# data[].attributes.body
U.S. Constitution, 1787

Adopted during the Philadelphia Convention and was created to respond to the need for a stronger federal government to maintain order, manage economic policies, and provide a more effective union.

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Constitutional federal republic

Democratic

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partisan divide

urban vs. rural

economic class

# data[].attributes.body
Executive Branch - President

President Joe Biden

Enforces laws, commands the military, conducts foreign policy, and has the power to veto legislation, issue executive orders, and appoint federal judges and officials.

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Congress

Bicameral - Senate + House of Representatives

Makes laws, controls federal spending and taxation, approves treaties, and has the power to declare war and look over the executive branch.

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Supreme Court & other smaller federal courts

Interprets laws and the constitution, resolves disputes under federal law, and can review and overturn laws and executive actions which are believed to be unconstitutional.

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$24.662 trillion (2023)

$73,600 (2023)

Service-based industries - professional & business services, real estate, finance, health care, etc.

# data[].attributes.body
War in Afghanistan (2001 - 2021)

The US and Allied Forces (NATO) vs. the Taliban

Causes: The war began in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda (which was based in Afghanistan. The goal was to drive al-Qaeda and Taliban forces from power in Afghanistan

Consequences: overthrow of Taliban government and establishment of a new Afghan government, significant loss of life, major economic costs, insurgency and instability

Outcome: The U.S. did not decisively win as the Taliban returned to power

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Crisis: immigration & border security issues - high levels of illegal border crossings

Efforts to Resolve the Problem:

legislative actions

executive orders and policies

coordination with other countries

humanitarian support

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Constitution of the People's Republic of China, 1982

Adopted during the era of economic reform and opening up under Deng Xiaoping - part of efforts to institutionalize the Communist Party's leadership

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One-party socialist state

Authoritarian

# data[].attributes.body
ethnic - geographic cleavages

urban - rural cleavages

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The Executive Branch of the People's Republic of China

Xi Jinping

Powers include: command of armed forces, policy implementation, appointments, and legislative influence

# data[].attributes.body
National People's Congress (NPC)

Unicameral

Powers include: law making, budget approval, appointments, and oversight

# data[].attributes.body
The Judiciary of the People's Republic of China

Powers include: interpretation of laws, judicial review, and dispute resolution

# data[].attributes.body
$31.227 trillion (2023)

$22,100 (2023)

Manufacturing, technology, electronics, telecommunications, and trade

# data[].attributes.body
Sino-Vietnamese War (1979)

China (initiated conflict) vs. Vietnam

Causes: China's heavy opposition to vietnam's invasion of Cambodia - Khmer Rouge regime was supported by China

Consequences: The war led to casualties and economic impact but did not resolve any of the underlying political tensions.

Outcome: Both sides claimed victory, but the war did not alter the balance of power significantly.

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Crisis: Covid-19 and its Aftermath

Efforts to Resolve the Problem:

health measures

economic stimulus

international relations

long-term strategy - focusing on economic recovery and public health improvements

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Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1979

Adopted following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which overthrew the Pahlavi monarchy and established the Islamic Republic.

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Theocratic Republic

Authoritarian

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90% Shia Muslim - 51% Persian

reformers (change the government, add some western ideology) vs. conservatives

pragmatic conservatives (change a little bit) vs. radical clerics (no change at all)

women: equality with difference

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Supreme Leader and President

Supreme Leader - Ali Khamenei

President - Ebrahim Raisi

Powers of the Supreme Leader include: having ultimate authority over all branches of government, military, and media

Powers of the President include: overseeing the executive branch, including domestic and economic policies - subordinate to the Supreme Leader

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Islamic Consultative Assembly

Unicameral

Powers include: enacts laws, approves the budget, questions and removes ministers

# data[].attributes.body
Judicial System of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Powers include: interprets and applies Islamic law, oversees the penal system, and ensures that laws align with Sharia

# data[].attributes.body
$1.44 trillion (2023)

$16,200 (2023)

Petroleum and natural gas, petrochemicals, automotive, agriculture, and mining.

