comp gov ch 2 vocab

state

organizations that maintain a monopoly of force over a territory

sovereignty

the ability to carry out actions and policies within a territory independently of external factors and internal rivals

regime

the fundamental rules and norms of politics

government

the leadership that runs the state

country

a political system that combines the entities defined so far (state, regime, government)

legitimacy

a value whereby something or someone is recognized and accepted as right and proper

traditional legitimacy

the idea that someone or something is valid because “it has alwys been that way”

charismatic legitimacy

the opposite of traditional legitimacy, based on the power of ideas and beliefs

rational-legal legitimacy

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

federalism

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

asymmetric federalism

power is divided unevenly between regional bodies

unitary state

political power is concentrated at the national level, and local authority is limited

devolution

increasing state and legitimacy by moving political power closer to the people (states have grown larger and more complex)

strong state

able to fulfill basic tasks like defending territory, enforce rules, taxes

weak state

cannot fulfill basic tasks like non-compliance, tax evasion, etc

failed state

the very structure of the state may become so weak that they break down

capacity

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

autonomy

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