Governments

## United Kingdom

### 1. Political Institutions & Structures
- System: Unitary, parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy
- Executive: Prime Minister (head of government), Monarch (head of state, symbolic)
- Legislature: Bicameral (House of Commons – elected, House of Lords – appointed)
- Judiciary: Supreme Court (limited judicial review)
- Electoral System: First-past-the-post (FPTP) for general elections
- Major Parties: Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party (SNP)

### 2. Democratization & Political Change
- Long history of gradual democratic evolution (Magna Carta, Glorious Revolution, Reform Acts)
- Brexit (2016) and its impact on sovereignty and policy-making

### 3. Political Culture & Ideologies
- Strong political legitimacy based on tradition and democratic principles
- Regional nationalism (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
- Declining party loyalty, increasing political fragmentation

### 4. Economic & Social Policies
- Mixed economy with strong welfare state (NHS, pensions, unemployment benefits)
- Austerity measures post-2008 financial crisis
- Ongoing debates about privatization and social spending

### 5. Current Issues & Challenges
- Brexit’s economic and political effects
- Scottish independence movement
- Immigration and integration policies

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## Russia

### 1. Political Institutions & Structures
- System: Federal, semi-presidential republic
- Executive: President (dominant role), Prime Minister (secondary role)
- Legislature: Bicameral (State Duma – lower house, Federation Council – upper house)
- Judiciary: Constitutional Court, but weak judicial independence
- Electoral System: Mixed-member system (PR & FPTP), but heavily controlled
- Major Party: United Russia (dominant), with weak opposition

### 2. Democratization & Political Change
- Post-Soviet transition in the 1990s, shift to authoritarianism under Putin
- Constitutional amendments in 2020 extended Putin’s rule

### 3. Political Culture & Ideologies
- Strong nationalism and state-centered legitimacy
- Limited political participation, controlled opposition
- Suppression of protests and media censorship

### 4. Economic & Social Policies
- Resource-dependent economy (oil, gas)
- State-controlled industries, oligarchic influence
- Economic sanctions due to foreign policy actions (Crimea, Ukraine)

### 5. Current Issues & Challenges
- War in Ukraine and international sanctions
- Suppression of opposition (Navalny case, media censorship)
- Economic instability and corruption

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## China

### 1. Political Institutions & Structures
- System: Unitary, one-party socialist state (Communist Party rule)
- Executive: President (also General Secretary of CCP), Premier (head of government)
- Legislature: National People's Congress (NPC, largely symbolic)
- Judiciary: Subordinate to the Communist Party
- Electoral System: No competitive elections; CCP appoints leadership
- Major Party: Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

### 2. Democratization & Political Change
- Economic liberalization (Deng Xiaoping reforms, 1978)
- Tight political control despite economic openness
- Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power (abolishing term limits in 2018)

### 3. Political Culture & Ideologies
- State-led nationalism, Confucian influence
- Limited civil liberties, controlled media
- Political participation mainly through CCP-approved channels

### 4. Economic & Social Policies
- State capitalism with heavy government intervention
- Belt and Road Initiative (global economic influence)
- Social credit system, mass surveillance

### 5. Current Issues & Challenges
- US-China trade tensions
- Taiwan and Hong Kong autonomy issues
- Human rights concerns (Uyghurs, censorship)

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## Mexico

### 1. Political Institutions & Structures
- System: Federal, presidential democracy
- Executive: President (head of state and government, single 6-year term)
- Legislature: Bicameral (Chamber of Deputies, Senate)
- Judiciary: Supreme Court, improving independence
- Electoral System: Mixed-member proportional representation
- Major Parties: Morena, PRI, PAN, PRD

### 2. Democratization & Political Change
- Transition from PRI-dominated one-party rule (1929-2000) to democracy
- Electoral reforms (IFE, now INE, for fair elections)

### 3. Political Culture & Ideologies
- Patron-client networks (corporatism)
- High public distrust in government due to corruption
- Rising civil society activism

### 4. Economic & Social Policies
- NAFTA/USMCA trade agreements
- High economic inequality
- War on drugs and security challenges

### 5. Current Issues & Challenges
- Cartel violence and crime
- Corruption scandals
- Migration issues with the US

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## Iran

### 1. Political Institutions & Structures
- System: Theocratic republic with elements of democracy
- Executive: Supreme Leader (dominant role), President (limited power)
- Legislature: Unicameral (Majles)
- Judiciary: Guardian Council (vets candidates, interprets laws)
- Electoral System: Controlled elections with vetting by clerics
- Major Political Groups: Hardliners vs. Reformists

### 2. Democratization & Political Change
- Islamic Revolution (1979) replaced monarchy with theocracy
- Green Movement (2009) and ongoing protests

### 3. Political Culture & Ideologies
- Shia Islam as basis of governance
- Anti-Western rhetoric, strong nationalism
- Women’s rights and civil liberties debates

### 4. Economic & Social Policies
- Oil-dependent economy, sanctions impact
- High youth unemployment
- Social restrictions (morality laws, internet censorship)

### 5. Current Issues & Challenges
- Protests against regime policies
- Nuclear negotiations and US relations
- Regional conflicts (Syria, Iraq, Yemen)

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## Nigeria

### 1. Political Institutions & Structures
- System: Federal, presidential democracy
- Executive: President (head of state and government)
- Legislature: Bicameral (House of Representatives, Senate)
- Judiciary: Supreme Court, but struggles with corruption
- Electoral System: FPTP, issues with election fraud
- Major Parties: APC, PDP

### 2. Democratization & Political Change
- Military rule until 1999, now democratic but unstable
- Frequent electoral violence

### 3. Political Culture & Ideologies
- Ethnic and religious divisions (Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo)
- Clientelism and corruption
- Strong regional identities

### 4. Economic & Social Policies
- Oil-dependent economy, corruption issues
- Extreme wealth inequality
- Boko Haram insurgency and security issues

### 5. Current Issues & Challenges
- Ethnic and religious conflicts
- Corruption and governance issues
- Economic diversification efforts