APCG country notes

United Kingdom (UK)

Regime Type

• Liberal democracy

• Constitutional monarchy

• Unitary state with devolved powers

Political System

• Parliamentary democracy

• Head of State: Monarch (King Charles III)

• Head of Government: Prime Minister (Rishi Sunak as of 2024)

Key Institutions

• Parliament: Bicameral (House of Commons + House of Lords)

  • House of Commons: elected, FPTP system

  • House of Lords: appointed, limited powers

• Prime Minister: Leader of majority party in Commons, sets policy agenda

• Cabinet: Ministers appointed by PM, drawn from Commons or Lords

• Judiciary: Independent; Supreme Court established in 2009

Political Parties

• Conservative Party (center-right)

• Labour Party (center-left)

• Liberal Democrats, SNP (Scotland), others

Key Concepts

• Brexit: UK's exit from EU in 2020, issues of sovereignty

• Devolution: Powers granted to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

• Austerity: Conservative-led budget cuts post-2008

Russia

Regime Type

• Authoritarian

• Federal state

• Semi-presidential system

Political System

• President: Vladimir Putin

  • Dominant power; appoints PM, influences judiciary

• Prime Minister: Subordinate to president

• Federal Assembly:

  • State Duma: lower house, limited real power

  • Federation Council: upper house, appointed

• Judiciary: Lacks independence

Political Parties

• United Russia (pro-Putin, dominant)

• Weak opposition: Communist Party, A Just Russia

Key Concepts

• Power vertical: Centralized control from presidency

• Siloviki: Security elites influencing policy

• State corporatism: State control over civil society and economy

• Managed elections: Not free or fair

China

Regime Type

• One-party authoritarian state

• Unitary system

Political System

• Chinese Communist Party (CCP) dominates all institutions

• President/General Secretary: Xi Jinping

• Premier: Head of government (Li Qiang as of 2024)

• National People’s Congress (NPC): Rubber-stamp legislature

Political Structure

• Politburo & Standing Committee: Most powerful CCP bodies

• No independent judiciary

• No direct national elections

Key Concepts

• Social credit system

• Censorship and surveillance

• Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): Global infrastructure strategy

• State capitalism: Market economy with state-owned enterprises (SOEs)

Iran

Regime Type

• Theocratic-authoritarian hybrid

• Unitary system

Political System

• Supreme Leader: Ali Khamenei (most powerful)

• President: Ebrahim Raisi (limited power)

• Majles: Elected legislature

• Guardian Council: Vetting power, half appointed by Supreme Leader

• Assembly of Experts: Can choose/remove Supreme Leader

• Revolutionary Guard: Powerful military and economic force

Political Structure

• Dual sovereignty: Elected vs. unelected institutions

• Judiciary: Based on Sharia law

Key Concepts

• Islamic Republic: Combines religion and republicanism

• Sanctions and nuclear negotiations

• State control over media and civil society

Nigeria

Regime Type

• Transitional democracy (hybrid regime)

• Federal republic

Political System

• President: Head of state and government

• National Assembly: Bicameral (Senate and House of Reps)

• Judiciary: Constitutionally independent but politically weak

• Federalism: 36 states with significant autonomy

Political Parties

• All Progressives Congress (APC)

• People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Key Concepts

• Ethnic and religious cleavages: North (Muslim), South (Christian)

• Federal Character Principle: Promotes inclusivity in appointments

• Resource curse: Oil dependency and corruption

• Boko Haram: Terrorist group in the northeast

• Civil society: Growing but under pressure

Mexico

Regime Type

• Presidential democracy

• Federal republic

Political System

• President: Head of state and government (AMLO as of 2024)

• Congress: Bicameral (Senate and Chamber of Deputies)

• Judiciary: Formally independent; still undergoing reform

Political Parties

• MORENA (left-wing, AMLO)

• PRI: Former dominant party

• PAN, PRD: Key opposition parties

Key Concepts

• Transition to democracy: End of PRI dominance in 2000

• Electoral reforms: Independent electoral commission (INE)

• Decentralization: State governors with real power

• Cartel violence and corruption: Undermines rule of law

• Clientelism and patronage: Still present in some areas