Government Institutions: CHAPTER 7
*Constitution: the document that states how the government should be organized and what power it holds. the document that states how the government should be organized and what power it holds.
*Constitutional countries have a rule of law, where formal rules constantly apply.
There are two types of legislative-executive relationships.
Presidential - the chief executive is chosen by the people. ( different entity)
parliamentary - fusion of executive and legislative authority. The chief executive is selected by the majority of the legislative.
cabient- a group of advisors who help the president develop policy .
vote of no confidence- the power of the parliament over the government. impeachment- removing the president.
Semi-presidential - both prime minister and president.
Head of State- runs the government
Head of Nation- representative of the whole country
president- person elected separately from the legislature
prime minister- person selected by the majority of the parliament
unicameral and bicameral legislature:one house and two houses legislature.
Judicial Review: the power of the court system to overturn a law or executive action.
Law systems-
1) common law system- Legal system based on judicial precedents and case laws.
2) code (civil) law system- Legal system based on applying written laws.
3) sharia Law- Legal system based on the Islamic Law.
UK,NIGERIA 1 and sharia in northern part of nigeria.
CHINA,RUSSIA,MEXICO 2
ISLAM 3
*bureaocrats: unelected officials that carry out laws, by writing regulations, enforcing rules, and assigning fines.
Bureaucracy – Administrative system governed by non-elected officials following fixed rules and hierarchical authority.
Meritocracy – Social system where individuals advance based on abilities and achievements rather than social status or wealth.
Merit – Quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially to deserve praise or reward.
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CHAPTER 8 Political Culture and Participation
*Cleavage- social division within society
*cross-cutting cleavages- not so-bad divisions, because they are easier to govern and compromising, is possible
*civil society: a collection of groups, communities, and organizations that operate independently from the gov.
*social capital: networks, relationships, and trust among people so society can function well.
social movement - groups of people with the agenda of forcing a change.
Political Culture- The shared attitudes of groups of people towards the government.
political socialization: the process by which people learn to develop their political beliefs and views often influenced by agents of socialization like family media friends etc…
Political Ideology: the set of beliefs , ideas and values of a person about how society and government should be like.
communism- a political and economic system where all property is shared by a classless society.
socialism- a political and economic system where the government holds all resources to ensure everyone is getting treated fairy and has equal access to essentials.
populism- doctrine committed to the rights of the common people rather than those of the elites.
liberalism- political doctrine committed to individual freedom and free markets.
neoliberalism- committed to government policy of privatization, free trade.
individulaism- committed to government protection of individual civil liberaties.
conservatism- political doctrine committed to traditional values and practices.
facism- political doctrine committed to glorification of the state with extreme nationalism.
-media is a powerful linkage institution
limited in authoritarian
free in democratic
Authority: The right or power to give orders, make decisions, and enforce rules.
Legitimacy: When authority or power is widely accepted as valid and justified by the people.
Power: The ability to influence or control the actions and decisions of others.
Rule of Law: The principle that everyone, including leaders, must follow the law, and no one is above it.
Free Fair Elections: Elections where all eligible citizens can vote freely, without interference, and the results reflect the true will of the people.
Democratization: The process of transitioning to a more democratic system of government.
Democracy: A system of government where power is held by the people, often through elected representatives.
Authoritarian: A system of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or small group, with limited political freedoms.
Hybrid Regime: A government that combines elements of democracy (like elections) with authoritarian practices (like limited freedoms or weak rule of law).
Bureaucracy is a system where government tasks are carried out by officials and departments following fixed rules.
CHAPTER 9 PARTY AND ELECTORAL SYSTEMS AND CITIZEN ORGANIZATIONS
linkage institutions - the process of linking people to the government (elections, media etcc.)
Plurality means the most votes, but majority means one more than half or more than 50%
authority - right to use power
sovereignty- ultimate authority over the territory
legitimacy- when the ppl accept the governments authority to make policy .
types of elections-
*primary election - within the own party, the parties allow the voters to select the candidate for the general elections.
*general election - type of election where the voters select the office holder.
*two ballot election- the type of election when no one of the candidates get more than 50% and they do a second round for the 2 with the most votes.
*referendums- a yes or no question. directly from the government to the public.
types of parties-
one party system- only one party can exist by the government.
dominant party system- multiple parties exist but one dominates elections and government.
two party system- two parties dominate elections while other have minimal influence
multiparty system- multiple parties co-existing, competing and often share power.
Policy Agenda - A set of issues or problems that government officials and policymakers prioritize for action.
types of interest group systems -
two approaches to establish a linkage between government and interest groups
Pluralism Corporatism |
Decentralized, with many competing groups. | Centralized, with limited recognized groups. |
Open competition among groups. | The government actively integrates specific groups. |
Often associated with liberal democracies. | Associated with more structured or hierarchical systems. |
two types of election systems- SMD- SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT & PR- PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION
IN SMD CANDIDATE MUST WIN PLURALITY TO WIN A SEAT
IN PR ITS A PROPORTIONAL AMOUNT OF & OF VOTES = % OF THE SEAT.
CHAPTER 10 POLITICAL & ECONOMIC CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENT
Democratization- the process of a state transitioning from an authoritarian to a democratic regime. (political liberalization)
globalization- the interconnectedness of cultures and markets.
MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS- MNCs-
Supranational organizations are entities created by multiple countries that work together on shared goals or challenges. Member nations transfer some decision-making power to the organization.
two types of economic systems
Command - the government decides how the resources should be allocated usually letting a bureaucracy do it.
Market - allocates resources according to demand and supply
A mixed economy blends government control and private business to manage the economy.
economic liberalization- when an economy is free from government control to promote economic growth.
the most visible change a government can make is to undergo the process of privatization
PRIVATIZATION- sell off state-owned enterprises to private investors. SOEs
FDI- foreign direct investment & SEZs- special economic zones - boost economy
WTO- WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
ECOWAS- ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES.
Gridlock happens when decision-making is stalled because different groups or branches of government can't agree. This can stop laws or policies from being passed or implemented.
NGOs- non-government institutions
and MNCs pressure the government to adopt policies that PROMOTE protect civil liberties, private property, and free trade.
ex of supranational organizations- WTO- EU- ECOWAS ONLY ACCEPT MEMBERS FOR OPEN GLOBAL TRADE.
Recession - economic slowdown
deficit - when spending exceeds revenue.
KEYNESIAN APPROACH- increase government spending and lower taxes to increase consumer income. increases deficit but is also believed to increase output levels and restore the economy.
AUSTERITY- tightening of the belt, reducing the deficit, increasing taxes, and reducing spending. harder in the short run but leads to a stronger economy.
dependency theory- states that developing countries are being exploited by developed countries. solution for that- ISI (import substitution industrialization )
better solution for the dependency theory might be SAP- structural adjustment program
GINI INDEX- a measurement for economic inequality
rentier state- a state that gains more than HALF of its revenue . from the practice of renting out its natural resources.
welfare state- one that seeks to provide a universal safety net for many of its citizens ny providing pensions, unemployment insurance and health care
sustainability - meeting out needs today without harming the ability of future generation to meet theirs.
recognition and representation are the two types of reforms