All Flashcards
What is the role of the Prime Minister in the UK?
Head of government, leader of the majority party in Parliament.
What is the role of the Parliament in the UK?
Legislative body responsible for making laws and holding the government accountable.
What is the role of the Supreme Leader in Iran?
Highest religious and political authority, oversees all branches of government.
What is the role of the President in Russia?
Head of state, appoints the prime minister and cabinet, issues decrees.
What is the role of the Communist Party in China?
Dominant political organization, controls the government and military.
What is the role of the President in Mexico?
Head of state and government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
What is the role of the President in Nigeria?
Head of state and government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
What is the role of the legislature in Russia?
Formally enacts laws, but largely controlled by the executive branch.
What is the role of the Iranian President?
Second-highest ranking official; implements the constitution and heads the executive branch.
What is the role of the judiciary in the UK?
Interprets laws and ensures they are applied fairly.
Define 'Power'.
The ability to direct the behavior of others through coercion, persuasion, or leadership.
Define 'Authority'.
The right to rule, accepted by those being governed.
What is a 'Constitution'?
The fundamental rules and principles by which a state is governed.
Define 'Clientelism'.
A political system where favors are exchanged for support, often involving an implicit or explicit quid-pro-quo.
Define 'Theocracy'.
A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god.
What is 'Sharia Law'?
Islamic religious law derived from the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad.
What is an 'Authoritarian Regime'?
A system of government characterized by strong central control and limited political freedoms.
Define 'Democracy'.
A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
What is a 'Legislature'?
A deliberative body of persons, usually elective, empowered to enact, change, or repeal the laws of a country or state.
Define 'Evolutionary Change'.
Gradual and incremental changes in a political system over time.
Compare the sources of power in the UK and Iran.
UK: Constitution, tradition, Parliament | Iran: Religion (Shiism), Supreme Leader.
Contrast the changes in power in Mexico and China.
Mexico: Authoritarian to emerging democracy | China: Dynastic rule to Communist authoritarianism.
What are the differences between the UK monarchy and the Iranian Supreme Leader?
UK Monarchy: Symbolic, limited power | Iranian Supreme Leader: Significant religious and political power.
Compare the roles of the military in Nigeria and China.
Nigeria: Historically involved in coups and dictatorships | China: Controlled by the Communist Party to maintain power.
Contrast the political systems of Russia and the UK.
Russia: Strong presidency, history of authoritarianism | UK: Parliamentary system, evolutionary democracy.
Compare the influence of religion in Iran and Nigeria.
Iran: Foundation of theocracy, Sharia law | Nigeria: Significant influence, but secular state with religious diversity.
Contrast the role of the legislature in the UK and Russia.
UK: Powerful, shapes political direction | Russia: Used by political elite to maintain power.
Compare the transitions of power in Mexico and Nigeria.
Mexico: Transition from authoritarianism to democracy | Nigeria: Transition from military rule to democracy, but with ongoing military influence.
Contrast the political change in the UK and Iran.
UK: Evolutionary change | Iran: Revolutionary change.
Compare the level of political centralization in China and Mexico.
China: Highly centralized under the Communist Party | Mexico: More decentralized with emerging democracy.