Unit 1: Intro to CompGov
In Mexico, cartel violence challenges the government’s ability to enforce law within its own territory.
What is internal sovereignty?
The UK Supreme Court can rule on devolution and rights issues, but it cannot overturn acts of Parliament. This limitation exists because of this constitutional principle.
What is parliamentary sovereignty?
The UK’s Brexit vote and Scotland’s independence vote are examples of this form of direct popular vote on a policy issue.
What is a referendum?
Mexico uses 300 single-member districts and 200 proportional representation seats for the Chamber of Deputies.
What is a mixed electoral system?
Mexico’s shift away from state-owned industries and toward privatization and free trade reflects this economic ideology.
What is neoliberalism/economic liberalism?
Russia holds elections, has opposition parties, and has a legislature, but competition is restricted and the ruling party dominates. What is their regime type?
What is electoral authoritarianism?
In Iran, this unelected body can approve or reject legislation and vet candidates for office.
What is the Guardian Council?
In Mexico, indigenous groups face weaker access to education, health care, and political power, especially in the poorer south.
What is social cleavage?
The UK’s first-past-the-post system usually benefits Labour and the Conservatives while disadvantaging smaller national parties.
What is Duverger’s Law?
Dependence on oil revenue, combined with corruption and limited economic diversification, is an example of this problem.
What is the resource curse/rentier state?
Iran’s government combines elected institutions with unelected clerical oversight, creating tension between democratic participation and this religious principle of rule.
What is theocracy?
This power allows a legislature to investigate the bureaucracy, question officials, and hold cabinet members accountable for how laws are carried out.
What is legislative oversight?
In Russia, the state uses groups like Nashi and the Youth Army to teach loyalty to Putin and the regime.
What is political socialization?
Under the PRI rule, Mexico recognized official labor, business, and agricultural groups while limiting independent group competition.
What is patron-corporatism?
This economic ideology supports strong government and social policy, often including state ownership or direction of major industries.
What is statism?
Mexico’s 2000 election, when the PRI lost power after decades of dominance, is often used as evidence that Mexico passed this test of democratic transition.
What is the two-turnover test?
In a democracy, officials and citizens are subject to the same laws; in authoritarian systems, the law may instead be applied arbitrarily to punish opponents.
What is rule of law vs. rule by law?
This 2009 Iranian protest movement emerged after disputed presidential election results and was met with repression by the government.
What is the Green Movement?
This type of organization is officially recognized by the state as the representative of a sector such as labor, business, or agriculture.
What is a peak association/single peak association?
These IMF-backed reforms often require states to privatize industries, reduce tariffs, cut subsidies, and reduce government spending in exchange for financial assistance.
What is a structural adjustment program?
This process describes a decline in democratic quality, often shown through weaker rule of law, less transparency, reduced accountability, and limits on participation.
What is democratic backsliding?
In a parliamentary system, a prime minister can be removed when the legislature withdraws support from the government.
What is a vote of no confidence?
This voluntary paramilitary force in Iran acts as a morality police, enforcing rules such as hijab requirements and supporting regime control over society
What is Basij?
This youth-led Nigerian protest movement challenged police brutality and corruption, especially abuses by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
What is the EndSARS Movement?
Globalization can weaken state sovereignty when multinational corporations move production across borders to find lower taxes, wages, or regulations.
What is the race to the bottom?