GLST 201 VOCA Week 7

Autocracy

Political system that rejects mass participation in politics and concentrates power in an individual or group.

Democracy

Political system where power rests in the hands of the population, allowing mass participation.

De Facto

Actual reality whether or not it is officially recognized.

De Jure

Legitimate claim that is officially recognized.

Voting

Enfranchisement important for participation in a democracy.

Freedom of Speech

Informs, inclusiveness, and an outlet for opposition.

Protest

Expression and accountability mechanism for government officials.

Rule of Law

Prevents abuse and ensures accountability in governance.

Representative Democracy

System where people elect representatives to pass legislation.

Attributes of Representative Democracy

Includes professional full-time positions, timely decision-making, informed policy decisions, and susceptibility to corruption.

Direct Democracy

System where people vote directly on legislation.

Attributes of Direct Democracy

Public participation represents interests of the public, requires highly engaged public, is slow to make decisions and difficult to organize.

Parliament

Democratic government where the executive is chosen by the legislature and accountable to it.

Powers of the Parliament

Includes vote of no confidence, calling elections at will, and negotiating coalitions.

Presidential Republic

System of government where both executive and legislature are elected by citizens.

Powers of the Presidential Republic

Includes separation of powers and regular intervals for elections.

Political Parties

Independent factions representing ideas, economics, and coordinating candidates for election.

Constituents

Entities or individuals that have the power to create a government or amend a constitution.

Limited Democracy

System where the electorate is restricted through legal means or informal practices.

Soviet

Limited democratic government formed by workers in government committees.

Oligarchy

Government where a small privileged group exercises political power.

Despotism

Autocratic government where an individual holds absolute political power.

Dictatorship

Supreme political rule by an individual.

Monarchy

Supreme political ruler who rules for life with an inherited title.

Totalitarianism

Autocratic system prohibiting all opposition and controlling public life.

One-Party State

Political system where one party maintains hegemonic power.

Selectorate Theory

Theory stating that in autocracy, regime survival is the highest priority.

Rule by Law

Autocratic use of law to maintain control rather than as an objective rule.

State Media

Media controlled by autocratic regimes to promote their agenda.

Confederation

Union of independent sovereign states formed for a common purpose.

Federation

Self-governing states under a common central government.

Unitary State

Government where power is held by a central authority, delegated to locals.

Fragile State

Characterized by weak governance and inability to control, leaving citizens vulnerable.

Terrorism

Threat or use of violence for political goals by instilling fear and uncertainty.

Narco-Terrorism

Convergence of drug trafficking and terrorism funding activities.

Liberal

Political philosophy advocating for government support of social and economic equality.

Conservative

Political philosophy focused on maintaining traditions and values.

Moderate

Position intended to avoid extreme ideological beliefs.

Communism

Philosophy promoting common ownership of production means and class elimination.

Fascism

Political philosophy subordinating individual interests to the survival of the nation.

Anarchism

Political philosophy rejecting all forms of political authority.

Social Democracy

Political philosophy supporting democracy as a means to achieve equality and justice.

Theocracy

Political philosophy where religion is central to political governance.

Liberaltarianism

Philosophy maximizing individual autonomy by rejecting political authority.