Politics
A: Mongolia’s extraordinarily harsh winters (‘Dzud’) are a major cause. There are three types of Dzud: Black, White and Ice. A ‘Black Dzud’ occurs after an exceptionally hot, dry summer, leaving low-lying grasses weak. This makes it difficult for herd animals to find fodder, and many starve. A ‘White Dzud’ from unusually heavy snowfall which prevents animals from reaching fodder. An ‘Ice Dzud’ is when freezing rain covers the ground, making grazing impossible. In 2009/2010 a Dzud killed an estimated 17% of all of Mongolia’s livestock, leading many rural Mongolians to leave the countryside and relocate to the city.
A: Major Political Parties in Mongolia are the Democratic Party and the Mongolian People’s Party. The Democratic Party tends to have an international and free market outlook, welcoming foreign direct investment. The Mongolian People ’s Party encourages “resource nationalism” and greater regulation and taxation of foreign companies.
A: Excellent. The Mongolian political system provides for “separation of powers”: the Ikn Khural’s members select the Prime Minister to preside over the Cabinet, while the Mongolian people directly elect the President, who serves as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He has veto power over new laws, which requires a super majority to override. He serves a maximum of two four year terms.