Waples/Comparative Government and Politics 1e - Ch 3

Mexico

Patron-clientelism

When those in power offer benefits to citizens in exchange for political support.

Head of state

The symbolic representative of a country.

Head of government

The key executive in the policymaking process.

Cabinet head

An official appointed to run a government department with a specific policy area.

Sexenio

The single six-year term for the Mexican president.

Nongovernmental organization (NGO)

A nonprofit group outside the government’s control. They usually focus on social or political issues.

Bicameral

A legislature with two chambers.

Chamber of Deputies

The elected lower house of the Mexican Congress, which has the power to pass legislation, levy taxes, approve the budget, and certify elections.

Lower house

The legislative body in a bicameral system that typically has more members, shorter terms, and less prestige, but may be the more powerful body in the legislature.

Senate (Mexico)

The elected upper house of the Mexican Congress, which has the power to confirm appointments, ratify treaties, and approve federal intervention in the states.

Upper house

The legislative body in a bicameral system that typically has fewer members and may have more prestige but less power.

Civil society

Groups that form outside the government’s control. Includes voluntary organized groups, online activists, and social movements that exist independently of government institutions as well as independent media, unions, and other social and religious groups.

Mandate

The broad support of the people to carry out proposed policies.

Mixed electoral system

A system for electing members of the legislature that includes both single-member districts and seats awarded through proportional representation.

Single-member plurality system (SMP)

A system in which the candidate who earns the most votes in a district wins a seat in the legislature.

Proportional representation (PR) system

A system in which seats in the legislature are awarded according to the percentage of votes a party receives.

Corporatism

A system in which the state controls interest groups and chooses the ones it wishes to recognize.

Peak association

An organization authorized by the government to represent a group, such as labor, business, or agriculture.

Pluralism

A system in which groups are allowed to form and advocate for their interests outside of government control.

Political culture

A set of collectively held attitudes, values, and beliefs about government and politics, and the norms of behavior in the political system.

Civil liberties

Fundamental rights and freedoms protected from infringement by the government.

Civil rights

Positive actions taken by the government to prevent people from being discriminated against when engaged in fundamental political actions, such as voting.

Social cleavage

A division in society among social factors such as ethnicity, class, religion, or language.

Political cleavage

A division among citizens according to political beliefs about the role of government and policymaking goals.

Economic liberalism

Economic policies that support the free market and reduce trade barriers.

Globalization

The increased interconnectedness of people, states, and economies.

Protectionist economic policies

Policies designed to protect domestic industry and reduce foreign influence on sectors of the economy.

Nationalized industry

A state-owned company controlled by the government.

Import substitution industrialization (ISI)

Enacting high tariffs and providing incentives to encourage the growth of domestic manufacturing.

Privatization

When a government transfers ownership and control of a nationalized industry to the private sector.