Chapter 2 - States

asymmetric federalism

a system in which power is divided unevenly among regional bodies - for example, some regions are given greater power over taxation or language rights than others, a more likely outcome in a country with significant ethnic divisions

autonomy

the ability of the state to wield its power independently of the public or international actors

capacity

the ability of the state to wield power to carry out basic tasks, such as defending territory, making and enforcing rules, collecting taxes, and managing the economy

charismatic legitimacy

legitimacy built on the force of ideas embodied by an individual leader

country

a state, government, and regime, and the people who live within the political system

devolution

a process in which political power is “sent down” to lower levels of state and government

failed state

a state so weak that its political structures collapse, leading to anarchy and violence

federalism

a system in which significant state powers, such as taxation, lawmaking, and security, are devolved to regional or local bodies

government

the leadership or elite in charge of running the state

legitimacy

a value whereby an institution is accepted by the public as right and proper, thus giving it authority and power

rational-legal legitimacy

legitimacy based on a system of laws and procedures that are highly institutionalized

regime

the fundamental rules and norms of politics, embodying long-term goals regarding individual freedom and collective equality, where power should reside, and how it should be used

sovereignty

the ability of a state to carry out actions and policies within a territory independently of external actors and internal rivals

state

1. the organization that maintains a monopoly of force over a given territory

2. a set of political institutions that generates and executes policy regarding freedom and equality

strong state

a state that is able to fulfill basic tasks, such as defending territory, making and enforcing rules, collecting taxes, and managing the economy

traditional legitimacy

legitimacy that accepts aspects of politics because they have been institutionalized over a long period of time

unitary state

a state in which most political power exists at the national level, with limited local authority

weak state

a state that has difficulty fulfilling basic tasks, such as defending territory, making and enforcing rules, collecting taxes, and managing the economy