Social Studies Unit 3 Political Economy

Politics

The decisions about how people live and interact together in society. This often includes the administration and management of state affairs

Geopolitics

The decision-making of the government in terms of the geography of the area on a national and international scale. This often includes interactions between and among groups of countries.

Sovereignty

Refers to the legal concept that the authority of a state is not subject to legal control by another state. A nation-state can create policies and enforce laws within its boarders without interference from other states.

Boarders

Represents the limits of a nation-state’s influence, laws and sovereignty.

Natural Boarders

Territorial limits determined by Earth’s physical features

Arbitrary Boarders

Territorial limits determined by human means. These may follow lines of latitude and longitude or may be the result of conflict and the territory over which a nation-state can exert control

Democratic Governments

Power is distributed equitably among citizens by allowing all members to have a say in the actions of the government

Communism

Believes equality can only be achieved through evolution and the elimination of wealthy class and this is at the expense of the right of some

Right-wing

Ideology is associated with conservation though, maintaining the status quo, or taking a very traditional approach to issues (maintaining current order)

Civic Nationalism

Focuses on a common territorial homeland as a state that all people (regardless of ancestry) contribute to. It is less about a common cultural heritage and more about building a community within a given geographical space

Liberal Democracies

Do not suppress freedoms or interfere with free expression. A separation of government powers limits abuses of power, resulting in greater equality and freedom for citizens. The people then choose to put social programs in place to improve their quality of life.

Terrorism

Actions intended to create fear in a population for political or ideological purposes

Arctic Ocean Sovereignty

Refers to the struggle between Canada, Russia, Denmark and the United States over greater access to oil and natural gas reserves in the Arctic region

Authoritarian Governments

Power is held by one person or a small group, so the power to make decisions for the nation-state is considerably restricted

Fascism

Sees democracy as weak and diversity in society as unfavorable

Left-wing

Ideology is more progressive, radical, extreme and in opposition to the status quo (changing current order)

Religion

Declined in the Modern Era. That said, some countries are predominantly one religion or another and this can influence political policy

Authoritarian States

Based on the suppression or elimination of political competition. These governments see the ideas of one group as the only acceptable ideas

Asymmetric Warfare

Means that the two sides involved in the conflict are not equal in terms of their weapons

Political Stability

Refers to the general level of predictability associated with the political environment of a nation-state. (Linked to how often changes in governance occur)

Economics

Money and resources of one type or another can be seen as affecting nearly all quality of life issues, and political stability is no different. States require funds to put into action the decisions, policies or services they identify as important

Imperialism

May be seen as contributing to political stability and instability

Centrist (Moderate)

Many people fall into a middle ground between the two, as they might feel left or right-wing views are too extreme

Religious Fundamentalism

Based on strict and unwavering adherence to religious values and is a significant obstacle to political stability

Intermediate States

Share some common characteristics of both democracies and authoritarian states or are in transition from one form of government to another

Global Terrorism Index

Provides a score that indicates the impact of terrorist activity globally and in specific regions

Political Instability Index

Uses a number of economic and political factors to measure the potential risk of social unrest that exists in a nation-state

Capitalism

Based on the idea that means of production (and the majority of wealth gained from it) should be in the hands of private individuals, not the government. This can influence the quality of life both negatively and positively

Fundamentalism

Intolerant of diversity, holding that there is only one acceptable belief system and all other systems must be eliminated. This is sometimes done through violence, which considerably reduces political stability as these groups struggle to gain and maintain control in a state

Ethnic Cleansing

Included violence and forced emigration to drive the Muslim population out of Serb-held lands. It included the use of concentration camps, forced removal from homes and communities, and murder

Refugees

Citizens whose safety is at great risk may flee their home country, seeking a safer existence and higher quality of life elsewhere

Political Risk Score

An indicator that considers political, economic and operational factors to create a value from 0-100 to show a state’s relative level of political risk compared to others

Ideology

A system of ideas that forms the basis of economic and political actions

Socialism

Arose as a response to capitalism and involved the government placing legal limits on businesses to protect the working class

Ethnic Nationalism

Related to the common ancestry, homeland, and origin of a group of people. If a nation-state consists of one group of people who identify together, this can promote political stability

Fragile States

When any form of governance and authority breaks down in a statue, the result is almost certainly chaos or anarchy

Peacekeeping

An attempt to create and maintain order and resolve the conflict

Counterterrorism

Involves efforts to contain the threat posed by terrorist groups and can be conducted at the national and international levels