Unit 2 POSC 105 Exam Review

Flashcards created to review key concepts in Unit 2 of POSC 105, focusing on political institutions, regime types, democracy, authoritarianism, and comparative methods.

What are the three necessary elements for a democracy?

Vertical accountability (participation), horizontal accountability (decentralized power), and freedoms/human rights.

What two types of systems were compared within democratic regimes?

Parliamentary and Presidential systems.

What are the two types of electoral systems discussed?

Single-member district (majoritarian) and multi-member district (proportional) electoral systems.

What is Duverger’s law?

It explains how electoral systems influence the number of political parties.

How do democracy and non-democracy exist in relation to each other?

They exist on a continuum where countries can increase or decrease in democratic-ness.

What are the five political attitudes discussed?

Radical, liberal (progressive), moderate, conservative, reactionary.

Name the four ideologies covered in the lecture.

Liberal, social democrat, communist, fascist.

What does Mill’s method of comparison help to achieve?

It helps in selecting cases for comparison in political analysis.

What are the Most Similar Systems Design and Most Different Systems Design?

These are approaches used in Mill’s method to compare political systems based on similarities or differences.

How does a deficit in any of the three pillars of democracy result in authoritarianism?

It leads to a lack of democratic governance and can result in a non-democratic regime.

What is the difference between consolidated authoritarianism and competitive authoritarianism?

Consolidated authoritarianism involves established authoritarian regimes, while competitive authoritarianism includes elements of competition that do not amount to full democracy.

What examples of consolidated authoritarianism were discussed?

Personal rule, absolute monarchy, military rule, one party rule, theocracy.

What is necessary for authoritarian regimes to remain in power?

They must have some degree of legitimacy among the people.

What methods do authoritarian regimes use to maintain power?

A mix of coercion (repression, surveillance, terror) and co-optation (corporatism, patrimonialism, clientelism).

How can authoritarian regimes foster legitimacy?

Through charisma, populism, and ideology.