Foundations of Politics – Lecture Overview

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing core terms, ideologies, regime types, political tools, and institutional models from the lecture notes.

Politics-as-War

A view that sees politics as a struggle for power among antagonistic groups where “might makes right” and justice serves the stronger side.

Politics-as-Process

Defines politics as rules, procedures, and institutions that determine who gets what, when, and how; often linked to liberalism.

Politics-as-Participation

Holds that full citizen involvement in public life is essential to freedom and fulfillment; associated with communist and anarchist thought.

Classical Liberalism

An ideology focused on individual natural rights, free markets, and private property; associated with John Locke.

Modern Liberalism

Evolved liberalism that stresses social and civil rights, allowing state action to protect individual liberties.

Neoliberalism

Emphasizes deregulation, privatization, and minimal government while upholding individual rights and free-market principles.

State

A sovereign territorial unit that provides the framework for politics, maintains law and order, and grants legal citizenship.

Government

The day-to-day public officials and institutions that exercise state power and administer policy.

Regime

The underlying rules, values, and norms that define the relationship between governors and the governed.

Authoritarian Regime

System in which political freedom is denied; rules are uncertain but outcomes are predictable, with limited press and controlled opposition.

Democratic Regime

Procedures and institutions ensuring public accountability of power through free elections, free press, and uncertain outcomes.

Totalitarian Regime

Aims for total societal control, mobilizing citizens under an all-encompassing ideology and penetrating every aspect of life.

Authority (Lindblom)

A politico-economic mechanism where recognized leaders direct members of formal organizations or the state.

Exchange (Lindblom)

The trading of favors or goods; foundation of market systems and a tool politicians use to secure cooperation.

Persuasion (Lindblom)

The use of ideas, propaganda, or advertising to shape beliefs; crucial in elite control, corporate marketing, and liberal democracy.

Adam Smith’s Market View

Argues that individual self-interest in free markets yields social benefits, coordination without central authority, and national wealth.

Karl Marx’s Market Critique

Claims unrestrained markets create conflict, exploitation, and inequality; advocates democratic control of production by associated producers.

Parliamentary System

Model where voters elect parliament, which determines the prime minister and cabinet; head of state is largely ceremonial.

Presidential System

Model where voters elect both the president (head of state/government) and legislature; characterized by fixed terms and checks and balances.

Snap Election

An election called earlier than scheduled, usually by the governing party to capitalize on favorable conditions.

Vote of No Confidence

Parliamentary motion declaring a government or leader unfit to serve; if passed, it can force resignation or new elections.

Single-member District Plurality

“First-past-the-post” system with one seat per district; winner is the top vote-getter, typically producing two-party dominance.

Proportional Representation (PR)

Multi-member district system where seats are allocated in proportion to each party’s vote share, encouraging multi-party politics.

Consociationalism

Power-sharing model ensuring representation of all major social cleavages through elite cooperation and usually PR elections.

Centripetalism

Institutional design aimed at drawing parties toward moderate, cross-ethnic cooperation and reducing ethnic salience.

Communalism

Political approach that builds institutions around fixed group identities and pre-set ethnic ratios, often reinforcing divisions.

"Might makes Right"

Phrase capturing the Politics-as-War assertion that power, not moral principles, determines justice.