Citizens of the Marshall Islands live with a relatively new democratic political system combined with a hierarchical traditional culture.

There have been some incidents of human rights concern, however, such as undue government pressure on the judiciary and the press.

The territorial claim by the Republic of the Marshall Islands on Wake Atoll leaves a certain amount of ambiguity regarding the actual or hypothetical role of the US military, responsible under agreement for the defense of Marshallese territory, in the event of any strategic crisis or hostilities involving Wake. The Atoll was formally annexed by the US in the 19th century and is still administered by the US Department of the Interior.

See also

• Government of the Marshall Islands
  Government of the Marshall Islands
  The government of the Marshall Islands operates under a mixed parliamentary-presidential system as set forth in its Constitution. Elections are held every four years in universal suffrage , with each of the twenty-four constituencies electing one or more representatives to the lower house of...
  
  
• Elections in the Marshall Islands
  Elections in the Marshall Islands
  Elections in Marshall Islands gives information on election and election results in Marshall Islands.Marshall Islands elects on national level a head of state - the president - and a legislature. The president is elected for a four year term by the parliament...
  
  
• LGBT rights in the Marshall Islands
  LGBT rights in the Marshall Islands
  Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in the Marshall Islands may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples.-Law regarding same-sex sexual...