Comparative Vocab Quiz (10/31 - 11/1)

rule of law

principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern

normative statements

claims that attempt to prescribe how the world should be

empirical statements

Factual statements that can be proven true or false.

presidential system

a system of government in which the legislative and executive branches operate independently of each other; single executive

parliamentary system

A system of government in which the legislature selects the prime minister or president; dual executive (w/ monarch)

semi-presidential system

An executive system that divides power between two strong executives, a president and a prime minister

First Past the Post (FPTP)

An SMD system in which the candidate with a plurality of votes wins

proportional representation

An election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.

corporatism

A method of co-optation whereby authoritarian systems create or sanction a limited number of organizations to represent the interests of the public and restrict those not set up or approved by the state.

pluralism

A theory of government that holds that open, multiple, and competing groups can check the asserted power by any one group.

legitimacy

Political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution

federal system

A government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments

unitary system

A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government

devolution

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

liberal democracy

A political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty and emphasizes individual freedom and civil rights.

illiberal democracy

A procedural democracy, with elections, but without real competition, and lacking some civil rights and liberties.

authoritarian

A government in which one leader or group of people holds absolute power.

neoliberalism

A strategy for economic development that calls for free markets, balanced budgets, privatization, free trade, and minimal government intervention in the economy.

populism

the political doctrine that supports the rights and powers of the common people in their struggle with the privileged elite

socialism

a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

fascism

A political system headed by a dictator that calls for extreme nationalism and racism and no tolerance of opposition

individualism

giving priority to one's own goals over group goals and defining one's identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications

communism

A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.

regime

(n.) a government in power; a form or system of rule or management; a period of rule

government

The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

political socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions

civil rights

the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

civil liberties

Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens

import substitution industrialization

an economic system that attempts to strengthen a country's industrial power by restricting foreign imports.

austerity

government policies meant to save money