COMPARISON OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS

Author: Prof Nguyễn Thị Hiền

Education – Awareness Orientation (Not a call for violence, not a violation of international law; plain and accessible language; neutral tone; civic education purpose; no incitement to hatred)

TO

  • The Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • Ambassadors and Permanent Missions that are members of the United Nations Human Rights Council
  • The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
  • Governments and Parliaments of countries that respect human rights
  • The European Parliament and the Council of Europe
  • The Holy See (Vatican)
  • Relevant international organizations and civil society organizations
  • Citizens of all countries worldwide

PART I – COMMON GOALS OF HUMANITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY

In the 21st century, most people around the world aspire to:

  • Peace and the absence of war
  • Freedom of thought and freedom of expression
  • Freedom of religion or the right not to adhere to any religion
  • Personal and social security
  • Equality before the law
  • Governments that serve the people and do not oppress them

good political system is one that:

  • Respects human dignity
  • Has a clear and transparent legal framework
  • Includes mechanisms to control and balance power
  • Can be changed through peaceful and lawful means

PART II – SUMMARY OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS

1. Communism

Main characteristics:

  • A single ruling party
  • State control over land and major sectors of the economy
  • No acceptance of political opposition

Advantages (in theory):

  • Emphasis on social equality
  • Aim to reduce the gap between rich and poor

Disadvantages (commonly observed in practice):

  • Restrictions on freedom of expression
  • High risk of political repression
  • Difficulty in changing leadership through free elections

2. Socialism

Characteristics:

  • Strong state intervention in social welfare
  • High taxation to fund healthcare, education, and social protection

Two main models:

  • Single-party socialism → close to communism
  • Democratic socialism (e.g. some Nordic countries) → multiparty system with free elections

➡️ Important note: Not all socialist systems are authoritarian.

3. Dictatorship

Characteristics:

  • Power concentrated in one individual or a small group
  • No free and fair elections

Common consequences:

  • Lack of checks on power
  • Increased corruption
  • A climate of fear among the population

4. Militarism

Characteristics:

  • The military controls political power
  • Military law overrides civil law

Consequences:

  • Society under strict control
  • Limited personal freedoms
  • High risk of violence and conflict

5. Religious Extremism (Integrism)

Characteristics:

  • Religious law placed above civil law
  • No tolerance for other beliefs

Consequences:

  • Violation of freedom of religion
  • Discrimination
  • Social conflict

6. Far Left (Extreme Left)

Characteristics:

  • Radical opposition to private ownership
  • Advocacy for the abolition of the market economy

Risks:

  • Undermining economic development incentives
  • Tendency toward ideological authoritarianism

7. Far Right (Extreme Right)

Characteristics:

  • Extreme nationalism
  • Xenophobia and rejection of diversity

Risks:

  • Discrimination and intolerance
  • Social division
  • Increased risk of conflict

8. Nationalism

Two aspects:

  • Positive: protection of culture and national independence
  • Negative: contempt for or hostility toward other nations

➡️ When taken to extremes, nationalism can threaten world peace.

9. Monarchy (Royalism)

Two main models:

  • Absolute monarchy → power concentrated in the monarch
  • Constitutional monarchy (United Kingdom, Japan, etc.) → the monarch has a symbolic role

➡️ Constitutional monarchy is not incompatible with democracy.

10. Liberal Democracy

Core characteristics:

  • Multiparty system
  • Free and fair elections
  • Separation of powers
  • Independent media
  • Respect for and protection of human rights

Advantages:

  • Citizens have a voice in governance
  • Mistakes can be corrected through law and elections
  • Reduced risk of internal conflict

Limitations:

  • Decision-making processes can be slow
  • Requires high civic awareness and a strong rule of law

➡️ Today, this model is widely adopted as a means to ensure freedom, peace, and long-term stability.

PART III – CIVIC EDUCATION CONCLUSION

  • No political system is perfect
  • However, a system that allows peaceful correction of mistakes is the safest for humanity
  • Freedom + rule of law + control of power form the foundation of sustainable peace

In our view, the Liberal Democratic system is the most compatible with the current course of global civilization and helps minimize the risk of devastating wars that could destroy humanity and our shared planet.

With highest respect and sincere appreciation for your attention.

January 6, 2026

Group advocating for freedom, democracy, freedom of religion, human rights, peace, security, and international order

CO-SIGNATORIES

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NOTES

  1. Request for wide dissemination through international media
  2. Request for translation into multiple languages to support global advocacy
  3. Respectfully invite leaders, religious figures, believers of all faiths, political parties, civil society organizations, associations, communities, and individuals worldwide to co-sign and directly submit this Petition to the United Nations Secretary-General, governments, and the above-mentioned institutions through appropriate channels