Unit 1 Comparative Governemnt

Capitalism

-a system of production based on private property and free markets

-an economic system in which private actors own and control property in accord with their interests, and demand and supply freely set prices in markets in a way that can serve the best interests of society. Invis

constitution

a set of fundamental rules that determine how a country or state is run

democracy

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

democratization

introducing a democratic system where there previously was none

globalization

the process of how expanding and intensifying linkages among states, societies and economies are affecting individual countries

governance

exercise of political authority and use of institutional resources to manage society's problems and affairs

government

the formal leadership or elite in charge of running the state.

industrialized democracies

the richest countries with advanced economies and liberal states

nation

• a group of people bound together by a common set of political aspirations, the most important of which is a self-government

A group of people with same attachment or identity bc of cultural/geographic/linguistic ties rather than a geopolitical unit such as a stat

newly industrialized countries (NICs)

a historically less developed country that has experienced significant economic growth and democratization

paradigm

a theory that covers an entire discipline

political culture

-the basic norms for political activity in a society

the widely shared beliefs, values, and norms citizens share about their government that give meaning to a political process

political participation

activities which the people take part in their country's government such as voting, interest groups, and protests

political system

Type of political organization that defines process for making laws and government decisions

power -

the ability to direct the behavior of others through coercion persuasion or leadership

public policy

decisions made by a state that define what it will do

regime

the fundamental rules and norms of politics where power should reside and the use of that power. Political system with a specific pattern of relationship between state, society, markets, and the world.

state

Political system that has sovereignty over a population that is a defined geographic territory though public institutions

systems theory

comprehensive theory emphasizing the larger social, economic and cultural contexts that put pressure on policy makers to act and lead policy outcomes and outputs

totalitarianism

an authoritarian system with a strong ideology that seeks to control the fundamental aspects of the state, society, and the economy

• contracts privacy of citizens

bureaucracy

A part of the Fed gov in the executive branch where decisions are made by non elected government officials who work for the president (15 cabinet departments and gov agencies). A large, complex system of administration made of appointed officials

cabinet/collective responsibility

the responsibilities of organizations, groups and societies. how individual members of the government are held accountable for the actions of the whole

-all cabinet members must agree with all decisions

civic culture

political culture where authority of the state is accepted and people believe in participating in their civic duties

-characterized by trust, legitimacy, limited involvement

catch-all parties

political parties aiming to attract people with diverse POVs and appealing to large amounts of the electorate

-plays down ideology in favor of slogans, telegenic candidates, and the like

civil society

organizations not part of the state that help people define and advance their own interests (Red Cross)

cleavage

historically determined of social or cultural lines that divide citizens in a society into groups with differing interests, resulting in political conflict

coalition

when two or more parties join to form a majority in a legislature and pursue the same goals.

electoral system

a set of rules that decide how the votes are cast, counted and translated into seats in a legislature

iron triangle

Committees in the House and Senate, federal departments and agencies, and think tanks and interest groups all work together to develop and conserve their own power and expand their political influence.

laissez-faire

Economic policy that stresses a limited government role

legitimacy

citizen's belief in the government's right to rule. Bottom up view of the government

liberal

in US: supporting the left and an interventionist government

-opposition to government interference in the economy and any other area in which individuals can make decisions for themselves

members of parliament (MPs)

elected members of the British or other parliament

nationalization

attitude that stresses importance of extending power or support for a nation

-government take over of private business

post industrial society

has transitioned from a goods economy (manufacturing) to a service economy with higher innovation and invention rates or high tech sectors

postmaterialist

a society that has transitioned from the materialist (need and security based) society to one that focuses on aesthetic, intellectual and self-actualization needs

privatization

the transfer of state-owned property to private ownership

proportional representation (PR)

an electoral system in which the political parties compete in multimember districts, voters choose between parties and seats in the districts are awarded proportionally according to the vote.

realignment

dramatic shifts in partisan preferences that drastically alter the political landscape

rule of law

1. a system in which all individuals and groups including those in government are subject to the law, irrespective of their power or authority

2. Operating under known and transparent set of laws (constitutionalism)

single-member district

an electoral district with only 1 seat in the legislature

suffrage

the right to vote

vote of confidence

in a parliamentary system, a vote in which the members express their support for/opposition to the government's policies; if it loses, the government must resign.