Global Political & Economic Dynamics Explained
Global Political Systems
Parliamentary Systems
The United Kingdom, where the Prime Minister is elected by the majority party in parliament.
Presidentary Systems
The United States, where the President serves a fixed term and has distinct powers from Congress.
Authoritarianism
North Korea, where the Kim dynasty has maintained strict control over political life.
Totalitarianism
Nazi Germany, which sought to regulate every aspect of life and suppress dissent.
Competitive Authoritarianism
Russia under Vladimir Putin, where elections occur but are heavily manipulated.
Democratic Regimes
Canada and Germany.
Non-Democratic Regimes
China.
Key Political & Economic Concepts
Political Cleavages
Divisions in society that can lead to political conflict.
Redistribution
Transfer of income or wealth from certain individuals to others, often through taxation and social welfare programs.
Development
Refers to economic growth, which can be measured through indicators like GDP, HDI, and poverty rates.
Globalization
The process of increased interconnectedness among countries.
Cultural Globalization
The spread of ideas, values, and cultural practices across borders, which can lead to both homogenization and cultural clashes.
Political Globalization
The increasing influence of international organizations and norms on domestic politics.
Economic Globalization
The integration of national economies through trade, investment, and capital flows, impacting local economies and labor markets.
Current Global Affairs: Case Studies
South Korea: Political Turmoil & Protests
- South Korea’s political divide is extremely polarizing, often split between far-right and far-left factions, similar to the United States.
- The President declared martial law and was subsequently impeached.
- The nation faces challenges including inflation and rising costs.
- The First Lady faced scrutiny for accepting gifts in exchange for political favors.
- The President issued a warning to the opposition party, which was rejecting his budget requests, leading to the declaration of martial law.
- Martial Law is defined as a military takeover of day-to-day rule.
- The President was removed from power, and the Prime Minister assumed the role of acting president.
- The impeachment case will proceed to the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether the impeachment is upheld.
- South Korean protests are notably organized.
Hong Kong: Autonomy Under Pressure
The division between Mainland China and Hong Kong stems from their different political and legal systems. Hong Kong was a British colony until 1997, when it was returned to China under the principle of “one country, two systems,” which granted it a high degree of autonomy, including freedoms not available in Mainland China. However, in recent years, Beijing has increased control over Hong Kong, especially after imposing a national security law in 2020, reducing its autonomy and sparking international concern and local protests.
Pussy Riot: Art, Activism, and Repression
The Pussy Riot protests refer to actions by a Russian feminist punk group known for their provocative performances criticizing Vladimir Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church. In 2012, several members staged a “punk prayer” inside Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior, calling on the Virgin Mary to remove Putin from power. They were arrested and sentenced to prison for “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred,” which sparked international outrage and drew attention to the lack of free speech and political repression in Russia.