Unit 1: Political Systems, Regimes, and Governments

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globalization

• what happens in one country affects other countries

politics

• processes through which groups of people govern themselves or are governed

political science

• study of political systems and political behavior

• studies how individuals and groups relate —> make theories to explain the nature of politics and events

comparative politics

• examines / compares / contrasts the constitutions / legal systems / governmental systems / political party systems / economies / civil societies around the world

• to better understand best approaches for political issues

positive / empirical theory

• what happens

• why it happens

• based on empirical / factual evidence (more comp)

normative theory

• what should happen

• value laden

• open to debate

causality

• relationship with multiple variables

• one is changed —> others change

theory

• generally accepted claim of how / why things relate to each other

authority

• having some sort of conferred legitimacy to wield power

legitimacy

• when society thinks that a government has the right to rule

sovereignty

• state’s claim to wield power with authority and effective control in a defined territory

• means state is the ruler

government

• organizations and people in charge of the territory at a given time (Biden Government = Biden Administration)

• change more often

regime

• system / rule / laws in place in a certain territory at a certain time (Constitutional regime)

• change less often but still can change

state

• includes all individuals and institutions that exercise power

• has monopoly on legitimate coercion (state = country)

• began in Europe

• exported via colonialism / imperialism

• set population

• defined territorial boundaries

• political institutions

• sovereignty

• international recognition

industrialized democracy

• strong political socialization against gov use of power

• strong constitution / public opinion / elections that limit power of leaders

• abundant resources to help maintain state

• UK

communist state

• gov controls everything (economy / pol system / society)

• most collapsed after Cold War and had to adjust regimes

• China (liberal econ reforms)

• Russia (pol liberalization —> authoritarianism)

less developed state

• most countries (130)

• poor

• large populations

• usually young / illiterate

• poor health / environment

• poor quality of life

• often coups / corruption / weak judicial systems / lack of many pol institutions

• Nigeria

newly industrializing country

• less developed state that is elevating itself out of that category

• Mexico

failed state

• gov cannot maintain simple law and order / provide basic services

• gov can turn rogue / violate law / be violent to its own people

• Iran (in danger of achieving status)

• Nigeria (borderline)

democracy

• fair / frequent / competitive elections (opposition can participate)

• balance of majority rule / minority rights

• constitutional limitations

• pol / civil rights held by all citizens (equality)

• transparency in decision making

• accountability of elected officials

• independent judiciary

• elected officials have supreme power (even over military)

• rule of law (legal procedures respected, resolution not through violence)

consolidated democracy

• if state excels at all democracy characteristics for extended period of time

• UK

liberal / substantive / functioning democracy

• all aspects of consolidated democracy

• not long enough

• Mexico

illiberal / procedural democracy

• electoral process confers legitimacy

• leaders use elections to stay in power / gain legitimacy

• fair / frequent / semi-competitive elections

• limits on civil liberties / rule of law

• lack of independent judiciary

• civilian control over military

• Russia (used to be)

authoritarianism

• rule by single leader / small group / single party

• limited pol participation

• little autonomy of society

• few outlets for political opposition

• low transparency / accountability

military authoritarianism

• military in power

• Nigeria

party authoritarianism

• single party state

• Mexico (until recently)

theocracy

• religious rule

• Iran

totalitarianism

• total control over citizens

• centralized / dictatorial

• requires complete subservience to state

fascism / communism

• regime controls everything

• official ideology

• one party

• usually one ruler

• lots of pol violence / secret police

• Soviet Union (communism under Stalin)

• China (communism under Mao)

hybrid regime

• semi-authoritarian

• semi-democracy

• transitional democracy

• elements of democratic regime + other regimes

• some pol corruption / control of media / extra-constitutional manipulation or limiting of pol opposition

• Russia (used to be)

• Nigeria

• Mexico

legitimacy

• when state / regime / gov is seen as justified in use of wielding power

• now power is almost the exclusive domain of states

coercive power

• getting one’s way by rewards / punishments (bribes, terror)

• shows lack of legitimacy

noncoercive power

• how one can observe if state / regime / gov is legitimate or not

• if people obey without fear of punishment / promise of rewards

• power based on noncoercive authority confers authority to those who wield power

traditional legitimacy

• power from family claim

• usually a belief that God ordained current power structure

• often many rituals / myths / pomp / ceremony

• “divine right of kings“

charismatic authority

• power based on individual’s personality so much that people feel personally attached to them

• authority usually ends once leader dies

• Russia (Putin)

• Iran (Ayatollah Khomeini)

cult of personality

• more intense charismatic authority

• worship of a leader

• mass media / propaganda —> creates adoration / worship of a leader / religious group / nonpol leader for pol purposes

• Russia (Stalin)

• China (Mao)

rational-legal authority

• power based on established rules / constitutional system

• legal authority usually lasts beyond leader

• UK

constitution

• body of laws: creates rules by which pol system is run

• citizens obey rules (like or dislike) due to rule of law (system is legitimate)

• written (USA) vs. unwritten (UK)

• detailed vs. vague

• confers great legitimacy (USA, UK) vs. disregarded (Russia)

nation

• group of people with unified identity

• shared culture / history

• often tied to ethnicity / common language

nation state

• self-governing nation

state formation

• historical creation / development of state

ethnic nation

• nationality defined by shared ethnicity

• Russia (Chechens)

civic nation

• multiethnic people with common identity

• beliefs / ideals / tradition / history / religion

types of regimes

• unified

• decentralized

• federalism

• democracy

• dictatorship

• presidential system

• parliamentary system

types of legitimacy

• charisma

• ideology

• tradition

• revolution

• religion

• constitution

• rule of law

• rational-legal authority

• competitive elections

• aspects of pol culture

types of public policy

• issues all states must deal with (regardless of pol structure)

• natural environment

• social / ethnic diversity

• economic performance

• delivering healthcare for all citizens