Unit 1 Flashcards
Political Organizations
Political systems comprise the laws, ideas, and procedures that address who should have authority to rule and what the governement’s influence on its people and economy should be.
State
Political organizations that combine a (permanent population) with governing institutions to exercise control over a (defined territory) with (international recognition).
Nation
A group of people with commonalities including race, language, religion, ethnicity, political identity, and aspirations.
All of the AP 6 are multination states.
Regime
Democratic or authoritarian based on how it sets up rules or makes decisions about how to exercise power.
Democratic regime
Demos = people.
The people give the government their power.
Authoritarian regime
System of government where power is invested in a small group of people who exercise power over the state without being constitutionally responsible to the public.
Regime change vs. government change
Regime change is a change in the fundamental pattern of rules. Demo to autho.
Government change is a change in political leadership of the executive branch. President or PM.
Government
Set of institutions or individuals legally empowered to make binding decisions for the state.
Power
ABILITY to control or direct others. NO RIGHT. Can exercise one’s will over others.
Authority
RIGHT to control or direct others. Accepted or legitimized power.
Sovereignty
State’s indepent legal authority over a population in a particular territory that is recognized by other international actors. Ultimate authority.
Factors that indicate degree of democracy. (4)
- Principle that a state should be governed by law and not arbitrary decisions made by gov officials. (Rule OF law rather than Rule BY law)
- Degree of state influence on or control of media.
- Degree of transparency of governmental decision making.
- Nature of citizen participation in gov.
Different types of authoritarian regimes
- Illiberal democracies / hybrid regimes
- One-party states
- Theocracy
- Totalitarian governments
- Military regimes
How a democratic regime may become authoritarian (6)
- Policy chanegs that make elections less fair or competitive.
- Coup or revolution.
- Cancellation of the media.
- Censorship of the media.
- Opposition groups rights are limited.
- A single group dominates the government.
Why do authoritarian regimes sometimes hold direct elections?
- Legitimacy
- Escape valve for discontent
- What policies people want
- Improve accountability to citizens
- Identify or intimidate opponents of the regime
- Response to international pressure
Democratization
A transition from an authoritarian regime to a democratic regime.
What does democratization lead to? (8)
- Democratic consolidation
- More competition, fairness, and transparency in elections.
- Increase citizen participation in policy making process
- Universal suffrage for adult citzens
- Greater gov transparency
- Protected civil rights and liberties
- Equal treatment of citizens
- Establishing rule OF law
Democratic consolidation
The process by which a demcoratic regime matures in terms of election rules, separation of powers, and protection of civil liberties, making it unlikely to revert to authoritarian without an external shock.
- Ex. UK, Mexico (maybe)
Factors that help democratization
- Electoral systems that accomondate ethnic diversity
- Increased multiparty competition through rule changes. PR FPTP
- Independent judiciaries
- Policies that protect civil liberties
- Separation of powers
- Agreement amongst competing political groups
Factors that hinder democratization
- Political corruption
- Election rules that restrict voting
- Policies that limit civil liberties
- Polarization between competing political groups.
Sources of power and authority
- Constitution
- Religion
- Military forces
- Political parties
- Legislatures
- Popular support
Causation
Is difficult to determine with certainty in comparative politics as one variable needs to be the direct cause of another variable.
Correlation
Exists when there is an association between two or more variables.
Quantitative data
Numerical
Qualitative data
Descriptive.
Empirical statement
Factual/objective
Normative statement
Opinion/value
Human development index
Life expectancy, GDP per capita, literacy rate.
GDP
How much money a country makes.
Gini index
Economic equality.
Freedom house rating
Personal rights and liberties.
Corruption perception score
Corruption rate.
Fragile state index
Fragile rate of a country.
UK regime change example?
- The great reform acts
- Magna carta
- Reforms
Russia regime change example?
Russian rev
China regime change example?
Chinese rev
Mexico regime change example?
Mexico rev
Iran regime change example?
Iranian rev
Nigeria regime change example?
Military coups.
UK sources of power and authority
- Constitution
- Legislature (HOS + PM)
- Citizens / Popular support
Russia sources of power and authority
- Constitution
- Political elite’s backing of Putin
- Election rules favoring one party
China sources of power and authority
- Constitution
- CCP
- CCP control over military
Mexico sources of power and authority
- Constitution
- 2000 transition from single-party rule by PRI
- Multi-party republic.
Nigeria sources of power and authority
- Constitution
- 1999 transition from miliary rule
Iran sources of power and authority
- Religion
- Military
- Revolutionary guards
Similarities between sources of power and authority in Iran and China
- Constitution
- Miliary role in policy making and surpressing dissent.
Similarities between sources of power and authority in Nigeria and Mexico
- Constitution
- Transition to multiparty republic.
Types of regime changes
Coup and revolution
Coup
Forcible takeover of governing power led by elites using force or threat of force.
Revolution
Removal and long-erm replacement of a form of government that usually involves the masses (not just elites) and can be violent or peaceful.
Federal system
System of government where significant powers are given to subnational or regional governments.
Unitary system
System of government where all political authority is in the central or national government. (Regional governments still exist just not a lot of power given by constitution)
Advantages of Federal system
- Citizen can participate at multiple levels.
- Local gov can respond to local needs.
- Less likelythat one party will dominate
Disadvantages of Federal systems
- Can be slow and result in inefficiency
- Complicated for citizens to understand.
- Conflict between different levels of gov
Advantages of Unitary systems
- Consistent laws throughout the country
- Easier to understand
- Gov can act quick if needed in case of national crisis
Disadvantages of Unitary systems
- Regional problems are more likely to be ignored
- Easier for one party to dominate
- Regional gov have little power.
Factors that can cause change in relationship between regional and central governments
- Ethnic or religious cleavages
- Supernational organizations
- Threats from other countries
- Regional protests or discontent
- National emergency or crisis
- Terrorism
Devolved Unitary system
The central government devolves power to regional governments.
These powers are NOT CONSTITUTIONALLY portected and can be taken away.
Aymmetric Federal system
The central government consolidates power in the central goverment, the constitutionally granted powers of regional governments are taken away.
Political legitimacy
The degree of which a government’s right to rule is accepted by the citizens.
Sources of political legitimacy
- Popular elections
- Constitutional provisions
- Nationalism
- Tradition
- Ideology
- Policy effectiveness
- Economic growth
- Religious hertitage and organizations
How do governments sustain legitimacy
- Political effectiveness
- Political efficacy
- Tradition
- Charismatic leadership
How do government’s reinforce legitimacy?
- Peaceful resolution of conflict
- Peaceful transfer of power
- Reduced governmental corruption
- Economic development
- Policy effectiveness
How does China reinforce and sustain legitimacy?
Economic growth and tradition
How does Iran reinforce and sustain legitimacy?
Theocracy
How does Mexico reinforce and sustain legitimacy?
Lack of dominant party allows more power to state governors to adapt policies.
How does Nigeria reinforce and sustain legitimacy?
Increase representation of ethnic groups
How does Russia reinforce and sustain legitimacy?
Creation of dominant party
How does UK reinforce and sustain legitimacy?
Devolution allows local policy innovation
How can legitimacy be undermined?
- Increase in corruption
- Reduced electoral competition
- Serious problems: poor economy or social conflict
How to repair undermined legitimacy?
Policy effectiveness
Recognition of policy agenda
Representation, a seat at the political table
Reform a new or revised policy
Challenges to political stability
- Loss of territory
- Loss of population
- Loss of government authority
- Loss of sovereignty
Political stability
Goal of governments to maintain control of state sovereignty
