What is utopia?

1. What is utopia? • Utopia is generally an ideal form of perfection which cannot be achieved in most cases, due to limitations such as: • Human nature (for governance) • Economic model (for economic wealth) • An ideal form of government is desired to ensure maximum (and not utopian) equality to a maximum group of people. Webster dictionary

2. Preferred type of government • Representative Democracy • A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections. • The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. • Protection of the human rights of all citizens. • A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.

3. Preferred type of government • Why utopia? • People want to be treated equally (particularly those at the bottom end of the spectrum) • Desirable to the majority of people, especially the bottom class people in an aristocracy • Typically leads to an improved, happier life (theoretically) Win-Win!

4. Park Geun-Hye “Iron Lady of Asia”, CBS

5. Introduction • Current President of South Korea, first woman to be elected as the President of South Korea

6. Introduction • Park’s life has been one with much turbulence • Although the daughter of Park Geun-Hye (President of South Korea until his assassination in 1979), Park has lived a life of ups and downs (and not life of a princess), and her grit was important in ensuring she came a long way.

7. Introduction Park GeunHye suffered a serious razor attack in 2006 Park Chung Hee (father of Park GeunHye) assassinated in 1979. [Known for his authoritarian rule and his contribution in leading SK to economic progress) Park’s mother was killed by North Korean spy in 1974

8. Strong Leadership & Dedication • The challenges in life has most probably developed Park’s strong leadership today, but she remains dedicated to her country. • Park is unmarried, but once said, “I am married to the country.” • “I have no child to inherit my properties. You, the people, are my only family, and to make you happy is the reason I do politics.” • Park is willing to sacrifice for her nation (see next slide)

9. Dedication Park and North Korea • Despite the fact that her mother was killed by North Korean spies. She met up with the last person that she would probably want to meet in her life: Kim Jong Il to discuss on how to improve on bilateral relations between the 2 countries. Park, “I have to put my personal issues aside and do what is best for my country”

10. Strong Leadership • Labeled by the western media as “The Iron Lady of Asia” • Why are comparisons drawn to her and Margaret Thatcher? • She has a strong leadership and a strong stance to many issues. “If I do not uphold to my principles, I will not be where I am today.”

11. Strong Leadership: Conviction • Park introduces a proposal of trust building with N Korea, such as calling for war torn families in North Korea and South Korea to reunite, but remains firm on her stance: When asked if she would consider a military response in case of a small-scale attack like in 2010, the president said, "Yes, we will make them pay."

12. Franklin Delano Roosevelt A strong democrat

13. Introduction • 32nd President of United States who was elected for four terms, longest serving

14. Introduction • Strong, resilient • Did not give up his political career even after he was half-paralyzed and served the nation until his death in 1945 • Intelligent, has foresight • Decisive and was able to implement policies to meet the country’s needs • Charismatic, good speaker • One of the most influential political leader of all time

15. Political Ideology • Strong belief in democratic society • leaders by the people, for the people • Implemented many different policies • Social • Social Security Act • Political • Played a significant role in WWII • Economic • New Deal • Economic Stabilisation with France, UK

16. Economic contributions • Brought America out of the Great Depression • Implemented the New Deal • Great Depression started in 1929. The GDP of the nation was declining and caused social problems such as high unemployment, poverty and low profits • Reformation of the financial system was executed to prevent Great Depression to happen again. First New Deal aimed to ensure the economic survival of America. Second New Deal was carried out to promote labor unions to aid farmers and migrant workers.

17. Charismatic leader • Convinced the people to save their money in local banks, instead of withdrawing and keeping their money at home (during the Great Depression). • This enabled economic growth since the banks were able to make investments. People benefited from the process as well.

18. Hugo Chavez Strong, vocal leader

19. Introduction • President of Venezuela from 1999-2012, died May 2012 in office

20. Introduction • Ran a failed coup in 1992, got jailed for 2 years • Venezuela currency dropped by more than 75% (April to August 2012) • Rewrote the Venezuelan Constitution twice • Venezuelans spilled out into the streets of the capital, crying and shouting: “Long live Chavez!”

21. Introduction • Firmly believed in socialism, hated capitalism • Was a very charismatic person (polarising) • Empowered the poor and the marginalized • Supported Fidel Castro in Cuba, has a strained relationship with the USA

22. Strong leadership • A very firm and domineering figure • Spent Venezuela’s oil wealth on social causes, aid to Cuba

23. Negative impacts • Police data indicate Venezuela's homicide rate of more than 71 per 100,000 is three times the rate in Mexico. • At least 21,692 people died in murders last year, according to the Venezuelan Observatory of Violence advocacy group. • Venezuela inflation running at annualized 45.4%, according to the Merco Press (2013 September)

24. Positive impacts • Empowered the poor and the marginalized • Utilized Venezuela’s huge oil reserves to fund social spending such as • State-run education • Literacy programs • Accessible healthcare

25. Comparison

26. Conclusion • We believe that democracy is the best form of government • Yielded greater results as compared to socialism, and less destructive than communism • Allows for participation of the people in politics • Increased representation of the people • Increased transparency • Benefits the people more