key concepts Flashcards
What’s political science about?
The study of governments, laws, power, and how societies make decisions. It explores political systems, policies, and global relations.
whats allocation of limited resources ?
The study of how governments and societies decide who gets what, when, and how, based on available resources.
What are trade offs
The choices governments and societies make when distributing limited resources, balancing benefits and costs.
What are strategies to reach political objectives
Plans and actions governments use to achieve goals, like reducing crime or improving healthcare.
How people think politically and why?
How and why people form beliefs about government, policies, and power based on values, experiences, and information.
People form political views through experiences, education, media, and culture. Their beliefs are shaped by values, social influences, and personal interests.
Who\how should we take those decisions?
Leaders, governments, and citizens make decisions through voting, debates, policies, and laws, balancing interests and resources.
ex : On health care, should the federal, provincial or municipal governments be in charge?
What is political power
The ability to influence or control decisions, policies, and people in a society.
EX: A president signing a law that affects the entire country
What’s hard power
Imposition\coercion
Whats soft power
Influence, persuasion, model
Model
Whats relational power
Power that comes from relationships between individuals or groups. It’s about who can influence or control others in a given interaction.
Ex; A manager has power over their employees because of their position in the workplace.
Whats contextual power
Power that depends on the situation or environment. It’s how power shifts depending on the context or setting.
EX : A protestor may have little power in government but may gain significant influence in a public demonstration
What is legitimate
Power that comes from a position or role that is recognized and accepted by others as valid or rightful. This power is granted based on laws, rules, or social agreements.
EX ;A police officer has legitimate power to enforce laws because of their official role
Whats deemed acceptable of legitimacy
Legitimacy is considered acceptable when the authority, rule, or power is recognized by society as rightful, fair, and justified. It means people generally agree that the person or institution in power has the right to rule or make decisions, often because of established laws, customs, or consent.
A democratically elected government is deemed legitimate because its authority comes from the people’s votes, which are accepted as a valid source of power.
whats an illegitimate political behaviors,ideas?
Actions or beliefs that are not accepted as lawful, rightful, or ethical in a political context. These may go against established laws, democratic principles, or societal norms.
llegitimate Political Behavior: Using violence or fraud to manipulate elections, as it undermines democratic processes.
Illegitimate Political Ideas: Promoting authoritarianism or denying basic human rights, as they conflict with principles of democracy and equality.
WHats a legitimate political behaviour, ideas?
Actions or beliefs that are accepted as lawful, rightful, and just in a political context. These align with established laws, democratic principles, and societal norms.
Legitimate Political Behaviour :Voting in elections, participating in peaceful protests, or running for office, as these are actions allowed by democratic systems.
Legitimate Political Ideas: Supporting democracy, human rights, or the rule of law, as these align with widely accepted political values.
Legitimacy got
Charismatic
Traditional
rational legal
Whats majority \ qualifiedmajority and plurality
Majority : 50% +1
Plurality : more support
extra point : more than 50% + 1 like 60%, 67%
