Unit 1 Review: The Basics of Comparative Government

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering key concepts from Units 1-4 topics in comparative government, formatted as questions with concise answers.

What is the difference between correlation and causation?

Correlation = two things occur together; causation = one event causes another.

What is the difference between empirical and normative statements?

Empirical = statements of fact; normative = value judgments about what ought to be.

What does transparency refer to in political systems?

How open decision-making is to the public.

What is a hybrid political system?

A system with a mix of democratic and authoritarian elements.

What are the three bases of legitimacy?

Traditional, Charismatic, Rational-legal.

Who holds sovereignty in unitary vs. federal systems?

Unitary: central government; Federal: sovereignty shared with regional governments.

What is a key feature of parliamentary systems?

The Prime Minister can be removed by a vote of no confidence.

What characterizes presidential systems?

A true separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

What is the cabinet's role?

Provides political leadership and management over the bureaucracy.

What is bicameralism?

Two chambers; can lead to gridlock.

What is political culture?

Shared values/attitudes toward government.

What is civil society?

Independent organizations (NGOs, advocacy groups) outside government.

Who are agents of political socialization?

Family, school, peers, and media.

What are cross-cutting cleavages?

Divisions overlap, reducing conflict.

What are coinciding cleavages?

Divisions reinforce, increasing conflict.

What is Authoritarianism?

Power concentrated in a small group, with limited freedoms.

What is the difference between Democracy and Illiberal Democracy?

Democracy features broad rights and freedoms; illiberal democracy has elections but restricted rights.

What is Communism?

State ownership of the means of production and a goal of a classless society.

What is Neoliberalism?

Emphasizes free markets, privatization, deregulation, and limited government.

What is Fascism?

Authoritarian nationalist movement with centralized power and suppression of opposition.

What is Populism?

Political approach claiming to represent the people against elites.

What are coups and revolutions?

Coups = military removal of a government; Revolutions = mass popular overthrow of the regime.

What is federalism and how can it affect cleavages?

Local sovereignty can reduce tensions between groups across regions.

What are Corporatism and Pluralism?

Corporatism = state-controlled representation of interests; Pluralism = open competition among many groups.

What is FPTP (First Past the Post)?

Majoritarian system with a tendency toward a two-party system.

What is PR (Proportional Representation)?

Multi-party system with representation roughly proportional to vote share.

What is SMD (Single-Member District)?

One representative per district.

What is Economic Liberalization?

Privatization, free trade, and foreign direct investment (FDI).

What is Austerity?

Cutting spending and/or raising taxes to reduce deficits.

What is Sustainability in policy terms?

Policies protecting long-term environmental health.

What is a State?

A political unit with defined territory and sovereignty.

What is a Nation?

A group bound by shared culture, language, or history.

What is a Nation-State?

A state whose borders largely align with a single nation.

What is Sovereignty?

Authority of a state to govern itself without external control.

What is a Regime?

The enduring rules, norms, and institutions that structure politics.

What is Government?

The current leadership or officials in power.

What is Head of State?

Ceremonial leader symbolizing national unity.

What is Head of Government?

Executive leader directing daily policy.

What is Democratization?

The process of becoming more democratic.

What is Illiberal democracy?

Elections are held but rights and freedoms are restricted.

What is Rentier state?

A state reliant on resource rents (oil, gas).

What is a Supranational organization?

An international body bringing states together for cooperation (e.g., the European Union).

What is Political efficacy?

Citizens’ belief they can influence politics.

What is the Rule of Law?

Law applies equally to all, including leaders.

What is Judicial independence?

Courts are free from political influence.

What is Clientelism?

Leaders provide favors or goods for political support.

What is Globalization?

Growing interconnectedness of states, economies, and cultures.