AP Gov The State

state

the organization that maintains a monopoly of force over a territory

regime

the fundamental rules and norms of politics

government

the leadership that runs the state

country

the political system that combines state, regime, and government

in the earliest stages, humans organized into

families and tribes

in sedentary communities and cities, complex political systems emerged to deal with issues of

inequality and personal freedom

Thomas Hobbes’ view on the state

human beings voluntarily submit to political authority to overcome anarchy and give up rights for security

Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s view on the state

human beings were “noble savages” who were instinctively compassionate and egalitarian; the state corrupted them

recent research says

warfare was between rival tribes, not individuals; violence was common

how Europe’s Dark Ages fostered emergence of state

rival groups fought for power and eventually created an organized system

state encouraged

economic development, technological innovation, and domestic stability (led to increased trade and infrastructure)

The Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

ended Europe’s Thirty Year War; Pope no longer had authority over Europe (freedom of religion)

legitimacy

something/someone is recognized and accepted as right and proper

traditional legitimacy

legitimacy because it has always been that way

charismatic legitimacy

legitimacy because someone can sway/persuade public

rational-legal legitimacy

legitimacy based on a system of laws/procedures presumed to be rational/neutral

federalism

powers like taxation, lawmaking, and security are localized and controlled by specific territories’ government

asymmetric federalism

power is divided unevenly between regional bodies

unitary states

political power concentrated at national level

strong states

can fulfill basic tasks like defending territory, enforcing laws, managing economy, etc.

weak/failed states

cannot fulfill basic tasks like defending territory, enforcing laws, managing economy, etc.

capacity

ability of the state to wield power in order to carry out basic tasks of providing security, freedom, and equality

autonomy

ability of a state to wield its power independently of public and international actors