polsci midterm - module 1

Politics

The processes through which society’s rules are formed, institutionalized, contested, and enforced

government

Institutions that make and enforce public decisions on the whole community

politics vs government

Government is part of politics, but politics also includes power and informal rules outside government

hierarchy

A structure in which those above have power over those below

game theory

Models likely social outcomes using particular circumstances and assumptions about human behaviour

Prisoner’s Dilemma: two assumptions

Individuals pursue their own interests rationally, and no authority can enforce agreements.

Prisoner’s Dilemma: main lesson

Individually rational decisions can produce outcomes that leave everyone worse off than cooperation would

argument for government

Government can enforce agreements, making cooperation and public goods possible

criticism of this argument

Its conclusion depends on assumptions; anarchists question whether cooperation requires hierarchical government.

coercion

Securing compliance through force or threats of punishment.

influence

persuading someone or shaping their beliefs so they act a certain way

authority

People obey because they believe the rulemaker has a legitimate right to rule