Comparative Government and Politics - Key Concepts Flashcards
What is a concept
an idea, term or category
what is political science
the study of the theory and practice of government and politics, focusing on the structure and dynamics of institutions, political processes and political behaviour
what is social science
the study of human society and of the structured interactions among people within society
what is government
the institutions and structures through which societies are governed
what is an institution
a formal organization or practice with a political purpose or effect, marked by durability and internal complexity
what is Hobbes’s case for government
without a ruler/government, society enters a state of humanity that is ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short’, as they would be engaged in a war against every other man
where does Hobbes lay out his case for a government
Leviathan (published in 1651)
what is a political system
the interactions and organizations through which a society reaches and successfully enforces collective decisions
what is governance
the process by which decisions, laws, and policies are made, with or without the input of formal instutitons
what is politics
the process by which people negotiate and compete in the process of making and executing shared or collective decisions
what is power
the capacity to bring about intended effects and is a synonym for influence, or more forceful modes of influence.
where does the group Boko Haram operate
Nigeria
when was the first presidential election in Nigeria where the incumbent was defeated by their opponent
2015
when did Nigeria gain independence
1960
what is Nigeria ranked on the democracy index rating
hybrid regime
what is a hybrid regime
a regime which is a mixture of authoritarianism and democracy
what ruled Nigeria for 30 years
the military
who outlined three dimensions of power
Lukes
what is the core question of the first dimension of Lukes’s dimensions of power?
Who Prevails when preferences conflict?
what is the core quality of the first dimension of Lukes’s dimensions of power?
decisions are made on issues over which there is an observable conflict of interests
what is the core question of the second dimension of Lukes’s dimensions of power?
who controls whether preferences are expressed?
what is the core quality of the second dimension of Lukes’s dimensions of power?
decisions are prevented from being taken on potential issues over which there is an observable conflict of interests
what is the core question of the third dimension of Lukes’s dimensions of power?
who shapes preferences?
what is the core quality of the third dimension of Lukes’s dimensions of power?
potential issues are kept out of politics, whether through social forces, institutional practices, or the decisions of individuals
what is legitimacy
the condition of being legitimate. A legitimate system of government is one based on authority, and those subject to its rule recognize its right to make decisions
what is ideology
a system of connected beliefs, a shared view of the world, or a blueprint for how politics, economics, and society should be structured
what are the typical features of anarchism
all forms of governmental authority are unnecessary, and society is best structured around voluntary cooperation and free association
what are the typical features of marxism
elimination of the state system and private property will lead to the creation of a classless, non-exploitative and self governing society
what are the typical features of liberalism
individuals are the best judges of their own interests. Advocates a tolerant society which maximises personal freedom, and favours a government which is limited but freely elected