1. During the First World War, due to the lack of military strength, Britain could not overcome Germany and the Ottoman Empire. After the end of the Second World War, Britain lost its main sources of power, which were its resources and territories and two nations US and the USSR emerged as the supreme powers of the world . As a result, Britain never opposed the fellow countries either politically or financially. Britain lacked vision and planning and always focused on administering and implementing the existing services rather than maximizing the resources. Lack of direction, weak government and the European Union’s domination in the global world has led to the decline of Britain as a global power .
Britain and the US share similar grounds on many aspects. For example, the British act of reducing the tax rate and widening the tax bases in the 1980’s was implemented in the US. On the other hand, the parliamentary system, incorporated by the British is different to the Democratic-Republic system of the U.S. In US, people have the power to elect their leader . However, in Britain, it is the monarchy of the royal family that takes the power. Both Britain and the US governments have expanded their role of controlling the lives of the people. Britain has a nationalized and centralized health care system, whereas the health care system in the United States is driven by the private sector; and follows a market-based approach .
In the coming years, the United States should follow a similar path to that of Britain in a few aspects. For example, the US should focus on manipulating the tax laws of the country. The British tax system has limited loopholes and fewer deductions than the tax system of the US . Unlike Britain, who is in a great debt, the US should take care of its economy by following the economic principles . The US should also learn to manage the national budget in order to prevent the economic and fiscal crisis that has occurred in Britain.
2. There are several reasons for the success of Japan’s democracy. Japan has reformed the law to allow the women to vote in the elections. Appropriate investment from the government and a balanced budget plan has also contributed to Japan’s success. Reexamination and proper implementation of economic principles has also led to a stable democracy . Japan has always focused on expanding the choice of the people rather than expanding the control of the government. Japanese democratic government has given the first and foremost priority to the wellbeing of the country both socially and economically.
In Japan, it is difficult to make a major change in the policies because the process involves drafting and introducing the bill, which is a highly complicated process. Moreover, a bill can only be passed after going through several formalities and approved by the Diet . However, the process is easy in both Britain and the US. In Japan, there are controversies and diversities within the political parties, which is not much familiar in the Britain. In Britain, the parties follow strict disciplines; and the members of the political parties support their party in all situations.
Japan’s democracy and economic success go hand in hand. During the Second World War, the economy of Japan declined to a great extent. Japan lost many factories and skilled workers. However, economic growth started with the introduction of reformed laws and liberalizing the tariff regulations in the country . Maintenance of internal peace and cooperation, organization of civil bureaucracy in a professional way and the formation of an efficient democracy has contributed to Japan’s economic success .
Works Cited
Ferguson, N. (2004). Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power. Basic Books.
Glenn C. Loury, T. M. (2005). Ethnicity, Social Mobility, and Public Policy: Comparing the USA and UK. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.
Muravchik, J. (1992). Exporting Democracy: Fulfilling America's Destiny. American Enterprise Institute.
O'Hearn, D. (2001). The Atlantic Economy: Britain, the US and Ireland . Manchester : Manchester University Press.
Takeshi Ishida, E. S. (1989 ). Democracy in Japan. University of Pittsburgh Pre.
