Gerrymandering notes

Overview of Nationalist and Communist Governments in China

The nationalist government received support from the United States during World War II against Japan. Post-war, the communist government led by Mao Zedong overthrew the nationalists. The nationalists fled to Taiwan, establishing a separate government.

Taiwan's Historical Context

• Once part of China, now functions independently.

• Taiwan operates as the Republic of China (ROC).

Territorial Claims

• Claims to Territory: Taiwan claims all of China while mainland China claims Taiwan.

• Understanding the Terms: The term "People's Democratic Republic" often indicates a communist regime. The more "democratic" the title, the more authoritarian the underlying government tends to be.

• Territorial Confusion: Confusion exists around territorial claims and the recognition of borders, particularly in relation to Taiwan.

Geopolitical Context: China and India Borders

• China shares borders with several countries, including India, which has historically been a point of contention.

• Both nations have differing claims over territories, such as Aksai Chin (claimed by India) and Arunachal Pradesh (claimed by China). The Sino-Indian War of 1962 highlighted these tensions but the borders continue to be disputed.

Reapportionment in the US

• Every ten years, the seats in the US House of Representatives are redistributed based on changes in the population as measured by the census.

• The total number of seats in the House is fixed at 435, but how these seats are allocated can change significantly due to population shifts.

Gerrymandering

• Gerrymandering refers to the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to benefit a political party.

• There are two main techniques in gerrymandering:

  • Packing: Concentrating a particular group's voters into a single district to minimize their influence in surrounding districts.

  • Cracking: Diluting a particular group's voters across multiple districts to prevent them from achieving a majority.

• Examples include districts that may have irregular shapes crafted to include particular voting blocs while excluding others.

Gerrymandering can greatly affect electoral outcomes and political power, leading to calls for reform and fair redistricting practices.