UNIT 1 - Political Systems, Regimes, and Governments Flashcards
Political System
The set of institutions, processes, and rules that define how power is acquired, distributed, and exercised within a state.
Regime
The set of rules and norms that govern the exercise of political power within a state, which can be either democratic or authoritarian.
Government
The group of people and institutions that hold authority in a political system at a given time, responsible for making and implementing public policy.
State
A political organization that holds the monopoly on the legitimate use of force within a defined territory and is responsible for maintaining order and enforcing laws.
Sovereignty
The authority of a state to govern itself without external interference, making and enforcing laws independently.
Nation
A group of people who share a common identity, often based on language, culture, religion, or ethnicity.
Democracy
A political system where power is derived from the people through free, fair, and competitive elections, with legal and institutional checks on power.
Authoritarinism
A political system where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or small group, often with limited political freedoms and few checks on authority.
Hybrid Regime
A political system that combines elements of both democracy and authoritarianism, often featuring flawed elections and restricted civil liberties.
Federal System
A political system where power is divided between a central government and regional governments, with each level having certain autonomous powers.
Unitary System
A political system where power is concentrated at the central level, with little to no autonomy for regional governments.
Presidential System
A system of government where the president is both head of state and head of government, elected separately from the legislature.
Parliamentary System
A system of government where the executive is derived from the legislature, and the prime minister serves as head of government.
Legitimacy
The popular acceptance and recognition of a government’s right to rule, often based on the perceived fairness and effectiveness of its authority.
Rule of Law
The principle that all individuals and institutions, including the government, are subject to and accountable under the law.
Civil Liberties
Individual rights and freedoms that are protected from government interference, often enshrined in a constitution or bill of rights.
Civil Society
The sphere of organizations, associations, and movements that operate independently of the government to advocate for various interests and values.
Judicial Review
The power of the judiciary to examine and invalidate laws and actions of the government that are found to be unconstitutional.
Bicameral Legislature
A legislative body with two chambers, typically an upper and a lower house, which may represent different interests or regions.
Devolution
The transfer of power from a central government to regional or local governments, granting them more autonomy in certain areas.
Head of State
The individual or entity that represents the state in its ceremonial functions and is often separate from the head of government.
Head of Government
The leader of the executive branch responsible for administering government policies and often leading the legislative agenda.
Political Efficacy
The belief that one’s political participation can make a difference in the political process, influencing government decisions.
Authority
The recognized right to exercise power or make decisions, typically vested in government institutions or leaders.
