Government Layout - AP COMP GOV

Recruitment of elites China

"- Guanxi (patron clientism, or personal connections) - Nomenklatura - Choosing lower levels of party for upgrades based on loyalty and contributions - MUST be part of communist party "

Mexico

...

Socialization UK

- Family - Religion - Education - Media - Relationship between parties and class has weakened

Recruitment of elites UK

- Most important portal to the elite is through Oxford and Cambridge Universities

Role of oil China

- Not very important

Great Britain

...

Role of Oil Russia

- The government has taken steps to nationalize certain sectors of the economy such as the oil industry. - Big dependence on natural resource exports (Oil curse) - 2008: Economy went down hugely

Type of legitimacy Russia

Charismatic, rational legal

Type of legitimacy UK

Traditional (Queen) and Rational-Legal

Type of government China

Unitary

Russia

...

Political System Mexico

Presidential

Vote of no confidence? Impeachment? Russia

Yes

Socialization China

"- Internet (very controlled and censored) - Google 2010: No Chinese flexibility → back out of China, go only in Hong Kong -Instead of complying with government requests to filter its search results, Google directed all of its Chinese traffic to the uncensored Hong Kong version of its search engine, a move that left the company vulnerable to being completely shut down in China. Indeed, Google's services became inaccessible to most Chinese users within months. - Education - Before 2006, citizens had to take 7 mandatory courses about Chinese government... After 2006, they only have to take 4 - NO democracy knowledge "

Interest groups China

"- Organized interest groups and social movements are NOT permitted - Organizations are created or approved by state and many have government officials as their leaders - All-China Federation of Trade Union (workers rights) - Monopoly union for party - State organization → overseeing workers - Power to collectively bargain for wages and benefits - All-China Women's federation (women rights) - More than 300,000 non governmental organizations - Groups with similar interests are forced to merge or disband one to prevent competition and controls number so they can monitor them Urban areas: -Danwei - Social units that help them on jobs, incomes, promotions, medical care, housing, daycare, recreational facilities Tiananmen Square massacre (1989) - Democratic movements that defy party leadership are not tolerated - People wrote poems and put up big character posters in Tiananmen Square democracy wall to mourn Zhou (who was a leader against gang of four and cultural revolution) and express their anger towards the Gang of Four and the Cultural Revolution. Mao ordered the police and the PLA to disperse people, and around four thousands were arrested. "

History/Colonialism China

"After WWII: - Nationalists and communist civil war - Mao (Communists) won, Chiang (Nationalists) established in Taiwan - Two Chinas - Soviets helped - Money and expertise - Mao Focused: - Land reform (property from rich to poor, more productivity in countryside) - Civil reform (opium addiction reduction, more women's rights) - Five-year plans (nationalize industry and collectivize agriculture, implement steps to socialism) "

Parties China

"Communist Party: Standing committee of the Politburo: Vote: Members of politburo - 7 members - Meet as much as they can (twice a week) - Discuss and set policy (idea first) National Party's Congress Politburo Vote: Members of central committee - 25 members - Discuss and set policy or agenda (idea debate) National Party's Congress Central Committee Vote: Members of party congress - 205 members - Policy/agenda setting (idea debate) - They can veto legislation made by government - Executive lead government by the Communist Party - Meet annually National Party Congress: - 2270 members - Meet every 5 years - 5 year plan - Ceremonial "Satellite parties": under formal leadership of Communist Party (only other parties accepted) - No real role in policymaking, but represented in Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference "

Bureaucracy China

"Exist on all levels: -National -Provincial -County -Local Most of leaders in bureaucracy have the dual role or doble hat system in which they are both part of the system in the government and in the party. "

Mass media China

"From 1949 to 1980 almost all media (television, newspapers, radio and magazines) were state run. Some independent media has emerged by state-run media still hold largest share of market. Official press agency of govt: Xinhua - Employs more than 10,000 people - Independent newspapers depend on it for stories - People's Daily (official newspaper of Central Committee of Communist Party) - Chinese Central Television (major state television broadcaster) - All media is subject to heavy censorship by gov (China's Great Firewall) - Regulatory agencies that constantly monitor - Economic liberalization → growing competition = wider diversity of content and increase in investigative reporting "

