UK Political System Overview

A constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.

Right-leaning, emphasising economic conservatism (free trade, privatization, deregulation), social conservatism (traditional values), and anti-immigration stance.

Left-leaning, advocating for a stronger welfare state, more regulation, and social liberalism (e.g., LGBTQ+ rights).

A multi-party system including Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, and SNP.

Includes business leaders (opposing high taxes and regulation), social conservatives (resisting social changes), nationalists (anti-immigration), and increasingly Brexit supporters.

The UK faces challenges like declining industrial competitiveness compared to other countries, economic downturns caused by global crises, and the impact of globalization, including financial hub status.

Margaret Thatcher's policies included privatization of state-owned industries like railroads, aiming to increase efficiency and reduce government involvement in the economy.

The UK has deep social divides, including historical divisions like Scotland vs. England, religious differences in Northern Ireland, class differences, and recent political divisions like pro- and anti-EU sentiments.

Protests in the UK are generally allowed, but there are regulations regarding time, location, noise, and violence.

Brexit caused significant social and economic turmoil, deepening existing divisions and creating challenges for the UK's economic future.

The UK has a long history of immigration, with both legal and illegal flows. Recent Conservative policies have focused on restricting immigration, with measures like asylum seeker detention and deportation.

The UK generally upholds civil rights and liberties, including freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion, and protection against discrimination. However, there are concerns about discrimination against certain minorities.

The UK faces demographic challenges, including an aging population, high immigration, and concerns about job competition.

Russia has a semi-presidential system, with a strong executive (President) and a parliament. The political party system is heavily dominated by United Russia, which is associated with President Putin.

United Russia is the dominant political party in Russia, emphasizing strong state control, economic stability, and traditional values. It largely relies on association with Putin for its success.

A situation where a country heavily relies on natural resources, neglecting development in other sectors, leading to vulnerability to global economic shifts, inequality, and corruption.

The process where state assets were transferred to individuals connected to the communist party, often with little transparency or accountability.

A system where power is concentrated at the top, with few checks and balances, allowing Putin to control institutions and suppress opposition.

Problems arose from insider privatization, inadequate infrastructure, confusing regulations, inefficient agricultural companies, weak state institutions, and corruption.

Putin used high oil prices to nationalize the oil and gas industry, reined in oligarchs, and brought stability to the economy.

Putin has restricted freedom of speech, suppressed protests, limited civil society, and manipulated elections to consolidate power.

He allows opposition to exist but prevents them from winning by hindering their campaigns or imprisoning influential voices.

Protests are suppressed, independent media outlets are stifled, opposition figures are silenced, internet access is controlled, and NGOs are closely monitored.

Historically, figures like Stalin and Putin have positioned Russia against the West, promoting nationalistic sentiment and rejecting Western liberal values.

From serfdom to imperial ambitions to Soviet communism, historical factors laid the groundwork for Putin's authoritarian rule.

The transfer of power and authority from the central government to regional or local governments. In the UK, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have devolved powers.

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in a district wins, regardless of the percentage of votes received. It can lead to a single party winning a majority with less than 50% of the vote.

An electoral system where seats in parliament are allocated proportionally to the number of votes each party receives, ensuring representation for smaller parties.

A situation where no single party wins a majority in the House of Commons, requiring a coalition government or minority government.

A government formed by two or more parties joining forces to achieve a parliamentary majority. Usually negotiated after an election when no party wins a majority.

The principle that parliament is the supreme law-making body, not subject to any other institution or body.

Regular sessions in the House of Commons where ministers are questioned by MPs on various matters of policy and government actions.

The upper house of the UK Parliament, composed of unelected members, including hereditary peers and life peers.

Judge-made law based on precedents set in previous court decisions, forming a key part of the UK legal system.

The power of a court to review legislation and executive actions to ensure they comply with the constitution or fundamental rights.

An economic policy emphasizing national wealth accumulation, with a focus on exporting more goods than importing, and amassing gold and silver. The UK practiced this during its colonial era.

A period of rapid technological advancement and industrial growth, marking a major shift from an agricultural society to an industrial one. Britain was a pioneer in this process.

A publicly funded healthcare system in the UK, providing universal healthcare to all citizens, regardless of ability to pay.

A period of global expansion and colonialism, where European powers, including the UK, established vast empires and colonized territories.

Powerful business tycoons who amassed wealth during the post-Soviet transition, wielding significant influence in the 1990s but their influence declined under Putin.

China has 55 officially recognized ethnic groups, many of whom live in autonomous regions designated for their cultural preservation. However, these regions often lack true autonomy and face cultural suppression.

