Terms_and_Definitions

Welfare

Government-provided support for citizens' well-being.

Social risks

Risks like unemployment, illness, or aging that may affect individuals' welfare.

Welfare state

A system where the government plays a key role in providing social protections.

Universal Suffrage

The right of all adult citizens to vote in elections.

Pensions

Regular payments made to retirees, often from government or employer programs.

Means-Tested

Welfare benefits provided only to those whose income or resources fall below a certain level.

Universal Welfare Programs

Programs that provide benefits to all citizens regardless of income or need.

Social Insurance

Programs providing benefits based on contributions made during employment.

Decommodification

Reduction of individuals' dependence on the market for basic needs.

Welfare state regime types

Categories of welfare systems characterized by different approaches to social policies.

Social Stratification

Division of society into hierarchical layers based on wealth, power, or prestige.

Submerged State

Government policies hidden in tax codes or regulations that influence welfare outcomes.

Retrenchment

Reducing or cutting back welfare benefits or programs.

Cost-of-living-adjustments

Adjustments to benefits to keep pace with inflation or cost of living.

Blame avoidance strategies

Strategies to avoid blame when implementing unpopular policies.

Recommodification

Increasing individuals' reliance on the market for goods and services.

Cost Containment

Efforts to limit public spending on social welfare programs.

Recalibration

Adjusting welfare programs to address new challenges or inefficiencies.

Issue Ownership

The idea that political parties are perceived as being better at managing certain issues.

Culture

Shared beliefs, practices, and traditions that shape a society.

Norms

Informal rules that govern behavior in a group or society.

Beliefs

Accepted truths or opinions held by a group or society.

Values

Principles or standards considered important by a group or individual.

Rational-Secular values

Prioritization of rationality and scientific thought over religious beliefs.

Traditional values

Emphasis on religious faith, family values, and traditional institutions.

Self-expression values

Focus on personal autonomy, creativity, and self-fulfillment.

Survival values

Prioritization of economic and physical security over self-expression.

Natural experiment

A naturally occurring situation used to study social or political phenomena.

Civic culture

A political culture that fosters participation and trust in institutions.

Competent

Perceived ability of a government or organization to effectively achieve goals.

Allegiant

Loyalty and support for a political system or government.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts or rules of thumb used to make decisions.

Civil community

A community with strong civic engagement and shared norms.

Social capital

Networks of relationships that foster trust and cooperation in society.

Collective action

Efforts by groups to achieve common goals, often requiring collaboration.

Prisoner’s Dilemma

A situation where individuals fail to cooperate even when it is in their best interest.

Tragedy of the Commons

Depletion of shared resources due to individual self-interest.

Free-Rider Problem

The challenge of getting people to contribute to a public good when they can benefit without contributing.

Public goods

Goods that are available to all members of society, often provided by the government.

Selective benefits

Benefits provided only to those who participate in a group or activity.

Ghent system

A system where trade unions play a key role in distributing unemployment benefits.

Historical institutionalism

A framework for understanding how institutions evolve over time.

Path dependence

The idea that decisions made in the past influence present and future choices.

Gradualism

A theory that emphasizes slow, incremental change in institutions.

Punctuated equilibrium

Periods of significant, rapid change in institutions or policies.

Critical juncture

A moment in history that leads to a long-lasting change in institutions.

Increasing returns

Processes that reinforce the advantages of existing systems or choices over time.

Interest groups

Organizations that seek to influence public policy in favor of their interests.

Social movements

Collective efforts by people to promote or resist social change.

Lobbyist

A person who tries to influence policymakers on behalf of an interest group.

Fire-alarm oversight

A system where citizens alert officials to problems, allowing oversight.

Public interest groups

Groups that advocate for the general welfare of society.

Civil rights groups

Organizations that fight for the equal treatment of all citizens.

Ideological interest groups

Groups driven by a particular ideology or set of beliefs.

Economic interest groups

Groups that focus on the economic interests of their members.

Single-Issue groups

Groups organized around a single issue or cause.

Pluralism

A theory that power is distributed among many competing groups.

Neo-corporatism

A system where organized interests negotiate with the government over policies.

Economic development

Improvements in a country's standard of living and economic conditions.

Economic growth

An increase in the value of goods and services produced by an economy.

Rostow’s Stages of Development

A model of development outlining stages from traditional to modern economies.

Gerschenkron’s Timing of Industrialization Theory

A theory highlighting how the timing of industrialization affects development.