question_answer 5)

Syria is a small West Asian country. The ruling Ba'ath Party and some of its small allies are the only parties allowed in that country.     (i) Do you think this cartoon could apply to China or Mexico?   (ii) What does the crown of leaves on democracy signify?  

Answer:

(i) Yes, this cartoon could be applied to China, because there is one party rule in China. Before contesting elections, a candidate needs the approval of the Chinese communist party. So China cannot be said to be a true democracy.  Mexico has a multiparty system. Nationally there are three large political parties, viz, Institutional. Revolutionary Party (IRP), National Action Party (NAP), and Party of the Democratic Revolution (PDR). But until 2000 every election was won by the PRI. The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections. So the cartoon can be applied to Mexico until 2000 election. But in 2006, election the PRI fell to third place behind both the PAN and the PRD. Now Mexico has a coalition government. (ii) Crown of leaves means a circle of leaves that is worn on somebody's head as a sign of victory. The cartoon signifies that democracy has won in some of the countries of the world, but it is not accepted by all.