Vocab: U3 vocab 1

Civil Society

Groups and organizations outside of the government that people join voluntarily to express interests, values, or concerns.

Pluralism

A system where multiple groups, interests, or ideas coexist and compete for influence, ensuring no single group dominates.

Social Cleavages

Divisions in society based on characteristics like class, religion, ethnicity, or language that influence politics and identities.

Political Cleavages

Deep divisions in a society that shape political opinions or party alignment, often based on social, economic, or cultural differences.

Coinciding Cleavages

Divisions where differences overlap and strengthen each other, creating deeper societal divisions.

Cross-Cutting Cleavages

Divisions that overlap in ways that reduce tension, where people share commonalities across different identities.

Civil Rights

Protections provided by the government to ensure all people are treated equally under the law.

Civil Liberties

Individual freedoms that protect people from government interference.

Electoral College (EC)

A body of representatives that formally elects the president in certain systems, like the U.S., rather than by direct popular vote.

Multinational State

A country with multiple distinct ethnic or cultural groups, each with a sense of national identity.

Transparency

The openness and accountability of governments or organizations, allowing citizens to access information about decisions and actions.

Patron-Clientelism

A system where powerful individuals provide resources, services, or favors to supporters in exchange for loyalty or political backing.