POL112 Midterm

Liberal Democracy

A political system with free and fair elections, civil liberties, rule of law, independent institutions, and checks and balances.

Minimalist Democracy

A system with competitive elections but weak rule of law and weak institutional constraints.

Hybrid Regime

A regime with elections but significant fraud, corruption, or civil liberty violations.

Competitive Authoritarianism

A system in which elections exist and opposition parties compete, but incumbents abuse state power to tilt the playing field and make competition unfair.

Closed Authoritarianism

A non-democratic system without meaningful competitive elections.

Peaceful Transfer of Power

The democratic norm that losing parties accept election results and relinquish power without violence.

Loyal Democrats

Political actors who accept election outcomes, reject violence, expel anti-democratic forces, and break ties with extremist allies.

Semi-Loyal Democrats

Political actors who tolerate, protect, or fail to condemn anti-democratic behavior within their own ranks.

Multiracial Democracy

A system with free and fair elections in which adult citizens of all ethnic groups have equal voting rights and full civil liberties.

Authoritarian Backlash

A reaction against expanding political inclusion, driven by fear of losing social, racial, or political dominance.

Fear of Losing

The perception that electoral defeat is permanent or catastrophic, increasing the likelihood that actors abandon democratic norms.

Counter-Majoritarian Institutions

Institutions that limit majority rule by giving minorities veto power or disproportionate influence.

Tyranny of the Majority

The danger that a majority may abuse its power to oppress minorities.

Minority Rule

A condition in which a political party wins fewer votes but controls governing power due to institutional advantages.

Malapportionment

Unequal representation in a legislature, such as the U.S. Senate giving every state equal representation regardless of population.

Electoral College

The U.S. system for electing presidents through state-based electors, allowing the popular vote loser to win.

Filibuster

A Senate rule allowing a minority of senators to block legislation by preventing a vote.

First-Past-the-Post (FPTP)

An electoral system in which the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one political party.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to strike down laws as unconstitutional.

Lifetime Tenure

The practice of appointing Supreme Court justices for life.

Constitutional Hardball

Using legal rules in ways that undermine democratic norms and the spirit of fair competition.

Selective Prosecution

Targeting political opponents with legal investigations while protecting allies.

State Weaponization

Using government institutions such as the IRS or Justice Department to punish opponents and reward allies.

Protection Racket

When a government shields supporters from legal consequences while targeting opponents.

Democratic Backsliding

The gradual erosion of democratic norms, institutions, and civil liberties.

Voting Rights Act (1965)

A federal law that outlawed racial discrimination in voting practices.

Reconstruction

The post–Civil War period when federal laws expanded Black voting rights in the South.

Independent State Legislature Doctrine

The theory that state legislatures have unilateral authority over federal election rules.

White Christian Nationalism

A political ideology resisting multiracial democracy and fearing demographic decline of white Christians.

Great Replacement Theory

The belief that elites are intentionally replacing the native white population through immigration.