Chapter 1 - Understanding Politics Flashcards
Influencing, making or implementing collective decisions for a political community
Politics
Ability to achieve an objective by influencing others
Power
3 ways political power can be exerted
- Coercion - using fear or threats to influence the decisions of others
- Inducements - offering a reward or a bribe
- Persuasion - convince people to act and think in certain ways (can be truthful or misleading)
Issues that are given priority in political deliberations
Political Agenda
The problem where the individual enjoys the benefits of group action without contributing
Free Rider Problem
The right to exercise power - seen as legitimate
Authority
Acceptance that politicians have the right to govern
Legitimacy
Authority based on the perception that the leader have extraordinary qualities
Charismatic Authority
Authority based on customs that establish legitimacy
Traditional Authority
Authority based on legal rules and procedures
Legal-Rational Authority
Something that is good for an entire political community
Common Good
A perspective that humans act according to their own interests
Individualist Perspective
Political system where a large number of groups are able to influence political decision making
Pluralist System
The systematic study of politics
Political Science
Analysis that explains politics using observation, comparison, and testable theories
Empirical Analysis
