Comparative Politics Exam 2

nondemocratic regime

Is controlled by a small group of individuals who exercise power over the state without being constitutionally responsible/responsive to the public. Public plays no significant role in influencing/electing leadership, built around the restriction of freedom, can be highly ideological (fascist/communist) or anti-ideological (populist)

authoritarianism

Rejection of political plurality, strong central power wishes to preserve the status quo (oligarchy, autocratic, military rule, etc)

oligarchy

“Rule by the few,” control rests with a small elite group, typically with high levels of wealth. Can also be understood as a small group of people having a lot of power even if they do not formally rule (ex. Russia)

autocracy

Absolute power is held by an individual. Concentration of power, very powerful executive (other branches are less powerful and in line with the regime), repression of opposition, lack of civil participation (ex. Germany under Hitler, USSR under Stalin)

closed autocracy

one in which neither the autocrat nor legislature is chosen via election

open autocracy

does hold public elections that theoretically give citizens some role in choosing leadership

military rule

Emerges through coups, where the military seizes control of the state. Civil liberties are often restricted during this time and leaders are often killed or exiled (ex. Chile under Pinochet)

totalitarianism

Highly centralized state whose regime has a well-defined ideology and seeks to transform and fuse the institutions of state, society, and the economy. Uses power to transform the total institutional fabric of a country to meet an ideological goal. Violence and terror become necessary tools.

resource curse

Resources are a barrier to modernization/democracy. Resource wealth changes the social contract in a state: citizens no longer need to pay taxes, so they do not “buy” into the state and the state therefore does not “owe” citizens. Wealth is highly concentrated with elites

civil society

A fabric of organizations created by people to help define their interests. Not necessarily political, but some argue that CS is crucial to democratic life because it allows democratic associations of equality and community

populism

The view that elites and established institutions do not fully represent the will of the people and that a new movement, free from ideology and often led by a charismatic leader, can usher in a new order.

coercion

Compelling individuals by threatening their lives or livelihoodc

compliance

Compliance with regime goals is often enforced through the threat or use of force against the population. Sending a clear signal that those who opposed the regime or government will be dealt with harshly. (ex. death squads in Latin America)

surveillance

Allows the government to prevent opposition from organizing and also instills uncertainty. May be used by an internal service (secret police) who are monitoring public activity and spying on individuals. Phone tapping and public informers. c

corporatism

Regimes create or sanction a limited number of organizations to represent the interests of the public and restricting those not set up or approved by the state. Meant to replace independent organizations (ex. churches, labor unions, and student groups are all approved, funded, and somewhat controlled by the state). Arranges society so that each organization is empowered by the state to have a monopoly of representation over a given issue.

clientelism

State co-opts members of the public by providing specific benefits to people in return for public support (such as voting in elections). Relies on individual patronage rather than organization. Can provide jobs, public goods, business contracts, etc.R

rent-seeking

A process in which political leaders essentially use part of the state to extract income for their supporters, giving them preferred access to public goods that would otherwise be distributed in a nonpolitical manner.

personality cults

Promotion of a leader not necessarily not merely as a political figure but as someone who embodies the spirt of the nation, possesses far more wisdom and strength than an average individual, and is thus portrayed in a quasi-religious manner. Attempt to generate charismatic legitimacy from the top down.

patrimonialism

Relies on cooptation. A form of clientelism, since a patrimonial leader trades benefits for political support. Benefits are not distributed in an ad hoc way among individuals, but are limited to a small group of supporters within the state. Ruling groups gain benefits for enforcing the will of the ruler.

One-Party Rule

A regime in which a single political party monopolizes politics and bans other parties or excludes them from power. Serves several corporatist functions. Typically includes a small minority of the population. In return for their support, members of the parry are granted privileges denied to non-members (positions in government, etc.). Party serves as a mechanism for mobilization. Leadership uses the party as an instrument to deliver propaganda that extols the virtues of the current regime and government. Often associated with communism and fascism.