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.

Democratic

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.

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.

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.

$73,600 (2023)

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

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

Efforts to Resolve the Problem:

• legislative actions

• executive orders and policies

• coordination with other countries

• humanitarian support

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

Authoritarian

Xi Jinping

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

Unicameral

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

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

$22,100 (2023)

Manufacturing, technology, electronics, telecommunications, and trade

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.

Efforts to Resolve the Problem:

• health measures

• economic stimulus

• international relations

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

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

Authoritarian

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

Unicameral

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

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

$16,200 (2023)

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

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

Efforts to Resolve the Problem:

• engagement in negotiations

• seeking sanctions relief

• economic reforms

• expanding trade partnerships

• domestic production boost

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

Democratic

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

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

Bicameral - chamber of deputies, senate

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

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

$22,400 (2023)

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

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.

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)

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.

democracy

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

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

Bicameral - house of representatives, senate

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

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

$5,700 (2023)

Petroleum Industry - crude oil, coal, tin, columbite

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.

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

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.

Authoritarian

Vladimir Putin

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

Bicameral - state duma, federation council

Powers include: law making, oversight, approval of appointments

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

$39,800 (2023)

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

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

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

• 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.

highly democratic

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

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.

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

$54,100 (2023)

Financial services, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automotive, creative industries

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

Efforts to Resolve the Problem:

• trade agreements

• domestic policies

• devolution and independence debates