POL101 Multiple Choice

Politics

The negotiations between the state and civil society centered around power with the intention of building shared life.

Legitimacy

The perception by the state that it is authorized and justified in its governance.

Legibility

The desire for society to be clear and understandable to the state.

Civil Society

The realm apart from the state, consisting of voluntary associations and activities.

Public Sphere

A space where dialogue occurs that critiques and responds to the political sphere.

Democracy

Rule by the people where power holders represent the populace.

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy where citizens directly make decisions.

Representative Democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Majoritarian Electoral System

An electoral system that produces clear winners/losers and favors larger parties.

First Past the Post

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of achieving a majority.

Two-Round Voting

A system where two rounds of voting occur to determine a final winner.

Alternative Vote

An electoral system where voters rank candidates, with multiple rounds of counting to find a winner.

Single Nontransferable Vote

An electoral system allowing multiple winners in districts with multiple seats.

Proportional Electoral System

A system where legislative seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes received by each party.

Party-list

An electoral format where voters choose a party instead of individual candidates.

Single Transferable Vote

A ranked voting system where votes are transferred based on preferences until all seats are filled.

Mixed Member Majoritarian

A system with both constituency seats through First Past the Post and party seats based on proportionality.

Democratic Theory

The principle that equality and fairness are essential for legitimate representation.

Backsliding

The process of weakening democratic accountability and eroding protections for institutions.

Authoritarian Political Participation

Political engagement in a regime where power sharing is viewed as a threat.

Democratic Political Participation

Political engagement seen as a virtue where legitimacy rests upon the people.

Institutionalized Participation

Regular, formal methods of political engagement like voting and party membership.

Weber’s Iron Cage

A concept describing individuals trapped within structures that favor elite actions.

Non-Institutionalized Participation

Political actions occurring outside of formal structures, often in response to grievances.

Social Movements

Collective actions that seek to address common goals and challenges.

Ideologies

Shared beliefs and values that influence political actions and understandings.

Ideational Change

The process by which societies exchange old ideas for new ones.

Populism

A political approach that appeals to the emotions of the public to mobilize action.

Ideological Manipulation

The strategic use of ideas to maintain power or influence public perception.

Federalism

The division of power between the federal government and state governments.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal law prevails in conflicts with state law.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution for the election of the president.

Primaries

Elections held to select major party candidates for the general election.

Rational Choice Theory

The theory that individuals make votes based on self-interest and cost-benefit analysis.

Social Cleavage Structure

The divisions within society that influence voter preferences and behaviors.

Identity Politics

The political negotiation surrounding the intersection of identity and power dynamics.

Framing

The way in which political movements are presented and perceived.

Political Hope

The anticipation and belief in positive changes and actions within a democratic framework.

Climate Change Challenges

Issues like the North/South divide, political polarization, and tragedy of the commons impacting climate action.

Moral Imagination

The ability to envision complex relationships that foster creativity and acknowledge contradictions.