Major historic events China

"Great leap forward (1958) - FreeChina from soviet domination - Egalitarian ideals - Plan: - All around development (heavy industry AND agriculture) - Mass mobilization (better motivation, harder work, less unemployment) - Political unanimous and zeal (party running everything) - Decentralization (more gov on local levels) - NOT EFFECTIVE Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) - Deng Xiaoping - Market oriented policies - Mao goal: - Purify party and country - Remove hierarchical bureaucracy - Scholars → fields to work - Universities and libraries → closed - Only elementary education for equality Deng Xiaoping (1978) - Four modernizations - Industry - Agriculture - Science - Military - Economic liberalization - Open door trade policy (opened trade with foreign countries) - Reforms in education (higher academic standards) - Industrialization of revolution (restoring legal system and bureaucracy, decentralized gov, modifying elections, infusing capitalism - NO political liberalization "

Executive Mexico

"Head of Government & Head of State: President (Enrique Peña Nieto) Vote;First Past The Post Term.6 years (Sexenio put in place by cardenas) - No re elections for presidencyPowers: - Chief executive - Commander in Chief (Appt and control armed forces) - Have decree power (initiate legislation) - Veto power -Appt Supreme Court justices & Supreme cabinet (Approved by senate) -Strong presidencial centralism Cabinet- "Secretary" & "Whitehall" Armed Forces Governors- State Vote:FPTP"

Separatist groups China

"Hong Kong: - Has independence in legislative, executive and judicial powers except for foreign affairs - 1 country 2 systems refers to this Taiwan - Politically, militarily, and economically autonomous - Defacto - Dejure = constitution does not give them this autonomy) "

Judiciary China

"Legal system: Code law (Rule of law: until late 1978) Structure: - Supreme People's Court - Supreme People's Procuracy Powers (Supreme Court): - NO judicial review - Local courts, high level cases → supreme court - Appointed by NPC Powers (Procuracy): - Federal and state prosecutors that deal with corruption "

Particular issues China

"One child policy (1979): -Incentives and penalties to assure couples follow - Late marriages were encouraged, free contraceptives, abortions, sterilizations. -Penalties were imposed to those who didn't follow -1984 → policy relaxed in rural areas where children's labor was still important -Rise in female infanticide (people preferred boys) - Young adult males are unable to find women to marry and the population could drastically decrease because of it - Could change cultural tradition of sons taking care of aging parents because there will be too few sons to carry out the responsibility - Problem for china with a growing number of elderly with no care for them 2 child policy in 2015 Hukou system: -Wherever your house and you are registered, is where you are allowed to live - To live somewhere else, you need a Hukou - To get hukou, it is more difficult for poor people with no power - Rural people who want to move to urban do not get hukou - People don't get state benefits (social welfare) - 2015 reform - Relaxed hukou system - If you are rural and want to go to urban you can get a temporary 6 month permit - Enjoy benefits, pay taxes, access healthcare, public education etc. - Black children can apply for temporary hukou "

Policymaking process China

"Party departments and government ministries: - Conduct policy research - Draft policy Leading Small Groups: - Recommend policies to politburo Standing Committee Politburo Standing Committee: - Decides on major policies Politburo: - Approves policies decided by Standing Committee State Council: - Proposes legislation that has been decided by Standing Committee and Politburo to National People's Congress National People's Congress Standing Committee - Debates, ammends, and passess legislation National People's Congress - Debates, amends, and passes legislation "

Military China

"People's Liberation Army - Ground, air, naval armed services - 2.3 million active personell - Incenting of again controlling taiwan - Early political leaders were from military - Represented in gov by Central Military Commission - 2/24 members in politburo are military "

Judiciary Mexico

"Supreme Court Vote:appt by President, approved by senate Term:15 year term, no reappointment Members:11 Justices Powers: - Judicial Review State Courts Vote:Appointed by governors"

Cleavages China

"Tibet: - Regional - Religion - Ethnic - Tibetans claim Chinese take their jobs - Tibetans are mad China kicked out their leader - Dalai lama is in exile because China conquered Tibet - 2008 marches and demonstrations - Olympic protests in western cities "free-tibet" movement - 2013 - Crackdown against all illegal publications being pro-dalai lama - Tibetans can't practice their own religion/culture Uyghurs: - Muslims living in Xinjiang - Ethnic between Han and Uighurs - Religious between muslim and communists - Regional - Militants want to create a separate Islamic sate and have used violence to support this - 2009 riots in Urumqi -Uyghurs dissatisfaction of China's handling deaths of 2 uygur workers - Uyghurs can't score jobs, people don't want them so they think mainland chinese took their jobs Urban-Rural; -Economic growth has taken place in cities therefore the gap between urban and rural incomes very much. The proportion of Urban to Rural was about 80% in the 80's and now it is 47%. There is a growing resentment on the countryside. - Uprisings in rural areas (government is not looking out for their interests_ - 2006 "a new socialist countryside" program to lift rural economy. Falun Gong: -Religion emerged in late 80's early 90's - Unfair media press and discrimination towards them - China britally put them down - China is against religion - Sent to labor camps or "re-education" "

