Terms

Question 1

Ideal Characteristics of a Modern State

Answer 1

Bureaucracy (established specific rules and order), Impersonality (Don’t identify with a leader), Sovereignty (Complete control over one’s territory)

Question 2

Casual Questions

Answer 2

Drawn from observations of facts in the world, Explanations about why the world is the way it is

Question 3

Normative Questions

Answer 3

Concerned with that is moral or ethical, Arguments about how the world ought to be

Question 4

Concepts

Answer 4

They are ideas that define political phenomena. They are Clear and Coherent, consistent, and useful for

Question 5

Why do states Emerge?

Answer 5

Political/Conflict theory, Economic Theory, Cultural Theory, Diffusion Theory

Question 6

Political Conflict state formation Theory

Answer 6

For states to emerge, several factors needed for collective projects: Centralized authority, Ability to tax population to raise revenue, Ability to mobilize the population for collective projects. Wars served all these purposes and led to rise of states

Question 7

Economic state formation Theory

Answer 7

States are a reflection of their underlying economic interests. (ex. Marxian: stable state maximizes capitalist profit potential and preserves their power)

Question 8

Cultural state formation theory

Answer 8

Ideas and cultural forces in peoples’ lives led to favouring the state as an organization

Question 9

Diffusion State formation theory

Answer 9

It was not a foregone conclusion that everywhere would end up with states.
Question: Why did the state as a form of the organization spread around the world? (Answer: Military dominance, organization, and economic interests)

Question 10

Measures of State Development

Answer 10

Human development (life expectancy, education, ect.), Satisfaction and Happiness, Equity between groups

Question 11

Market-led State development Theory

Answer 11

Market-based approaches promote capitalistic gains as the main reason states develop (neoliberalism and privatization were prominent in 1980’s and 1990’s)

Question 12

State-led Development theory

Answer 12

Use of state powers to push economic and social development of state. (ex. USSR)

Question 13

Institutionalist Theory

Answer 13

Presence of strong institutions creates incentives for individuals to save and invest.

• Strong property rights favour private economic actors, yet also requires state enforcement
• Fair, Predictable enforcement of Contracts allow economic actors to engage in long-range planning

Question 14

Cultural Theories

Answer 14

What cultural differences between countries?
- Levels of trust in a society
- Social capital (rich associated networks)
- Religious Background
- Norms, ethics, and value systems
Therefore, Higher levels of trust and social capital create incentives.

Question 15

Constitutions

Answer 15

Fundamental and supreme laws usually written in a charter, that establish the basis of a political system and the basis for other laws

Question 16

Flexible Constitutions

Answer 16

There are more flexible constitutions, The most flexible constitutions may require only a simple legislative cote to change. (ex. UK, but customs limit that)

Question 17

Rigid Constitutions

Answer 17

These may require supermajorities or legislator’s assent of many states in a federal system E.g. US

Question 18

Judicial Review

Answer 18

Courts judge the constitutionality of legislation through supreme courts. (ex. US and Canada)

Question 19

Parliamentary Sovereignty

Answer 19

A system where judicial review is not practiced

Question 20

Federalism

Answer 20

Federal systems have semi-autonomous government levels below the national (US and Canada)
- States or provinces have some autonomy

Question 21

Unitarianism

Answer 21

Unitary Systems have more centralized power

- Local governments and administrations is a directive of the national state

Question 22

Democratic Constitutions

Answer 22

Used to protect the democratic rights of people or groups. Keeps interference of Government to bounds of constitution

Question 23

Authoritarian Constitution

Answer 23

Provides centralized power and ability to act in the hands of the government. Government May leave constitution intact, but governs outside its provisions

Question 24

Democracy

Answer 24

form of political regime associated with “rule of the people” with rights and liberties for citizens

• Political rights (citizens can participate in elections)
• Civil liberties (freedom of speech, information, assembly, ect.)

Question 25

Democratization

Answer 25

The spread of Democracy, sort of regime change.

Question 26

Democratic Consolidation

Answer 26

Process by which a new democratic order becomes institutionalized
Democracy more likely to endure in “consolidated democracies,” than “transitional democracies”

Question 27

Modernization Theory

Answer 27

Democracy is more common and stable in “modern” polities. Economic wealth correlates with democracy: rich countries are often democratic:

• emergent middle class plays a role in democratization
• Modernization may prevent democratic breakdown

Question 28

Cultural Theory

Answer 28

different regions or countries have distinct cultures regarding power, authority, and rights, therefore, Norms and attitudes support democracy in some places

Question 29

International System Theory

Answer 29

Major powers in the world can affect chances for democracy in smaller countries: Therefore, Global Politics can affect regime types (ex. US influence)

Question 30

Domestic Institutions Theory

Answer 30

Institutions shape whether democracies will survive or fail: Eg. Federalism to migrate conflict or civil war in ethnically divided countries

Question 31

Individual Actors or Agents Theory

Answer 31

Coalitions of specific groups (moderates, eg.) lead to some transitions: Democratization often a story with prominent leaders and “triggers”
Ex. Gandhi & Nehru (India), Mandela (South Africa)

Question 32

Authoritarianism

Answer 32

Political regime characterized by a form of government that is non-democratic. Authoritarianism can be defined as “opposite” of democracy, but authoritarian regimes have their own characteristics

Question 33

Totalitarian Regimes

Answer 33

A form of authoritarian regime that aims to control everything about the lives of its subject population

Question 34

Theocracies

Answer 34

An authoritarian state controlled by religious leaders, or a state with very strict religious elites

Question 35

Bureaucratic-Authoritarian Regimes

Answer 35

A type of authoritarian regime in which the state is controlled more by a group of elites (often military) rather than by a single individual leader

Question 36

Hybrid and Semi-Authoritarian Regimes

Answer 36

A Class of regime that is neither fully democratic nor fully authoritarian

Question 37

Transitions to Authoritarianism: Authoritarian Persistence

Answer 37

One authoritarian regime remains in power. The transition from one authoritarian regime to another

Question 38

Transitions to Authoritarianism: Democratic Breakdown

Answer 38

Transition from democratic to authoritarian regime

Question 39

Authoritarian Historical Institutionalist Theories

Answer 39

Coalitions among groups or classes shape fates of regimes, and institutions give these coalitions enduring effects. When actors combine forces, they may get the regime that benefits them - self-interest of actors drive authoritarianism

Question 40

Authoritarian Poverty and Inequality Theory

Answer 40

high levels of poverty or inequality lead to more authoritarianism. Poverty leads populace to a greater concern with economic issues than political liberties. Inequality leads to mistrust between groups

Question 41

Authoritarian State Weakness and Failure Theory

Answer 41

states with weak institutions are likelier to have authoritarian regimes. Less capable of being totalitarian, but maybe likely to have other forms of authoritarianism

Question 42

Authoritarian Political Culture Theory

Answer 42

Some countries may have cultural traditions more suited to authoritarianism (ex. Emphasis on authority and obedience over individual). Culture may also affect type of authoritarianism, not just whether country is authoritarian or not

Question 43

Authoritarian Barriers to collective action

Answer 43

Rational calculations and personal incentives can explain persistence of repressive regimes.