There are a number of similarities between North Korea, the United States, and China. This statement could be said about certain aspects of the three countries if we only look at what is written on paper. According to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Fact Book, all three countries have three essential branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial (2012). But it doesn't take much effort to peel away the first layer and see the vast differences between the United States and the communist countries of China and North Korea. This article is designed to strip away this second layer and reveal the differences between the communist countries of China and North Korea. By examining aspects of how each country selects its leaders, how its government is structured, each country's political culture, human rights or lack thereof, and the economic environment of both countries, the paper will highlight highlight many contrasts between the way the two countries. Countries choose to operate. The process of selecting a leader is somewhat similar between North Korea and China. It is the leaders selected and the level of freedom granted to the country in the selection of these leaders that vary between the two countries. In North Korea, the Supreme People's Assembly is elected by popular vote and serves a five-year term (CIA, 2012). In China, the National People's Congress is elected by municipal, regional and provincial people's congresses, as well as the People's Liberation Army, for a five-year term (CIA, 2012). What is not taken into account is that the candidates are running uncontested and are all members of the same political party (CIA, 2012). It's a bit like walking into a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop and only being able to...... middle of paper ......e-world-factbook/geos/ch.htmlGuo, S. (2009). Implementation of human rights treaties by Chinese courts: problems and prospects. Chinese Journal of International Law, 8(1), 161-179. Kaplan, R. M. (2011). The long goodbye. Global Affairs, 174(1), 7. North Korea (2012). At the United States Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook [online]. Retrieved May 20, 2012 from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.htmlChina National Human Rights Action Plan (2009-2010) *. (2009). Chinese Journal of International Law, 8(3), 741-777. doi:10.1093/chinesejil/jmp024U.S, Department of State website (2012) Briefing Note: North Korea. Accessed May 20, 2012, from: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2792.htm#profileU.S, Department of State website (2012), briefing note: China . Accessed May 20, 2012 at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/18902.htm