Political Science: Chapters 4 & 5 Lecture Notes

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental political science concepts from Chapters 4 and 5, including functions of government, political ideologies, constitutional frameworks, executive models, legislative structures, and legal systems.

Government

An agency that regulates behaviour in society, consisting of administrative, legalistic, and political structures that carry out the process of governance.

Process and Structure of Politics

The framework that reveals how and why decisions and policies are made, which is essential to creating a political unit.

Failed State

A state that loses legitimacy domestically and abroad, resulting not from a single event or cause, but from factors such as poor economic performance, lack of growth, natural disasters, poverty, corruption in politics, and human rights violations.

Economic Management

One of the four main activities of government, characterized by passing on unrequired resources.

Government Aid and Subsidies

A primary government activity consisting of financial resources provided with specific requirements.

Institutional and Bureaucratic Regulation

A main activity of government that involves imposing rules of conduct on citizens.

Liberal Approach / Laissez-faire

An economic and political theory meaning "let be," suggesting that a reduction in political control is beneficial, governments should reduce their role, individuals should act in their own interest, and which constitutes a capitalist system.

Socialism

A school of thought asserting that the government, not the people, should maintain ownership and control, based on the belief that people should suppress their interests for the greater good and the fear that a few will be better compensated while the majority will not.

Mixed Economy / Welfare State

An economic structure combining laissez-faire principles with government regulation, representing the system used by most countries today.

Keynesianism

A political perspective advocating for a mix of private and public activity in the economy, holding that when the economy drops, governments should provide stimulation to boost economic stress.

Libertarianism

A political perspective envisioning a reduced role for the state where citizens are responsible for themselves, individual freedom is ensured at all costs, and governments cannot wield the power of law.

The "Basic Law"

A constitution whose major functions include formalizing the principal institutions of government, providing the framework for making ordinary laws, defining the relationship between government and citizens, and serving as a symbol of the nation.

Liberal Democracy

A governance system derived from "demos" ("the people") and "kratos" ("authority") that seeks a balance between authority and citizens' views, based on equality of rights, political participation, majority rule, and freedom to participate.

Pluralism

A society where several disparate groups, including both minority and majority factions, maintain their own interests.

Authoritarianism

A system of government that requires absolute obedience to authority.

Totalitarianism

An authoritarian system that controls social interaction and is characterized by a government's desire to force its values onto citizens.

Mechanics of Government

The institutions or branches of government that work together in the interest of citizens.

Executive Branch

The top level of government responsible for initiating policies, setting agendas, representing the country, and providing leadership to the party in power, the bureaucracy, and the entire political system.

Legislative Branch

The division of government, also known as the legislature, that is responsible for making laws, scrutiny, budgeting, and representation.

Judiciary

The hierarchical branch of governance consisting of courts that rules on the constitutionality of public and private acts, interprets laws, and adjudicates disputes.

Bureaucracy

The branch of government staffed by public employees that is responsible for carrying out public policies.

Westminster Parliamentary Model

A system of government in which the executive is directly responsible to the legislature.

Question Period

Designated time in the House of Commons for Members of Parliament (MPs) to question the Prime Minister or the cabinet.

Responsible Government

A parliamentary principle requiring the executive to maintain the confidence of the majority of Members of Parliament (MPs) in order to govern.

Ministerial Responsibility

The principle requiring members of the executive to remain accountable to the legislature.

Caucus

A group of elected officials who belong to the same political party, from which cabinet members are selected in a ruling government.

Legislative Sovereignty

A system where the legislature is the highest authority, operating independently and autonomously.

Constitutionally Prescribed Powers

A system that divides governance between the legislative and executive branches, making their actions subject to judicial scrutiny through judicial review.

Bicameral

A legislative or parliamentary body consisting of two assemblies, which may share equal power or feature an appointed, symbolic second house.

Unicameral

A legislative or parliamentary body consisting of a single assembly that views a second house as redundant.

Representation

A core legislative function defined as standing for the views of others.

Common Law

A legal system where judicial decisions are made based on case law or previous court decisions.

Civil Law

A legal system in which legislative bodies enact laws through ordinances and regulations.