Legislative Mexico

"Type: Bicameral Congress Chamber of Deputies Vote: 300 FPTP from districts, 200 PR from party lists 2% cut off. (NOTE: Same as Russia) Term: 3 year term, No limit (2018, 4 year limit) Members: 500 members -50% women -No more than 300 seats to one party Powers: - Pass Laws (first stop) -Approves budget -Impose taxing -Declare war Senate Vote: 64 FPTP (2 per state + mexico city), 32 by runner-up seat, 32 PR by party list Term: 6 year term, 2 term limit Members: 128 members -Elected in pairs Powers: - Approve treaty - Diplomats -Other appointments -Deals with Foreign policy (Approve international treaties) Extra: - Approve Supreme Court Justices & Supreme Cabinet"

Mass Media Russia

- Controlled to a certain extent by the government - Journalists that are too critical of government are often found murdered - Regularly read newspapers, watch news on television, and discuss politics with family and friends - Television is the most important and most controlled medium of communication - Internet is gaining a larger public and it is hard to put restrictions on that

Legislative China

"Type: Unicameral Standing Committees Vote: Chosen by National People's Congress Term: More than 7 year terms - 161 members Powers: - Elite group of NPC - Permanent legislative body (in Beijing year round) - Discuss with party leadership - Can pass legislation, but needs approval from National People's Congress National People's Congress Vote: Elected by provincials Term: 5 years - 2987 members Powers: - According to constitution, most powerful - Legislate (final stop for passing laws) - Cannot start law process - Oversee operations of gov - Can amend constitution - Approve economic plans - Selects President, Vice President, Premier, Vice Premier, Cabinet Ministers Extra: 2010 reform: Originally, there was a small amount of rural representation (ratio of 9 urban to 1 rural, the state set a new ratio to 4:1, helped the party because the communist party is supposed to be about worker's class More power since Mao: No more unanimous approval (dissenting vote), they pass more motions, but still only confirming and rubber stamping party's legislation Meets only once a year for 2 weeks, more ceremonial "

Recent Reforms Russia

- 1982 (Gorbrechev): Glasnost (transparency) perestroika (privatization) - 2000: Divide country into 8 federal districts that oversee regional governors and create the "Presidential Representatives" that are assigned by Putin - 2003: Fines for unsanctioned demonstration raised and NGOs need to be approved by the government - 2005: Regional governors now appointed by the President - 2007, 2011, 2013: Threshold for parties to be part of State Duma changed from 5-7% - 2008: Presidential terms now last 6 years - 2012: Prime Minister term now 6 years - 2008: Constitutional Court now moved to St. Petersburg

Mass media UK

- Based mainly on newspapers, radio, and television - Independent, not oppressed - Divided between quality news and sensational news (reflects social classes) - Tabloids often harass gov. officials - Press regulation has become an issue BBC - Originally monopolized media - Regulated by government - Not very transparent - Political favoritism between media moguls and elected officials

Role of globalization UK

- Has questioned sovereignty - Brexit Causes for Brexit: - European debt crisis - Threat to sovereignty - Drag on British economy - Concerns about immigration

Bureaucracy UK

- Headed by Cabinet members who appoint the higher civil servants - These develop legislation in consultation with civil servants Higher Civil Servants: - Are experts in their areas but politically neutral - Have discretionary power to make decisions - Advise ministers - Oversee work of departments - Coordinate and implement policies that cabinet members set

Bureaucracy Russia

- Large - Not very independent of president - Civil servants can have a great deal of power - Physical size of country disrupts efforts to control bureaucratic activities

History/Colonialism Russia

- Long period of autocratic rule by tsars - 20th Century rule by the Communist party - Abrupt regime change to procedural democracy and a free market in 1991

Political culture / efficacy UK

- Low political efficacy (trust in gov) - Common acceptance of the government's responsibility to provide public benefits - Distrust: Only ¼ of Britons trust MPs in general - Reflects nationalism and multinationalism - Reflects insularity (the feeling of separation from the continent of Europe) - Noblesse oblige: Important tradition that dictates that the duty of the upper classes to take responsibility for the welfare of the lower classes

Cleavages UK

- Race and ethnicity (multi-nationalist state) - Social classes - Religion (rising tensions with Muslims and ethnic minorities) - National identity (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

