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Comparative Politics

Comparing how different countries organize power and run their governments

Political System

The way a country’s government is structured and operates

Centralized System

Most power is controlled by the national government

Decentralized System

Power is shared with local or regional governments

Unitary System

One central government makes most decisions for the whole country

Federal System

Power is shared between national and state governments like in the U.S.

Confederal System

States act mostly independent with a very weak central government

Presidential System

The president is separate from the legislature and they can check each other

Parliamentary System

The leader comes from the legislature so power is more connected

Separation of Powers

Government power is split so one group cannot control everything

Checks and Balances

Each branch has power to limit the others

Head of State

Symbolic leader who represents the country

Head of Government

Person who actually runs the country day to day

Electoral System

How votes are turned into political power

Single Member District

Each area elects one representative

Winner Take All

Whoever gets the most votes wins the entire seat

Multi Member District

Each area elects multiple representatives

Proportional Representation

Parties get seats based on their percentage of votes

Winner Take All Effect

Makes it very hard for smaller parties to win because only one person gets the seat

Proportional Representation Effect

Allows more parties to win seats but often leads to shared power

Coalition Government

Multiple parties must work together to form a government

Vote of No Confidence

Legislature removes the current government from power

International Relations

How countries interact with each other in a world of independent states

Nation State System

The world is made up of independent countries that govern themselves

Realism

Countries focus on protecting themselves and gaining power even if it is not moral

Moral Idealism

Countries should cooperate and try to do what is right for everyone

National Interest

What helps a country survive stay safe and succeed

Power

Ability to influence or control other countries

Internationalism

Being actively involved in global affairs using alliances military and influence

Isolationism

Staying out of global conflicts and focusing only on your own country

Globalism

Belief that countries should be connected and work together

Alliance

Countries agreeing to support each other

Collective Security

Countries agree to defend each other if one is attacked

World Government

Idea of one global authority instead of separate nations

Debate on World Government

Some believe it could reduce war while others think it would remove national freedom

State

A country with land people and a government

Nation

People who share culture identity or language

Nation State

When the people and the government match up

Sovereignty

A country’s ability to rule itself without outside control

Patriotism

Healthy love and loyalty toward your country

Nationalism

Strong pride that can turn into believing your country is superior

Danger of Nationalism

Can lead to conflict or war when countries see themselves as better than others

Identity

Shared sense of belonging among a group

War

Fighting between countries often driven by power security or beliefs

Cause of War

Countries may fight when they feel threatened or want more power

Terrorism

Non state groups using fear and violence to influence governments

Goal of Terrorism

To pressure societies and governments through fear rather than direct military strength

Non State Actor

Group that is not a government but still affects politics

Asymmetric Warfare

Weaker groups using different tactics to fight stronger countries

War on Terror

Global effort led by the U.S. to fight terrorism through military and alliances

Security

Keeping a country safe from threats

Conflict

Disagreement that can turn into violence

Realism vs Idealism

Tension between doing what benefits your country and doing what is morally right

Nationalism vs Globalism

Tension between focusing on your country or cooperating with the world

Security vs Freedom

Balancing safety with individual rights

Core Question of the Course

How countries should act in a dangerous world while balancing power morality and cooperation