Democratization Midterm

Includes all terms that are in the midterm review

Systems Theory

The theory that explains the system of political interactions within a society

System

_________ of interactions in any society through which binding or authoritative allocations are made and implemented. A system of behavior responding to its environment.  Contains culture, authority, participation, process, etc. 

Environment

Also know as the “inputs.” It contains and affects the system. 2 types: 

• Extra-Societal - involves interna­tional political systems, like various political systems, alliances, UNO, etc.; international ecological systems; and, international social systems, as cultural, socio-structural, economic, demographic, and other systems. 

• Intra-Societal - include ecological, biological, personality-oriented, social, cultural, socio-structural, and demographic systems operating within the political system.        

Response

Also known as the “Outputs.” The political system has to perform three main values of functions

1. Allocations of values 

2. To motivate its members to accept the allocations as binding (to be seen as Legitimate) 

3. Cope with challenges and stress

Feedback

The process through which information about the outputs and the environment is communicated to the system which may result in change. 

• Negative Feedback: Negative ________ – relates to the information regarding the system and the regulation of errors

• Goal - Transforming _______: concerned with the purposeful redirection of the system.

Functional Systems Theory

1. Interest Articulation

2. Interest Aggregation 

3. Rule Making

4. Rule Application

5. Rule Adjudication

6. Political Communication

Political Socialization

the process by which people develop their political knowledge, values, and ideology. Politically socialized individuals are more likely to participate in the system. Political identity is derived from the early environment, coming from parents, school, media, ect.

Minimalist Definition of Democracy

that institutions arrange for arriving at political decisions in which individuals acquire the power to decide by means of competitive and fair elections. (a system of government in which the people have the primary authority to make collective decisions through free and fair elections, with the protection of individual rights and the rule of law.)

State Capacity

the ability of the government to accomplish policy goals to the limit of their capacity. Capacity is determined by factors of economic development/structure and level of international integration. 

State Autonomy

refers to the degree of independence and self-governance that a sovereign state possesses in making decisions and conducting its affairs without external interference or coercion. 

Polyarchy

“many rule.” Dahl’s idea is that democracy is an ideal that is not realistically achievable as democracy must entail being continually responsive to the preferences of its citizens.

Contestation

The degree of political competition

Inclusion

The degree of political participation

Closed Hegemonies

low competition, low inclusiveness 

Inclusive Hegemonies

low competition, high inclusiveness

Competitive Oligarchies

high competition, low inclusiveness

Polyarchy

high competition, low inclusiveness

Are you doing a good job?

Yes :D

Procedural Minimum

Refers to the basic procedures and safeguards necessary for a fair decision-making process. It includes principles of due process, transparency, and accountability

Vertical Accountability

form of political accountability that goes up and down the hierarchy of power. The ultimate form of accountability is through the people and their power (voting, elections, participation) then goes on to external and internal institutions; internal being lobbyists, media, other organizations, and external being accountability between state, local, and federal government. 

Horizontal Accountability 

political accountability between institutions of equal power. Examples are checks and balances and separation of powers.

Electoral

Rules responsive through competition in democracy (minimal definition)

Liberal

Protecting minorities from “tyranny of the majority”

Participatory

direct rule by citizens over policy outcomes

Deliberative

decisions formed by respectful and reasonable dialogue 

Equalitarian

equal distribution of resources needed for political participation

Legitimacy

the belief or acceptance by individuals and society that a particular authority or government has the right to issue commands and make decisions. Directly contributes to state stability and authority by explaining the superiority of the form of government. 

Charismatic Legitimacy

Based on the characteristics of the leader. People trust the system because they trust the leader.

Traditional Authority

Based on the customs passed from previous generations. People accept the form of government because it has been used and in rule for a long time.

Legal Legitimacy

System of rules applied in accordance with known principles. People trust the system because it is concretely based on democratic values and structured into a legal and constitutional framework.

Intrinsic Value

 “the intrinsic value of political participation and freedom in human life”

Instrumental Value

“the importance of political incentives in keeping governments responsible and accountable”

Constructive Value

“role of democracy in the formation of values and in understanding of needs, rights, and duties.” (free expression; gives opportunity to learn from one another and form values (marketplace of ideas))

Lee Hypothesis

______ argument emphasizes the importance of recognizing cultural diversity and respecting different cultural values when considering political, social, and economic systems. It challenges the imposition of Western liberal traditions on societies with different cultural backgrounds and suggests a more nuanced and culturally sensitive approach to governance, policy-making, and international relations.

