chapter 2 APCOGO flashcards

state

political institutions with international recognition that govern a population in a territory

government

institutions and individuals that make legally binding decisions for the state and have the lawful right to use power to enforce those decisions

bureaucracy

a set of appointed officials and government workers who carry out policies and implement laws

sovereignty

a states ability to act w/out internal/external interference

regime

a type of government, such as liberal democracy or authoritarian

regime change

a change in the fundamental rules and system of government

coup d’ etat

an overthrow of government by a small number of people, often military leaders

revolution

an overthrow of regime based on widespread popular support

change in government

a change in leaders, without fundamental changes in the system of government

nation

a group of people who share a sense of belonging and who often have a common ground

nationalism

when a group has a strong sense of identity & believes it has its own density

liberal democracy

a system with free & fair elections in which a wide array of civil rights & liberties is protected

authoritarian state

a system in which some regions have a more formal power & autonomy than others

totalitarian state

a type of authoritarian government where the state controls nearly all aspects of citizens lives

illiberal/flawed/hybrid democracy

a system in which elections may be marred by fraud & the state protects some civil rights but restricts others

rule of law

where the law is applied arbitrarily, & government officials are not subject to the same rules & penalties as citizens

rule by law

gov. officials use the law to control people, but may not be bound by it

transparency

gov. info & decisions are open & accessible to the public

democratization

process of becoming more democratic

democratic consolidation

when democracy becomes stable & widely accepted

democratic backsliding

weakening or decline of democratic institutions & freedoms

power

the ability to influence or control others

authority

recognized right to exercise power

theocracy

gov. based on religious principles or ruled by religious leaders

coercion

using force/threats to make people obey

legitimacy

public belief that a government has the right to rule

political efficacy

belief that you can influence gov. and politics

traditional legitimacy

authority based on long-standing customs & traditions

charismatic legitimacy

authority based on leader’s personality or appeal

rational-legal legitimacy

authority based on laws, rules, and legal procedures

unitary system

power is concentrated in the national gov.

federal system

power is divided between national & regional governments

devolution

transfer of power from a central gov. to a regional-local governments