Political Institutions
Authoritarianism and Democratization
Economic Policies and Development
Civil Society and Political Participation
Political Culture and Identity
100

What is the name of the upper house of the UK Parliament?

House of Lords

100

Which country in the course has a dual executive where both the Supreme Leader and President hold power?

Iran

100

What economic system did China introduce in the 1980s that allowed for some market practices?

Socialist market economy or economic liberalization

100

What is civil society?

Organizations and associations independent of the government that express citizens' interests

100

What is a coinciding cleavage and how can it increase conflict?

When social divisions like ethnicity and religion overlap, intensifying divisions

200

In Iran, who has the power to approve candidates for election and veto legislation?

Guardian Council

200

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

200

What does ISI stand for, and which country among the six used it heavily in the mid-20th century?

Import Substitution Industrialization; Mexico

200

Why is civil society often weak in authoritarian regimes like China or Russia?

Government repression, surveillance, and legal restrictions

200

Which ethnic group has pushed for independence from China, leading to major surveillance in the region?

Uyghurs

300

What is the main function of the Chinese Politburo Standing Committee?

To make top-level policy decisions and direct the Communist Party's priorities

300

How did the PRI in Mexico maintain dominance for most of the 20th century?

Through patronage, electoral fraud, and corporatist structures

300

What was the result of Russia’s “shock therapy” in the 1990s?

Rapid privatization, inflation, and increased inequality

300

What is the significance of the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria?

It was a youth-led protest against police brutality, highlighting civic engagement

300

How did colonialism shape Nigeria’s political identity and party system?

Created regional divisions and a legacy of centralized, patron-client politics

400

What is the name of the legislative body in Nigeria?

National Assembly

400

What is a key reason why competitive elections in Nigeria are often undermined?

Electoral violence, vote-buying, and weak institutions

400

How has Nigeria’s reliance on oil exports impacted its economy and governance?

Created dependency, corruption, and underinvestment in other sectors

400

How does the state corporatism model limit civil society in Iran?

Groups must register with and are often controlled by the state, reducing independence

400

What is the significance of religion in Iranian political culture?

It is embedded in governance, with Shia Islam shaping law and leadership

500

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

500

What strategies has the Chinese Communist Party used to prevent demands for democratization?

Censorship, surveillance, economic growth, and limited local elections

500

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

500

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

500

How does nationalism affect Russia’s foreign and domestic policy under Putin?

Promotes a strong Russian identity, justifies centralization, and frames opposition as unpatriotic