Military Russia

- Military spending has increased significantly - Youth recruitment and harassment is a problem - Shows no real signs of becoming a political force (not important) - Suffered significant military humiliation (Chechnya) - Soldiers may go unpaid for months and have to provide their own food

Recruitment of Elites Russia

- Multiple elites today: oligarchs (businesses that support gov. in return for favors) - Oligarchs: Monopolized Russian industries and have huge sums of money today - Patron-client relationships are normal - Nomenklatura: had to be part of Communist party, recruited — approved by the party, based on loyalty

Cleavages Russia

- Nationality: Many ethnic groups within Russia - Chechnya: Muslim region fighting for freedom - Religion: Russian Orthodox vs. the rest - Social class: used to be divided between nomenklatura and non-party members but new middle class is emerging - Rural-urban: Economic divide is wide

Role of oil UK

- Not very important - But know that because of OPEC and increasing oil prices a recession caused high unemployment rates and a drop in UK's GDP - 2007 Recession caused David Cameron's gov. to implement the austerity program that cut spending in welfare and public institutions

History/Colonialism UK

- Political change has been characterized by its gradual nature. - Democracy and institutions created through evolution not revolution. - Were colonizers and that has affected the structure of the UK (it has N.I, and Scotland for example)

Judiciary Russia

- President appoints judges to higher courts with FC approval 3 Branches 1. Judiciary (divided in 3) Constitutional Court: Moved to St. Petersburg, has judicial review Supreme Commercial Court: Deals with business to government cases or high level business Local Courts 2. Procuracy - Federal prosecutor attorneys - Check for no corruption 3.Bar: Basic attorneys, private practice

Corruption status UK

- Relatively transparent and non corrupt - Official secrecy @Whitehall allows for abuse of power - Supreme Court - not the highest power (cannot declare an Act of Parliament unconstitutional) - Sometimes civil servants leak official documents

Recent reforms UK

- Remember that the government has had to devolve power to Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales in several occasions - 1998: Good Friday Agreement - a Parliament is set up for N. Ireland - 1999: Parliament removed all but 92 hereditary peers - 2009: Supreme Court created to replace HOL as highest judicial authority over UK - 2010: Coalition government created - 2015: Vote for Scottish Independence narrowly defeated - 2016: Britain leaves EU

Political Culture/efficacy Russia

- Statism: expect the state to take an active role in their lives - Believe strong rulers should be controlling the country - Complete confidence in Putin - Most do not trust government officials or institutions to convert democratic ideas into reality - Alienation from political system - People have little to no influence in what goes on in their country - Not necessarily against strong government but they are aware that their influence is minimal

China

...

Policymaking process Russia

1. Committees Propose legislation 2. First reading 3. Back to committees to make adjustments 4. Second reading (everyone present) 5. Third reading (not very useful) just a formality 5. Federation council 6. President for signature

Policymaking process UK

1. Legislation may originate from governing or opposition parties 2. Higher civil servants and interest groups consulted 3. Cabinet ministers must agree which proposals to take forward 4. Responsible minister writes bill 5. Parliament considers bills and must be passed by HOC and HOL 6. HOL can only amend and send back bill for revisions Cabinet is center of policy-making Parliamentary Stages 1. First reading - Bill introduced to all MPs 2. Second reading - Main principles of bill discussed 3. Committee stage - Amendments proposed and voted on 4. Third reading - Final form of bill debated and voted on 5. Sent to other chamber for approval 6. Monarch approves

Recent reforms China

2010 reform --> they wanted more representation of the rurals in NPC (ratio went from 9:1 to 4:1)

Legislative UK

Also known as Whitehall Type: Bicameral Upper: House of Lords Vote: Inheritance, awarded by gov. Term: Lifetime - Around 600 - 92 Hereditary Peers Powers: - Revising chamber - Cannot veto laws - Can amend and delay legislation Extra: - 1999 reform: Parliament removed all but 92 hereditary peers - Controversial chamber Lower: House of Commons Vote: MPs in single member districts, party with majority of MPs elected becomes "majority party" - 326 seats minimum to win absolute majority Term: 5 years - 650 MPs - Divided by Cabinet, opposition, and backbench (everyone else) Powers: - Debate legislation - Evaluate how government is doing - Publicizes issues - Parliamentary sovereignty: decisions are final Extras: - Opposition party sits facing majority party - "shadow cabinet" - Speaker of the House Presides over debates - Official secrecy makes abuse of power easy - Question Time: Once a week PM defends themselves against opposition's attacks

