Chapter 6 Nondemocratic Regimes

The terminology for Chapter 6: Nondemocratic Regimes

Authoritarianism

A political system in which a small group of individuals exercises power over the state without being constitutionally responsible to the public

Bureaucratic Authoritarianism

A regime where the state bureaucracy and the military share a belief that rational, technical expertise can solve the country's problems without public participation

Clientelism

A process where the state co-opts members of the public by providing specific benefits or favors to a person or small group in exchange for their support.

Corporatism

A method of co-optation where the state creates or officially sanctions a limited number of organizations to represent the public, banning all others

Illiberal Regime

A regime where democratic institutions (like elections) exist, but the rule of law and civil liberties are weakly respected or poorly institutionalized

Kleptocracy

"Rule by theft," where those in power seek only to drain the state of its assets and resources for personal gain

Nondemocratic Regime

A political regime controlled by a small group of individuals who exercise power over the state without being constitutionally responsible to the public (often used interchangeably with authoritarianism)

Patrimonialism

An arrangement where a ruler depends on a specific collection of inner-circle supporters who gain direct, massive benefits in return for enforcing the ruler's will

Populism

A political view emphasizing hostility toward elites and established institutions, claiming to champion the "pure" public, without a consistent left/right ideological foundation

Rent Seeking

A process in which political leaders "rent out" parts of the state or economy to their supporters, who then control and profit from those public goods

Resource Curse

The theory that the existence of massive natural wealth (like oil or minerals) in a state acts as a barrier to modernization and democratization

Totalitarianism

A highly centralized nondemocratic regime possessing a strong ideology that seeks to transform and absorb fundamental aspects of the state, society, and the economy, often using violence