Comparative Government and Politics Lecture Notes Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the comparative government systems, regimes, and political processes of the UK, Russia, China, Mexico, Nigeria, and Iran.

Unitary System

A system of government where power is concentrated in the central government, as seen in the UK (with devolution), China, and Iran.

Asymmetric Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between central and regional governments, but some regions have more power than others, specifically characteristic of Russia.

Liberal Democracy

A political regime characterized by free and fair elections, rule of law, and protection of civil liberties, as exemplified by the UK.

Illiberal Democracy

A regime that holds elections but lacks significant civil liberties and the rule of law, described in the notes as the regime type for Russia.

Theocracy

A form of government where religious leaders hold power and law is based on religious texts, such as Iran governed by the Koran and Shari'a law.

Westminster System

The UK's policy-making center consisting of the Prime Minister and the cabinet.

Politburo Standing Committee

The actual center of policy-making in China, although the National People’s Congress is the legislative body on paper.

Semi-Presidential System

A system with both a President and a Prime Minister, where the President is the executive head, as seen in Russia.

Shari'a Law

Islamic law used in Iran's judicial system and in the courts of Northern Nigeria.

Jurist's Guardianship

The principle in Iran's theocracy giving the senior clergy authority over the entire community, associated with the Assembly of Religious Experts.

SMDs (Single Member Districts)

An electoral system where one representative is chosen per district, used in the UK ('first-past-the-post') and parts of the processes in Russia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Iran.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system where parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive, used in Wales, Scotland, and parts of the legislatures in Russia and Mexico.

INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Nigeria, responsible for overseeing the electoral process.

Guardian Council

An Iranian body composed of 12 members (6 appointed by the Supreme Leader, 6 by the Chief Justice) that screens candidates for elections.

Expediency Council

An Iranian administrative body appointed by the Supreme Leader to resolve disputes between the Majles and the Guardian Council.

CCP

The Chinese Communist Party, which holds a monopoly on power in China's one-party system.

PRI

The Institutional Revolutionary Party in Mexico, which held a monopoly on power for much of the 20th century before losing it in 1989.

Guanxi

A network of personal relationships and connections used in Chinese political participation.

Nomenklatura

The system of patronage and appointment used by the CCP in China to control key positions.

Camarillas

Patron-client networks in Mexican politics that were particularly prominent before the year 2000.

Patrimonialism

A form of governance where all power flows from the leader, often involving nepotism and clientelism, noted as a factor in Nigerian political participation.

Cleavages

Social divisions based on nationality, ethnicity, religion, or geography that impact politics, such as the North/South split in Nigeria and Mexico.

1917 Constitution

The fundamental law of Mexico which provides the basis for its current government structure and rule of law.

Green Movement

A significant protest movement in Iran following the 2008 presidential elections.

Brexit

The 2016 referendum and subsequent process of the UK leaving the European Union.

Perestroika

The economic 'restructuring' initiated in the Soviet Union during the 1980s.

Glasnost

The policy of political 'openness' and transparency initiated in the USSR during the 1980s.

Shock Therapy

The rapid transition to a market economy through privatization in 1990s Russia, which led to the rise of oligarchs.

Socialist Market Economy

China's economic model since the 1980s, combining state control with market mechanisms.

SEZs (Special Economic Zones)

Designated areas in China with more free-market oriented economic laws to attract foreign investment.

ISI (Import Substitution Industrialization)

An economic policy used in Mexico that was later replaced by a neoliberal model and increased globalization through NAFTA.

USMCA

The trade agreement between the US, Mexico, and Canada that replaced NAFTA.

Rentier State

A state which derives all or a substantial portion of its national revenues from the rent of indigenous resources to external clients, such as Nigeria and Iran.

Resource Trap

A situation where a country's reliance on one natural resource (like oil) hinders economic diversification and can lead to corruption, affecting Nigeria, Iran, and Russia.

Devolution

The transfer of powers from a central government to regional governments, as seen in the UK with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Boko Haram

A terrorist organization in Nigeria that represents a major current security issue.