Chapter 1 Flashcards
kingship
rule by one individual
tyranny
negative rule by one individual
aristocracy
rule by a few in society
oligarchy
negative rule by a few in society
polity
rule by many in society
democracy
negative rule by many in society
concept of DEMOCRACY
“a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed.”
republic
an indirect democracy, a representative democracy whereby eligible voters (the electorate) choose representatives to carry out their wishes in the government
constitutional democracies
the government draws its legitimacy from some authoritative document (a constitution) that defines the nation’s system of government, its laws, and usually the rights of citizens
constitutional republic
indirect democracy that gains legitimacy through the constitution
monarchies
a single sovereign (a king or a queen) exercised rule over a given populace and territory with power transfer based upon heredity, but in which laws and rights were established
absolute monarchies
whereby the sovereign ruled with absolute power and authority with no defined laws or rights
Marxism
based upon the writings of Karl Marx, espoused the inevitability that the working classes in society (who were the overwhelming majority) would shrug off the oppressive yoke of the capitalist industrialists who were exploiting them, and set up a classless society in which goods would be shared by all people with the guidance of an authoritarian ruling party (aka communism)
communisim
a classless society in which goods would be shared by all people with the guidance of an authoritarian ruling party
totalitarianism
the state controlled all aspects of life, including the economic, political, social, and cultural spheres, and where any dissent was quickly punished by the ruling party elite
dictatorship
in which a single person or a small group exercises absolute power, like North Korea under Kim Jong Un
theocracies
states with a strong religious influence, there is no separation of church and state, and the church, in effect, constitutes or controls the government, such as is the case in several Islamic republics in the Middle East today
socialism
state provides many public goods such as universal health care and public education and also controls the economy or “means of production”. citizens enjoy many of the same rights and liberties as those living in democratic republics. Level of taxation is much higher
anarchy
no government authority exists whatsoever with total chaos ensuing
political equality
one person, one vote
equality of opportunity
same chance of being successful, same access to resources for success
majority-rule democracy
the majority of citizens, voting in elections determine the nature of the government
pluralism
groups having a profound impact on the political system (usually involving money)
Enlightenment Period
time in history where many thinkers began to question the norm of society and societal beliefs
John Locke
English political philosopher, commentator, and thinker
private property
property no owned by the state, but by the person
contract
duties, responsibilities, and obligations that are binding
