Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
83 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Power
|
the ability to get something done; getting what you want despite what someone else wants
|
|
|
Political Science
|
the study of human behavior in a politcal context; the study of power and regulating conflict; 4 parts: political theory, comparative politics, American government and politics, international relations
|
|
|
Politics
|
consists of combined actions of individuals, governments and or groups, aimed at getting what they want accomplished, when those actions have public consequences. The study of who gets what, when and how (Lasswell). The study of elites who already have most of what there is to get, getting resources and values over time in a consistent, predictable manner by the exercise of power.
|
|
|
Government
|
the creation of the institutions or structures to provide the security that people continually need; the result of a groups need to institutionalize, or make permanent, its power. The institution in society that makes binding decisions on the people living within a defined geographic boundary
|
|
|
Public Policy
|
outcomes of government decision making ex. Laws; binding means everyone must follow these rules inside the geographic boundary, and there is penalties for breaking the laws
|
|
|
Normative Theories
|
asserts a value position, ethical position or a personal preference; traditional approach uses philosophical writings; political institutions or history= interpretive approach= qualitative analysis and statements cannot be proved by scientific variation; of or pertaining to a norm
|
|
|
Empirical Theories
|
statements capable of scientific verification; quantitative analysis; focuses better on behavior of political actors or institutions; uses scientific method= based on observable facts, derived from experience or experiment
|
|
|
Democratic Theory
|
five key concepts: 1) popular participation in decision-making 2) majority rule 3) protection of minority rights 4) commitment to individual liberties 5) equality of opportunity
|
|
|
Indirect Democracy
|
representative government where voters determine policy by virtue of leaders they elect
|
|
|
Elite Theory
|
The elite occupy key positions in government, military and corporations ultimately making key decisions for the nation. Elite share similar upbringings and goals= amass private property. They have the liberty to amass more and more private property, regardless of how much property anyone else has, and the government will stay out of their way.
|
|
|
Elite Values
|
1) sanctity of private property 2) commitment to individual liberty 3) limited government
|
|
|
Pyramid Theory
|
deals with elite theory; Top: political directorates, corporate rich and warlords. Middle: interests group leaders, legislators, local opinion leaders (media). Bottom: unorganized, exploited masses
|
|
|
Limited Government
|
is a government structure where any more than minimal governmental intervention in personal liberties and the economy are prohibited by law
|
|
|
Pluralist Theory
|
organized groups compete for power and influence in America and the competition preserves democracy (no one group dominates, each group competes for power in its sphere of control); decisions made through combination of bargaining, accommodating and compromising; allows individuals with the same opinion to come together to produce louder voice; critics say- nothing more than a government of, by and for special interests; contributor- Robert Dahl
|
|
|
Human Nature
|
needs such as food, clean water, etc, causes people to be motivated because people behave in a way that satisfies needs; consciousness and perceptions are based on peoples beliefs and values and causes people to define situations differently; natural needs inherent to human beings as biological organisms
|
|
|
Robert Dahl
|
Power: getting what you want despite what someone else wants
|
|
|
Harold Lasswell
|
Politics: the study of who get what, when and how.
What: Scarce resources and values When: over time How: by the exercise of power Who: elites |
|
|
Anarchy
|
a state of society without government or law, kaos
|
|
|
Authority
|
Legitimate power; the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine
|
|
|
Political System
|
Those parts of the social system that have the ability to take authoritative or binding decisions for a territory
|
|
|
Republic
|
a form of government where political decisions are made by elected representatives
|
|
|
Capitalism
|
Private ownership of the means of productions and the organization of production for profit
|
|
|
Collective Action
|
is the pursuit of a goal or set of goals by more than one person.
|
|
|
Enemy Combatant
|
referred to members of the armed forces of the state with which another state is at war
|
|
|
Sovereignty
|
having supreme rank, power, or authority; supreme and independent power or authority in government as possessed or claimed by a state or community (royalty)
|
|
|
Political Capital
|
is primarily based on public figure's favorable image among the populace and among other important personalities in or out of the government. A politician gains "this" by virtue of their position, and also by pursuing popular policies, achieving success with their initiatives, performing favors for other politicians, etc
|
|
|
Realist views of politics
|
encompasses a variety of theories and approaches, all of which share a belief that states are primarily motivated by the desire for military and economic power or security, rather than ideals or ethics.
|
|
|
Communism
|
An economic structure that promotes the establishment of a classless, stateless society based on common ownership of the means of production. The idea of a free society with no division or alienation, where humanity is free from oppression and scarcity; this society would have no governments or countries and no class divisions.
|
|
|
Conservatives
|
A term used to describe political philosophies that favor tradition and gradual change, where tradition refers to religious, cultural, or nationally defined beliefs and customs.
|
|
|
Proletariats
|
is a term used to identify a lower social class
|
|
|
Geneva Conventions
|
After WW2 rules for war for countries. Cant torture POW’s, must feed them, rules of interrogation and can’t kill civilians.
|
|
|
Geopolitics
|
The study that analyzes geography, history and social science with reference to spatial politics and patterns at various scales (ranging from the level of the state to international). It examines the political, economic (and strategic significance of geography, where geography is defined in terms of the location, size, function, and relationships of places and resources.
