Introduction to Sociology 3e Chapter 17 Government and Politics

absolute monarchies

governments wherein a monarch has absolute or unmitigated power

anarchy

the absence of any organized government

authority

power that people accept because it comes from a source that is perceived as legitimate

charismatic authority

power legitimized on the basis of a leader's exceptional personal qualities

constitutional monarchies

national governments that recognize monarchs but require these figures to abide by the laws of a greater constitution

democracy

a form of government that provides all citizens with an equal voice or vote in determining state policy

dictatorship

a form of government in which a single person (or a very small group) wields complete and absolute authority over a government or populace after the dictator rises to power, usually through economic or military might

monarchy

a form of government in which a single person (or monarch) rules until that individual dies or abdicates the throne

oligarchy

a form of government in which power is held by a small, elite group

one person, one vote

a concept holding that each person's vote should be counted equally

patrimonialism

a type of authority wherein military and administrative factions enforce the power of the master

politics

a means of studying a nation’s or group’s underlying social norms as values as evidenced through its political structure and practices

power elite

a small group of powerful people who control much of a society

rational-legal authority

power that is legitimized by rules, regulations, and laws

representative democracy

a government wherein citizens elect officials to represent their interests

totalitarian democracy

an extremely oppressive form of dictatorship in which most aspects of citizens' lives are controlled by the leader

traditional authority

power legitimized on the basis of long-standing customs

power

the ability to exercise one’s will over others