Poli midterm 1 (with the terms used in the practice questions removed)

Hedonism

A theory that human behavior is motivated by the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain.

Paradox of voting

The idea that collective decisions can be inconsistent or unstable depending on how votes are counted.

Cycling

A situation where collective preferences change continuously depending on voting order or procedure, preventing a stable outcome.

Social welfare

The overall well-being of society, often measured by levels of happiness, health, and prosperity.

Perfectionism

The belief that the state should promote one specific vision of the good life for everyone.

Altruism

Acting for the benefit of others, even at a cost to oneself.

Contractualism

The idea that moral and political rules are legitimate only if they are based on principles that no one could reasonably reject.

Maximum Pareto efficiency

The most efficient allocation of resources where no further Pareto improvements are possible.

Public interest

What benefits society as a whole at a higher level of agreement, even if individuals differ on specific preferences.

Prisoner's dilemma

Decision to implicate or stay silent between two captured prisoners that results in either going free, a light sentence, or a heavy sentence; illustrates why cooperation is difficult to maintain even when it is mutually beneficial because self-interest will usually triumph.

State of nature (Hobbes)

A hypothetical condition without government where life is insecure and marked by conflict ("war of all against all").

Conditional cooperation

The tendency to cooperate if others do, but withdraw cooperation if trust is broken.

Public goods

Goods that are non-excludable (available to all) and non-rivalrous (one person's use doesn't reduce availability) (ex: air)

Shared goods

Goods that are non-excludable but rivalrous (ex: fishing)

Political power

Power help through the government, the constitution, laws and policies

Economic power

Power derived from control over resources, wealth, or production.

Coercive power

Power exercised through force, threats, or violence.

Friend-enemy politics

A mode of politics that treats opponents as enemies rather than rivals.

Pluralist politics

A mode of politics that manages diverse and competing interests in society.

Technocratic politics

A mode of politics where decisions are made by experts rather than through broad democratic debate.

Command/obedience power

Power exercised through direct commands and compliance with authority.

Agenda control power

Power exercised by determining which issues or options are considered in decision-making.

False consensus power

Power exercised when people accept unfair or limiting situations as "natural" or unquestionable.

Political hobbyism

Engaging with politics as a pastime (e.g., news, debates) without meaningful participation or collective action.