State
A political entity with sovereignty over a particular territory and population, recognized by other states.
Cross-cutting cleavage
Divisions within society that are not aligned along a single characteristic or identity, reducing the potential for conflict and promoting compromise and moderation.
Coinciding cleavage
Divisions within society that align along a single characteristic or identity, increasing the potential for conflict and polarization.
Bicameral
A legislature consisting of two separate chambers or houses.
Devolution
The transfer of power and resources from a central government to subnational or local authorities.
Command economy
An economic system in which the government controls all aspects of production and distribution of goods and services.
Proportional representation
An electoral system in which seats in the legislature are allocated based on the proportion of votes received by each political party.
Globalization
The process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among people, businesses, and countries around the world.
Developing countries
Countries with lower levels of economic development, often characterized by poverty and a reliance on primary sector activities.
HDI
a composite measure of life expectancy, education, and per capita income used to rank countries' levels of development.
Correlation
A statistical relationship between two variables that shows how they are related, but does not necessarily indicate causation.
Under-developed countries
Countries with extremely low levels of economic development and high levels of poverty.
Gini Index
A measure of income inequality within a society, ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (perfect inequality).
Per capita GDP
A measure of a country's economic output per person, calculated by dividing the total GDP by the population.
Economic Liberalism
An ideology advocating for minimal government intervention in the economy, allowing for free markets and private enterprise to drive economic growth.
GDP
a measure of a country's economic output in terms of the total value of goods and services produced within its borders.
Traditional legitimacy
A type of legitimacy based on long-standing customs and traditions that have been accepted by society.
Revolution
A sudden and dramatic overthrow of a government or social order, often involving violence or mass mobilization.
Political culture
The shared values, beliefs, and attitudes that shape a society's political system and its citizens' behavior within that system.
Institutions
The formal and informal rules, norms, and procedures that structure political behavior and decision-making within a society.
Regime
The fundamental rules and norms that govern political behavior within a society, including the type of government and the distribution of power.
Causation
A relationship between two variables in which one variable causes or influences the other.
Market economy
An economic system in which prices, production, and distribution are determined by supply and demand in a free market, without significant government intervention.
Referendum
A direct vote by the people on a specific issue or policy proposal.
Judicial review
The power of a court to review and possibly declare unconstitutional actions taken by the executive or legislative branches of government.
Structural Adjustment Program/austerity measures
Economic policies designed to address a country's economic problems by reducing government spending, increasing taxes, and promoting economic liberalization.
Civil society/pluralism
The array of organizations, associations, and groups outside of the government that operate within a society, promoting diverse viewpoints and interests.
Grassroots movement
A social or political movement that arises from the bottom up, often driven by ordinary citizens or local organizations rather than established elites or political parties.
Civil liberties
Basic individual rights and freedoms that are protected from government infringement, including freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.
Civil rights
Legal protections that guarantee equal treatment under the law, regardless of race, gender, or other characteristics.
Normative Statement
A statement that expresses a value judgment or an opinion about what ought to be, rather than what is.
Empirical Statement
A statement that describes what is, based on objective observations and evidence, without expressing any value judgments or opinions.
Hybrid Regime
A political system that exhibits elements of both democratic and authoritarian rule, combining features of both to create a unique form of governance.
Nation
A group of people who share a common culture, language, history, and often a shared sense of identity and belonging.