Type of government Russia

Federal

Legislative Russia

Bicameral legislature - Federal Assembly Upper House - Federation Council Vote: 2 members per 85 federal subjects. Regional governors appoint 1, the other people from the regional legislature Term: 4 year terms, not rigid Function: - Ratify treaties and approve troop deployments - Does not propose legislation - Pass laws for Duma - Suggest edits - Approve presidential decrees - Approve judicial appointments - "Senate" in Mexico Lower House - State Duma Vote: 450 seats: 225 Proportional representation, 225 FPTP. Parties must have at least 7% to qualify for seats Term: 4 years, unless President calls for election sooner Functions - PM confirmed here - Vote of no confidence (President dissolves gov.) - Can impeach president with ⅔ majority in each chamber - Pass legislation Regional Legislatures: Vote: Proportional representation Head of of Legislature for Parliament, Constitutional Court - United Russia has a majority in all 85 regional legislatures

Military UK

British Armed Forces aka Her/His Majesty's Armed Forces Duties: -Defence of UK, overseas territories and the Crown dependencies - Promote Britain's wider interests - Support international peacekeeping efforts - Provide humanitarian aid Involved in: - Falkland Island dispute with Argentina under Margaret Thatcher - Iran-Iraq War under Tony Blair which caused his party to lose popularity

Separatist groups Russia

Chechnya: - Declared independence in 1991 - Muslim minority in the north - Second Chechen War in 1999 - Federal forces established control by early 2000 - Chechen guerillas have continued to carry out sporadic ambushes and suicide attacks against federal units - Beslan school shooting (2004): Hostage situation that was deathly (Chechens were at fault here) - Russia responded to the separatist movements by devolving power to the government - "Got out of there" Ukraine (2014): - Problems of corruption and lack of economic growth since the separation of the U.S.S.R - Ukrainians sought a closer relationship with EU - Were to sign an agreement that promised funds in return of liberalising reforms - President Yanukovych (sponsored by Putin) was supposed to sign an agreement with the EU but did not at the last minute - Sparked "Euromaidan" protest movement - Yanukovych signed a multibillion deal with Russia and security forces cracked down on protesters - Yanukovych fled to Russia - Putin did not recognize new interim government - Began military reinforcement of the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine - Backlash from international community

Common law or code law? Mexico

Code law

Common law or code law? Russia

Code law

Common law or code law? China

Code law (ever since 1978 rule of law was based on code law because Deng Xiaoping imposed different rules such as right to an attorney, there are criminal offenses, and there is a constitution. The problem is, rule of law is not very effective since everyone is not an equal subject to it (party members have advantage)

Common law or code law? UK

Common law

Political System China

Communist

Parties UK

Conservative Party: - Main party on the right - Split between traditional "Tories" and Thatcherites - Thatcherites: roll back gov. control of economy, eurosceptics - Favour smaller government - Sometimes viewed as elitist Past Conservative PMs: - Theresa May: present - David Cameron (coalition): 2010-16 - Margaret Thatcher: 1979-1990 - John Major: 1990-1997 Liberal Democrats: - Strong centrist party - In favour of reforms of UK's traditional institutions (Church of England) - In favour of EU and Euro - Economic liberalism Past Lib Dem PMs: - Nick Clegg as Deputy PM (coalition) — 2010-2016 Labour Party - Main party on the left - Supports workers' rights - Pro-EU Past Labour PMs: - Tony Blair: 1997-2007 - Gordon Brown: 2007-2010 UK Independence Party: - Anti-EU - Right wing populism - Anti-immigration (oust Muslims) - British nationalism - Thatcher key influencer Other parties: - Plaid Cymru (Wales) - Scottish National Party (Scotland)

Interest groups UK

Demonstrate interest group pluralism (autonomous groups competing with one another for influence) Also demonstrate neocorporatism (develop policy in certain areas) 1. Quangos: - Quasi-autonomous non governmental institutions (example: National Health Service) 2. Trade Union Congress - Represents coalition of unions - Fights for workers rights

Socialization Russia

Education: - Build loyalty to leaders - Acceptance of regime - One single textbook for all schools Orthodox church - Used to build patriotism and national pride Media: - Restricted or used to favour Putin Youth Groups

