Comp Unit 1: Empirical vs Normative Statements

Questions and Answers

What are normative statements?

Based on measurements

Testing hypotheses

Formed off of experiments

Value judgments (correct)

What differentiates causation from correlation?

Correlation indicates a cause and effect relationship

Causation shows a direct relationship while correlation does not (correct)

Causation is related to social phenomena

Causation and correlation are the same

What is a political system?

The process by which official government decisions are made.

Define a state.

A compulsory political organization with a centralized government that maintains a monopoly of the legitimate use of force over a certain area. Signup and view all the answers

What does sovereignty refer to?

The full right and power of a governing body over itself without interference from any outside authority. Signup and view all the answers

Define a nation.

A distinct population of people bound together by a common culture, history, and tradition. Signup and view all the answers

What is a nation-state?

A state in which the majority of the population shares the same culture and is conscious of it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of government?

The body with the power to make and/or enforce laws to control a country, land area, people, or organization. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term regime refer to?

The form of government or set of rules that regulate its operation and interactions with the rest of the world. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between federalism and a unitary system.

A unitary system holds all power in one central government, while federalism divides power between multiple forms of government. Signup and view all the answers

What is devolution?

The transfer of power from a central government to sub-national authorities. Signup and view all the answers

What is a political ideology?

A certain set of ethical ideals or principles that explain how society should work. Signup and view all the answers

Define institutions of government.

Organizations in a government that create, enforce, and apply laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is political culture?

A set of shared views and normative judgments held by a population regarding its political system. Signup and view all the answers

What does political participation encompass?

A broad range of activities in which people express their political ideologies and efforts to influence decisions. Signup and view all the answers

Define political efficacy.

The feeling that your political participation makes a difference. Signup and view all the answers

What is political socialization?

The process by which individuals learn and internalize a political framework. Signup and view all the answers

What is civil society?

Organizations that people voluntarily join due to common interests. Signup and view all the answers

What are interest groups?

Associations that attempt to influence public policy in favor of a certain interest. Signup and view all the answers

What are political parties?

Organized groups of people with similar ideologies who work to implement their shared beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What is political legitimacy?

The right by which someone can rule or govern, which comes from acceptance of authority. Signup and view all the answers

What is traditional legitimacy based on?

Habit, tradition, and history, often relying on familial backgrounds. Signup and view all the answers

What does charismatic legitimacy derive from?

The ideas and personal charisma of a leader or group. Signup and view all the answers

What is a cult of personality?

The idea that a governmental figure is so powerful that they ensure their regime is seen as legitimate. Signup and view all the answers

What does rational-legal legitimacy derive from?

A system of institutional procedures that establish and enforce laws in the public interest. Signup and view all the answers

What are indicators of legitimacy?

Economic strength, popular policies, and nationalism. Signup and view all the answers

What does globalization refer to?

The equal integration of societies into a worldwide political, economic, and cultural community. Signup and view all the answers

What is a supranational organization?

A multinational association where countries cede authority to a group on international matters. Signup and view all the answers

Distinguish between developed and developing countries.

Developed nations are industrialized with higher income levels, while developing countries experience lower industrialization and income. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'race to the bottom'?

Government deregulation to attract multinational corporations by reducing standards. Signup and view all the answers

Define political economy.

The study of economic theories like capitalism and communism as they play out in real-world scenarios. Signup and view all the answers

What is a liberal economy?

An economy associated with free markets and private ownership. Signup and view all the answers

What does liberalization refer to?

The loosening of governmental controls, especially in terms of economic restrictions. Signup and view all the answers

What is resource curse?

The phenomenon where resource-rich countries lack economic diversity due to reliance on a single product. Signup and view all the answers

Explain import substitution.

A process used by developing countries to reduce dependence on developed countries by protecting domestic industries. Signup and view all the answers

What is subsidization?

A governmental financial aid or support extended to an economic sector. Signup and view all the answers

What does privatization mean?

The process by which a government-owned entity becomes privately owned. Signup and view all the answers

Define the Gini Index.

A measure of income distribution within a population. Signup and view all the answers

What is GNP?

Gross National Product, accounting for money made internationally for a country. Signup and view all the answers

What is GDP?

Gross Domestic Product, which estimates the monetary value of all final products/services within a country's borders. Signup and view all the answers

What are tariffs?

A tax imposed by one country on goods/services imported from another country. Signup and view all the answers

What is foreign direct investment?

An investment made by a firm in one country into business interests in another country. Signup and view all the answers

Define social cleavages.

Social or cultural divisions that separate citizens with differing political ideologies. Signup and view all the answers

What are coinciding cleavages?

Identity divisions that coincide for many individuals, potentially leading to violence. Signup and view all the answers

What are cross-cutting cleavages?

