Democratization
Nigeria
Iran
Mexico
Russia
United Kingdom
China
Xi Jinping, President of the
People's Republic of China
President Rouhani
Clerics (Orange) v Non-Clerics (Blue) in Majles 
China is a Communist Country
Issues Preventing Democratization
"His [Parsa, a researcher] inspiration was the regime’s suppression of the Green Movement, the democracy movement that began in 2009 and died in 2011. A book that began as the study of the movement’s failure ended in a survey of the state of dissent in Iran. Parsa’s research discovered two inconvenient truths for those who still hoped for change through reform: First, there is a wide gap on every level—economic, social, political, and religious—between the people and the regime. Second, these differences are irreconcilable since neither the regime nor the people are willing to compromise on their demands and interests."
This website shows a video which describes the widespread and violent protests in 2019-2020. Iranian citizens took to the streets to call for the fall of the government and the government responded by arresting many protesters.
This website shows information about the Majles including how graphics showing the breakdown of this legislative body. They describe how more reformists are in majles and how the presence of clerics is declining.
Supreme Leader Khamenei
National People's Congress
The National People's Congress is the world's largest legislative body. Members are elected for five-year terms through a multi-tiered representative electoral system. These members come together for two weeks once a year to vote on legislation.
This website shows the Iranian constitution which describes topics such as: people's rights, legislature, executive, etc.
This is an example of how China is not moving toward becoming a democracy since here it is imposing on its citizens' civil liberties.
The autonomous region of Hong Kong is protesting against the Chinese government in efforts to keep their democratic institutions in place instead of becoming more communistic.
This article talks about how China is not a democracy in many ways. It goes on to say that it will be difficult to institute democratic elements when it is so heavily based on communism and meritocracy.
This website outlines the entire judicial system in Iran. It also discusses how the Supreme Leader is in control of the entire judiciary (not very democratic...) and how Iran is not really making efforts towards democratization in their judicial system.
China's Effect on Other Democracies According to the International Republican Institute “The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) … is employing a unique set of tactics in the economic and information domains that undermines many developing countries’ democratic institutions and future prosperity as their dependence on China grows. These actions, in conjunction with China’s support for likeminded, illiberal partners and growing advocacy for its authoritarian model, have the potential to draw fragile democracies into China’s orbit and away from the United States and the democratic West.”
Here is a direct quote from the article that summarizes it well: "Iran’s president warned Monday of threats to the Islamic republic’s “democracy and national sovereignty” after a body dominated by his ultra-conservative rivals disqualified thousands of candidates, weeks before elections."
Chart Showing (in Red)
the Number of Seats in
the NPC Occupied by
the CCP
Unidentified Chinese Man on Mass Surveillance, which Restricts Open Civil Society “I was a bit shocked by the ability and efficiency of the mass surveillance network. They can basically trace our movements with the AI technology and big data at any time and any place,”
Democracy in China Video This video talks about China's transition into its current governmental system and how democracy fits into the transition and the current government today.
This video talks about the internet shutdown in Iran caused by the government in response to protests in 2019. This clearly indicates a lack of an open civil society.
President Obrador
This website shows the constitution of Mexico from 1917. It details the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, human rights, etc. which guides the laws and policies of this government in a democratic way.
This video talks about how PRI, the party that was dominant for 70 years, regained power with President Nieto in 2012. Questions were raised about the legitimacy of the election. If election fraud did take place, this would hurt the democratization of Mexico.
This video shows the inauguration of President Vicente Fox after the historic 2000 Presidential election. This marked the first transfer of power from PRI to any other political party in 70 years. This event is very important in regards to Mexico having free, open, and competitive elections. It ultimately shows a move towards democratization in Mexico.
This video describes the extreme dangers faced by the press in Mexico as cartels kill reporters to silence them. Until the government is able to control cartel violence towards the press, they will lack an open civil society.
This video talks about how the government uses state ads to control the media. Without the revenue from those ads, a lot of media companies would close. Thus, it is clear that those newspapers and other media sources must write in a way that shows the government in a positive light or face closing down. Clearly this indicates a lack of an open civil society.
This article discusses how 98% of murders in 2013 went unsolved in Mexico. This brings up the question of whether or not rule of law is really in place and enforced in Mexico.
Freedom House Score - 62
This article discusses the decision for President Obrador to back strict anti-protest laws in Mexico that could see activists ending up in jail for up to 20 years. The inability to protest without facing harsh punishment from one's government does not align with civil liberties and democratization.
This video by the World Justice Project explains how civil society and the media are the strongest checks on the government in Mexico. They also describe how overview committees are the least effective because members of the government ignore them.
