Chapter 9 - The Political Environment

Question 1

Institution of the State

Answer 1

• Legislative: Institutions that make the laws – parliament
• Executive: Put laws into effect and ensure desired outcomes
• Judicial: Interprets and applies laws – give state capacity to enforce laws

Question 2

Different political systems

Answer 2

• Liberal democracy
• Authoritarian
• Communist
• Theocratic
• Unitary
• Federal

Question 3

Liberal democracy

Answer 3

• Liberal democracy: Citizens have right to elect governments to represent their interests and have right to individual freedom
  o Government institutions are based on majority rule
  o State – constrained in their powers by other institutions
  o They give right to personal and express views freely
  o Mixed economy – private sector and public expenditure
  o Found in rich, politically stable countries – North America, Japan

Question 4

Authoritarian

Answer 4

One person/group of people exercise power unrestrained by laws
o Absence of checks and balances on power of the ruler
o Support from ruler is based on patronage – favors are dolled out in return for political support
o Not major markets for business as they constitute a small share of worlds population

Question 5

Communist

Answer 5

Dominated by 1 political party
o Production of goods/services owned and controlled by the State - State has high degree of economic control over what is produced, how it is produced and who produces it
o Dominated by 1 political party
o Don’t value the right to personal freedom – emphasis on meeting needs of society as a whole

Question 6

Theocratic

Answer 6

Religion of faith plays dominant role in government
o Rulers in government are normally same people who lead dominant religion
o Policies are either identical with or strongly influenced by principles of religion
o Government claims to rule on behalf of God or a higher power as specified by the local religion

Question 7

Unitary

Answer 7

Where most decision making power is held by central government and where regions have little or no autonomy

Question 8

Federal

Answer 8

Power is shared between the centre and regions. Regions may have specific decision-making power in relation to spending and taxation.