Politics PDF

POLITICS THEME 1: Government and politics Governance The process by which decisions, laws and policies are made, with or without the input of formal institutions. Power The capacity to bring about intended e9ects. The term is often used as a synonym for influence but is also used more narrowly to re...

POLITICS THEME 1: Government and politics Governance The process by which decisions, laws and policies are made, with or without the input of formal institutions. Power The capacity to bring about intended e9ects. The term is often used as a synonym for influence but is also used more narrowly to refer to more forceful modes of influence notably, getting one’s way by threats. Authority The right to rule. Authority creates its own power, so long as people accept that the person in authority has the right to make decisions. Legitimacy The condition of being legitimate. A legitimate system of government is one based on authority, and those subject to its rule recognize its right to make decisions. THEME 2: States and nations State The legal and political authority of a territory containing a population and marked by borders. Nation A cultural and historical concept describing a group of people who identify with one another on the basis of a shared history, culture, language or myths. Microstates States that are small in either population and/ or territory. Examples include Andorra, Barbados, Palau and the Maldives. Quasi-states States that exist and are recognized under international law but whose governments control little of the territory under their jurisdiction. De facto states States that are not recognized under international law even though they control territory and provide governance. They exist in fact (de facto) rather than under law (de jure). Multinational state A state consisting of multiple di9erent national groups under a single government. Nationalism The belief that a group of people with a common national identity (usually marked by a shared culture and history) has the right to form an independent state and to govern itself free of external intervention. Security state A state that makes e9orts to follow the activities of its citizens through such means as closed-circuit television and the monitoring of phone calls and internet use. Failing state, A state with weak governing institutions, often deep internal divisions, and where the basic needs of people are no longer met. Examples include Eritrea, Haiti, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. THEME 3: Democratic Rule Democracy A political regime in which government is based on a fair and open mandate from all qualified citizens of a community. Polyarchy Rule by many (rather than rule by all), suggesting that not everyone has an equal role to play in what we normally think of as a democracy. Direct democracy A system of government in which all members of the community take part in making the decisions that a9ect that community. Full democracy A political regime with a strong record on democracy, as reflected in the openness and e9iciency of government and the protection of rights. Flawed democracy A political regime that is mainly democratic but that has problems in the quality of governance. Waves of democratization Democratization The process by which societies build the institutions and processes needed to become democracies. Authoritarian regime A political regime based on submission to the authority of ruling elites, limited political pluralism, centralized political control, intolerance of opposition and human rights abuses. Hybrid regime A political regime that has some of the appearances of being democratic, but whose institutions, processes, laws and policies are manipulated to keep rulers or elite groups in power. Forms of democratic rule Representative democracy An indirect form of government in which members of a community elect people to represent their interests and to make decisions a9ecting the community. Liberal democracy A form of indirect democracy that combines representation with the constitutional protection of individual rights. Limited government A belief that guarantees must be made for citizens by placing limits on the powers and reach of government. Liberalism A belief in the supreme value of the individual, whose natural rights exist independently of government and who must be protected from too much government. Checks and balances An arrangement in which government institutions are given powers that counterbalance one another, obliging them to work together in order to govern and make decisions. Illiberal democracy A political regime in which governments are democratically elected but then work to weaken citizen rights and civil liberties. THEME 4 (I) : Constitution and Courts Constitution A document or a set of documents that outlines the powers, institutions and structure of government, as well as expressing the rights of citizens and the limits on government. Codified constitution One that is set out in a single, self-contained document. Uncodified constitution One that is spread among several documents. Flexible constitution One that can be amended more easily, often in the same way that ordinary legislation is passed. Rigid constitution One that is entrenched, requiring more demanding amendment procedures Eternity clause An element of a constitution that is considered inalienable and that cannot be amended or removed.