Cogo Unit 1

Empirical statements

Fact-based information from observation or experimentation.

Normative statements

A value or opinion statement that cannot be proven or disproven.

Qualitative data

Information that is difficult to measure, including speeches, foundational documents, and political commentaries.

Quantitative data

Information based on numerical values.

Correlation

Exists when there is an association between two or more variables.

Causation

Difficult to determine with certainty in comparative politics, as multiple variables may influence political change.

Human Development Index (HDI)

A summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development, including life expectancy and income.

Gross domestic product (GDP)

The market value of goods and services produced over a certain time in a country.

Gini index

Shows income inequality within a country, ranging from 0% (perfect equality) to 100% (perfect inequality).

Freedom House scores

Scores given to countries based on political rights and civil liberties.

Governmental transparency

The ability of citizens to access information about government policy making.

Corruption Perception Index

Ranks the perception of corruption in different countries, with higher scores indicating lower perceptions of corruption.

Fragile States Index

Assesses and ranks countries based on their potential to weaken due to conflicts and domestic turmoil.

Purchasing power parity

The idea that goods in one country will cost the same in another country once their exchange rate is applied.

Political systems

Laws, ideas, and procedures that address who should have authority to rule.

States

Political organizations that combine a permanent population with governing institutions over a defined territory.

Regimes

The fundamental rules that control access to and exercise of political power.

Sovereignty

The power to govern itself without outside interference.

Democracy

A regime based on the will of the people.

Authoritarianism

A regime where decisions are made by political elites without much citizen input.

Civil Rights

Protection of citizens from discrimination by the government or individuals.

Civil Liberties

Protection against abuse of powers by the government.

Rule of law

The principle that a state should be governed by law, not arbitrary decisions.

Checks and balances

A system preventing any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Illiberal democracies

Regimes that hold elections with little competition.

Democratization

Transition from an authoritarian regime to a democratic regime.

Suffrage

The right to vote.

Corporatist system

Government-created and supported interest groups as preferred linkages for citizen participation.

Pluralist system

Citizens can affiliate with independent interest groups to influence public policy.

Patron-clientelism

A system where the state provides benefits in return for support.

Democratic consolidation

The process by which a democratic regime matures, making reversion to authoritarianism unlikely.

Consensual political culture

General agreement among competing cultural groups about governmental policies.

Conflictual political culture

Competing cultural and political groups.

Power

The ability of one entity to make another do something.

Authority

The right of an individual or group to make others do something.

Coup

A forcible takeover of governing power typically led by elites.

Revolution

The removal and replacement of a long-term form of government involving both masses and elites.

Federal states

Governments that divide power among different levels to confer local autonomy.

Unitary states

Governments that concentrate power at the national level.

Devolution

Delegation of power to regional governments.

Legitimacy

Whether a government’s constituents believe it has the right to use power.

Political efficacy

The belief that citizens can influence government policy.

Charismatic legitimacy

Legitimacy based on the dynamic personality of an individual or a small group.

Traditional legitimacy

Legitimacy based on longstanding practices and traditions.

Rational-legal legitimacy

Legitimacy based on established laws and procedures.

Political stability

The ability of a government to consistently meet the basic needs of its population.

Coercion

The use of force to guide citizen behavior and actions.