comp politics 2nd exam

dependency theory

Theory stating that developing countries remain underdeveloped and poor because they remain dependent on richer, more developed countries. Core countries take primary products from the semiperipheries and the peripheries, and then sell it back to them as finished products at higher prices. It is politically significant because developing countries were influenced by imperial powers to serve their interests, a pattern still evident even after they gained independence. This neocolonialism can be seen in Latin American countries whose economies rely on exporting raw materials and are susceptible to shifts in global demand. 

fictitious commodities

Term coined by Karl Polanyi to describe things that are treated as market commodities even though they were not created to be bought or sold such as land, labor, and capital. He states market societies of the 19th century exploited humans and these fictitious commodities. He critiques free market economy since he argues they are not natural, unstable, and cant regulate itself. It’s politically significant because these commodities are not produced for sell and by treating them like they were, it creates tensions between society and free markets, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.

social democracy

Political-economic system in which freedom and equality are balanced through the state’s management of the economy and the provision of social expenditures. It's a mix between liberalism and communism since it keeps markets and private property but the state intervenes to provide benefits for all people. It keeps the welfare state by using tax to fund social programs and ownership of some businesses. It is politically significant because, when properly executed, it shows how inequality can be reduced without total state control and intervention. Countries like Sweden, Germany, and Norway exemplify this by providing welfare for people but still have a competitive market. Liberals criticize such systems as costly and a drag on innovation and competition.

mercantilism

Political-economic system in which national economic power is paramount and the domestic economy is viewed as an instrument that exists primarily to serve the needs of the state. The state intervenes through tariffs, subsidies, significant ownership of businesses while maintaining a small welfare state. It is politically significant because it shows how governments can use the economy to increase national power as seen in the expansionist European Empires and Japan, South Korea, and Brazil. Heavy state control and minimal social spending can lead to inefficiency, corruption and inequality. 

liberalism

Political economic system that prioritizes individual freedom and the power of the market over state control. It supports private property, free trade, and minimal government intervention in the economy, with the state’s role limited to protecting property rights, providing essential public goods, and maintaining social order. This system has shaped the economies and political cultures of countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. However, it can also lead to economic inequality and can exist alongside political repression, as demonstrated by Singapore.

communism

Political economic system in which all wealth and property are shared so as to eliminate exploitation, oppression, and, ultimately, the need for political institutions such as the state. Private property and markets are nonexistent, and the government has total say in what is produced and how goods and services are distributed. It is politically significant because equality is prioritized over individual freedom and the state dominates every aspect of life as seen in the USSR, Cuba, and North Korea. Communism can lead to corruption, authoritarianism (can also be a cause)/ coercive practices, and suppression of individual freedom.

civil society

Groups or organizations that work in the interest of citizens but operate outside of the government and for-profit sectors such as churches, UNICEF, PETA, Red Cross. These organizations work to advance the interests and values of citizens, fostering community engagement, social order, and national identity. Because civil society can mobilize people, some governments may seek to restrict it to prevent challenges to state authority. Politically, civil society is significant because it allows individuals to organize around shared goals, express their beliefs, and participate in public life. By doing so, it strengthens democratic governance by promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen involvement in decision-making.

social movement

Collaborative and sustained collective undertaking or campaign that seeks to implement or prevent social change. They are sustained over time, unlike protests, and target policies, laws, and social concerns. It is politically significant because they give people a way to participate politically to influence policy, challenge authority, and advocate for reform. Examples that have influenced politics and demanded justice include BLM, Free Palestine movement, Arab Spring, and civil rights movement. 

protest tactics

Methods and strategies groups use to express dissent and advocate for social or political change. They are a basic component of contentious politics, where people challenge existing power structures or policies outside formal political institutions. These tactics range from peaceful actions like marches, petitions, and boycotts to more confrontational approaches such as sit-ins, blockades, or acts of civil disobedience. They are politically significant because they can attract public attention, shape public opinion, and pressure authorities to respond. They also demonstrate the power of collective action and the ability of citizens to influence the political agenda.

political culture

The basic norms for political activity in a society. It establishes the expectations people have about the role of government, authority, and individual rights. Societies with individualistic traditions tend to prioritize personal freedom, limited government, and self-reliance, while those with collectivist traditions often emphasize equality, social welfare, and community responsibility. It is politically significant because it influences patterns of political participation, the legitimacy of political institutions, and the type of ideology that becomes dominant within a regime. It also affects the stability and resilience of political systems, shaping how societies respond to conflict, reform, or periods of political change.

bahrain protests

Protests of 2011 that were part of the Arab Spring; the Shia Muslim majority rose against the Sunni monarchy. It started as a peaceful demonstration at Pearl Roundabout in the capital city of Manama, but it was repressed with fire, arrests, and torture. The Bahrain government was backed by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries and was able to squash it out of fear that democracy would spread across the region. The protests are politically significant because they reveal how authoritarian regimes in the region maintain power through repression, regional alliances, and the suppression of dissent.

east asian miracle

Rapid economic growth and development of the East Asian region (including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, etc) during the late 20th century. Stiglitz named 4 major policy themes responsible for the success, including: active government intervention, high savings rates, cooperation between businesses and the state, and export-oriented growth. It is politically significant because it challenged the dominant Western belief that free markets alone drive prosperity. East Asia demonstrated that state-guided capitalism could achieve sustained growth and stability, unlike Latin America’s import substitution strategy, which led to greater inequality and debt.

asian values

Values and traits related to Confucianism such as collective welfare, social duty, family, hard work, thrift, and education. These Confucian values are credited in the rapid economic growth and development of the Asian Tigers: South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. They are politically signifcant because it made a society compatible with the policies to implement growth. The rise of the Tigers challenged the notion that Confucian values was what was holding these societies back. 

protestant work ethic

Coined by Max Weber, refers to the religious values of Protestants: hard work, discipline and frugality. Weber argues these values fostered the accumulation and investment of wealth that led to the Industrial Revolution. It is politically signifcant because it linked cultural and religious values to the growth of capitalism in Europe. Protestants’ emphasis on private property and individualism is also said to have contributed to the emergence of democracy in Europe.

ethnic conflict in zambia and malawi

The relationship between the Chewa and Tumbuka peoples in Zambia and Malawi, who share a cultural background but were divided by a colonial border. In Zambia, they are small groups compared to the population and tend to cooperate politically, viewing each other as brethren and allies. In Malawi, both groups are big enough to be politically significant and have become rivals. It is politically significant because it’s an example of how colonial borders and demographics may lead to contemporary unity or conflict. It's also important because it proves wrong the idea that ethnic differences will always lead to division and conflict. 

civil war

A violent conflict between a state and one or more organized non-state actors in the state’s territory. It is different from interstate wars between countries, riots, genocide, terrorism, or violent crime since a civil war is an organized conflict within a country. They are politically significant because it can create instability, weaken the state, change the government and influence national identity. Examples like the US Civil War, DRC internal wars, Korean civil war, Russian civil war exemplify how civil wars can change the government and territory control.

genocide

Acts intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious groups including but not limited to killing, causing physical and/or psychological harm, preventing births, or forcibly transferring children to another group. They are politically significant because its a deliberate targeted violence that violates human rights and international law. The broad definition provided by the UN highlights how many events could be qualified as genocide yet few cases are actually brought to trial and prosecuted. Genocides prosecuted under the International Criminal Court include Rwanda, Bosnia, and Cambodia; others like Myanmar, Darfur, Iraq, and Gaza have received limited recognition.