Political Science Study Guide

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and terminology in political science, particularly focusing on the resource curse, regime types, and associated authors.

Nation vs. State

Nation is a community bound by shared identity (cultural), while State is a sovereign political-legal entity with recognized independence.

Nation-State

An idealized alignment of one nation within one sovereign state, such as Iceland or Japan.

Illiberal Democracy

A political system where leaders are elected but liberal rights and institutional checks are eroded.

Key Author of Illiberal Democracy

Fareed Zakaria.

Competitive Authoritarianism

A hybrid regime characterized by formal democratic institutions existing, but incumbents violate rules to maintain power.

Key Authors of Competitive Authoritarianism

Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way.

The Resource Curse

The paradox where countries rich in natural resources experience worse political and economic outcomes.

Key Author of the Resource Curse Framework

Michael Ross.

The Rentier Effect

Oil revenues allow governments to operate without taxing citizens, leading to reduced accountability.

The Repression Effect

Oil wealth enables rulers to fund security forces and patronage networks to suppress opposition.

The Modernization Effect

Oil wealth does not foster a middle class, urbanization, or an educated workforce necessary for democratization.

Key Variable in Resource Curse Risk

Institutional quality before the resource boom significantly affects outcomes.

Guyana and the Resource Curse

A potential case study with warning signs and some cautious optimism regarding its oil wealth management.

Natural Resource Fund

A sovereign wealth fund established in Guyana to manage and save oil revenues, inspired by the Norwegian model.

Dutch Disease

An economic phenomenon where resource wealth leads to a decline in other productive sectors.