Comparative Government and Politics - Sub-National Governments Flashcards
what is a unitary system
one in which sovereignty rests with the national government, and regional or local units have no independent powers
what is a federal system
one in which sovereignty is shared between two or more levels of government, each with independent powers and responsibilities
what is multi-level governance
an administrative system in which power is distributed and shared horizontally and vertically among different levels of government, from the supranational to the local, with considerable interaction among the parts
what is supranational government
it works above the level of states, bringing together two or more states with shared interests - EU
what is national government
it works at the level of a state, focusing on the interests of the state as a whole
what is regional government
it works at a middle level between states and local government
what is local government
it works at the level closest to ordinary citizens, focusing on local interests
what is deconcentration
where central government tasks are shifted from offices in the capital to those in the regions or local districts
what is delegation
where central government responsibilities are shifted to semi-autonomous bodies accountable to central government
what is devolution
where central government transfers some decision-making autonomy to lower levels
what is regional government
middle level government in unitary states that takes place below the national level and above the local level
what is dual federalism
national and local levels of government function independently from one another, with separate responsibilities
what is co-operative federalism
the layers are intermingled and it is difficult always to see who has ultimate responsibility
what is subsidiarity
the principle that decisions should be taken at the lowest feasible level
what is a quasi-federation
a system of administration that is formally unitary but has some of the features of a federation
what is a confederation
a looser form of a federation, consisting of a union of states with more powers left in the hands of the constituent members
what is local government
the lowest tier of government, taking place at a geographically contained local level, as in county, town or city
what are the two broad tasks of local government
- to provide an often significant range of local public services
- to implement national welfare policies
what is global city
a city that holds a key place within the global system via its financial trade, communications, or manufacturing links. Examples include Dubai, London, Moscow, New York, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo
what are warlords
informal leaders who use military force and patronage to control territory within weak states with unstable central government
