Political Institutions
What is the name of the upper house of the UK Parliament?
House of Lords
Which country in the course has a dual executive where both the Supreme Leader and President hold power?
Iran
What economic system did China introduce in the 1980s that allowed for some market practices?
Socialist market economy or economic liberalization
What is civil society?
Organizations and associations independent of the government that express citizens' interests
What is a coinciding cleavage and how can it increase conflict?
When social divisions like ethnicity and religion overlap, intensifying divisions
In Iran, who has the power to approve candidates for election and veto legislation?
Guardian Council
What was a major democratic reform in Russia under Boris Yeltsin that was later reversed under Putin?
Regional governors were elected but later became appointed
What does ISI stand for, and which country among the six used it heavily in the mid-20th century?
Import Substitution Industrialization; Mexico
Why is civil society often weak in authoritarian regimes like China or Russia?
Government repression, surveillance, and legal restrictions
Which ethnic group has pushed for independence from China, leading to major surveillance in the region?
Uyghurs
What is the main function of the Chinese Politburo Standing Committee?
To make top-level policy decisions and direct the Communist Party's priorities
How did the PRI in Mexico maintain dominance for most of the 20th century?
Through patronage, electoral fraud, and corporatist structures
What was the result of Russia’s “shock therapy” in the 1990s?
Rapid privatization, inflation, and increased inequality
What is the significance of the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria?
It was a youth-led protest against police brutality, highlighting civic engagement
How did colonialism shape Nigeria’s political identity and party system?
Created regional divisions and a legacy of centralized, patron-client politics
What is the name of the legislative body in Nigeria?
National Assembly
What is a key reason why competitive elections in Nigeria are often undermined?
Electoral violence, vote-buying, and weak institutions
How has Nigeria’s reliance on oil exports impacted its economy and governance?
Created dependency, corruption, and underinvestment in other sectors
How does the state corporatism model limit civil society in Iran?
Groups must register with and are often controlled by the state, reducing independence
What is the significance of religion in Iranian political culture?
It is embedded in governance, with Shia Islam shaping law and leadership
In Mexico, how does the sexenio system affect presidential power and succession?
It limits the president to one six-year term, reducing long-term authoritarian rule and ensuring leadership turnover
What strategies has the Chinese Communist Party used to prevent demands for democratization?
Censorship, surveillance, economic growth, and limited local elections
What are TVEs and what role did they play in China’s rural development?
Township and Village Enterprises; allowed rural entrepreneurship and economic growth without privatization
How has the internet both helped and hindered political participation in Russia?
It allows dissidents to organize, but the government uses surveillance and censorship to suppress dissent
How does nationalism affect Russia’s foreign and domestic policy under Putin?
Promotes a strong Russian identity, justifies centralization, and frames opposition as unpatriotic