Lecture 12 Flashcards
L12: What does Douglas North emphasize in his definition of the state?
The role of institutions and governance in shaping economic performance
What is Max Weber’s definition of the state?
A human community that successfully claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory.
What is Charles Tilly’s argument regarding the formation of states?
“War makes states,” indicating that conflict and warfare play a crucial role in state-building.
What are the two common factors that define a state?
Territory and power.
How is the state defined in terms of its administrative functions?
As an administrative apparatus that makes and implements public policies and uses coercive power to rule within a given territory.
What is the primary role of the state?
To govern a country and exercise authority over its population and territory.
What is a nation?
A group of people who share a common identity based on language, culture, ethnicity, history, and sometimes religion.
What is a homogeneous nation?
A nation where the majority of the population shares a common national identity, culture, and language.
What is a heterogeneous nation?
A nation that consists of multiple groups with different identities, cultures, and languages.
What is the difference between a nation and a state?
A nation is a group of people with a shared identity, while a state is a political entity with defined borders and a government.
Can a state contain more than one nation?
Yes, many modern states are heterogeneous and contain multiple nations (e.g., Canada).
What is an example of a nation that exists across multiple states?
The Kurds, who inhabit regions in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria.
Who are the Kurds?
The Kurds are one of the largest ethnic groups in the world without a recognized independent state, with a distinct language and culture.
What shapes national identity?
National identity is shaped by historical experiences, cultural practices, and shared values.
What is nationalism?
Nationalism is a political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of a particular nation, often advocating for self-governance or independence.
What complexities arise from multiple nations existing within or across state boundaries?
The interplay between identity, culture, and politics can lead to conflicts, movements for autonomy, and challenges in governance.
What is a political regime?
A set of rules and norms that dictate how a government operates and how power is distributed within a state.
What are the two broad categories of political regimes?
Democracies and nondemocracies.
What are the types of nondemocracies?
Authoritarianism, autocracy, and dictatorships.
What is majoritarian democracy?
A system focused on majority rule, where the elected majority has significant power to make decisions, promoting decisiveness and clarity.
What is consensus democracy?
A system that promotes inclusiveness and divides power among different groups, accommodating diverse interests.
What is the definition of government?
The individuals and organizations that act on behalf of the state.
How do states and governments differ?
States are enduring political entities with defined borders, while governments are the current administrations that can change frequently.
Can you give an example of a state and its regime types?
Brazil (state) can have regimes such as monarchy, military regime, or democracy.
Who are some notable leaders within Brazil’s democratic regime?
Cardoso, Rouseff, Bolsonaro, and Lula.
Why are states considered more enduring than regimes?
States can dissolve, but they generally last longer than specific regimes, which can change due to political upheaval or reform.
What is a key requirement for a political community to be considered a state?
It must be sovereign, meaning it has the authority to govern autonomously over a given territory.
What does sovereignty refer to?
The authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.
How did colonies become states?
Colonies became states after gaining independence.
What are substates?
Political entities that lack international sovereignty and do not have the same status as fully recognized states.
How are ideas about sovereignty changing?
The concept of sovereignty is evolving, reflecting changes in international relations and governance.
What is required for a state to be recognized as a member of the international community?
A state must have diplomatic recognition, which includes the exchange of ambassadors.
Why is diplomatic recognition important?
It is required for membership in international organizations, such as the United Nations.
What are political goods that states are expected to provide?
Security, law, and infrastructure.
What do citizens generally expect from their state?
Economic prosperity (American Dream) and overall well-being, including access to jobs, education, and healthcare.
What characterizes a strong state?
A strong state is capable of effectively providing political goods and has robust institutions and a functioning government
What defines a weak state?
A weak state struggles to provide essential political goods and often lags behind in governance and service delivery.
What are the characteristics of a failed state?
Failed states can no longer enforce policies, maintain control, or provide basic services, often experiencing civil war and devolving into quasi-state entitles.
What is the resource curse?
The resource curse is the paradox where countries with abundant natural resources experience less economic growth and worse development outcomes than those with fewer resources.
How can significant resources become a burden for a state?
Significant resources can lead to a lack accountability, as revenue allows the state to operate without being answerable to its citizens.
What can competition for control over resources lead to in a state?
It can lead to corruption, civil unrest, and war.
What are the two views of democracy?
Substantive democracy (focuses on outcomes) and procedural democracy (focuses on processes).
What are civil rights?
Individual freedoms and fair treatment under the law.
What are political rights?
Rights of citizens to participate in political processes, including the right to vote and run for elective office.
What are social rights?
Rights pertaining to the socioeconomic well-being of citizens, ensuring access to basic needs like education and healthcare.
What are key features of liberal democracy?
Political rights, competitive elections, periodic elections, one person equals one vote, civil liberties, and rule of law.
What does “one person, one vote” mean in a liberal democracy?
Each citizen’s vote carries equal weight in the electoral process
What is the rule of law?
The principle that all individuals, including government leaders, are subject to the law.
What characterizes nondemocratic regimes?
They do not meet democratic criteria and can take forms such as monarchy, military regime, dominant party rule, and personalist rule.
What is an absolute monarchy?
A form of monarchy where the monarch has unchecked power and is not subject to other governing bodies.
What is a constitutional monarchy?
A monarchy where the monarch serves primarily as a ceremonial figurehead, with real political power held by elected officials.
What is a military regime?
A form of governance where the military rules as an institution, often following a coup d’état.
What is dominant party rule?
A political system where a single party dominates policy and society.
What is personalist rule?
A dictatorship where a single leader holds power without checks from other groups or institutions.