Executive China

Head of State: President: Xi Jinping Vote: National Peoples Congress elects Term: 5 years, 2 term limits (before March 2018) - Have to be at least 45 years old - Mostly party leaders hold position Powers: - Foreign policy - Very ceremonial - Appoints Premier (decision made by National People's Congress) - Appoints vice premier (decision made by National People's Congress) - Place on state council Head of Gov: Premier: Li Keqiang Vote: Appointed by National People Congress with Presidents approval Term: 5 years, 2 term limit - Have to be at least 45 years old - Mostly party leaders hold position Powers: - Directs state council - Appoints cabinet - In charge of ministers - Place on state council Head of Party: General Secretary: Xi Jinping (Not always the same as president) Vote: Appointed by Central Committee of Communist Party Term: 5 years, no term limit Powers: -Highest ranking official within the Communist Party of China - Most powerful Executive Committee: Vote: Chosen from the state council - 10 members Powers: - Elite group of state council - Hand in hand with party's standing committee - Discuss high level policy State council: Vote: Elected by National People's Congress and nominated by premier - 35 members Powers: - Center of government activity - Exercises executive functions - Has government ministries and commissions

Executive UK

Head of State: Monarch (Queen Elizabeth II) Vote: Hereditary Term: Life Powers: Symbolic - Approves elections Head of Government: Prime Minister (Theresa May of Conservative Party, since 2016) Vote: Leader of majority party in HOC Term: Five years (w/o no confidence vote) Powers: - Choose cabinet ministers and higher civil servants - Campaigns and represents party - Makes decisions in cabinet - Confidence relationship between PM and parliament The Cabinet - Consists of the prime minister and ministers - Each heads a major bureaucracy of the government (but are not necessarily experts in their particular policy area) - Chosen by PM from the majority party - Center of policymaking - Unity of cabinet is extremely important Coalition Government: - Created when no party wins the absolute majority (326) - More than one party operating the house of commons - Ex: David Cameron (conservative) in 2010 with Nick Clegg (liberal democratic)

Executive Russia

Head of State: President (Vladimir Putin) Vote: Alternative vote (second round off, candidates are ranked) Term: 6 years, 2 term limit Function: Overseeing foreign policy, international affairs, defense Powers: - Initiate domestic and foreign policy - Presidential decree (originate legislation immediately), needs only simple majority from Federation Council - May call a referendum - Influence of HOS and HOG depend on which post Putin is in Head of Government: Dmitry Medvedev Vote: Appointed by president, approved by Duma Term: 6 years Powers: Takes care of the everyday tasks of the government - Manages legislation in the Duma - May initiate legislation - Oversees cabinet and government departments Presidential Administration - Not constitutional - Steals power from where the democracy is supposed to be - Oversees government - Deals with security council (power ministries: foreign policy, international affairs, defense) - State council: heads of state (governors) - Public chamber: civic groups, transmission belts, NGOs Presidential Representatives to 8 federal districts - Appointed by President - 8 federal districts established in 2000 - Groups 85 regional legislatures - Oversees regional governors Government (not really executive) - Head is PM (appointed by President) - Deputy prime ministers - Head different ministries (like UK) - Carry out economic and social policies - Members chosen by PM Regional Governors: - Appointed directly by Putin since 2005

Judiciary UK

Legal system: Common law (based on past precedents) Structure: - European Court of Justice (bound by EU treaties) - Supreme Court Powers (Supreme Court): - Can nullify government powers - Determine whether gov. decisions violate common law or previous acts of Parliament - Hears cases from Britain, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Past VIPs Russia

Leonid Brezhnev General secretary of the CPSU from 1964 until 1982. Largely responsible for the stagnation of the USSR. Viktor Chernomyrdin Prime minister of Russia 1993-98. Yegor Gaidar Reformist politician and acting as prime minister of Russia in 1993. Mikhail Gorbachev Head of the CPSU and last president of the Soviet Union (from 2002). He takes control of the USSR in 1982 when it is on the verge of collapse. He started movement towards democracy (glasnost) and marketization (Perestroika) Nikita Khrushchev Successor of Josef Stalin as head of CPSU and Soviet Union from 1953 until he was ousted in 1964. He enacts the tacit social contract. V.I Lenin Architect of the Bolshevik revolution and first leader of the Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin Leader of the CPSU and Soviet Union, 1924-53. Boris Yeltsin Former reformist communist leader and president of Russia, 1991-2000. Heads the Russian Federation and proposed conservative transition to a market economy and immediate neoliberal economic reform. Vladmir Zhirinovsky Leader of the right-wing and racist liberal democratic party in Russia. Gennady Zyuganov Head of the Russian communist party. Boris Berezovsky Organized unity. Kyzhkov Yuri One of the first supporters of Moscow, a mayor, who led most of the early polls in the run-up to the 2000 presidential elections.

