Politics and Governance Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental political science concepts, structures of state and government, political ideologies, and public accountability based on the lecture transcript.

Political Dynasty

Refers to the situation wherein members of the same family are occupying elected positions, either in the same position or simultaneously across different positions.

Legitimacy

The attitude of the people about what they consider in mind that government is a rightful ruler over them.

Sovereignty

The right of a leader to rule and control not only his subjects but also the territory over which the citizens live and prosper.

Authority

The power of the leader to rule and exact obedience on his people, existing when subordinates acknowledge the right of superiors to give orders.

Traditional Authority

Legitimate power conferred by custom and accepted practice, such as Datu Puti.

Rational-Legal Authority

Power made legitimate by law, such as Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr.

Charismatic Authority

Authority derived from a leader's exceptional personal or emotional appeal to followers, such as Brother Eddie Villanueva.

Governance

The exercise of power or authority by political leaders for the well-being of their country's citizens or subjects, referring to the manner of steering, directing, and controlling a group of people.

Economic Governance

The aspect of governance encompassing a country's economic activities and its relationship with other economies.

Political Governance

The aspect of governance tasked with formulating policy.

Administrative Governance

The system of policy implementation within governance.

Compliance

A outcome of power where the target is willing to do what the influencer asks, but only with minimal or superficial effort; usually triggered by legitimate or reward power.

Commitment

A outcome of power where the target internally agrees with a decision or request and makes a great deal of personal effort to carry it out effectively; triggered by referent or expert power.

Resistance

Refusal or opposition to comply, typically caused by coercive power when used poorly or when a request is seen as arrogant.

Shared Governance

The active partnership between the government and its citizens working together in planning, decision-making, program implementation, and monitoring.

Liberalism

A political ideology emphasizing individual freedom, where the government protects rights and helps citizens through programs like schools and healthcare.

Conservatism

A political ideology emphasizing preserving traditions and institutions, limiting government change, respecting history, and supporting personal responsibility.

Socialism

An ideology holding that the government should own big industries and share wealth, prioritizing community needs over individual needs.

Fascism

An ideology featuring one strong leader and a government that controls everything, placing the nation above all individuals.

Communism

An ideology where there is no rich or poor, and all resources and property are shared equally by all.

Ideology

Defined as political statements that aim to call upon massive mass or government action.

Marxism

A political and economic philosophy from Karl Marx focusing on alienation, class struggle between the bourgeoisie and proletariat, materialism, and revolution.

Bourgeoisie

The capitalist or middle class who own the means of production.

Proletariat

The working class subject to unfair treatment and class oppression.

State

A political community that occupies a definite territory, having an organized government with the authority to make and enforce laws.

Territorial Sea

A coastal state's sovereign belt extending up to 12 nautical miles, where it holds exclusive fishing rights.

Unitary Government

A system where power is held by one central authority.

Confederation

A voluntary association of independent states that delegate a few powers to a central government.

Federal Government

A system where power is divided between one central authority and several regional authorities.

Autocracy

A form of government wherein one person possesses unlimited power and citizens have a limited role.

Totalitarian / Dictatorship

An autocratic form of government where the ideas of a single leader are glorified, and the government attempts to control all aspects of social and economic life.

Internal Sovereignty

The power of the state to rule within its territory.

External Sovereignty

The freedom of the state to carry out its activities without subjection to or control by other states.

Absolute Monarchy

A form of government in which a king, queen, or emperor exercises supreme and unlimited powers, with the position usually inherited.

Oligarchy

Government by the few or a small group exercising control, especially for corrupt and selfish purposes.

Democracy

A system of government based on the consent of the governed, where the people hold the highest political authority.

Evolution Theory

The theory that the state evolved naturally from family units into extended families that grew into government.

Force Theory

The theory that government emerged when people were brought under control through force.

De Facto Government

A legitimate government in fact, but without constitutional mandate or legal support.

De Jure Government

A form of government supported by the people and established according to constitutional law.

Parliamentary Government

A form of government where executive branch members (cabinet and prime minister) are nominated by and directly responsible to the legislature or parliament.

Divine Right Theory

The belief that kings are chosen to rule the state by a deity.

Police Power

The power of the state to regulate freedom and property rights of individuals for the protection of public safety, health, and morals.

Eminent Domain

The power of the state to take private property for public use upon payment of just compensation.

Nation

A group of people who share the same history, geography, language, customs, and religion.

Globalization

The process of forging international political, economic, religious, and socio-cultural interconnections, also known as Global Industrialization.

Bill

A draft of a law presented to the legislature for enactment.

Judiciary

The branch of government responsible for interpreting the law, settling legal controversies, and determining rights.

Sandiganbayan

A special court established to decide criminal and civil cases against government officials and employees accused of graft and corruption.

Decentralization

The transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions from the central government to local government units.

Devolution

The transfer of power from the national level to local government units.

Local Government Unit (LGU)

A political and corporate body endowed with powers under R.A. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) to serve as local administration.

Public Accountability

The obligation of public officials to public trust, requiring them to ethically and legally act with integrity, transparency, and responsibility.

Transparency

Ensuring open access to government records, budgets, and decision-making processes so citizens can scrutinize public activities.

Answerability

The mandatory duty of public officers to explain, justify, and defend their actions and decisions before oversight bodies.

Financial Integrity

Rigorous management and auditing of public funds to ensure fiscal compliance, eliminate waste, and prevent illicit enrichment.