Divisions where individuals may disagree in one area but find common ground in another. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Empirical vs. Normative Statements

Normative statements express value judgments using terms like "should" or "better," whereas empirical statements are based on experimentations and tested hypotheses.

Causation vs. Correlation

Causation indicates that one action directly causes another, while correlation shows a relationship without causation between two actions.

Political System

A political system outlines how government decisions are made, interacting with legal, economic, cultural, and social systems.

State

A state is a politically organized entity with centralized authority that holds a monopoly on legitimate force within a defined area.

Sovereignty

Refers to a governing body's full authority over itself, free from external interference.

Nation

A nation consists of people who share a common culture, history, and traditions, typically concentrated in a specific geographic region.

Nation-State

Defined as a state where the majority of the population shares the same culture, aligning national and political boundaries ideally.

Government

The organization with the authority to create and enforce laws, governing a country, land, or group of people.

Regime

Represents the form and set of rules governing an institution, influencing its operations and interactions with global entities.

Federalism vs. Unitary

In a unitary system, power is centralized in one government, while federalism divides authority among multiple national and local governments.

Devolution

The process of transferring power from a central government to regional or local authorities.

Political Ideology

Set of ethical ideals or beliefs providing a framework for social order. Common ideologies in the U.S. include liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism, and populism.

Institutions of Government

Government organizations that create and implement laws, mediate disputes, and represent the population's interests.

Political Attitudes and Spectrum

A political spectrum categorizes differing political positions, with a basic right-left model often oversimplifying complex views.

Political Culture

Involves shared views and judgments of a population towards its political system, influencing citizens' beliefs and opinions.

Political Participation

Encompasses various activities allowing citizens to express their political views and engage in shaping decisions affecting their lives.

Political Efficacy

The belief that one’s participation in politics leads to meaningful change, encouraging further involvement.

Political Socialization

The process through which individuals develop their political views based on familial, social, and cultural influences.

Civil Society

Comprises voluntary organizations formed around shared interests, such as the NRA or NAACP.

Interest Groups

Organized associations aiming to influence public policy in favor of their shared objectives.

Political Parties

Groups of individuals unified by similar ideologies striving to implement their political agendas.

Political Legitimacy

The accepted right to govern, dependent on the perceived authority of those in power.

Traditional Legitimacy

Based on historical precedent and familial connection, exemplified by monarchies.

Charismatic Legitimacy

Arises from a leader's personal charisma and ability to inspire and dominate public opinion.

Cult of Personality

A phenomenon where a leader is venerated to the extent that their legitimacy is unquestioned.

Rational-Legal Legitimacy

Grounded in established laws and institutional procedures that ensure governance authority is recognized and upheld.

Other Indicators of Legitimacy

Economic strength, popular policies, and nationalism can enhance the legitimacy of authority.

Globalization

The integration of societies into a global community across political, economic, and cultural spheres.

Supranational Organization

Multinational entities where member states cede some authority, with binding decisions affecting all members.

Developed vs. Developing Countries

Developed countries are more industrialized with higher per capita incomes, while developing countries have less industrialization and lower incomes.

Race to the Bottom

Refers to deregulation aimed at attracting businesses by lowering taxes and labor standards, potentially impacting wages and environmental laws.

Political Economy

The analysis of how economic theories manifest in practice, examining the interplay of culture, history, and customs on economies.

Liberal Economy

Characterized by free market principles and private ownership of capital.

Liberalization

The reduction of governmental controls, particularly regarding international trade and capital.

Resource Curse

Describes nations rich in natural resources that struggle to modernize due to dependency on a single economic product.

Import Substitution

A strategy for developing countries to reduce reliance on imports by promoting domestic industries through protective measures.

Subsidization

Government financial support aimed at stabilizing or increasing prices in certain economic sectors.

Privatization

The transfer of ownership from the government to private entities, potentially applying to publicly traded companies as well.

Gini Index

A metric assessing income distribution inequality, where higher values indicate greater disparity.

GNP vs. GDP

GNP measures national economic output based on international revenues, while GDP evaluates domestic production within a country's borders.

Tariffs

Taxes imposed on imported goods and services to balance trade.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Investments by entities in one country into businesses in another country, often motivated by competitive advantages.

Deep-rooted social divisions that create differing political ideologies within a society.

Coinciding Cleavages

Identifying divisions that overlap significantly among large segments of the population, potentially leading to conflict.

Cross-Cutting Cleavages

Divisions that allow for agreement in some areas despite disagreement in others, helping to maintain social cohesion.

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Description

This quiz covers the key concepts of empirical and normative statements, including their definitions and differences. It also explores the distinction between causation and correlation, helping to clarify common misconceptions in these areas. Test your understanding of these foundational principles in social sciences.