Political Organization Vocabulary

Federalism

A structure of government where power is shared with the national and state government.

Balkanization

The separation of a state into smaller political areas.

Buffer Zone

An area of land that's a neutral zone separating two areas.

Communism

A structure of government and economy where it's a classless society and everything is owned by the government.

Coup

A sudden, violent, or illegal overtaking of government.

Cultural Boundary

A border between different cultures.

Democracy

The people hold the power and vote to participate in government.

Devolution

The change of power in government from national to state.

Dictator

A leader who holds absolute power over a country or state.

Embargo

A government restriction on imports and exports of goods.

Ethnicity

Belonging to a group of people who have a similar cultural background.

Ethnic Group

A group of people who have a similar cultural background.

Monarchy

A political system based on the rule of one person.

Nation

A large body of people with similar characteristics and culture that inhabit a country or territory.

Nationalism

Supporting/proud of your nation.

Nation-State

A sovereign state whose citizens are relatively homogeneous in factors such as language or common descent.

Republic

A government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law. Though theres also a charter to protect individual rights.

State

A politically bound area controlled by an established government that has authority over its internal affairs and foreign policy.

Stateless Nation

An area where there's an ethnic group that doesn't have a state.

Territory

Land that is controlled by a government.

Theocracy

A government where high religious figures rule.

United Nations

An organization made up of members of state. Is where the world nations gather together, and try solving common problems.

Centripetal

A force that tends to bind a state together.

Centrifugal

A force that tends to divide a state.