Comparative Politics Test 1 Dr. Antizzo

Oligarchy

rule by the few in self interest

Governance

the actual activity of making decisions

Opium of the people

religion

feudalism

used in Europe during the middle ages. Social classes were lords and serfs. It gave way to capitalism in the 1600s

capitalism

the means of production are owned by private individuals. This stage will end once the workers gain class consciousness.

socialism

Means of production are in the hands of the workers. Increasing class consciousness and merging of the stratified society into one worker class.

communism

the final stage, no gov, no religion, everyone is the same class, no national identity, cooperative communal community.

Pluralism

A variation on democratic theory, politics is an /open conflict/arena where different interest groups compete for government attention and money

Westminster Democracy

weak second chamber, cabinet government, unwritten constitution, first past the post election, two party system, used in homogenous societies.

weak second chamber

in Britain the second chamber/hereditary house of lords is not powerful, they can only compel reconsideration and delay legislation. The House of commons can pass legislation on their own

cabinet government

Prime minister is first among equals in the inner circle of the majority party/coalition which comprises the cabinet. They are all collectively held responsible for decisions made. if they lose a vote of confidence, they all resign.

unwritten constitution

Traditions that over time have come to hold constitutional power. Britain uses this for their rule of a 5 years election cycle in parliament. This rule is not written anywhere.

first-past-the-post elections

it doesn't matter if you get a majority, you just have to get the most.

two party system

most Westminster countries have two dominant parties left and right of center.

used in homogenous societies

Westminster democracy

state

an umbrella term for all of the offices that make up the government, which make and enforce collective decisions for society.

legality

refers to whether or not laws were made according to constitutionally ordained procedures.

legitimacy

asks, do the people accept the law as valid? Apartide oppressed 80% of South Africans, making it considered illegitimate. civil disobedience was illegal but legitimate.

weber's arch-types of authority

traditional, charismatic, legal-rational

traditional

reverence for past practice, monarchy rules of succession.

charismatic

where a leader's personality is attractive and draws a following. They are usually the bad guys.

legal-rational

what Weber saw modern societies as, loyalty, not to a person, but to a set of principles.

myth of czar and people

Russian peasants thought czar was a benevolent father figure, and any fault fell to others, and that he would fix it if he knew

Shattered by crushing of demonstrations on Bloody Sunday (1905)

-palace guards open fire on protest and shatter the image. allows communism to take over.

elite theory

a small group of people make the decisions for society. (sometimes you don't know who the most powerful people are) (pyramid chart of elite theory)

do all systems generate elites

yes

circulation of elites

There is movement up and down the pyramid

strain theory

new ideologies rise in response to crisis

interest theory

all ideology is a false front to protect rich and powerful

Consensus Democracy

form of democracy in non english speaking democracies. multi-party system 4 or 5 major political parties. it is difficult for a parliamentary majority to be achieved, so a coalition forms.

coalition government

there is a stronger party, but compromise is needed. a party can pull out at any time and another party has to join or another election must be held. you want the coalition to be as small as possible.

proportional representation

seats are awarded based on proportional representation. you vote for the party not for an individual.

party lists

who specifically gets seated is determined by party list, based on seniority in the party. the more seats you win, the further into the list you get.

What kind of society does consensus democracy work best in?

Consensus democracy works best in heterogeneous societies. It gives everyone a seat at the table. (your party has to meet the threshold of votes to get representation)

Which countries use consensus democracy?

non-english speaking countries

Under socialism, the state and party are separate in theory but not in:

Practice. In practice they are one and the same. you have to be in the party to be in the state

Justifications of one party regimes: (3)

1. political competition is alien to culture

2. the problems of society are to great for the divisiveness of democracy to be productive

3. we need a single party to integrate people into the new state.

vote of confidence

a vote taken in parliament, for government to stay in power. The gov will either find new coalition partners, reshuffle, or resign. usually resign.

