Exam 1 Flashcards
1
Q
What are the key features of a modern state
A
- government (bureaucracy) –> the apparatus of officias and personnel that pass and implemennt laws within the territory
- people (permanent population)
- territory –> an area within defined and internationally recognized borders
- sovereignty (legitimate authority) –> sole authority within the border
2
Q
What is external sovereignty
A
- internationally recognized to have control
- ability to defend territory
3
Q
What is internal sovereignty
A
- able to enforce laws
- ability to maintaine control and order
- viewed as legitimate
4
Q
What does it mean for a government/figure to be viewed as legitimate
A
- if all the people view the government as legitimate it is very powerful and vice versa
- could result in a civil war/protesting to diminish government power –> precurses to coups
- legitimacy enhances sovereignty
5
Q
What is a strong state
A
- strong states are capable of providing adequate political goods
- provide services: make laws, implement policy, public goods/services
- control violence: enforce laws, powerful/legitimate police, judicial system
6
Q
What is a failed state
A
- failed states lack key functions to be considered a state/not legit
- lack functioning government to make and enforce policy
- cant provide common public goods/services
- sanitation, education, healthcare, electricity etc
- cant control violence
- lack adequate police system (lack functioning judicial system)
- not considered a state
7
Q
What is a weak state
A
- a weak state can only partially provide adequate goods
- difficulty controlling violence
- difficulty providing services
8
Q
What is a regime
A
set of formal and informal political institutions thay defines a type of government
9
Q
What is a democracy
A
- one leader
- fair and free elections
- representations
- sovereignty
- universal suffrage
- choice of political party
- peaceful transition of power
- free media
10
Q
What are the rights of a democracy
A
- political rights: free occociation, voting, running for office
- civil rights: individual freedoms and liberties
- social rights: wellbeing and socioeconomic equality
11
Q
Presidential democracies
A
- executive dual role (head of state/government)
- high voter control over who will be the head of government
- executive and legislature elected separately –> set elections
12
Q
Parliamentary democracies
A
- chief representative of the state
- performs ceremonial duties/lacks governing power
- legislative not separate from executive
- led by Prime Minister –> leader od the largest party
- no set elections
13
Q
How does one become a prime minister
A
one is selected to be the leader of the party, have a seat in parliament, and have most seats in parliament
14
Q
How do elections work in parliaments
A
- not set date for future elections
- typically a maximum number of hears a tern can last
- elections can happen for 2 reasons
1. PM dissolved parliament
2. vote of no confidence in PM - need majority to pass –> if passes brings an election
15
Q
Semi-Presidential democracies
A
- “dual executive” system, president and PM
- rare but coming out of post conflict states
- president has set elections, directly elected by votem head of state (foreign affairs), and oftentimes has more power than PM
- prime minister is appointed by the president, approved by the legislature, is head of government (domestic affairs)
16
Q
Authoritarian Regimes
A
- no political rights,limited civil rights, maybe social rights
- citizens lack a voice or civil rights
- violence used by the state to keep the people in line
- media restricted or government controlled
- power in the hands of the few –> who has power depends on the type of regime
17
Q
Military Regimes
A
- government run by committee of military officers
- military leaders come to power in a Coup d’etat –> who has power who does not, pay attention to the title
- steps in to try and fix a probelem –> protects, bad economy, lack of security, illegitmate leaders
18
Q
Theocracy Regimes
A
- rule by religious authorities
- rule on behald of god (representative of god –> i.e Iran and Holy Sea of Vatican City
19
Q
Electoral Authoritarian Regimes
(looks like a democracy)
A
- have aspects of both non-democracies and democatic regimes
- not free or fair, could exclude oppositions, voters intimidation, fear, ballot shutting –> freedom of press restricted, limits on civil liberties
- i.e Ethiopoa –> ethiopia People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front in power since 1991
- uses intimidation, coercion, and other tactics to win elections
- oppoistion leaders often forced into exile
- journalists routinely imprisoned
20
Q
Totalitarian Regimes
(fascism, nazism, and communism/marxism)
A
- the total state control of virtually all aspects of society
- rule by a single party or person
- take control over the military
- take control over economic means
- take control over communication
- special police forces to strike fear in populations
- trying to completely transform/change society
21
Q
Communism/Marxism Regimes
A
- perfect social and economic equality of all people based on Marx’s teaching
- total control over society, government and economy
- centralized control by Communist Party
- state controls all aspects of economic and civil life
- state ownership of all property
- i.e Cuba, Vietnam, China, Laos, Soviet Union –> seeks equality
22
Q
Facist Regimes
(seeks nationalism)
A
- total control over society, government and economy
- mass mobilization of citizens to reach the facist goals
- prioritize military and its ideals
- believe using violence is right and just
- militarized masculinity
- nationalism –> beliefe that they are superior to all other groups
- preparation to create empire
- no rights for individuals –> no civil liberties, people serve government
- hallmark of facism: charismatic leader proposes he can solve national problens, calling political opponents traitors and enemies
23
Q
Nazi Regimes
A
- combines facism with racism –> aryan race
- hitler democratically elected into power –> got rid of institutions and put in marshal law
24
Q
What are the key difference between facism and communism
A
- Facism has a natural hierarchy of people and is militarized
- Commuism works towards perfect equality and promotes the “peasant”
25
Q
Personalistic Dictatorships
A
- state power and decision-making centralized in one person or family line
- creates loyalty to the individual –> fear, nepotism/bribery, coup-proofing strategies (keeping military happy)
- i.e Russia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Chile
26
Q
What are some tools authoritarian regimes use to reduce the risk of uprising
A
- repression and fear
- spy networks and secret police
- controlling information
- creating an enemy
- clientilism
- foster legitimacy
27
Q
What is Contentious Politics
A
- working outside formal political institutions to create political change, typically using disruptive tactics
- i.e civil rights movement, anti-apartheid movement, the “troubles” of northern ireland, black lives maatter, tunsian revolution
- people do it because they have to -> people either dont have access to formal politics or arent being listened to
28
Q
What are the foundations of contentious politics
A
- grievance –> relative deprivation: unequal distribution of a good –> belief that they (and their groups) are not receiving their share of a benefit –> happy people dont revolt
- political opportunity –> their rgime can be influenced by mass mobilization and societal pressure –> democratic and semi democratic regimes –> collective action
29
Q
What is a civil war
A
violence between government military forces and non-government armed forces (rebels) resulting in large scale destruction and war related death
30
Q
What are some characteristics that promote civil war
A
- economic inequality between groups
- relative deprivation
- some groups excluded from political power (grievance)
- large ethnic grups with clear distinctions between groups
- fear that the other group will use power against your group
- ethnic security dilemma
- use violence to make sure your group stays in political power
31
Q
What are protests
A
- a public expression of objection or disapproval of government policies or inaction on an issue facing the citizens of the country
32
Q
Does contentious politics work
A
- nonviolent movements are more likely to have success –> brings attention to the cause and pressures leaders to act
- nonviolent movements are more likely to work in a democracy/semi-democracy because there is greater political opportunity
33
Q
What is a regime change
A
- altering a structure that is in place
- revolution: rapid transformation of the political system and social strcuture, resulting in overthrow of prior regime
- factors: grievance, lack of responsive government, collective actions
34
Q
What hapens after a coup d’etat
A
- democratization –> transition to democracy from authoritarian –> very slow
- first wave: industrialization/economic development
- Pacted transition
- international pressure
35
Q
What is pacted transition
A
an agreement between authoritarian leaders and elite members of civil society to implement democratic institutions and become democratic
