Understanding Political Systems and Global Governance

Political Parties

Political parties are the primary channels through which citizens participate in political life. Parties present their programs to citizens and nominate candidates to run in elections.

The Division of Powers

• Legislature: Prepares and votes on laws; performs the function of controlling the government.
• Government: Determines the policy for the State to follow and applies it through the Administration.
• Judiciary: Exercises the judicial function, applying laws to ensure justice.

Types of Democratic States

Democratic states can be categorized as monarchies or republics, liberal or social, and decentralized or centralized.

Monarchies

The highest authority is the King, but sovereignty resides with the people. The King reigns but does not govern and must swear allegiance to the constitution (e.g., Belgium, Sweden, Spain).

Parliamentary Republics

The functions of the head of state are performed by a President of the Republic, elected by the citizens (e.g., France, Italy, Austria).

Liberal States

These states avoid interfering in the economy or social relations. The market law of supply and demand regulates prices and working conditions.

Social States

These states defend the need to intervene in economic and social areas to achieve the greatest possible equality among all citizens.

Centralized States

Power is exercised in a centralized manner, where the central government makes decisions affecting the regions or territories that comprise the State (e.g., France, Poland).

Decentralized States

Power is shared with the different territories that integrate the state, to which powers are delegated (e.g., Germany).

Non-Democratic States

• Absolute Monarchy: The King concentrates all power directly or chooses those who exercise functions on his behalf, often claiming divine right (e.g., Oman).
• Dictatorship: A system in which a person, supported by a political party, ethnic group, or army, governs with absolute power (e.g., historical examples in Latin America).

Global Politics

• The Role of the United States: As a major military power, the U.S. is shifting toward multilateralism, based on establishing agreements between different political powers.
• Islamism as a Political Force: Countries like Iran have adopted stances often characterized by conflict with Western values.
• The Rise of China: The most populous country in the world, featuring a highly competitive economy and growing military power.

The Economic Field

The economic center of the world consists of North America, Japan, and the European Union. Other countries are divided into two groups:

• Developing Countries: Regions that are economically active, offering interesting advantages for foreign companies (e.g., China, India, South Korea).
• Poor Countries: Primarily in Africa, where wealthy nations often exploit natural resources and support corrupt governments to serve their own interests, leaving these regions largely forgotten.