Prominent ideologies China

Maoism: strongly influenced by karl marx. Strenght of the peasent... Colectivism (community>individual), Struggle and activism (prusue socialist values, something that he knew people would struggle with), mass line (leaders would communicate will and direction to people, people in turn would communicate their wisdoms to leaders through mass line), egalitariansm (remove hierachical system, more equality), self reliance (instead of relying on elite).

Past VIPs UK

Margaret Thatcher (Conservative): - 1979 election winner - Influenced by neoliberalism: small government and protection of individual property - Fought over Falkland Islands with Argentina and won - Thatcherism: In favour of a market-oriented economy. The market can "solve" the country's economic difficulties — letting people make decisions in the market rather than relying on government to promote their well-being - Privatized business and industry - Cut back on social welfare programs - Strengthened national defense - Got tough on labour unions - Resigned due to unpopularity John Major (Conservative): Not important Tony Blair (Labour): - "Third Way": centrist alternative to party politics - Devolved power to Scotland and Wales - Support of Iraq War made him lose popularity Gordon Brown (Labour): - Hit by the 2008 recession - Not important VIP David Cameron (Conservative): - Coalition gov. with Lib-Dem Nick Clegg - Vision of "Big Society": energized by volunteers and private organization, no longer harnessed by big government - Austerity program in 2010 cut public spending - Held EU referendum and lost

Economic policies UK

Mixed economy: Government directs economy and nationalizes major industries without giving up basic principles of capitalism, such as private ownership of property - Liberalism: emphasizes economic freedom for the market - Has varied from great deal of government control to neoliberalism under Thatcher - Government regulates lightly and intervenes only when necessary Under David Cameron: - "Big Society": vision that emphasizes greater roles for private companies, charities, and employee-owned cooperatives - Wants to devolve more power to individual citizens - Reduced public spending dramatically - 2010 Austerity program: series of reductions in public spending intended to cut welfare (Ex: Raise minimum fee universities can charge) 2007 Recession: - Bank of England (state owned) cut interest rates and bought corporate debt - Austerity program had to be implemented

Political culture / efficacy China

Multi-dimensional and deep, saped by geographical features and by the many eras of its histor; dynastic rue, control by imperialist nations, and communist rule. Most people agree with communist rule, yet there are a lot of people who don't which causes cross-cutting cleaveges with separitist groups and others.

Particular issues UK

Muslim immigration and terrorism: - Muslims are a minority - Many unemployed and treated as second-class citizens - Government more focused in fighting terrorism than narrowing socioeconomic gap between Muslims and the rest of the population European Union: - Put UK sovereignty in question - UK never part of the Euro - Had referendum in 2016 that initiated Brexit - Many Britons against immigration policies Causes for Brexit: - European debt crisis - Threat to sovereignty - Drag on British economy - Concerns about immigration

Status of democratization China

NO democratization... Working towards market economy but this is not related to democracy

Prominent ideologies UK

Neoliberalism (Under Thatcher): - Supports low levels of government regulation, taxation, and social expenditures - Protection of individual rights Thatcherism: - In favour of a market-oriented economy - The market can "solve" the country's economic difficulties — letting people make decisions in the market rather than relying on government to promote their well-being - Anti-EU "Third Way" - Refers to Tony Blair's initiative to create a centrist alternative to the Labour Party

Judicial review? China

No

Judicial review? UK

No

Vote of no confidence? Impeachment? China

No

Political System UK

Parliamentary

Interest Groups Russia

Participation is low Underdeveloped civil society - gov. Makes it difficult for associations to operate freely Restrictions on activities Many new local groups have formed associations about small issues Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs - Most powerful interest group in rUSSIA - Formed by major industrial firms - Advices gov. on policy - Prefers to maintain a friendly relationship with government Nashi Youth Group - Youth movement that supports gov. created by Putin - Build patriotic young people Committee of Soldiers' Mothers - Advocates for end of brutal hazing of recruits - Helps soldiers - No political stance Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia - Like TUC in UK - Poorly managed

Separatist groups UK

Problems with the different nations of UK Northern Ireland - Most un-English part of the UK - Has full legislative powers - Except for police and security - Differences between Protestants and Catholics have created conflict - Protestants want to remain part of UK, Catholic minority wants to become part of Ireland - Irish Republican Army: Made up of Catholics who started a military campaign in 1970s after protests against discrimination — goal was to remove Northern Ireland. from UK Scotland: - Still have strong national identity - Has certain administrative powers (gets money from Westminster and they administer it) - Full legislative powers (legislate, decide its own budget, initiate policies) - Scottish Parliament revived (mixed electoral system for this) Wales: - Generally accepted British authority but some resentment remains - Has administrative powers - Its own parliament - Mixed electoral system