# data[].attributes.body
Iran - Iraq War (1980 - 1988)

Iran vs. Iraq

Causes: territorial disputes, political differences, and regional power struggles, worsened by Saddam Hussein's desire to showcase Iraq's dominance

Consequences: lots of casualties, economic devastation, no significant territorial changes - the war ended with a UN brokered ceasefire

Outcome: neither side won the war

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Crisis: Economic challenges due to international sanctions which have led to inflation, unemployment, and a decrease in the standard of living

Efforts to Resolve the Problem:

engagement in negotiations

seeking sanctions relief

economic reforms

expanding trade partnerships

domestic production boost

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Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, 1917

Adopted during the Mexican Revolution - aimed to address social, land, and labor rights, and limit the power of the Catholic Church and foreign interests

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Federal republic

Democratic

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Ethnic - 60% mestizo, 30% indigenous

Mestizo - indigenous cleavage - indigenous people are typically mistreated and not given as many opportunities

North vs. South - North is wealthier, South is poorer (also where many indigenous people live

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President of Mexico

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

Powers include: directing foreign policy, enacting domestic laws, commanding military, appointing cabinet members.

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Congress of the Union

Bicameral - chamber of deputies, senate

Powers include: creating laws, approving the budget, overseeing the executive

# data[].attributes.body
Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation

Powers include: interpreting the constitution, judicial review, resolving disputes between federal & state authorities

# data[].attributes.body
$2.873 trillion (2023)

$22,400 (2023)

Automotive, oil and gas, electronics, tourism, agriculture (including avocados and other crops)

# data[].attributes.body
Mexican Revolution (1910 - 1920)

Revolutionary Forces vs. the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz (and later the constitutionalist army)

Causes: long-standing authoritarian rule, social inequality, concentration of wealth, lack of political freedoms

Consequences: adoption of the 1917 constitution, land reforms, establishment of a more democratic political system

Outcome: revolutionaries won the war and the political system was restructured to be slightly more democratic.

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Crisis: Drug Cartel Violence and Organized Crime - ongoing violence related to the drug cartel has destabilized regions, causing significant loss of life, and undermining trust in the government.

Efforts to Resolve the Problem:

President AMLO has attempted to address root causes of crime such as poverty and inequality rather than strictly military action

social programs

international cooperation (collaboration with other countries to fight drug trafficking and arms smuggling)

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Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999

Adopted following the end of military rule and the transition to democratic governance. The constitution replaced the previous military regimes' constitutions and aimed to establish a framework for Nigeria's return to civilian rule.

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federal presidential republic

democracy

# data[].attributes.body
military is the only real national institution

250-400 different ethnicities

50% muslim (north), 40% Christian (south), 10% other

disputes over sharia in policymaking

major divisions between elites and rural/urban

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The Executive Branch of Nigeria

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Powers include enforcement of laws, command of armed forces, appointments (nomination of federal officers, etc.), budget proposal, diplomacy

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The National Assembly of Nigeria

Bicameral - house of representatives, senate

Powers include: law making, budget approval, oversight, confirmation (of appointments), and impeachment

# data[].attributes.body
The Judiciary of NIgeria

Powers include: interpretation of laws, judicial review, dispute resolution, protection of rights

# data[].attributes.body
$1.275 trillion (2023)

$5,700 (2023)

Petroleum Industry - crude oil, coal, tin, columbite

# data[].attributes.body
Nigerian Civil War (Biafran War) - 1967 - 1970

Federal Government of Nigeria vs. Biafra (secessionist state led by Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu)

Causes: the war was triggered by the secession of the Eastern Region of Nigeria, which declared independence as the Republic of Biafra. The secession itself was driven by ethnic tensions, economic disparities, and political instability.

Consequences: The war resulted in significant loss of life as well as widespread destruction and suffering. Biafran forces were also defeated, leading to the reintegration of the Eastern Region into Nigeria. The war also had a great impact on Nigeria's political and ethnic landscape.

