CoGo Pt I-II Vocab

Comparative politics

The study and comparison of domestic politics across countries.

International relations

Relations between countries, including foreign policy, war, trade, and foreign aid.

Power

The ability to influence others or impose one's will on them.

Comparative Method

A way to compare cases and draw conclusions about political systems.

Correlation

A cause-and-effect relationship in which one variable controls the changes in another variable

Causation (casual relation)

A cause and effect relationship in which one variable directly influences changes in another variable.

Qualitative methods

Research methods focused on evidence such as interviews, observations, and archival research, characterized by a deep, narrow focus that helps generate theory.

Quantitative methods

Research methods that involve a wider use of cases not limited by area specialization, utilizing statistical analysis and mathematical models, often based on economic reasoning, and start with a testable theory.

Normative statement

A statement that requires a value judgement, describing how the world should be according to certain opinions or ideologies.

Empirical Statement

A statement based on observable facts and statistics.

Freedom

An individual's ability to act independently, without fear of restriction or punishment by the state or other individuals or groups in society.

Equality

A material standard of living shared by individuals within a community, characterized by equal status, rights, and opportunities.

Democratic rule

A political system in which political power is exercised either directly or indirectly by the people.

Authoritarian rule

A political system in which a small group of individuals holds power over the state without being accountable to the public.

State

The organization that maintains a monopoly of force over a given territory; A set of political institutions to generate and execute policy regarding freedom and equality.
Highly institutionalized and sovereign. Characterized by institutions like militaries, police forces, taxation, a judiciary, and a social welfare system

Authority

The legitimate right to exercise power.

Sovereignty

The capacity to carry out actions and policies within a territory independent of external actors and internal rivals.

Regime

The fundamental rules and norms of politics, embodying long-term goals that guide the state regarding individual freedom and collective equality, where power should reside, and the use of that power

Government

the leadership that runs the state. Hold particular ideas regarding freedom and equality, and attempts to use the state to realize those ideas

Country

A political system that integrates states, regimes, governments, and the populace residing under that system.

Traditional legitimacy

the idea that someone or something is valid because "it has always been that way."
certain aspects of politics are to be accepted because they have been built over a long period of time. Part of historical identity and very institutionalized.

Charismatic legitimacy

opposite of traditional legitimacy. Based on the power of ideas or beliefs, instead of history and continuity. Embodied by individuals who can move and persuade the public. Not institutionalized and commonly dies with the individual, but can be transformed into traditional legitimacy

Rational-legal legitimacy

not based on history or ideas and their presenters. Based on a system of laws and procedures that are presumed to be neutral or rational. Offices and rules hold authority instead of the leaders. Strongly institutionalized.

Federalism

powers (taxation lawmaking, security, etc) are devolved to regional bodies and to local legislatures that control specific territories within a country. Defined in the national constitution and not easily changed.

Asymmetric federalism

A type of federalism where power is distributed unequally among regional bodies.

Unitary states

Political systems where power is primarily concentrated at the national level, with limited local authority; national governments oversee most areas of policy.

Devolution

The process of decentralizing power within a state, bringing authority closer to the citizens and potentially resolving cultural conflicts.

Strong state

A state that is able to fulfill basic tasks, such as defending territory, making and enforcing rules, collecting taxes, and managing the economy

Weak state

A state that has difficulty fulfilling basic tasks. Can't defend territory (rivals, organized crime, rebel movements, etc), unable to make and enforce rules, tax evasion and public noncompliance is common, and no control over the economy. Government officials are unfaithful and corrupt. Not legitimate or institutionalized

Failed state

extremely weak states with no structure. Instability can be found in some areas and some not (not always complete anarchy). States can fail to different degrees, in different ways/areas