Pol Sci Lec: Political Power, Authority and the State

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on Political Power, Authority, and the State, aiding in understanding key terms and ideas.

Power vs. Authority

Power is the ability to compel or force others to act, while authority is the legitimate right to make decisions and have others consent to them.

Carrot and Stick

A metaphor for a strategy that uses both rewards (carrots) and punishments (sticks) to induce a desirable behavior.

Max Weber's Three Forms of Legitimate Authority

Traditional, Charismatic, and Legal-rational authority, which categorize how authority is established and accepted.

Microaggression

Indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of marginalized groups.

Three Dimensions of Power

Open face (direct power), Secretive face (non-decision making), and Ideological face (limiting alternative imaginations to the status quo).

Pacifism

The belief that violence is never justified and that conflicts should be resolved through peaceful means.

Appeasement

The policy of making concessions to aggressive powers to avoid conflict, often associated with Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

Political Violence

The use of physical force for political gain, which may not necessarily involve direct physical injury.

Structural Violence

A form of violence resulting from social structures or institutions that harm individuals by preventing them from meeting their basic needs.

False consciousness

A situation where individuals or groups act against their own best interests due to a lack of awareness about their social position.

Justifiable Violence

Forms of violence that may be considered acceptable, such as self-defense or resistance against a failing political system.