Outcome: The Federal Government of Nigeria ended up winning the war, forcing Biafra to reintegrate into Nigeria.

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Crisis: Insurgency by Boko Haram and Other Armed Groups

Boko Haram's goal is to establish an Islamic state and has been responsible for numerous attacks, kidnappings, and bombings.

Efforts to Resolve the Problem

military operations

humanitarian aid

rehabilitation programs

diplomatic and regional cooperation

counter-radicalization initiatives

# data[].attributes.body
Constitution of the Russian Federation, 1993

Adopted following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Soviet era, during significant political & economic upheaval. The Constitution replaced the Soviet-era constitution and was used to establish a new legal and political framework.

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Federal Semi-Presidential Republic

Authoritarian

# data[].attributes.body
religion - eastern orthodox

Chechnya - predominantly Muslim causing problems with the government

Slavophile (think Russia should stick with other slavic people) vs. Westernizer (think Russia should identify with other Western European countries)

# data[].attributes.body
The Executive Branch of Russia

Vladimir Putin

Powers include: command of armed forces, appointment powers, legislative influence, foreign policy

# data[].attributes.body
Federal Assembly of Russia

Bicameral - state duma, federation council

Powers include: law making, oversight, approval of appointments

# data[].attributes.body
The Judiciary of Russia

Powers include: interpretation of laws, judicial review, dispute resolution

# data[].attributes.body
$5.816 trillion (2023)

$39,800 (2023)

Oil and gas extraction, manufacturing, defense, and natural resources

# data[].attributes.body
Russian-Ukrainian War (2014 - ongoing)

Russia vs. Ukraine

Causes: tensions over Ukraine's alignment with the West and Russia's interests in maintaining influence in former Soviet territories.

Consequences: ongoing conflict, significant casualties, economic sanctions against Russia, and strained international relations

Outcome: the conflict remains unresolved, with ongoing hostilities and diplomatic efforts

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Crisis: economic sanctions and challenges

Russia faced significant economic sanctions imposed by Western countries due to its actions in Ukraine and other issues.

Efforts to Resolve the Problem:

economic diversification

diplomatic relations

internal reforms

# data[].attributes.body
The UK does not have a single, written constitution - collection of statues, conventions, historical documents, etc.

Magna Carta (1215)

Bill of Rights (1689)

Act of Settlement (1701)

There is not one single event which has led to the adoption of these documents.

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constitutional monarchy

highly democratic

# data[].attributes.body
Social/economic class

# data[].attributes.body
The Monarch and the Prime Minister

Monarch - King Charles III

Prime Minister - Rishi Sunak

The monarch has very limited powers while the Prime Minister: leads the executive branch, directs domestic & foreign policy, and oversees the Cabinet

# data[].attributes.body
Parliament of the United Kingdom

Bicameral - house of commons, house of lords

Powers include: creates laws, approves the budget, holds government accountable, can force the resignation of the Prime Minister through a vote of no confidence.

# data[].attributes.body
Supreme Court of the UK

Powers include: judicial review, interprets laws and ensures they comply with constitutional principles and human rights legislation, resolves disputes

# data[].attributes.body
$3.7 trillion (2023)

$54,100 (2023)

Financial services, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automotive, creative industries

# data[].attributes.body
Falklands War (1982)

United Kingdom vs. Argentina

Causes: Argentina's invasion of the Falkland Islands - Argentina claimed sovereignty over the islands

Consequences: UK successfully repelled the Argentine forces, maintaining control over the Falklands

Outcome: the UK won the war, strengthening political standing domestically

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Crisis: Brexit and its Economic and Political Fallout - the UK's decision to leave the European Union in 2016 has led to economic challenges, including trade disruptions, labor shortages, and uncertainty about the future relationship with the European Union

Efforts to Resolve the Problem:

trade agreements

domestic policies

devolution and independence debates