Unit One Terms

Quantitative information

Data that can be quantified and is usually expressed in numbers.

Qualitative information

Descriptive data that cannot be measured but can be categorized based on qualities.

Causation

The relationship where one event causes another to occur.

Correlation

A mutual relationship or connection between two or more things.

Empirical statement

A statement based on observed and measurable evidence.

Normative statement

A statement that expresses a value judgment about whether a situation is desirable or undesirable.

Human development index

A composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators.

GDP and GDP per capita

GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced in a country; GDP per capita is GDP divided by the population.

GDP growth rate

The rate at which a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increases.

Gini coefficient

A measure of income inequality within a population.

Freedom House

An organization that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom, and human rights.

Transparency International

A non-governmental organization that focuses on combating global corruption.

Failed States Index

A measure that assesses the stability of countries based on several socio-economic and political indicators.

Regime

A government, especially an authoritarian one.

State

A politically organized body of people usually occupying a defined territory.

Nation

A large group of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, or history.

Government

The governing body of a nation, state, or community.

Democracy

A system of government in which the citizens exercise power directly or elect representatives.

Authoritarianism

A political system characterized by the concentration of power in a leader or an elite not accountable to the people.

Democratization

The transition to a more democratic political regime.

Power

The ability to influence or control the behavior of people or the course of events.

Authority

The legitimate right to make decisions and enforce obedience.

Federal system

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Unitary system

A system of government where power is centralized in a single national government.

Regime change

The process of replacing one government regime with another.

Revolution

A forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system.

Coup d’etat

A sudden seizure of government power, typically by a small group.

Political legitimacy

The right and acceptance of an authority, typically a governing law or regime.

Devolution

The transfer of power from a central government to local or regional authorities.

Parliamentary system

A democratic governance system in which the executive derives its legitimacy from the legislature.

Presidential system

A system of government where a head of government leads an executive branch that is separate from the legislative branch.

Semi-presidential system

A system of government that combines elements of presidential and parliamentary systems.

Executive branch

The branch of government responsible for the implementation of laws and policies.

Head of government

The person responsible for running the government, often called a prime minister.

Head of state

The chief public representative of a country, such as a president.

Impeachment

A process to remove a sitting president or other high official for misconduct.

Vote of confidence

A vote to determine whether the governing body continues to support the current leader.

Legislative branch

The part of government responsible for making laws.

Unicameral

A legislative body with a single chamber.

Bicameral

A legislative body with two chambers.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Fusion of powers

A political system where the executive and legislative branches are interconnected.

Judicial branch

The branch of government that interprets the law and administers justice.

Rule by law

Governance based on established statutes and legislation.

Rule of law

The principle that no one is above the law, including lawmakers.

Religious law

Laws based on religious precepts.

Judicial review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the constitution.

Common law

A body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts.

Civil code law

A systematic collection of laws designed to comprehensively cover a specific area of law.

Civil society

Organizations and institutions that exist independently from the government.

NGO’s

Non-governmental organizations that operate independently from governments.

Political culture

The set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments that shape the political behavior of a society.

Political socialization

The process through which individuals learn and develop their political beliefs and values.

Political ideology

A set of beliefs about politics and government.

Individualism

A social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control.

Neoliberalism

A policy model that emphasizes the value of free market competition.

Communism

A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless system where the means of production are owned collectively.

Socialism

A political and economic system in which the means of production are owned or regulated by the community.

Fascism

A far-right authoritarian ultranationalist political ideology.

Populism

A political approach that strives to represent the interests of ordinary people.

Political values

Core principles that guide political beliefs and actions.

Political beliefs

Specific ideas that individuals hold about political issues.

Post materialism

A value orientation that emphasizes quality of life and self-expression over economic and physical security.

Political participation

The involvement of citizens in the political process.

Voluntary participation

Participation in political activities that is undertaken by choice.

Coercive participation

Political participation that occurs under pressure or force.

Formal political participation

Engagement in political activities through formal channels, such as voting or running for office.

Informal participation

Engagement in political activities outside of formal channels, such as protests.

Referendum

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal.

Civil rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Civil liberties

Fundamental rights and freedoms protected from infringement by the government.

Transparency

The quality of being transparent, open, and accountable.

Political cleavage

Divisions in society that influence political attitudes and behaviors.

Social cleavage

Social divisions that can affect political allegiances and beliefs.

Cumulative cleavage

A situation where divisions overlap in ways that reinforce one another.

Cross-cutting cleavage

A division that cuts across other divisions, potentially fostering understanding and coalitions.

Autonomy

Self-directing freedom and especially moral independence.

Secession

The action of withdrawing formally from membership in a federation or body.

Electoral system

The method by which votes are translated into seats in a legislature.

Single member district

An electoral district that elects one representative.

Multi member district

An electoral district that elects multiple representatives.

First past the post

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins.

Proportional representation

An electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive.

Majority

More than half of the total votes.

Plurality

The largest number of votes cast for a candidate when there is no majority.

Run-off

A second election held to determine a winner when no candidate achieves a majority.

Political party

An organized group of people who share similar political views and work to influence government policy.

Dominant party system

A political system in which one political party maintains a dominant position.

Multiparty system

A political system in which multiple political parties have the capacity to gain control of government separately or in coalition.

One party system

A political system where only one political party is allowed to exist.

Catch all party

A political party that aims to attract a large number of voters across a broad spectrum of political issues.

Social movement

A collective effort by a large group of people to enact social change.

Interest group

An organization of people with shared objectives that seeks to influence public policy.

Pluralist interest group system

A political system characterized by multiple interest groups competing for influence.

Corporatist interest group system

An interest group system where the state mediates among organized groups to collaborate.

Single peak associations

Interest groups that represent a single interest or a narrow set of interests.