Chapter 3 Politics and the State

A set of flashcards covering key concepts related to the origins, definitions, and theories surrounding the state and its role in politics.

Sovereignty

The ultimate authority within defined territorial borders, exercising power through permanent institutions.

Nation-state

A sovereign political association where citizenship and nationality overlap; typically consisting of one nation within a single state.

Legitimation

The process by which the state justifies its authority and actions to maintain social order.

Civil Society

The sphere of autonomous groups and associations that exist independently from the state or public authority.

IEMP Model

Michael Mann's framework for understanding the emergence of the state, emphasizing the combination of ideological, economic, military, and political power.

Political Organization

The systematic arrangement of governmental functions, institutions, and citizens within a defined territory.

Neo-Marxism

A perspective that sees the state as an arena where class conflicts are managed to ensure the survival of capitalism.

Functionalist Perspective

An approach that focuses on the purpose of state institutions, primarily centered on the maintenance of social order.

Bureaucracy

A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

Collectivized State

A government form where collective ownership and management of resources is prioritized, often associated with socialism.

Totalitarian State

A political system in which the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

Patriarchal State

A state structure characterized by male dominance and the systemic oppression of women, often questioned by feminist perspectives.

Public Policy

The principles and laws that govern the public sphere, developed and enforced by the state.

Social Contract

The theory that individuals unite into a society and establish a government to protect their individual rights.