Regimes and Political Institutions
What is something democracy has that an authoritarian regime doesn't?
A democracy has free and fair elections and protection of civil liberties, while an authoritarian regime lacks these elements.
What is GDP and what does it stand for?
Gross Domestic Product measures a country's economic output and is used to compare levels of development and economic performance.
What type of electoral system does the UK use for parliamentary elections? (Hint: FPTP)
First Past the Post (favors large parties, since small parties struggle due to vote concentration requirements)
What is civil society?
Organizations and associations independent of the state that allow citizens to express views and organize.
What is NAFTA (USMCA)?
NAFTA - the North American Free Trade Agreement (between the US, Canada, and Mexico). NAFTA was replaced by the USMCA in 2020.
What type of regime does Iran have and who holds ultimate authority?
Iran is a theocratic authoritarian regime with a Supreme Leader who holds ultimate authority above elected officials.
What is China's role in the global economy?
Major trade power, manufacturing hub, Belt and Road Initiative (strategy that seeks to connect Asia and Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks to improve regional integration, increase trade, and stimulate economic growth)
What is the major political party that has dominated post-Soviet Russia? (Hint: it's not the communist party)
United Russia
Name a civil liberty that is protected in democracies but often restricted in authoritarian regimes?
Freedom of the press, freedom of speech
What is the Majilis in Iran, and what does it do?
The Majilis is Iran's unicameral legislature. It enacts laws, approves the budget, and can remove cabinet ministers (laws must be approved by the Guardian Council)
What is a constitutional monarchy and which country has it?
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government that is ruled by a king/queen whose power is limited by its country's constitution. Political power is shared between the monarch and a constitutional government, such as parliament. The UK.
What is Brexit and when was it finalized?
The UK's decision to leave the European Union, finalized in 2020.
What has been a major challenge to free elections in Nigeria since its return to democracy in 1999?
Electoral violence, voter intimidation, and vote-buying.
Describe Boko Haram and the role is has played in disrupting Nigerian society.
Boko Haram is an islamist terrorist group targeting government + civilians.
What is the upper house of the UK Parliament called?
The House of Lords, which works alongside the House of Commons (the lower house).
What is a unitary system of government and name a country that has it?
A system of government where all the power is constitutionally (formally) given to the national government. Local governments have limited autonomy or are directly controlled by the national government. Ex: UK, China, Iran
How does the US' capitalist economic system differ from Russia's state capitalism?
Why are third parties in the US rarely successful in winning elections?
How does the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) limit civil liberties while maintaining legitimacy?
Through censorship, surveillance, and nationalism, while delivering economic growth and social stability.
What is the concept of "jurist guardianship" in Iran?
Jurist guardianship is the principle that religious leaders, particularly the Supreme Leader, have authority over political and legal matters, ensuring laws comply with Shari'a law.
Describe theocracy and name a country that has it.
Theocracy is a system of government based on clerical authority or religious law (a state lacking a separation of church and state). Ex: Iran
Compare how Mexico and Iran navigate global economic pressures.
Mexico is integrated into global markets via trade deals like USMCA, while Iran faces sanctions and must rely on informal economic ties and self-sufficiency.
Compare the role of opposition parties in the US and Russia.
The US has a strong two-party system with institutional competition. Russia's opposition is marginalized and often persecuted.
Compare the role of religious freedom in Iran and the UK.
Iran prioritizes Shari'a law in governance, limiting religious freedom for minorities. The UK is secular with broad religious protections.
What is SZA's most successful song to date?
Kill Bill