Normative

Refers to what ought to be; involves value judgments and prescriptive statements about political systems and behaviors.

Empirical

Focuses on what is; involves observation and analysis of political phenomena without value judgments.

State

A political entity with a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

Nation:

A group of people who share a common identity, often based on culture, language, or ethnicity, which may or may not correspond to state boundaries.

Government

The organization through which state authority is exercised; can take various forms such as democracy, monarchy, or authoritarianism.

Regime

The form or system of government in a state; can be democratic, authoritarian, etc.It defines how power is organized and exercised in a political system.

Power:

The ability to influence or control the behavior of people and institutions; can be derived from various sources such as wealth, military strength, or social status.

Authority

The recognized right to make decisions and enforce obedience; can be traditional, charismatic, or legal-rational.

Sovereignty

The ultimate authority within a territory; the ability of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Unitary System

A centralized government where all powers are held by a single authority.

Federal System

A system where power is divided between a central government and regional governments.

Confederal System

A union of sovereign states, where the central authority has limited power.

Theocracy:

A form of government where religious leaders control the government, and the state is governed by divine guidance.

Radical (Revisionary)

A political stance advocating for significant, systemic change or reform, often through unconventional means.

Liberal

A political and economic philosophy that emphasizes individual rights, democracy, and equality, advocating for social progress and reform.

Market Economy

An economic system where decisions are made based on supply and demand.

Command Economy

An economic system where the government makes all economic decisions.

Socialism

• An economic system where the means of production are owned and regulated by the state.

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests of a particular nation, often in opposition to foreign influence.

Populism

A political approach that seeks to represent the interests of ordinary people, often against the elite.

Reform:

Gradual change in policies or systems without overthrowing the existing government.

Revolution

A significant and often violent change in political power or organizational structures.

Coup d'état

A sudden overthrow of a government, often by a small group of the existing state establishment.

Political Socialization:

The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values, influenced by family, education, and media.

Social Cleavages

Divisions in society that affect political allegiances, such as class, ethnicity, or religion.

Cross-Cutting Cleavages

Social divisions that intersect, potentially reducing conflict by creating diverse political coalitions.

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Liberal Democracy

A form of democracy that emphasizes individual rights and freedoms, rule of law, and separation of powers.

Illiberal Democracy

A system that holds elections but lacks civil liberties and political freedoms.

Single Member Districts (Plurality)

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins in a single-member district.

Proportional Elections

<span>A voting system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive, allowing for a more representative outcome.

Two-Round (Run-off) Elections

<span>A voting system where a second election is held if no candidate achieves a required majority in the first round, allowing voters to choose from the top candidates.

Prebendalism

A system where political offices are used for personal gain and patronage, often seen in some African states.

Boko Haram

A militant Islamist group based in Nigeria, known for its insurgency against the Nigerian government.

Parastatal

A government-owned corporation or agency that operates in the commercial sector.

Kremlin

The executive branch of the government of Russia, often associated with authoritarian governance.

Perestroika and Glasnost

Policies introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s aimed at reforming the Soviet economy and increasing transparency.

Shari'ah Law

Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith, governing various aspects of life.

Revolutionary Guard

A branch of Iran's Armed Forces, tasked with protecting the Islamic Republic.

Import Substitution Industrialization

An economic policy aimed at reducing foreign dependency by promoting domestic industries.This strategy focuses on substituting imported goods with locally produced items to foster economic growth.