Comparative Government

Political decision-making

Activities associated with controlling public decisions among a people and within a territory.

Political Systems

Social systems that can make authoritative public decisions and have interdependent parts.

Public Sphere

Deals with collective decisions that extend beyond the individual and involve government action.

State of nature

Concept by Thomas Hobbes describing a pessimistic existence where every man is for himself.

Public goods

Commodity or service provided without profit to all members of society.

Libertarians

Those who seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom with minimal government interference.

GDP

Gross Domestic Product; the total value of final goods and services produced within a country's borders.

GNP

Gross National Product; the total value of goods and services produced by a country's residents, regardless of location.

Nation-state

A form of political organization where a homogeneous group inhabits a sovereign state.

Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)

Economic theory comparing relative values of currencies through the cost of a basket of goods.

HDI

Human Development Index; a measure indicating a nation's well-being based on education, economy, and life expectancy.

GINI Index

Measures income inequality within a population, ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality).

Collective goods

Resources provided by the government or community that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous.

Sovereignty

A state's authority to govern itself without outside interference.

Three Waves of Democracy

Historical periods when countries transitioned to democratic forms of government.

National Identity

A sense of belonging to a nation and belief in its political aspirations.

Religious Fundamentalism

Strict adherence to specific theological doctrines in opposition to modernism.

Civil liberties

Fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to individuals as protection from government.

Civil rights

Protections and privileges given to all citizens by law, ensuring equal treatment.

Political efficacy

The belief that political participation makes a difference, encompassing internal and external efficacy.

Federal System

A political system dividing power between central and regional governments.

Confederal System

A system where regional governments hold more power than the central government.

Unitary System

A political system where the central government holds all legal power.

Decentralization

The transfer of administrative powers from the central government to local authorities.

Devolution

Specific decentralization where central government grants powers to local governments.

Developing countries

Nations with lower industrialization, lower living standards, and lower HDI scores.

Industrialized countries

Nations with advanced technological infrastructure and higher standards of living.

Parliamentary system

Form of government where the executive derives legitimacy from the legislature.

Functions of political systems

Maintaining order, providing public services, and protecting citizens' rights and liberties.

Communism

Political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society with communal ownership of resources.

Outputs

Decisions and actions taken by the government in response to public demands.

Liberal Democracy

Political system marked by free elections, rule of law, and protection of civil liberties.

Legitimacy

The general belief that a government has the right to rule.

Adjudication

Judging disputes between individuals.

Large N studies

Research using many cases or observations to identify patterns and test theories.

Political theories

Frameworks for understanding political phenomena and the roles of governments.

Dependent Variable

The outcome researchers try to explain or predict in a study.

Independent Variable

The factor manipulated by researchers to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Political Socialization

How individuals acquire political beliefs, values, and behaviors.

Political recruitment

The process of selecting individuals for political roles or offices.

Aristotle's Politics

The principle that proper form ensures the good of the people, while perversion benefits the government.

Dissidents

Individuals or groups challenging and opposing government policies or actions.

Political Development

Processes through which a political system evolves and becomes more complex.

Political Participation

How citizens engage with the political process and influence government actions.

Political Chasm

A significant divide between different social groups, often leading to polarization.

La Mordida

A colloquial term for bribery or corruption in Mexico.

Class Conflict

Tensions between different social classes over economic interests and resources.

Twelver Shiism

The largest branch of Shia Islam, believing in twelve imams as successors to Muhammad.

Authoritarianism

A political system characterized by concentration of power and limited political pluralism.

Working together

A concept in corporatism where interest groups cooperate with the government.

Cultural Revolution (China)

A social-political movement aimed at enforcing communism by removing traditional elements.

Economic Reforms (China)

Policies initiated to transition China to a market-oriented economy.

NAFTA

North American Free Trade Agreement aimed at economic integration among the US, Canada, and Mexico.