AP Comparitive Government Unit 3

Civil Society

Civil Society

Refers to the space outside of the government and business sectors where individuals come together voluntarily to pursue common interests, advocate for their rights, and engage in social activities

Nongovernmental Organization

Organizations, both national and international, that pursue policy objectives and foster public participation. Examples include the Red Cross, Oxfam, or Wikimedia Foundation

Political Culture

Refers to the shared beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors that shape the political life of a society

Political Socialization

Refers to the process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs, values, and attitudes. It is a lifelong process that begins in childhood and continues throughout one's life

Political Ideology

Sets of beliefs and values that shape the way people think about politics, society, and the role of government. They provide a framework for understanding how power should be distributed, how resources should be allocated, and how society should be organized

Individualism

Belief in individual civil liberties and freedom over governmental restrictions

Neoliberalism

Belief in limited governmental intervention in the economy and society, supports privatization, free trade, deregulation, and the elimination of state subsidies

Communism

This ideology emphasizes the elimination of private property and the establishment of a classless society. It advocates for a strong government that controls all aspects of society and the economy

Socialism

This ideology emphasizes social equality and the redistribution of wealth. It advocates for a strong government that controls the means of production and promotes social welfare

Facism

This ideology emphasizes nationalism, authoritarianism, and the suppression of individual rights. It advocates for a strong government that controls all aspects of society and promotes the interests of the nation

Populism

Political philosophy that supports the interests and rights of the common people over that of the elites, not necesarily liberal or conservative

Welfare State

A set of public policies designed to provide for citizens’ needs through direct of indirect provision of pensions, health care, unemployment insurance, and assistance to the poor

Post-materialism

Refers to a concept often used to describe shifts in societal values and priorities away from material needs and economic concerns towards non-materialistic values such as environmentalism, human rights, and quality of life

Referenda

Direct votes in which the entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal or decision

Informal Participation

Refers to citizen engagement in political processes outside of formal institutional structures, such as through grassroots activism, protests, or community organizing

Great Firewall

Refers to the extensive system of internet censorship and surveillance implemented by the Chinese government to regulate and control online content within China, blocking access to certain websites, social media platforms, and online services deemed politically sensitive or harmful to state interests

Transparency

Refers to the accessibility and openness of government processes, decisions, and information to the public, facilitating accountability and trust in governance systems

Social Cleavage

These are the divisions that exist within a society. These divisions can be based on various factors such as religion, ethnicity, language, class, and gender. Also, can have a significant impact on the social and economic development of a society

Political Cleavage

These are the divisions that exist within a political system. These divisions can be based on various factors such as ideology, political parties, and interest groups, can have a significant impact on the functioning of a political system

Coinciding Cleavage

When every dispute aligns the same groups against each other, these disputes are likely to be explosive

Cross-cutting Cleavage

When divisions in a society split into many potential groups that may conflict on one issue but cooperate on another. These tend to keep social conflict to more moderate levels

Separatist Movement

individuals or groups who advocate for independence or secession from an existing state; examples include, Northern Ireland in the UK, Hong Kong in China