PLCP 3110 Lecture Notes: The Interwar and Beyond

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the PLCP 3110 lecture notes related to the interwar period, democracy, and political culture.

Interwar period

The time period between WWI and WWII, roughly 1918-1939.

Democracy vs. Authoritarianism

The struggle between democratic governance and authoritarian regimes during the interwar period.

Mark Mazower

Scholar who offered explanations for the breakdown of democracy in countries like Germany.

Crisis of Democracy

A situation where democratic governance is challenged and often leads to authoritarian rule.

Constitutional design/electoral laws

The rules that shape how democracy functions and how political representatives are elected.

Economic interests

The financial motivations of different social groups that impact political decisions.

Dahl's ideas argument

The emphasis on the cultural norms of elites and how they influenced political processes.

Thatcherism

The political and economic policies adopted by Margaret Thatcher, marked by deregulation and privatization.

Welfare state

A government system that provides social services to its citizens, including education, healthcare, and unemployment benefits.

Political culture

The set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments that give order and meaning to a political process.

National Front (FN) / Rassemblement National

A far-right political party in France known for its anti-immigration stance and nationalist policies.

Phillips Curve

An economic concept suggesting an inverse relationship between inflation and unemployment rates.

Socialization into elite norms

The process by which new political entrants adopt the norms and practices of established elites.

Mussolini and Hitler

Leaders of fascist regimes in Italy and Germany, respectively, who rose to power during the interwar period.

Postwar consensus

A political and economic consensus in the UK after WWII favoring welfare state and mixed economy.

Majoritarian vs. Proportional representation

Two types of electoral systems that influence the stability of democracy.