Political Parties and Political Economy

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to political parties, political violence, political economy, and globalization based on the lecture notes provided.

Political Parties

Organizations that seek to gain political power by winning elections and governing.

Mass Parties

Political parties with a large membership base that focus on mobilizing voters and often emerge from social movements.

Elite Parties

Political parties that are small and dominated by political elites and do not rely on mass membership.

One-Party System

A system where one legal party controls the state and opposition parties are banned.

Dominant Party System

A political system where multiple parties exist, but one party consistently wins elections.

Two-Party System

A political system where two major parties dominate elections.

Multi-Party System

A system with more than two significant parties, common in parliamentary systems.

Pluralism

A system where many interest groups compete freely to influence government.

Collective Action Problems

Situations where individuals can benefit from a public good without contributing, leading to free-riding.

Free-Riding

Relying on others to contribute while benefiting from a public good yourself.

Interest Groups

Organizations that lobby government to advance specific interests.

Social Movements

Large, loosely organized groups advocating for societal or political change.

Grievances

Issues such as ethnic or economic disparities that can lead to political violence.

Coups d'État

The illegal removal of a sitting government by military or other elites.

Guerrilla Wars

Conflicts where small, mobile combat groups use hit-and-run tactics against a state military.

Genocide

The intentional destruction of an ethnic, religious, or national group.

Terrorism

Violence targeting civilians intended to instill fear for political purposes.

Civil War

An armed conflict between the state and organized domestic groups.

Political Economy

The study of how politics and economics interact.

Market

Spaces where goods and services are bought and sold.

Neoliberal Economic Policies

Economic policies emphasizing deregulation, privatization, and reduction of state spending.

Command Economies

Economic systems where the state controls production, prices, and distribution.

Public Goods

Resources that are non-excludable and non-rival, such as national defense and clean air.

Social Democracy

A political ideology characterized by high taxation and strong welfare spending.

Redistribution

The allocation of resources from one group to another, typically through taxes and welfare.

Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

Companies that operate in multiple countries.

Globalization

The increasing interdependence of countries across various dimensions.

Race-to-the-Bottom

A phenomenon where countries cut taxes, wages, or regulations to attract business, often reducing welfare spending.

Pluralism

System where many interest groups compete freely to influence government.

Collective Action Problems

When individuals benefit from a public good whether they contribute or not- incentive to free-ride.

Free-Riding

Relying on others to contribute while benefiting yourself.

Ways to Resolve Collective Action Problems

Selective incentives (material benefits)

Coercion (mandatory participation)

Leadership/organization

Social pressure or norms

Interest Groups

Organizations that lobby government to advance a specific interest (e.g., NRA, AARP).

Social Movements

Large, loosely organized groups pushing for societal or political change (e.g., Civil Rights Movement).

Characteristics of Political Parties

Recruit candidates
Mobilize voters
Coordinate government policy
Represent groups/interests

Political Violence

Use of force to achieve political goals.

Factors Facilitating Political Violence

State weakness
Opportunity (terrain, weapons)
Grievances (ethnic, economic)
Poverty
Spillover from neighboring conflicts
Colonial legacies
Leadership and organizational capacity