Page 1 : Ans. The cartoon refers to the problems of running a coalition government. If any one, party fails to get a majority, they are left with no option but to form a coalition, government. In a coalition government, conflicts are maximum, decision making, , becomes slow and they generally result in fall of the government as all the parties want to, have the charge of the key areas (steering wheel as depicted in this cartoon). There cannot, be two steering wheels in car, as it will make it directionless., , 2) Which country is represented here?, , , , , , Sagar Jaggi Page 2, , , , , , Ans. The country represented and talked here is Germany. The two major parties of the, country, namely the Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party formed, a coalition, The two parties are historically rivals to each other. They had to forma, coalition government because neither of them got clear majority of seats on their own in, the 2005 elections. They take divergent positions on several policy matters, but still, jointly run the government., , , , Reigning the Reins, , Olle Johansson - Sweden, Cagle Cartoons Inc., 25 Feb. 2005, , 1) What does the cartoon represent?, , , , Ans. In 2005, some new laws were made in Russia giving more powers to its President., During the same time the US President visited Russia. Here, Putin can be seen advising, Bush that they got to keep their rein tight, i.e. they should have the maximum control., , , , 2) Identify the two main leaders shown here., Ans. George W. Bush of USA and Vladimir Putin of Russia., , 3) What, according to this cartoon, is the relationship between democracy and, concentration of power?, , , , , , Sagar Jaggi Page 3, , , , , , , , Ans. The very idea of democracy is against the concept of concentration of power., The cartoon explains how the US and the Russian President have given them more, powers in having a final say with regard to any policy decision and are controlling, the democratic regimes of their respective country., , 4, , Can you think of some other examples to illustrate the point being made, here?, , Ans. Any other country where power distribution is not fair and is uneven can be cited, as an example here. For example- when Sheikh Mujib Ur Rahman did the same thing by, declaring Bangladesh as a one party democracy and making his own party ( Awami, League) more dominant and powerful.