Rise of multi-party states in post-Cold War period

a lot of one party states retreated after the cold war, they were left leaning and looked to the soviet union for a model, and for aid. They had to decide to either go out on their own, or turn to the west for help.

West's requirements for a one party state to receive aid (2)

1. communism will not be financially support-capitalism only.

2. no dictatorship. only multi party democratic system.

Marx and Engels vision of Communism

1. State will eventually disappear

2. Government(more accurately, Worker) ownership of means of production

Dictatorship of the Proletariat

a short phase during socialist period, where workers would use harsh means to force the rich and powerful to give up power and class.

Class Consciousness

realization that you are being exploited and makes revolution possible.

Five Remaining Communist Counties:

China, Vietnam, Laos, North Korea, Cuba

Types of Third World Countries (4)

-Oil Producers

-Newly Industrializing Countries

-Less Developed Countries

-Least Developed Countries (4th World)

Oil producers

authoritarian governments/royal families, opulently wealthy, but not equally distributed. commoners are okay, but not nearly close to the top level. Elite will buy off the people, (paying for education etc..)

Newly Industrializing Countries: Pacific Rim (taiwan, south korea, etc..)-

rapidly rising, next level of affluence.

less developed countries

next level down. They rely on one or two commodities for export. they are at the mercy of the world markets. When demand for their export is high, they do great. This economic instability leads to political instability.

least developed countries (4th world)

very poor and reliant on handouts from other countries or organizations.

Cartel

organization that controls trade of particular commodities.

OPEC

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

cartel that controls trade of oil, they set quotas and prices in the market. they only do what is bearable.

Magna Carta

Constitution is inspired by the Magna Carta. Foundation of democratic liberties in English-speaking democracies

Democracy in the developing world

Only recent development; many were one-party states until late 1980s

Protective Democracy

we place procedure before anything else

Aristotle's types of Government (6)

Kingship

Tyranny

Aristocracy

Oligarchy

Polity

Democracy

Kingship

Single ruler for the common good. -ideal form

Tyranny

Single ruler- perverted form

Aristrocracy

Few rulers - ideal from

Oligarchy

Few rulers -perverted form

Polity

the rule of many for the benefit of all - ideal form

Democracy

rule by many - perverted form

Authoritarian regimes (7)

1. Rulers are above the law

2. Elections don't occur or are shams to make

3. government appear legitimate

4. Participation is limited or discouraged

5. One party?

6. Communication is low in quantity & quality - top down

7. Leaders are prepared to falsify election results to maintain power

Totalitarian regimes

1. Tight control over society - anti democratic

2. They seek total control rather than self insulation

3. Usually based on radical ideology which transforms society

4. Single party with bureaucratic control

Classical Liberalism

-Enlightenment,

-small government,

-maximum personal freedom.

-Contract with government, you give obedience to laws and taxes, government provides security and public order. If government breaks contract, have right to overthrow government.

-Economic ideas of Ab Smith, Scottish economist, published book in 1776: Wealth of Nations- modern day capitalism

Modern Liberalism

-Liberal. Big government,

-high taxes to support bigger state apparatus to level social levels,

-everybody is same level

Liberal Democracy

-U.S. Leaders chosen through free and fair elections, universal suffrage,

-can join and form political parties,

-free media in country,

-liberal democracy bc government is subject to constitutional limits to its power,

-liberties parties and freedoms are guaranteed by Constitution and protected by the courts

authority

The acknowledged right to rule

Authority exists when it gains acknowledgment from subordinates

Power

the ability to rule, capability to bring about intended results, make another actor comply by whatever means. Two ways: power to, power over

5 ways in which decisions are made

1. Violence

2. Discussion

3. Bargaining

4. Custom/Tradition

5. Voting

Politburo

Inner circle of communist leadership

illiberal democracy

Government that looks like democracy, but is rigged

Compression of classes under communism as the government grew

Rulers

Ruled

Nation

People with history, culture, language, and a place to call home

Party Loyality

Elected dictatorship

The US uses a

presidential system