Terms Flashcards
Ideal Characteristics of a Modern State
Bureaucracy (established specific rules and order), Impersonality (Don’t identify with a leader), Sovereignty (Complete control over one’s territory)
Casual Questions
Drawn from observations of facts in the world, Explanations about why the world is the way it is
Normative Questions
Concerned with that is moral or ethical, Arguments about how the world ought to be
Concepts
They are ideas that define political phenomena. They are Clear and Coherent, consistent, and useful for
Why do states Emerge?
Political/Conflict theory, Economic Theory, Cultural Theory, Diffusion Theory
Political Conflict state formation Theory
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
Economic state formation Theory
States are a reflection of their underlying economic interests. (ex. Marxian: stable state maximizes capitalist profit potential and preserves their power)
Cultural state formation theory
Ideas and cultural forces in peoples’ lives led to favouring the state as an organization
Diffusion State formation theory
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)
Measures of State Development
Human development (life expectancy, education, ect.), Satisfaction and Happiness, Equity between groups
Market-led State development Theory
Market-based approaches promote capitalistic gains as the main reason states develop (neoliberalism and privatization were prominent in 1980’s and 1990’s)
State-led Development theory
Use of state powers to push economic and social development of state. (ex. USSR)
Institutionalist Theory
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
Cultural Theories
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.
Constitutions
Fundamental and supreme laws usually written in a charter, that establish the basis of a political system and the basis for other laws
Flexible Constitutions
There are more flexible constitutions, The most flexible constitutions may require only a simple legislative cote to change. (ex. UK, but customs limit that)
Rigid Constitutions
These may require supermajorities or legislator’s assent of many states in a federal system E.g. US
Judicial Review
Courts judge the constitutionality of legislation through supreme courts. (ex. US and Canada)
Parliamentary Sovereignty
A system where judicial review is not practiced
Federalism
Federal systems have semi-autonomous government levels below the national (US and Canada)
- States or provinces have some autonomy
Unitarianism
Unitary Systems have more centralized power
- Local governments and administrations is a directive of the national state
Democratic Constitutions
Used to protect the democratic rights of people or groups. Keeps interference of Government to bounds of constitution
Authoritarian Constitution
Provides centralized power and ability to act in the hands of the government. Government May leave constitution intact, but governs outside its provisions
Democracy
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.)
