Unit 3: Political Culture and Participation

Civil Society

voluntary associations independent from the state, including local religious and neighbourhood organizations, news media, business and professional associations, and NGOs

NGOs

civil society groups that provide services governments do, like volunteer fire departments or advocating for foster children

Political culture

the collective attitudes, values, and beliefs of the citizenry, plus norms of behaviour in the political system

Political Socialization

lifelong process of acquiring one's beliefs, values, and orientations toward the political system

Political ideology

set of values and beliefs about the goals of government, public policy, and politics

Individualism

belief in individual civil liberties and freedom over governmental restrictions

Neoliberalism

removal of barriers and restrictions on what internal/external economic actors can do; limited gov't economic intervention; privitization of gov't controlled industries; free trade + lower tariffs; deregulation; elimination of state subsidies

Communism

abolition of private property with near total governmental control of the economy

Socialism

reduction of income disparities and nationalization of major private industries

Fascism

extreme ideology favoring authoritarian rule and rights of majority over minorities/opposition

Populism

supports the rights and interests of common people over the elites

Post-materialism

social values of self-expression + quality of life issues such as environmental issues and socio-economic equality

Political participation

ways citizens can shape government policy; can be formal (casting a ballot) or informal (protests/social media)

Referenda

citizens vote directly on policy question

Political stability

ability of government to provide services that meet the basic needs, fostering public confidence in the state

Cleavages

internal divisions that structure societies (class, ethnicity, religion, territory, etc.)

Separatist movement

when a group's actions to gain greater autonomy from the government is effective

Brute repression

usage of coercive force by the government to suppress actions the government opposes