Pol 50 Midterm

Question

Answer

Continuous measure of democracy

A scale that ranks countries along a spectrum of democratic quality

Dichotomous (binary) measure of democracy

A measure that codes regimes as democratic (1) or non-democratic (0)

Differential item functioning

When survey items produce different results across groups despite equal underlying attitudes

Social desirability bias

When respondents give socially acceptable rather than truthful answers

Social capital

Networks trust and norms that enable cooperation in society

Subject political culture

Citizens are aware of the government but remain passive (Authoritarian regimes)

Civic political culture

A mix of participation trust and engagement that supports democracy (Democracies)

Parochial political culture

Citizens have little awareness of politics (African tribes)

Constructivist argument for democracy

Democratic values are shaped by social and historical processes

Primordialist argument for democracy

Cultural traits are fixed and determine democratic outcomes

Modernization theory

Economic development increases likelihood of democracy

Developed countries

High income industrialized countries with strong institutions

Underdeveloped countries

Low income countries with weak institutions and limited industrialization

Three waves of democracy

Three major periods of democratic expansion in history

Social contract/Contrarian view of the state

State exists through consent of the governed

Predatory view of the state

State exploits citizens for elite benefit

Absent state

State lacks control in parts of territory (Society over government)

Unconstrained state

State has power with few checks (Government over society)

Constrained state

State power limited by institutions and accountability (Society and government are almost on equal footing with each other)

Nation

A group with shared identity culture or history

Nation-state

A state aligned with a single nation

State

A political entity with territory population and sovereignty

Case study method

In-depth analysis of one or few cases

Comparative model

Compares multiple cases to identify patterns

Experimental model

Uses random assignment to test causality

Statistical model

Uses quantitative data to analyze relationships

Fragile States Index

Measure of state stability using multiple indicators

DD measure of regime type

Dichotomous measure classifying democracy or dictatorship

Freedom House

Index measuring political rights and civil liberties

V-Dem measure

Dataset measuring multiple dimensions of democracy

Polity IV

Dataset scoring regimes from autocracy to democracy

Minimalist measures of democracy

Focus only on elections and competition

Substantive measures of democracy

Include rights equality and participation in democracy score analysis

Reliability

Consistency of a measure

Validity

Accuracy of a measure

Replicability

Ability to reproduce results

Early democracy

Democracy where citizens actively participate in decision-making, often through direct voting on laws and policies. Most common among smaller societies.

Modern democracy

Democracy with universal suffrage and competitive elections

Industrial phase of cultural modernization

Development leads to urbanization and secular values

Post-industrial phase of cultural modernization

Emphasis on self-expression and individual autonomy

Clash of civilizations

Conflicts driven by cultural differences

Cultural modernization theory

Development shifts values from traditional to modern supporting democracy

Conditionality of Modernization Theory

2 conditions for economic development to promote democracy:

i) The ruling class must be dependent on the people (no natural resources or foreign aid that keep them from needing to bargain)

ii) Economic development must increase the exit strategies of the people so the rulers HAVE to bargain with them (must not have the capacity to track mobile and immobile states, nor play a big role in the economy)

Mobile assets

Refers to resources that can move freely across borders or locations, enhancing individuals' ability to change their economic and political circumstances (revenues, intellectual property)

Immobile assets

Refers to resources that cannot easily move across borders or locations, often tied to specific locations or investments, affecting individuals' economic and political options (land, natural resources, properties).

Traditional values or secular-rational values of civic culture

Emphasis on religion, family ties, authority, and respect for tradition; resist social change VS emphasis on logic, individual decision-making, and reduced importance of religion and traditional authority

Survival values or self expression values of civic culture

Emphasis on economic and physical security, prioritizing stability, order, and basic needs VS emphasis on individual freedom, participation, tolerance, and quality of life over mere survival

State of nature

War of every man against every man, emphasizing chaos and no centralized authority/ common power to keep them in check. Following game theory, it is always better to attack/ defect than to be attacked.