Political systems exist on a continuum. The six AP Comparative Government countries represent different positions:

Country	Regime Type	Key Features
United Kingdom	Parliamentary Democracy	Constitutional monarchy, PM chosen by Parliament, no written constitution
Mexico	Presidential Democracy	Federal republic, multi-party (though PRI dominated for 71 years)
Nigeria	Federal Presidential Republic	Transitioning democracy, ethnic/religious cleavages, military history
Russia	Hybrid/Competitive Authoritarian	Elections held but opposition constrained, media controlled
China	Single-Party Authoritarian	CCP monopoly on power, no competitive elections at national level
Iran	Theocratic Republic	Elected president AND unelected Supreme Leader; Guardian Council vets candidates

• Legitimacy: Why do citizens accept a government's authority? (Traditional, rational-legal, charismatic)

• Sovereignty: Who has ultimate decision-making power?

• State vs. Nation: State = political entity with territory; Nation = group sharing culture/identity

• Nation-state: When state boundaries align with national identity (rare in practice)

Social divisions that create political conflict:

• Ethnic: Nigeria (Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo)

• Religious: Iran (Shia Islam as state identity)

• Economic: China (urban/rural wealth gap)

• Regional: UK (Scotland, Northern Ireland independence movements)