The House of Commons (Competitive Elections)
This article is an example of how the media is free to openly criticize the government and face no punishment for doing so. This indicates the UK has an open civil society in regards to the media.
Freedom House Score - 93
Prime Minister Johnson
Constitutional Reform Act of 2005
"The Lord Chancellor, other Ministers of the Crown and all with responsibility for matters relating to the judiciary or otherwise to the administration of justice must uphold the continued independence of the judiciary."
This article discusses serious fundamental issues regarding race in terms of being treated equally under the law in the UK. It also touches upon the issue of how those with mental illness are treated under the law (rule of law).
This video demonstrates how citizens in the UK are free to openly protest against their government which in turn indicates there is an open civil society.
President Putin
Freedom House
Score - 20
Transition from Communism to a Democracy Gorbachev wanted to move towards a democracy so he created a new Congress of People's Deputies with directly elected representatives and a new position of president that was selected by the congress.
Russia Voting Statistics
Russian Opinion
Polling for Ruling Party
Putin's Consitutional Changes to Extend Authoritarian Rule "Putin proposed limiting presidential terms to two in total (instead of two consecutive ones, a loophole that allowed Putin to run three times); prohibiting holders of foreign passports and residence permits from working in public service positions; and giving more powers to the State Council, an advisory body.
Insofar as all of those provisions were supposed to be enshrined in the constitution, many hastily concluded that Putin was preparing a plan for stepping down from the presidency after his second sequential (and fourth presidential) term ends in 2024. Chairing a newly empowered State Council seemed like a reasonable way for Russia’s long-time leader to continue to oversee the system while complying with the letter of the constitution."
This website describes the informal checks and balances in place for the executive because the UK has no written constitution to outline them.
This video talks about a Russian presidential candidate, her chances of winning, and why she's running for president, despite low odds of winning.
This video discusses Putin's party and how he has more of an authoritarian rule over Russia than democratic. It talks about how this will affect the future of Russian politics.
"By the early 20th century the United Kingdom had a well-established tradition of civilian control over the armed forces."
This article provides in-depth look into democracy in Russia, especially how Putin is changing it. It mainly focuses on his changes to the Russian Constitution and how that affects Russia's steps towards (or away from) democratization.
This article talks about how Russia has failed to democratize and instead of moving towards a democratic state, is moving towards an authoritarian state.
President Buhari
Freedom House Score - 47
Voting turnout in
Nigeria, 2015 vs. 2019
The UK Coronavirus Act "extends time limits on detaining people in a mental health setting and removes the requirement of a second opinion for individuals forced to take psychiatric medication against their will under the Mental Health Act." which "may be in breach of Article 8 of the Human Rights Act."
Challenges of Democratization "A reflection of sorts took place when 40 Nigerians and other experts on the country attended a conference at the Kennedy School at Harvard in December 2002. Conference participants identified and suggested possible resolutions to Nigeria’s nine critical governance problems: overcentralization, lack of transparency, lack of economic diversification, corruption, sharia (imposition of Islamic law), lack of human security, human rights, a national conference to debate constitutional reform, and leadership."
Human Rights Issues "With the argument for the superiority of democracy often comes the claim that democracy advances and protects the rights of the citizen. Several developments in Nigeria since Obasanjo’s inauguration call into question the government’s commitment to protecting human rights. A case in point is Odi, a town in the delta region. After a number of incidents and the killing of policemen there, the government sent Nigerian Army soldiers to restore calm. According to press reports, the residents offered no resistance, yet the army shot at defenseless citizens and looted and burned their houses. A civil liberties group noted that at the conclusion of the military operation, no livestock remained and approximately 60,000 inhabitants were either killed, arrested, or fled into the forest. The death toll was estimated to be more than 1,000. Further, many who fled into the bush died, and many who returned found that they had no source of livelihood. The invasion displaced at least 90% of the Odi population."
This article discusses Nigeria's transition from military rule to a democracy over the past 20 years. Overall, it concludes that Nigeria's government has taken many positive steps towards democratization but still has a long way to go.
"The articles interrogates the relationship between democratization and people power in Nigeria. It argues that the broadening of the Nigerian public sphere has not led to reciprocal development of democratic principles and practice".
History of Democracy in Nigeria Nigerians value democracy because the tradition has existed for centuries before colonization. Among the Yoruba and Igbo, the principle of accountability was the standard and rulers were expected to seek advice and to govern in the interest of the people.
This video discusses the high stakes election of 2019 in Nigeria.
2019 Nigerian
Election Statistics