The political environment Flashcards
What is the political public sphere ?
This is the institutions of state, government structures and the individuals who play roles in decision making
What is the political civil society ?
the private sphere in which people can pursue their own goals, freedom to join groups etc.
What does pluralism mean ?
This is the existence in society of multiplicity of groups and interests
What is the nation state ?
This is the basic unit into which the worlds peopls are divided
What are the characteristics of a nation state ?
Territoriality
Sovereignty - law making authority over inhabitants
monopoly - use of force in territory
What are the sources of authority in a state ?
- Heredity - monarchy
- Religion - theocracy
- Ideology - beliefs e.g. communism
- Constitutionalism - set of rules recognised as authoritative in the socieyt
What is a political system ?
This is a set of formal institutions that create a government. Also includes legislative bodies, political parties, lobbying groups and tradde unions
What are lobbying groups ?
Wealthy organisations who pressure politicians to keep policies or create policies beneficial to them
What are the two main dimensions that classify the type of political systems that there are ?
- Degree to which collectivism and individualism
2. democratic or tolalitarianism
What are pseudo - democracies ?
These are neither pure democracies or tolalitarian states
What is political risk ?
These are the uncertainties associated with the exercise of governmental power both within a country and from external forces
What does confiscation mean ?
The seizure of corporate assets without compensation
What does expropriation mean ?
asset seizure with compensation
What does nationalisation mean ?
The governments seizing of an entire industry
What are sanctions ?
Trade penalties on international trade, usually undertaken by a country or a group of countries against another judged to have jeopardised peace and security
