Key Concepts in Democracy and Politics

Definition of Democracy

• Understanding democracy is crucial before examining its role in history and the U.S.

Political Science Perspective

• Politics defined by Lasswell (1936) as the process of deciding who gets what, when, and how without violence.

• Competition among individuals/collectives in redistributing resources and values.

Management of Power

• Politics involves managing power and violence within a society.

• Validates the legitimate use of force as framed by Max Weber.

• Politics provides structured means to manage power without violence.

Westphalian State System

• Emerged post-Thirty Years' War (1648) through Treaty of Westphalia, establishing sovereign states with recognized borders.

• States granted authority to manage politics and violence, with a monopoly on force within territory.

Concept of Government

• Government is the institution managing state power and authority.

• It represents how societies organize authority and manage political processes.

• Variations in governmental systems lead to different political structures.