Comparative Area Studies - Quiz 5 Democracies

Democracy - institutionally based

elections, alternation of gov, fair election

Democracy- substantial

popular control over politics and equality

Four principles of democracy

free/fair elections, universal participation, respect for civil liberties, responsible government

Polyarchy contestation

real competition for power - opposition has real chance of winning

Polyarchy participation

citizens have liberties - use to influence government

Full liberal democracy

right to: vote, be elected, political leaders compete for votes, free/fair elections, freedom of association, freedom of expression, alternative sources of info, government policies depend on votes

Executive branch

head of state/government, parliament/presidential system

Head of state

role that represents the people nationally and internationally

Head of government

role that deals with everyday running of state - domestic policy

Legislative branch

lawmaking, unicameral/bicameral

Unicameral

one house - common in small countries and unitary government

Bicameral

two houses - common in larger diverse countries

Constitutional court branch

highest judicial body in political system - wether laws and policies violate constitution

Judiciary branch

government maintains and upholds rule of law - all are subjective to law regardless of authority

Parliamentary democracy

emerged from absolutist monarchies to democratic - separation between head of government and state, flexible terms in office (vote of no confidence)

Presidential democracy

head of state and government combined, president votes yes/no, fixed term in office (impeachment)

Semi-presidential regimes

divide power between two executives (president and PM) - neither fused nor separated, HOS elected HOG for parliament

Electoral systems

plurality, majority based, proportional representation, mixed

Plurality

vote select candidate, one rep, most votes win

Majority based

vote select candidate, one rep, majority vote wins (better political accountability but less representative)

Proportional representation

vote select party, many reps, party gets seats based on percentage vote (more representation but risk of fragmentation)

Mixed

vote select candidate and party, one or many reps, parallel voting (depending on who wins)

Decline of democracy

underdeveloped state capacity, imbalance of citizen demand and development of democratic institution - extremist leaders (partisan polarization insecurity)

Totalitarianism

non democratic system control public and private life, single leader or party, opposition suppression

Authoritarianism

one leader/small group, tolerates private life, political obedience

Means of control

repression, propaganda, election manipulation

Authoritarian - dictatorship

one person, loyal to leader

Authoritarian - military regime

armed forces control

Authoritarian - single party

party monopolizes government

Authoritarian - monarchy

inherited within royal family

Origins and durability

military coup, revolution, weak democracy - effective repression, strong military, citizens fear

Competitive authoritarianism

elections and formal democratic institutions - competition is real but unfair