EUROPE

GOOGLE EARTH PANEL PRESENTATION

POLITICAL GENERALISATIONS & IMPLICATIONS

Colonial past powerful countries giving opportunities to be in powerful organisations such as UN Members of United Nations have a say in world politics (even if the economy is failing such as UK) ensure that their stand Adopts the system of democracy Member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) under the protection of US in events of military attack

ECONOMIC GENERALISATIONS & IMPLICATIONS

European sovereign debt crisis negative economic growth Members of IMF resources available to member countries to improve economy of country Classified by IMF as advanced economies High tourism vulnerable to change in taste and preferences Mostly welfare states stifle economic growth less competitive economy With high technological advancement

SOCIAL GENERALISATIONS & IMPLICATIONS

Resentment frequent riots instability of countries School life expectancy High literacy rate High taxation rate Strain on the citizens Mostly welfare states attract the wrong kind of immigrants, those who would be likely to piggyback on the system most dynamic immigrants avoid such welfare states to pay less tax and receive more in return for their work and efforts. High cost of living increasing burden on households

ANY POLITICAL /HISTORIAL UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

UK :Colonial masters in the past Able to get a place in powerful and influential organisations such as NATO, UN, IMF Have a say in world politics and even has influence over world decisions despite the failing economy

ANY POLITICAL /HISTORIAL UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

Greece :Europes tradition of the importance of Europes tradition of the importance of the rule of law has its roots in Ancient Greece Great impact on the development of politics The Greeks do not identify with the politics of central government, despite the fact that one out of every four Greeks is a public servant and is directly dependent on the government for their income Government is highly corrupted

ANY POLITICAL /HISTORIAL UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

Spain : Relations in the Arab world. Barcelona serves as the headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean, which was proposed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007. Implication: This would help Spain to advance and further develop as a country. It also expand dialogue and trade between Europe and the nations of North Africa and the Middle East, including Israel.

ANY POLITICAL /HISTORIAL UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

France : Unitary semi-president republic. (President
and Prime Minister are both active participants in the administration of state) It differs from the parliamentary republic adopted by the other countries in the Europe Region Strengthens the authority of the executive in relation to parliament.

ANY ECONOMIC UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

UK: One of the European countries that has the highest economic freedom Highest Gini Coefficient among the European countries (UKs Gini index is 34 while Sweden is the lowest in Europe) unequal distribution of income might lead to tension between the rich and the poor conflict social unrest in country deters foreign investment

ANY ECONOMIC UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

Greece: Even compared with other European states with bungled budgets, Greece's finances are in a dire condition facing the biggest problem as compared to other countries in Europe

ANY ECONOMIC UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

Spain: Relatively lower debts among the countries involved in the Europe Debt Crisis. No falsification of accounts. Implications: Spain would then be able to recover from the Debt Crisis relatively faster. France: Much heavier investment in nuclear power most electricity produced in the country is generated by nuclear power plants lower emission of carbon dioxide

ANY SOCIAL UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

UK: Has the second broadband access (however, there is issues of internet censorship recently) Press freedom able to hear different voices Govt can find solutions/ chaos(youth use BBM and twitter to plan riots during the London youth riots)

ANY SOCIAL UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

Greece: Ancient Greece is considered by most historians to be the foundational culture of Western Civilization Great influence on the culture in Europe Ancient Greek civilization has been immensely influential on the language, politics, educational systems, philosophy, art and architecture of the modern world Great influence on the culture in Europe

ANY SOCIAL UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

Spain: Ethnic groups: Distinct ethnic groups within Spain (include the Basques, Catalans, and Galicians.) Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic (approx. 75%); Protestant and Islamic faiths also have a significant presence. Unemployment rate (third quarter 2011): 21.52%. Implications: UnemploymentIncreasing difficulty to find jobs-->Rise in unhappiness in people social unrest(riots)

ANY SOCIAL UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

France: France obesity rate is the lowest of the
Europe led to them being nutritional role model for Europe.