Politics

decision making power

the authority and ability of individuals or groups to make choices that impact policies, procedures, and outcomes within a specific context

agenda setting power

The ability to influence which issues are seen as important and prioritized in public discourse and politics.

Ideological power

The ability to shape and influence beliefs, values, and worldviews within a society or political context, often guiding public opinion and policy decisions.

power-based theory

A framework that emphasizes the role of military strength, political authority, and resource control in the formation and evolution of European states, focusing on how power dynamics and conflicts shape state structures and governance.

choice-based theory

A framework that posits that state development is shaped by the choices and decisions of political actors, institutions, and societies, emphasizing the role of strategic interests, negotiations, and preferences in the formation and evolution of states.

public good provision theory

A framework that focuses on how states develop to provide public goods—such as security, infrastructure, and social services—highlighting the role of collective needs and the necessity for government intervention to ensure equitable access and address market failures.

elite social network theory

A framework that examines how personal connections and relationships among elite individuals influence political power, decision-making, and state governance in China, emphasizing the role of informal networks in shaping policies and maintaining authority.

state

A political entity with defined territory, government, and sovereignty over its population and affairs.

regime

The form or system of government in a state, including the rules, practices, and institutions that dictate how power is exercised and how authority is organized, rules for how power is exercised 

government

The group of individuals and institutions that exercise authority and make decisions on behalf of a state, responsible for implementing laws and policies.

elite social terrain

The network of relationships, connections, and social dynamics among influential individuals and groups in a society, shaping political power, decision-making, and access to resources.

democratic bargain

An agreement or compromise between political elites and citizens in which both parties accept certain limitations and responsibilities in exchange for the benefits of a democratic system, such as participation, representation, and stability.

democratic regime

Systems of government where power is derived from the consent of the governed, characterized by free and fair elections, rule of law, protection of individual rights, and active participation of citizens in political processes.

single party regimes

Political systems where a single political party controls the government, often limiting or prohibiting opposition parties. These regimes typically maintain power through centralized authority, political repression, and a lack of competitive elections.

Hobbeisian or Lockesian state of nature

Hobbes: state of war

Locke: free rights, peace

Hobbesian state of war

Conflict and competition for survival, state of nature, 

Lockesian rebellion

he right of the people to revolt against a government that fails to protect their natural rights (life, liberty, and property)