American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Empirical Statement

Based on facts and statistics.

Normative Statement

Based on value judgements.

Independent/Dependent Variable

Not dependent on something/changes with independent variable.

Correlation

A consistent and visible relation between two or more variables (may indicate causation).

Causation

When one variable causes a change in another.

Three-World Classification

First World, Second World, Third World. Cold War Era classification of countries.

State

All political institutions that make policy & exercise power in a gov't.

Institutions

Stable, long lasting organizations that help to political ideas into policy.

Sovereignty

The ability of a state to rule without international or domestic interference.

Nation

A group of people bound together by a common national identity.

Failed State

A gov't that has failed; Anarchy.

Regime

The collective rules that a state sets and follows in exerting its power.

Democratic System

Where authority is based on the will of the people.

Parliamentary System

Where citizens vote for legislative representatives, who select leaders of the executive branch

Presidential System

Where citizens voice for representatives and executives, and where there are two executive branches with separation of powers.

Semi-presidential System

Where a prime-minister coexists with a president.

Authoritarian

Where decisions are made by political elites, with little-to-no input from citizens. Not Totalitarianism.

Totalitarianism

Where an absolute and repressive gov't makes all the decisions towards a political ideal, often resented or despised by its citizens.

Military Rule

When there is military intervention into gov't to try and stabilize a failing state due to violence or unrest.

Corporatism

The method through which business, labor, and/or other interest groups bargain with the state over policy.

Pluralism

Where power is split among many groups competing to influence the gov't's decision-making.

Democratic Corporatism

Where the formatin of interest groups is spontaneous.

Traditional Legitimacy

The belief that political legitimacy comes from following tradition.

Charismatic Legitimacy

The belief that political legitimacy is based on the dynamic personality of the leader, individual or otherwise.

Rational-legal Legitimacy

The belief that political legitimacy is based on a system of well-established laws and procedures.

Political Culture

The widely shared beliefs, values, and norms concerning the relationship of citizens to government and to one another.

Social Capital

Democratic and civic habits of discussion, compromise, and respect for differences, which grow out of participation in voluntary organizations.

Liberalism

Political ideology that stems from emphasis on individual political/economic freedom.

Communism

Political ideology that stems from valuing equality over freedom.

Socialism

Political ideology that promotes private ownership, like liberalism, but also promotes state involvement in regulating the economy and providing public benefits.

Facism

rejects both political/economic freedom and equality.

Reform

gradual change that does not overthrow existing institutions.

Revolution

Change at a basic level, either major revision or overthrow of existing institutions.

Coup D'etats

most limited change, replaces country's leadership with new leaders.

Liberalism (political change)

supports reform and gradual change rather than revolution.

Conservatism

Does not support change.

Democratic Consolidation

The gradual change from an authoritarian gov't to a democratic one.

Command Economy

Gov't owns all industry and retail power.

Economic Liberalization

The process of limiting the state's power over private property.

Market Economy

a free economy with no state power over private property.

Mixed Economy

Market Economy with significant control from central gov't.

Privatization

The transfer of state ownership to private ownership.

Fragmentation

Divisions based on ethnic or cultural identity.

Social Cleavages

Divisions out of the realm of politics; ethnic, religious, regional.

Political Efficacy

A citizen's capacity to understand and influence political events.

Political Socialization

the way the gov't interacts with its people.

Political Participation

The way citizens interact with their gov't.

Transparency

How open a gov't's dealings are to its people.

Social Movements

organized and collective activities to cause or resist fundamental societal change.

Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)

independent groups that pursue policy objectives.

Unitary Systems

Concentrates all policy-making power in one geographical location.

Federal System

Spreads policy-making power between central gov't and states.

Globalization

The integration of social, environmental, economic and cultural activities.

Supranational Organizations

International and/or regional political organizations composed of multiple countries.

Devolution

A gov't reaction to centrifugal forces.

Head of State

the chief public representative of a country who may also be the head of government

Head of Government

the office and the person occupying the office charged with leading the operation of a government

Cabinet

a collect decision-making body.

Bureaucracy

agencies that generally implement gov't policy.

Legislature (Bicameral)

Two houses of legislature.

Legislature (Unicameral)

One house of legislature.

Judicial Review

The mechanism that allows courts to review laws and executive actions for their constitutionality.

Political Parties

groups of political bodies/individuals that help the voting process and establish majority.

Interest Groups

Organizations of like minded people that whose goal is to influence public policy.

Interest group pluralism

autonomous groups that compete with each other and gov't to shape state policy.

State Corporatism

state determines which interest groups are permitted.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

all goods/services produced by a country in a given year.

Gross National Product (GNP)

Like GDP, but includes citizens.

Gross National Product per capita

GNP/population

Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)

Like GNP, but takes into consideration what people can buy using income in their local economy.

Social Welfare

Includes health, employment, family aid, and education.

Gini Index

formula for economic inequality.

Human Development Index

The wellbeing of a country's people.

Civil Liberties

Promotion of freedom

Civil rights

Promotion of equality

Freedom House

An organization that studies democracy globally.