“Non-Western” Democracy

Non-Western democracy contains less individualism, more traditional values, more economic equality, and more consensual and participatory politics.

Liberalism-Minus

Not as many individual rights/western values and principles of democracy to achieve a different goal (a well-ordered society).

Liberalism-Plus

Take Western democracy and add to it.

Social Class

A group of people who by virtue of what they possess are compelled to engage in the same activities if they want to make the best use of their endowments (not automatic). 

Substructure

economic system, means of production

Superstructure

culture, government, religion, ect. 

Labor Repressive Agriculture

System of agriculture in which power rests on control of land. The landed aristocracy developed a repressive state with a powerful coercive apparatus that could call in the army or the police to force peasants to work the land if they wished to maintain their livelihood. Since peasants are deprived of all rights, the landed aristocracy and the system must be wiped out or physically defeated for democracy to ensue. 

Liberal Democratic Path

• Destruction of the labor repressive landed elite and the conversion to wage labor.

• The dominance of the bourgeoisie led to power being distributed to representative institutions and a system of rights that protected their property from confiscation.

Fascist Path

• In countries that modernized later on (e.g. Germany and Japan), the push was to catch up with the countries that industrialized early on. 

• The government extracted more from labor-repressive agriculture to accumulate capital for modernization, creating an alliance between the capitalists and the elite. 

• The result was a nationalist authoritarian government based on the state-led development and repression of labor. 

Communist Path

• The failure of the landed aristocracy to make the transition to modernity and to destroy the peasant’s social organization resulted in a revolution. 

Elities vs Massess

• Elites, who possess the majority of society's resources but are a minority of the population, generally prefer less redistribution and may seek to restrict democratic practice.

• Masses, who make up the majority of the population but own a minority of resources, tend to prefer greater redistribution and support a one-person, one-vote system.

3 Factors that Increase the Cost of Repression

1. How strong political factions are

2. How much control you have over certain environments

3. How well groups can organize against you

Median Voted Theorem

The position of the median voter is the winning outcome of the election.

Redistribution

The act of redistributing resources from the elites to the people with the aim of relieving economic inequality.

Cost

• in more unequal societies, where the pay gap is greater, there is a greater push for institutional change. 

• The greater the cost of redistribution on the elites, the greater the cost is for democratization. Thus elites are more willing to resist. 

• The cost of redistribution can also be mitigated through institutional arrangements (capital mobility). 

5 Characteristics of Traditional Society

1. How is social status determined?: Ascriptive status 

2. What Are the social roles that people play?: Diffuse roles

3. Are values universal or dependent on particular cases?: Particularistic values

4. What is more important?: Group > Individual 

5. Do people act on current circumstances?: Affectivity 

Modernization

This theory suggests that as societies modernize and adopt Western values and practices, They will see progress in various aspects of society. This includes economic development, democracy, and the promotion of democratic values and institutions through education, industrialization, and urbanization.

Social Mobilization

The process of organizing and motivating individuals or groups to take collective action for social or political goals, playing a vital role in promoting social justice, and human rights, and addressing societal issues.

Core vs Periphery

The core-periphery concept analyzes the global division of labor and economic relationships. The core refers to advanced regions with industrialization, technology, and economic influence. The periphery is less developed, dependent on the core, and exports raw materials. 

Dependency Theory

This theory suggests the core exploits the periphery through trade relations and economic policies. Critics argue the framework oversimplifies global dynamics. However, it helps understand economic inequality and power imbalances in the global economy.

Growth Trap

The dilemma faced by authoritarian regimes where economic growth can both strengthen their hold on power and increase the likelihood of political contenders emerging.

Coordination Goods

like social media platforms and online marketplaces, increase in value with more users due to positive externalizes and network effects, making it difficult for new competitors to enter the market. Attracting and retaining a large user base is crucial for maximizing the value and sustainability of these goods.

Totalitarianism

A political system where the state has complete control over all aspects of life. It is characterized by an ideology or ruling party that dominates institutions, suppresses dissent, and restricts freedoms. Propaganda, surveillance, and repression are used to maintain power.

Authoritarian

While totalitarianism is about changing society, _________ is about authority and maintaining political power. _________ is much easier to convert to democracy compared to a totalitarian system because you would need to replace the whole system, whereas, with an __________ system, you would adjust the need to replace the leader.

Sen Hypothesis

________ approach argues that development should be measured by individuals' capabilities and freedoms, not just economic indicators. Development policies should aim to expand capabilities, address inequalities, and promote social justice for improved quality of life and freedom.