Status of Democratization Russia

Procedural/illiberal/hybrid democracy

Particular Issues Russia

Pussy Riot: - Pro-LGBTQ+ community, they performed in churches - Media attention after unfair treatment in Sochi - Police brutality and imprisonment Population issues: - Dramatic drop in overall population - Low birth rates and poor health habits - Russia encouraging Russians who live abroad to come back

Type of legitimacy China

Rational-Legal (not so much, but some because of constitution), traditional (communist views since Mao), charismatic (leaders such as Mao, Deng Xiaoping, were followed because of personalities)

Economic policies Russia

Russia has transitioned from a strict command economy in the era of the USSR, to a mixed economy with relaxed and liberalized process. A trend towards the privatization of state-owned industries, they have moved towards a capital economy. The shock therapy was a movement under yeltsin that moved the economy towards immediate liberalization. An important issue was when Russia entered in economic recession in the global financial crisis. They developed a loans for shares program, which created the Russian oligarchs, which took advantage of the program to receive huge amounts of shares. In the end, Russia is benefited and rescued of any crisis by their oil and resources, which has been called the resource curse.

Major historic events Russia

Russia under Stalin (1927-1953) - Under Stalin, the Communist Party was at the center of control and Politburo ran the country. - Leaders promoted through nomenklatura (process of party members selecting promising recruits from lower levels) - Replaced small private farms with collective farms (no private ownerships) - Established 5 year plans - Had purges 1991 Coup d'Etat - Led to collapse of Soviet Union - Failed to remove "western" Gorbachev (check VIPs) - Led by Boris Yeltsin, elected president of Russia and former Politburo member 1993 - Regime Change under Yeltsin: - New Russian Constitution put in place the current regime - Immediate market economy (shock therapy) - Putin became president eventually

Political System Russia

SemiPresidential

Economic policies China

Socialist market economy. Foreign investment is allowed, "private business" under the control of the party.

Prominent ideologies Russia

Stalinism: Program of collectivisation and industrialisation carried out by central planning and executed with force and brutality Statism: Expect the state to take an active role in their lives

Status of democratization UK

Transitioned from absolute monarchy to democracy gradually, now an advanced democracy.

Type of government UK

Unitary (centralized)

Parties Russia

United Russia: - Putin's party - Dominates Duma - No ideology, just pro-Putin Communist Party of the Russian Federation - Second strongest party - Same as the one from old Soviet Union - Not very reformist - Emphasizes centralized planning and nationalism Liberal Democrats - Most controversial - Extreme nationalist positions Patriots of Russia - Kremlin product - Exists to take away power from Communist party

Role of constitution UK

Unwritten constitution: - "Constitution" is a mix of Acts of parliament, judicial pronouncements, customs, and conventions that make up their rules - Vagueness of the constitution allows leaders to exploit it - Unwritten constitution can be changed by a majority vote in Parliament - Can also change by acting in unprecedented manner and claiming it to be a new custom

Corruption status Russia

Very corrupt government - At least half of population involved in corruption every day - Journalists that criticize government often murdered State Corporatism - Well established - Gov. Has established many companies that are given punishments if too independent or rich Yukos Affair: - Khodorkovsky acquires 80% of newly-privatized Yukos oil company - Turned Yukos into the most dynamic Russian oil company - 2002 - company assets $20 billion dollars (peak) - M.K. gets involved with charities and politics - presidency rumours - Putin admin. charges M.K. and associates with several charges - Gov. sues Yukos for billions of dollars and freezes company's accounts - Gov. seized Yukos' main assets which ended in a gov. Oil company - M.K. sent to jail and freed in 2013 Oligarchs: - Boris Yeltsin becomes President - Establishes the "loans for shares" program - Allowed a handful of young men to become billionaires by buying stocks for very cheap prices - Controlled over 70% of all Russian finances at 2000s - 2000-2004 Putin gives oligarchs ultimatum of either retaining their power and supporting Putin's government or prosecution - During presidency many oligarchs came under fire for illegal activities - Some still are extremely rich

Corruption status China

Very... party controls everything. It pre-sets every election by determining who should be the candidate and they control everything and members of communist party get many different benefits and live a more privileged life.

Vote of no confidence? Impeachment? UK

Vote of no confidence in parliament

Role of constitution Russia

Written Constitution (1993) - Defines what is lawful and unlawful - Makes Russia a democracy only in paper - Violations of the constitution happen routinely - More than anything, the role of the written constitution is to have Russia's citizens and the international community satisfied with the country.

Judicial review? Russia

Yes, but Putin appoints judges to higher courts