Conflicts arising from regions within Russia seeking more self-governing power, particularly those with non-Russian ethnicities, leading to tensions and armed conflicts like in Chechnya.

Implemented by Deng Xiaoping, this policy limited most families to one child, leading to a skewed gender ratio, an aging population, and a decline in the working-age population. The policy has since been relaxed.

Super-regions created by Putin to strengthen central control, with appointed officials overseeing regional governments.

Human rights violations against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, including forced labor, surveillance, and imprisonment in re-education camps, have been widely documented. Similarly, Tibetans face ethnic and religious repression.

Putin's move to end popular election for regional governors, citing corruption concerns, instead allowing the president to nominate and regional legislature to approve.

Under Deng Xiaoping's leadership, China embraced market-oriented reforms and economic liberalization policies, leading to rapid economic growth. However, the government maintains a strong control over the economy and resists political liberalization.

China experiences a significant urban-rural divide, with people migrating from rural areas to cities, particularly from the west to the eastern coastal cities. This migration contributes to an imbalance in economic development and social opportunities.

Moscow retains control over tax revenues, which are not always distributed equally across regions, leading to potential disparities.

Stalin's policy of seizing all land and making it public property, aiming to consolidate agricultural production under the control of the state.

Stalin's focus on rapidly developing heavy industry, turning the Soviet Union into an industrial powerhouse by investing in steel, oil, and other sectors.

Stalin's use of the secret police to suppress dissent, establishing a network of prison camps (Gulags) to silence opponents.

Mikhail Gorbachev introduced political and economic reforms, 'glasnost' (openness) and 'perestroika' (restructuring), but they resulted in economic instability and triggered calls for independence.

Boris Yeltsin implemented drastic economic reforms, quickly removing state control and privatizing industries, which led to severe consequences like inflation and unemployment.

Russia's system of government with both a president (head of state) and prime minister (head of government), creating a complex power dynamic.

The president holds significant power, including issuing decrees, appointing cabinet members, and having direct control over key ministries, making him a strong figure in the government.

The prime minister is appointed by the president and oversees economic issues, bureaucracy, and is usually a highly placed bureaucrat loyal to the president.

The lower house of Russia's parliament, representing the people and playing a role in lawmaking, approving the budget, and confirming the president's appointments.

Russia's judiciary, though technically independent, is often seen as influenced by the executive branch and not challenging its authority.

Khodorkovsky, CEO of Yukos, was arrested by Putin's government. This was a significant event that limited the power of oligarchs, who were wealthy individuals wielding political and economic influence.

The USSR provided social benefits such as free healthcare, low-cost essential goods and services, maternity leave, child benefits, disability pensions, mass education, and guaranteed employment.

Russia faces a shrinking and aging population, low fertility rates, and a high mortality rate. It also has a significant immigration burden from other former Soviet republics.

China is a one-party state, with the Communist Party of China (CCP) being the sole political party controlling the governance.

Although the CCP is officially separate from the Chinese government, it directly or indirectly controls all government organizations and personnel. The Chinese government acts as the administrative arm for implementing CCP policies.

The National Party Congress is a body that meets every five years with 2,200 delegates. It serves as a platform for the party's policies, approves decisions made by top leaders, but lacks real debate or contested voting.

The Central Committee, consisting of 376 leaders, meets annually. It is elected by the National Party Congress and has limited choices in its members. It announces policy changes when the National Party Congress doesn't meet.

The Politburo and Standing Committee, comprising 25 members with 7 on the Standing Committee, formulate policies and are the apex of power. They are not accountable to the National Party Congress or the Central Committee.

Economic growth has been a key factor in the CCP's legitimacy, earning support from entrepreneurs, professionals, and workers who fear a worse situation if the party lost power.

The household responsibility system, implemented after Mao, allowed families to manage their farms, control production, and make profits. This led to increased incomes but also increased unemployment.

SEZs are regions with unique economic regulations that differ from the rest of the country. They offer tax exemptions, large labor pools, and developed infrastructure, primarily located on the coast.

The Belt and Road Initiative aims to develop a network of railroads, roads, and pipelines connecting eastern China with western China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

China's economy is officially described as a socialist market economy. While there is a significant presence of capitalism, the government still exerts control in key sectors.

Mass incidents are protests that are generally local and focused on immediate material concerns rather than challenging the party's rule, such as strikes for unpaid wages or protests over land seizures.

Civil rights and liberties are limited in China. Groups outside of the government's control are restricted, labor unions and NGOs are monitored, and large-scale protests are suppressed.