Defining Government and the State

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts, structures, branches, characteristics, and theories of government and the state based on the textbook chapter.

Government (as an Institution)

A machinery established by the state to organise the state, manage its affairs, and administer its functions and duties.

Executive

The organ of government concerned with policy formulation and implementation.

Legislature

The organ of government responsible for law-making.

Judiciary

The organ of government that concentrates mainly on the interpretation of the law and the administration of justice.

Separation of Powers

The principle in administration where the organs of government (executive, legislature, and judiciary) have their powers distinctly separated in both functions and personnel.

Government (as an Academic Field of Study)

A social science subject, popularly known as Political Science, that studies political institutions, ideas, values, doctrines, and views of political thinkers.

Public Administration

A branch of political study that deals with human management in government establishments or public affairs.

International Relations

A branch of political study dealing with diplomacy and external relations with other countries.

Political Thought/Theories

An area of political science concerned with early political thinkers such as Locke, Hobbes, and Machiavelli.

Political Economy

A field within political study that deals with the fiscal and monetary policies of a country.

Comparative Politics

A branch of political study that deals with the comparative analysis of governments in other countries.

Political Power

The power held by a government in consonance with the people's will to obey laws and policies made by the state.

State

A politically organised body of people inhabiting a defined geographical entity with an organised legitimate government, free from external control and possessing coercive power.

Sovereignty

The supreme power of a state to make decisions and enforce them on the people, free from external interference and control.

Nation

A body of people who feel naturally linked together, share common ties such as language and culture, and believe they can live happily together.

Society

The whole complex of relations of man to his fellows, or a group of people sharing similar values, laws, and traditions living in organised communities.

Political Obligation

A moral requirement to obey the laws of one's country, addressing why citizens obey the government.

Theory of Coercion

The assumption that people obey government because they are compelled by force and recognise their incapacity relative to power.

Prudential Obligation

The concept associated with Thomas Hobbes stating that men obey government because they value individual freedom and convenience more than the pain of legal punishment.

Liberal Theory of Obligation

The view that people obey government because obedience is a habit developed through the socialisation process in society.

Social Contract Theory

The theory maintained by John Locke asserting political obligation stems from an agreement between ruler and ruled defining explicit rights and duties.

Theory of the Common Good

The theory assuming states pursue moral ends to promote social justice and fulfill general moral obligations for all citizens.

Theory of the General Will

A theory favoured by philosophers of totalitarianism and paternalism (such as Plato and Hegel) expressing that societies pursue a general purpose in the interest of all.