Political Culture and Participation Overview

Civil Society

Voluntary associations independent from state control.

Regime Type

Classification of government affecting civil society strength.

Democratization

Process of transitioning to a democratic political system.

NGOs

Non-governmental organizations that operate independently.

Civil Liberties

Fundamental rights protected from government infringement.

Political Culture

Collective attitudes and beliefs of a society.

Political Socialization

Lifelong process of acquiring political beliefs.

Agents of Socialization

Entities influencing political attitudes and values.

Authoritarian Regimes

Governments applying pressure for conformity in beliefs.

Political Ideology

Set of beliefs about government and politics.

Individualism

Emphasis on individual liberties over government control.

Neoliberalism

Advocacy for limited government intervention in economy.

Communism

Abolition of private property and total state control.

Socialism

Focus on reducing income disparities and nationalization.

Fascism

Nationalist ideology favoring authoritarian ethnic majority.

Populism

Political philosophy prioritizing common people's rights.

Rule by Law

Law reinforces authority of the state.

Rule of Law

State and citizens subject to the same laws.

Post-materialism

Valuing self-expression and quality of life.

Political Participation

Engagement in political processes, voluntary or coerced.

Formal Political Participation

Activities like voting to influence government.

Referendums

Direct votes on specific policy questions.

Violent Political Behavior

Extreme actions when conventional participation fails.

Legitimacy

Acceptance of government authority by citizens.

Political Conditions

Factors influencing citizen engagement in politics.

Competitive Elections

Elections allowing genuine choice among candidates.

Informal Participation

Political engagement through protests and social media.

Media Freedom

Degree of independence for media from government control.

Great Firewall

China's internet censorship to restrict political criticism.

Competitive Authoritarianism

Hybrid regime with contested but limited elections.

Coinciding Cleavages

Disputes aligning groups against each other, causing conflict.

Cross-Cutting Cleavages

Divisions allowing cooperation despite differing interests.

Ethnic Minorities

Groups differing from majority population in ethnicity.

Shi'a Majority

Dominant Islamic sect in Iran, facing minority tensions.

Social Cleavages

Internal divisions affecting societal structure and politics.

Regional Divisions

Geographical splits influencing political and social dynamics.

Separatist Movements

Groups seeking independence from a larger political entity.

Political Stability

Condition of enduring governance without major disruptions.

Brute Repression

Forceful suppression of dissent and opposition.

Autonomous Regions

Areas granted self-governing powers within a state.

Terrorist Elements

Radical groups using violence for political objectives.

Voting Behavior

Patterns of how different groups participate in elections.

Political Networks

Informal connections influencing political action and support.

Governmental Authority

Perceived power and control of a governing body.

Intergroup Conflict

Disputes arising between different social or ethnic groups.

Civil War

Armed conflict between factions within the same country.

Colonial Histories

Past colonial rule influencing current social dynamics.

Political Consequences

Outcomes resulting from social cleavages in governance.

Pressure for Autonomy

Demands from groups for self-governance within a state.

Ethnic Cleavages

Divisions based on ethnic identity affecting politics.