Join The Big Question team as they explore the world of the past. Read more : The Big History Questions