POLS Final Study guide

Media as a watchdog

The role of the media in holding the government accountable and protecting the citizens' interests.

Voice of America

A U.S. government-funded international radio broadcast service that provides news and information to countries around the world.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)

A broadcasting organization that provides news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

"Old" and "new" media

Refers to the distinction between traditional forms of media (such as print, television, and radio) and digital media (such as social media and online platforms).

News aggregators

Websites or applications that collect and display news articles from various sources.

Digital citizenship

The responsible and ethical use of digital technologies and participation in online communities.

Digital divide

The gap between individuals or communities who have access to digital technologies and those who do not.

Media monopolies

Situations where a single company or a small group of companies control a large portion of the media market.

Media consolidation

The process of mergers and acquisitions that result in fewer companies owning and controlling the media industry.

Orange Revolution

A series of protests and political events in Ukraine in 2004-2005, triggered by allegations of electoral fraud.

Green Revolution

A series of protests and political events in Iran in 2009, sparked by disputed presidential election results.

Mirror holding

The role of the media in reflecting and representing the views and interests of the society.

Window opening

The role of the media in providing access to information and diverse perspectives.

Fr Jerzy

A Polish Roman Catholic priest and human rights activist who played a significant role in the Solidarity Movement.

Solidarity Movement

A Polish trade union and social movement that played a key role in the collapse of communism in Poland.

John Locke

Social Contract Theory

Montesquie

Separation of Powers

What are the three essential components of democracy?

Electoral: regular, open, free, and fair elections

Participatory: there are legal channels of participating in the democracy that the country gives it’s ctizens

Liberal: here are civil rights, including minority rights, and there is a separation of powers with checks on the executive

EPL

formal representation

women have legal right to participate in politics on an equal basis as men

discriptive representation

if women make up roughly 50 percent of the population, they should be allocated roughly 50 percent of the legislative and executive bodies

Substantive representation

women’s interests should be advocated in the political arena

symbolic representation

feeling represented

First country to introduce universal sufferage

New Zealand - 1893

Steps in democratization from below

Resistance - underground activities, international delegitimizing campaigns denouncing human rights

Liberation- Organized society emerges more visibly though strikes, protests, and unrest

Transition- Mobilization of pro-democracy coalition of trade unions, political parties, and social movements.

Consolidation- keeping elites under continuous popular pressure after transition to acheive consolidation, culminates in first free, open, and fair elections.

Expansion- Quest for the achievement of substantive democracy, expanding the socio-political sphese and joining global movements and international organizations.

Elite Continuity

the continued existence of elite actors who were politically active during the non-democratic regime

Ex: spanish transition

Party Continuity

Political parties that were active and present during the previous regime are clearly identifiable during the transition and after

Elite and Party Discontinuity

Broad sweeping turnover between the parties and the elite.

ex: Nazi germany

Red Lights Tend To Connect Everything

Resistance, Liberation, Transition, Consolidation, Expansion

How Authoritarian regimes typically respond to the effects of social media: Phase 1:

regimes use filtration software to censor threatening content.

How Authoritarian regimes typically respond to the effects of social media: Phase 2:

2009-2013- authoritarian regimes added sweeping digital surveillance strategies facilitated by powerful new technologies and the trend toward matching of digital and real world identities.

How Authoritarian regimes typically respond to the effects of social media: Phase 3:

currently: regimes use hacking, sabotage, deep surveillance, and widespread deployment of deceptive agents and trolls to shape and control public opinion online