IS 201 Mid Term

Monopoly of the legitimate use of violence

The state's exclusive right to use or authorize physical force within its borders, essential for maintaining order.

Hypothesis

A testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables; an educated guess.

First face of power

Focuses on observable conflict and decision-making; evident when A gets B to do something B would not otherwise do.

Countervailing institutions

Organizations designed to check and balance the power of the government, preventing abuse and ensuring accountability.

Living off politics

A concept by Max Weber describing politicians who derive their primary income from political office as opposed to serving public interest.

Deduction

A logical approach starting with a general theory to reach specific observations; used in quantitative research.

Sortition

Selection of political officials by random lottery, aiming for impartiality and broad representation.

Authoritarian adaptations

Strategies by authoritarian regimes to maintain power without fully democratizing, like controlled elections.

Man is by nature a political animal

An idea from Aristotle suggesting humans are inherently social, forming political communities where participation is essential.

Democratization

The transition from an authoritarian regime to a democratic one, involving the establishment of democratic institutions.

Democratic backsliding

The gradual erosion of democratic institutions and practices, leading to diminished democratic quality.

Substantive theory of democracy

Focuses on the outcomes and goals of democracy, emphasizing values like equality and citizen participation.

Grievance-fueled illiberalism

Illiberal politics driven by a sense of injustice, leading to demands for strong leadership and a rejection of democratic norms.

Politics and the English Language

An essay by Orwell critiquing the misuse of language in politics and advocating for clear communication.

Effective democracy

A democracy that functions well with strong rule of law, accountability, and effective governance.

Democratic recession

A global decline in the number or quality of democracies, often marked by rising authoritarianism.

Modernization theory

A theory that economic development leads to social and political changes, including democratization.

Territorial peace

The idea that stable borders among states reduce the likelihood of interstate conflict.

Self-expression values

Values emphasizing freedom, participation, and quality of life, seen as prerequisites for stable democracy.

Rational-legal legitimacy

Political legitimacy based on laws and procedures, with authority vested in the legal framework.

Democratic peace theory

The assertion that democracies rarely go to war with each other due to shared norms and institutions.

Waves of democracy

Periods of increase in democratic states, identified by Huntington, each with unique historical contexts.

Inglehart's supply & demand of democracy

A theory positing democracy emerges when there's both elite commitment (supply) and popular support (demand).

Empirical

Based on observation or experience rather than theory; essential for scientific inquiry.

Minimal theory of democracy

Defines democracy by procedural aspects like free and fair elections rather than outcomes.

Explanatory research question

A research question seeking to understand the causes or reasons behind a phenomenon.

Personalist regime

An authoritarian regime with power concentrated in one individual, often characterized by informal rules.

A fortiori

A Latin phrase meaning 'with stronger reason,' used to argue that if one thing is true, then a more obvious thing must also be true.

Shooting an Elephant

An essay by George Orwell reflecting on imperialism through his experience as an imperial policeman in Burma.