Introduction to Government and Politics
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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'power to' refer to in the context of government?

  • The authority to influence political behavior
  • The control over resources in a community
  • The ability to enforce laws on citizens
  • The capacity to achieve one’s goals (correct)

    • Which concept refers to the relationship between the government and its citizens?

  • Politics
  • Power to
  • Power over (correct)
  • Comparative politics

    • What is the main goal of comparative politics?

  • To predict outcomes based on logical assumptions
  • To describe and explain political organization (correct)
  • To promote political campaigns
  • To analyze the legitimacy of government decisions

    • Which method involves comparing cases that are different on many factors but share an outcome?

    <p>Method of Agreement (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is emphasized in the broad concept of government?

    <p>The body of institutions making political decisions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic defines a state?

    <p>Sovereignty over individuals and organizations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes politics?

    <p>A process of making collective authoritative decisions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect of political action focuses on efforts to gain office or influence?

    <p>Acquiring power (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect characterizes a failed state?

    <p>It cannot provide public services and lacks authority. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly defines sovereignty?

    <p>The highest power to make and enforce laws. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes dual federalism from cooperative federalism?

    <p>Cooperative federalism features independent functional responsibilities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which principle suggests that decisions should be made by the lowest feasible level of government?

    <p>Subsidiarity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of a confederation?

    <p>Power predominantly lies with member states. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes a state that functions like a state but lacks international recognition?

    <p>De facto state (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by multi-level governance?

    <p>A framework exploring the relationships among different administrative levels. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'unitary system' refer to?

    <p>A system where sovereignty rests solely with the national government. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Government

    Institutions that enforce laws and maintain order with legitimate authority.

    Narrow concept of government

    Refers to the executive branch, like Prime Minister or President.

    Broad concept of government

    Includes all institutions making and implementing political decisions.

    Power to

    The ability to achieve one’s goals through government actions.

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    Power over

    The ability to influence or constrain others' behavior.

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    Politics

    The process of making collective authoritative decisions.

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    Comparative Politics

    Subfield analyzing political structures and processes across systems.

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    Method of Agreement

    Comparing different cases with the same outcome to find causes.

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    Territory

    The physical space of a state, including land and borders.

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    Sovereignty

    The highest power to make and enforce laws within a state, including internal and external aspects.

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    Legitimacy

    The accepted right to use power by those who are governed.

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    Failed State

    A state that has lost control over its territory and can't provide services or interact internationally.

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    Federal System

    A system where sovereignty is shared between national and sub-national governments with independent powers.

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    Dual Federalism

    A system where national and local governments operate independently with separate responsibilities.

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    Cooperative Federalism

    A system where different levels of government work together, making responsibilities unclear.

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    Subsidiarity

    The principle that decisions should be made at the lowest effective level of government.

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    Study Notes

    Government

    • Government institutions hold the "monopoly" on legitimate physical force, meaning they enforce laws and maintain order. This legitimacy must be accepted by the people they govern.
    • Narrow concept: The executive branch (e.g., prime minister, president).
    • Broad concept: All institutions involved in making and enacting political decisions.
    • Power to: The ability to achieve one's goals (outcomes).
    • Power over: The ability to influence or control the actions of others.
    • Politics involves making authoritative collective decisions regarding government actions and citizen relationships.
      • Exercising power: Using authority to enforce decisions and control resources.
      • Acquiring power: Efforts to gain political office or influence.
      • Influencing decision-making: Actions taken to impact the decisions of political actors.

    Comparative Politics

    • A subfield of political science that compares similarities and differences in political structures and processes across various systems.
    • Goals include describing, explaining, and predicting these similarities and differences.

    Comparative Method

    • Method of Agreement (Most Different Systems Design [MDSD]): Comparing cases with different factors but similar outcomes to isolate the causative factor.
    • Method of Difference (Most Similar Systems Design [MSSD]): Comparing similar cases with different outcomes to isolate the causative factor.

    State

    • A political entity with authority over individuals and other organizations within a defined territory.
    • Key features: territory, people, and sovereignty (the supreme power to make and enforce laws).
    • Territory includes land and borders.
    • People are citizens and residents with shared connections.
    • State sovereignty is the ultimate power within the state to enforce laws.

    Sovereignty

    • The absolute and supreme power of the state.
    • The state has a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force.
    • Legitimacy is the acceptance of the state's right to use force by the governed.
    • A failed state loses control of its territory, cannot provide public services, and has difficulties interacting with other states.

    Types of States

    • Unitary system: Sovereignty is held by the national government with regional/local governments subordinate.
    • Federal system: Sovereignty is shared between national and smaller levels (e.g., states).
      • Dual Federalism: Separate responsibilities for each level of government.
      • Cooperative Federalism: Intertwined levels of responsibility making it hard to determine decision-making authority.
    • Subsidiarity: Decisions handled at the lowest feasible government level.
    • Federation: Power divided between central and lower tiers with constitutionally protected powers.
    • Confederation: A system where member states hold significant power; a weaker central structure.
    • Delegation: Shifting central government tasks to semi-autonomous bodies.
    • Devolution: Central governments transferring decision-making to lower levels.
    • Multi-level Governance (MLG): Examining interactions between different levels of government.

    Regional Government

    • Middle-level government within a unitary system.

    State Formation

    • A process that involves centralization of power and institutional building. Often driven by war or capitalism.

    Stages of State Formation (Rokkan)

    • State formation: Gaining territory and control through force and building institutions.
    • Nation building: Creating a shared identity among a state's population through commonalities like language, culture, and symbols.
    • Mass democracy, creating participation in governing using institutions like political participation and voting.
    • Welfare states developing economic solidarity through public services like social support programs.

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    Comparative Politics Quiz 1 Concepts PDF

    Description

    Explore the fundamental concepts of government institutions and their role in enforcing laws and maintaining order. This quiz delves into the distinction between power to and power over, as well as the intricacies of political decision-making and comparative politics. Test your understanding of how different political structures operate and influence authority.

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