PoliSci Flashcards _ Knowt

Who gets what, when, how?

A question posed by Harold Lasswell to describe the allocation of resources and power in politics.

Politics is war without bloodshed.

A quote by Mao Zedong encapsulating the nature of politics as a struggle for power.

You can’t ignore politics, no matter how much you’d like to.

A statement by Molly Ivins emphasizing the pervasive nature of politics in everyday life.

Politics is an art.

A quote by Bismarck, suggesting that politics requires skill and creativity.

The Allegory of Good / Bad Government.

A famous artwork by Lorenzetti illustrating the virtues and vices of governance.

State

The apparatus of government that enforces laws and policies.

Civil society

The realm of social organizations that operate independently from the government, including businesses and trade unions.

Public realm

The sphere of politics, commerce, work, art, and culture.

Personal realm

The domain of family and domestic life.

Rise of populism

The growing trend of favoring conflicts over compromise in political discourse.

Realists in politics

Those who believe power is the core element of political dynamics.

Marxists and Feminists

Groups that see politics reflected in all social activities and facets of human existence.

Falsifiability

A criterion in politics aiming to determine the truthfulness of political statements.

Normative vs positive

Distinction between what ought to be (normative) and what is (positive) in political analysis.

Empirical tradition

An approach to studying politics based on observation and experience.

Philosophical tradition

A theoretical approach to understanding political concepts and ideologies.

Behavioralism

A political science theory focusing on the behavior of individuals and groups.

Rational-choice theory

An approach that assumes individuals act based on rational calculations to maximize their benefits.

Critical approaches in political science

Perspectives such as postmodernism, Marxism, and feminism that challenge traditional political theories.

Polity

The world of political institutions that constitute the framework of governance.

Constitution

A set of rules that establishes the structure and principles of government.

Qualified majority

A voting threshold requiring more than a simple majority for decisions.

Protection of Constitution

Measures to safeguard constitutional provisions from being easily amended.

Entrenched clauses

Provisions in a constitution that are safeguarded from amendments or abolishment.

Legislature

The branch of government responsible for making laws, typically embodied in a parliament or congress.

Second Chamber / Upper House

A part of a bicameral legislature that often represents sub-national units.

Cabinet

The group of advisors to the head of government responsible for directing policy.

Political executive

The branch of government responsible for implementing laws and policies.

Head of State

The highest official in a country, representing the state at ceremonial events.

Parliamentary system

A system of governance in which the executive is accountable to the legislature.

Presidential system

A system of governance where the president is elected separately from the legislature.

Chancellor-type system

A system where the chancellor plays a central role in government decision-making.

Hybrid regimes

Political systems that are not fully democratic nor authoritarian.

Dictatorial regimes

Government structures characterized by centralized power and limited political freedoms.

Totalitarianism

A political system that seeks to control all aspects of public and private life.

Judicial review

The power of courts to decide on the constitutionality of laws and actions.

Constitutional Courts

Special courts responsible for overseeing constitutional matters.

Judicial activism

The tendency of courts to interpret laws and constitutions loosely to promote social change.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Common law tradition

A legal system based on judicial precedents and case law.

Civil law tradition

A legal system based on written codes and comprehensive statutes.

Ombudspersons

Officials appointed to investigate complaints against the government.

Monetary policy

The process by which the central bank manages the money supply and interest rates.

Public Administration

The implementation and management of public policy and government affairs.

Political System

The framework through which government operates and interacts with the public.

Bicameralism

A system of governance with two legislative chambers.

Unitary states

Countries with a centralized government where local authorities derive power from the central government.

Federal countries

Nations characterized by a division of power between a central government and sub-units.

Confederations

Loose associations of independent states that retain their sovereignty.

Political patronage

The practice of granting favors or positions to loyal supporters.

Authoritarianism

A form of government characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms.

Procedural democracy

A system where elections are held but civil liberties are restricted.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the U.S. Constitution to elect the president.

Party system

The structure of political parties within a political system.

Political factions

Groups within a political party or system that hold different views or agendas.

Political mobilization

The process of engaging and encouraging individuals to participate in political activities.

Interest aggregation

The process of combining different interests and demands into a cohesive policy.

Political socialization

The process by which individuals learn and internalize political values and norms.

Legitimisation

The process through which a government gains recognition and acceptance of its authority.

Political ideologies

Sets of beliefs about politics and governance guiding political behavior and policy.

Political culture

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

Pluralism

A system that recognizes and affirms diversity within a political body.

Referendum

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

Constitutionalism

The principle that government authority is derived from and limited by a constitution.

Normative political theory

Examination of how politics ought to be, with ethical implications.

Non-democratic legitimation

Methods by which non-democratic regimes justify their authority.

Checks and balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

Civil rights

Rights protecting individuals' freedoms from infringement by government.

Minority rights

The rights and protections afforded to minority groups within a society.

Hybrid regimes features

Governments that display characteristics of both democratic and authoritarian systems.

Theocratic regimes

Governments in which religious leaders control political authority.

Military regimes

Governments led by military officials, often following a coup d'état.

Democratisation

The transition from an authoritarian regime to a democratic political system.

Political ideologies

Frameworks that guide political theory, policy, and behavior.

Political patronage

The appointment or promotion of individuals to government positions based on loyalty.

Military-backed personalized dictatorship

A regime where a single military leader dominates, often with strong support from the armed forces.

Systematic transformation

Fundamental changes to a political system, often involving regime change.

Stages of democratization

Phases through which a society transitions to a more democratic system.

Party

An organized group seeking political power through electoral competition.

Political factions

Internal divisions within political parties based on differing views.

Candidate selection

The process through which political parties select individuals to run for office.

Political representation

The activity of elected officials representing the interests of their constituents.

Electoral system

The method by which votes are translated into political power.

Representation

The action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone or something.

Party competition

The contest between different political parties for control of government positions.

Interest articulation

The process by which individuals and groups express their interests.

Voting behavior

The way in which individuals approach and participate in elections.