Unit 1 comparative government and politics vocab

Casual relationship

cause and effect; when a change in onevariable brings about a change in another variable.

Correlation

an apparent relationship between 2 or more variables.

Empirical statement

A statement that is based on observable and measurable evidence. It can be tested and verified through research.

Normative statement

A statement that expresses a value judgment or opinion about how things should be. It is often based on beliefs, norms, and values rather than observable evidence.

Deductive reasoning

Research that works from a hypothesis that is then tested against data.

Inductive Reasoning

Research that works from case studies in order to generate hypothesis.

Endogeneity

The issue that cause and effect are often clear, in that variables may be both cause and effect in relationship to one another.

Formal institution

Institutions usually based on officially sanctioned rules that are relatively clear.

Informal institution

Institutions with unwritten and unoffical rules

Civil society

created by people to help define their own interest

sovereignty

the ability of a state to carry out actions or polices within a territory independently from external factors or internal rivals

Politics

the struggle in any group for power that will give one or more persons the ability to make decisions for the larger group.

Political culture

The basic norms for political activity in a society

Modernization theory

a theory asserting that as society’s developed, they would take on a set of common characteristics, including democracy and capitalism

Political efficacy

individual's belief in their ability to understand and influence political events

Rule of law

A system in which all individuals and groups, including those in government, are subject to the law, irrespective of their power or authority.

Federalism

A system in which significant state powers, such as taxation, lawmaking, and security, are devolved to regional or local bodies.

Asymmetric federalism

foundation in a federation or other types of union in which different constituent states possess different powers.

Centralization

The concentration of power and authority within a single central organization or governing body.

Sub-national government

Political entities below the national level like provinces or regions

Unitary states

A state in which most political power exist at the national level, with limited local authority.

Failed state

A state so weak that its political structures collapse, leading to anarchy and violence.

Country

Refers to state, government, regime, and the people who live within that political system.

Legitimacy

A value whereby an institution is accepted by the public as right and proper, thus giving it authority and power

Charismatic legitimacy

Legitimacy built on the force of ideas embodied by an individual leader

Rational-legal legitimacy

Legitimacy based on a system of laws and procedures that are highly institutionalized.

Nationalism

Pride in ones people and the belief that they have a unique political destiny.

Nationalization

The processes through which a government takes control of privately owned assets, industries, or services.

Privatization

Refers to the transfer of ownership or control of public assets from the government to private entities.

Power

The ability to influence others or impose ones will on them.

Modernization theory

A theory asserting that as societies developed, they would take on a set of common characteristics, including democracy and capitalism.

Equality

A shared material standard of individuals within a community, society, or country.

Liberal democracy

A political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty that emphasizes individual freedom and civil rights.

Illiberal democracy

Refers to a form of government where elections take place but there are significant restrictions on individual rights.

Hybrid regime

A political system that displays characteristics of both democratic and authoritarian regimes

Authoritarian

Form of government where powers is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or small group.