Political Systems and Authoritarianism

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the political systems of Iran and China, including definitions of authoritarianism, forms of government, historical events, and methods of political control.

Authoritarianism

A political system where a small group of individuals exercises power over the state, restricting individual freedoms.

Totalitarianism

An extreme form of authoritarianism that seeks to control all aspects of life through ideology and violence.

Populism

An ideology where the leader claims to represent the true will of the people against corrupt elites.

Coercion

Using threats or violence to compel individuals to act in a certain way.

Co-optation

Involving outsiders into a beneficial relationship with the regime to secure loyalty.

Corporatism

A system where the state controls and approves all social and economic organizations.

Clientelism

Providing individual favors such as jobs or goods in exchange for political support.

Kleptocracy

A form of corruption where leaders exploit their power to steal national resources.

Personality Cult

A system where a leader is worshipped as superhuman and above criticism.

Patrimonialism

A form of governance where a leader provides benefits to a small group in exchange for loyalty.

Military Rule

A political system where military leaders control the government, often following a coup.

Bureaucratic Authoritarianism

A regime where technocrats (experts) control policy decisions without public participation.

Hybrid Regimes

Political systems that have elements of both democracy and authoritarianism, often with manipulated elections.

Illiberal Regimes

Systems that appear democratic but do not function effectively or are not seen as legitimate by the populace.

Theocracy

A form of government in which religious leaders control the government, and religious law is used as legal authority.

Revolution

A public overthrow of the existing government or regime.

Terrorism

The use of violence or threats to intimidate or coerce especially for political purposes.

Political Violence

Violence used as a means to achieve political goals.

Resource Curse

The paradox that countries with abundant natural resources often have less economic growth and worse development outcomes.

Islamic Fundamentalism

The belief that Islam should serve as the foundation of political governance.

The Qajar Dynasty

The ruling dynasty of Persia from 1789 until 1925.

The Iranian Revolution

The 1979 revolution that resulted in the overthrow of the Shah of Iran and establishment of an Islamic republic.

Revolutionary Guards

Military forces in Iran tasked with protecting the Islamic regime.

Supreme Leader

The highest-ranking political and religious authority in Iran.

Ahmadinejad, Mahmoud

President of Iran from 2005 to 2013 known for increasing conservative policies.

Rouhani, Hassan

Iranian president from 2013 to 2021 known for seeking reforms.

Ebrahim Raisi

The current president of Iran, serving from 2021 to 2024, elected as a hardline cleric.

White Revolution

A series of reforms launched in Iran in 1963 aimed at modernizing and westernizing the country.

Cultural Revolution

Mao Zedong's campaign from 1966 to 1976 in China aimed at regaining political control and promoting radical ideology.

Great Leap Forward

Mao's socio-economic campaign in 1958 aimed at rapidly transforming China from an agrarian society to an industrial one.

Deng Xiaoping

The paramount leader of China from 1978 to 1997 who initiated economic reforms.

Xi Jinping

China’s current paramount leader, who began his tenure in 2013.

National Front

A political party in Iran that opposed the monarchy and sought to nationalize Iranian resources.

SAVAK

The secret police of pre-revolutionary Iran, created by the Shah.

Mohammad Mossadegh

Iranian Prime Minister known for nationalizing the oil industry in the early 1950s.

Civil Society

The realm of associations and organizations separate from the state.

Surveillance

Monitoring of the population to control dissent and punish critics.

Political Control

The methods and mechanisms used by a regime to maintain power and manage society.