Key Concepts in Political Science: Ideologies, States, and Institutions

Anarchism

Rejects the notion of the state altogether. Anarchists believe that private property leads to inequality but oppose the idea that the state can solve this problem.

Citizenship

An individual's or group's relation to the state; citizens swear allegiance to the state, and the state in return is obligated to provide rights to those individuals or members of that group.

Communism

Rejects the idea that personal freedom will ensure prosperity for the majority. It argues that in the struggle over economic resources, a small group will eventually dominate both the market and the state, using its wealth to control and exploit society as a whole. Prosperity will be monopolized by a few, increasing wealth disparity and poverty. "Of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich."

Conservatives

Those who question whether significant or profound change in existing institutions is necessary. Conservatives are skeptical of the idea that change is good in itself and instead view it as potentially disruptive and likely to create unforeseen outcomes.

Culture

The content of institutions that help define a society. Culture acts as a social road map, providing norms and priorities that guide people as they organize their lives.

Ethnic Conflict

Conflict between ethnic groups that struggle to achieve political or economic goals at each other's expense. Each group may seek greater power by gaining control over existing political institutions such as the state or government.

Ethnic Identity

A person's relation to other members of society; a set of institutions that binds people together through a common culture.

Fascism

An ideology hostile to the idea of individual freedom that also rejects the notion of equality.

Fundamentalism

A view of religion as absolute and inerrant and that it should be legally enforced by making faith the sovereign authority.

Liberal Democracy

A political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty and emphasizes freedom and civil rights.

Liberalism

A political attitude that favors evolutionary transformation; an ideology and political system that favors a limited state role in society and the economy and places a high priority on individual political and economic freedom.

Liberals

Those who believe that much can be improved in current political, social, and economic institutions and therefore support widespread, evolutionary or progressive change.

Nation

A group that desires sovereignty, often through an independent state.

Nation-State

A state encompassing one dominant nation that it claims to embody and represent.

National Conflict

A conflict in which one or more groups within a country develop clear aspirations for political independence, clashing with others as a result.

National Identity

An institution that binds people together through common political aspirations, including self-government and sovereignty.

Nationalism

Pride in one's people and the belief that they have a unique political destiny.

Patriotism

Pride in one's state.

Political Attitude

A description of one's views regarding the speed and methods with which political changes should take place in a given society.

Political Culture

The basic norms for political activity in a society.

Political Ideology

The basic values held by an individual about the fundamental goals of politics or the ideal balance of freedom and equality.

Radicals

Those with a political attitude that favors dramatic, often revolutionary change.

Reactionaries

Those who seek to restore the institutions of a real or imagined earlier order.

Social Democracy/Socialism

A political-economic system in which freedom and equality are balanced through the state's management of the economy and the provision of social expenditures.

Society

A complex human organization; a collection of people bound by shared institutions that define how human relations should be conducted.

Asymmetric Federalism

Power is divided unevenly between regional bodies. Some regions are given greater power over taxation or language rights than others, a more likely outcome in a country with significant ethnic divisions.

Autonomy

the ability of the state to wield its power independently of the public or international actors.

Capacity

the ability of the state to wield power in order to carry out the basic tasks of providing security and reconciling freedom and equality.

Charismatic Legitimacy

based on the power of ideas or beliefs; in many ways, the opposite of traditional legitimacy.

Country

shorthand for the political system that combines the state, regime, and government, as well as for the people who live within that system.

Devolution

decentralization; moves political power closer to the people and gives greater local powers to regions.

Failed State

when the very structures of the state become so weak that they break down.

Federalism

powers such as taxation, lawmaking, and security are devolved to regional bodies and local legislatures that control specific territories within the country.

Government

the leadership that runs or governs a state.

Legitimacy

a value whereby something or someone is seen as right or proper.

Rational-legal Legitimacy

based on a system of laws and procedures that are presumed to be neutral or rational.

Regime

the fundamental rules and norms of politics.

Sovereignty

the ability to carry out actions or policies independently of internal or external factors.

State

the organization that maintains a monopoly of force over a territory.

Strong State

a state able to fulfill basic tasks such as defending its territory, making and enforcing rules and rights, collecting taxes, and managing the economy.

Traditional Legitimacy

rests on the idea that someone or something is valid because "it has always been that way." This legitimacy is built on the idea that certain aspects of politics should be accepted because they have developed over a long period of time and are viewed as part of the historical identity of the people themselves.

Unitary State

a state in which political power is concentrated at the national level and local authority is limited.

Weak State

a state that cannot execute many basic tasks well. Rules are haphazardly applied, tax evasion and public noncompliance are widespread, and armed rivals may control parts of the territory or economy. State officials may engage in corruption and theft, and economic development is often lower because of the unstable political environment.