Polarization and Democratic Erosion

These flashcards cover vocabulary related to polarization and democratic erosion, highlighting key terms and their definitions.

Polarization

The division of society into distinct and opposing groups, often associated with political opinions.

Governability

The capacity of a government to effectively manage and govern.

Social cohesion

The bonds that bring society together, fostering a sense of belonging.

Decentralization

The distribution of authority or power away from a central figure or location.

Accountability

The obligation of an organization or individual to report, explain and be answerable for resulting consequences.

Mass mobilization

A process where a large number of people are organized and motivated to take action in support of a cause.

Zero-sum perceptions

The belief that one group's gain is inherently equal to another group's loss.

Illiberalism

A political culture that does not fully embrace democratic principles, often restricting freedoms and civil rights.

Political gridlock

A situation where there is difficulty passing laws due to the consensus required, often resulting from polarization.

Democratic erosion

The gradual decline in the quality of democracy, often characterized by diminishing civil liberties and rising authoritarian practices.

Partisan

A committed member of a political party or army.

Collective action

Action taken by a group in pursuit of members' shared interests.

Hegemonic

Dominant or prevailing, often in a socio-political context.

Political identity

An individual's sense of belonging to a political group, influencing their beliefs and behaviors.

Pluralism

A theory that recognizes multiple diverse groups in a society, and emphasizes tolerance and inclusion.