Comp Gov. Unit 3: Political Culture and Participation

Civil Society

Groups and organizations outside the government that people join to express ideas, interests, or concerns and work together to influence society. voluntary associations independent from the state

Nongovernmental organizations

Independent groups that are not run by the government and work to help people, solve problems, or promote causes.

Political culture

The shared beliefs, values, and attitudes people have about politics and government.

Political socialization

The process by which people learn political beliefs, values, and attitudes.

Political ideology

A set of beliefs about how government should work and what policies it should follow.

Individualism

belief in individual civil liberties and freedom over governmental restrictions.

Neoliberalism

An economic ideology that supports free markets, less government control, privatization, and lower taxes. referring to the removal of barriers and restrictions on what internal/external economic actors can  do

Communism

belief in the abolition of private property with near total governmental control of the economy.

Socialism

belief in the reduction of income disparities and the nationalization of major private industries

Fascism

A political ideology that supports strong authoritarian rule, extreme nationalism, and limited individual freedoms.

Populism

political philosophy that supports the interests and rights of the common people over that of the elites

Democracy

A system of government where power comes from the people, usually through voting. degree and practice of free and fair elections; degree of  transparency of governmental decision making; the degree of political participation by citizens; and the degree of  independence of governmental branches.

Power

ability of the state to influence the conduct of individuals and organizations within the state

Authority

state’s legitimate right to enforce a power

Rule of law

The principle that everyone, including government leaders, must follow the law. No one is above or below the law.

Civil Rights

are the protection of groups of citizens from discrimination by the government or other individuals

Civil Liberties

are an individual’s protection against abuse of powers by the government

Post-materialism

social values of self-expression and quality of life issues such as environmental issues and social  and economic equality

Political participation

ways citizens can attempt to shape government policy. The ways people get involved in politics, like voting, protesting, or joining political groups.

Referenda

Votes in which citizens directly decide on a specific law or policy.

Political stability

the ability of a government to consistently provide services that meet the basic needs of most of the population to foster the public’s confidence in the institutions of the state

Cleavages

Deep divisions in society that separate people into groups, often based on things like class, religion, ethnicity, or ideology.

Separatist movement

when a group’s actions to gain greater autonomy from a government diminishes the  sovereignty of that government.

Brute repression

use of coercive force by the government to suppress actions the government opposes

Authoritarianism

A system of government where power is concentrated in one leader or group and citizens have limited political freedoms.