|
|
|
Hegemony
|
A concept that has been used to describe the existence of dominance of one social group over another, such that the ruling group; acquires some degree of consent from the subordinate, inferior groups, as opposed to dominance purely by force
|
|
|
Ideology
|
An organized collection of ideas; "science of ideas”; Can be thought of as a comprehensive vision, as a way of looking at things
|
|
|
International law
|
The term commonly used for referring to the system of implicit and explicit agreements that binds together nation-states in adherence to recognized values and standards, differing from other legal systems in that it concerns nations rather than private citizens.
|
|
|
Liberals
|
The ideas and theories of government that consider individual liberty to be the most important political goal, including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy, and a transparent system of government
|
|
|
Multilateralism
|
A term in international relations that refers to multiple countries working in concert on a given issue. Occurred in the nineteenth century in Europe after the end of the Napoleonic Wars where the great powers met to redraw the map of Europe at the Congress of Vienna
|
|
|
Nationalism
|
A term referring to doctrine or political movement that holds that a nation, has the right to constitute an independent or autonomous political community based on a shared history and common destiny. Believe the borders of the state should be congruent with the borders of the nation.
|
|
|
Political Islam
|
A movement that holds that Islam should have a prominent role in governing the affairs of government.
|
|
|
Political Socialization
|
A concept concerning the “study of the developmental processes by which children and adolescents acquire political cognition, attitudes and behaviors; the learning process by which people acquire their political beliefs and values.
|
|
|
Rule of Law
|
1. Government decisions are made according to written law and rules 2. Government sanctions cannot be made up after the fact (ex post facto) 3. Courts provide citizens consistent written process (due process) before life, liberty, or property is taken
|
|
|
Signing Statements
|
A written pronouncement issued by the President of the United States upon the signing of a bill into law.
|
|
|
Torture
|
The intentional infliction of pain or suffering to a degree that is deemed unacceptable in a particular political or legal context.
|
|
|
Unilateralism
|
Any doctrine or agenda that supports one-sided action
|
|
|
Bush Doctrine
|
a phrase used to describe various related foreign policy principles of United States president George W. Bush, created in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The phrase initially described the policy that the United States had the right to treat countries that harbor or give aid to terrorist groups as terrorists themselves. United States should depose foreign regimes that represented a threat to the security of the United States, even if that threat was not immediate
|
|
|
Containment
|
A foreign policy strategy of the United States in the early years of the Cold War. Its policy was to stop what is called the domino effect of nations moving politically towards Soviet Union-based communism, rather than European-American-based capitalism.
|
|
|
Pre-emptive War
|
is waged in an attempt to repel or defeat a perceived inevitable offensive or invasion, or to gain a strategic advantage in an impending (allegedly unavoidable) war. While the latter is generally considered to violate international law, and to fall short of the requirements of a just war, often they are
|
|
|
United Nations
|
an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues; was founded in 1945 to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between nations and to provide a platform for dialogue.
|
|
|
War in Iraq
|
began on March 20, 2003. Two main rationales for the invasion were offered by U.S. President George W. Bush and coalition supporters: the allegation that Iraq was actively supporting and working with al-Qaeda, and that it possessed and was actively developing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in violation of a 1991 agreement.
|
|
|
War on Terrorism
|
the objectives are to counter terrorist threats, prevent terrorist acts and curb the influence of terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda. Both the term and the policies it denotes have been a source of ongoing controversy, as critics argue it has been used to justify unilateral preemptive war, human rights abuses and other violations of international law.
|
|
|
Ex-Post Facto
|
Gonvernment sanctions cannot be made up after the fact
|
|
|
Due Process
|
Courts provide citizens consistent written process before life, liberty, or property is taken
|
|
|
Participatory Democracy
|
A form of democracy in which individuals who are to be affected by a decision make the decision collectively.
|
|
|
Philosopher’s common theme
|
The constitution of a good, just and stable society requires the guidance of certain fundamental political principles
|
|
|
Origins of Democracy
|
Historical trends in European societies that lead to the emergence of the modern liberal democratic state.
|
|
|
First recognizing of Democracy
|
Ancient Greeks, Polis- city states, Golden age of Athens 5th BC. Plato, Aristotle.
|
|
|
Second recognizing of Democracy
|
Roman Empire, Republic was formed 200BC.
|
|
|
Market Economy
|
An economy that operates by voluntary exchange in a free market and is not planned or controlled by a central authority; a capitalistic economy.
|
|
|
Core Idea of Liberalism
|
The power and authority of government exist for the sake of the interests of the individuals governed.
|
|
|
Liberal Democracy
|
Stress rights and liberty of the individual; Rule by the people; Protection of individual rights and liberties; Majority rule must be limited; Protection of minority rights
|
|
|
Social Democracy
|
Equality is key; equal power between society and government; Wealthy have power over poor; Call for redistribution of wealth to promote equality; claim not democracy, democracy is rule of people
|
|
|
People’s Democracy
|
Communism, closer to original Greek democracy; Common people are working class; no democracy until gov rules in their interest; gov serves the interests of the working class
|
|
|
"Consent of the Governed"
|
political theory stating that a government's legitimacy and moral right to use state power are, or ought to be, derived from the people or society over which that power is exercised. This theory of consent is historically contrasted to the divine right of kings and has often been invoked against the legitimacy of colonialism.
|
|
|
Constitutional Federal Republic
|
a state where the head of state and other officials are elected as representatives of the people, and must govern according to existing constitutional law that limits the government's power over citizens; an executive, legislative, and judicial powers are separated into distinct branches and the will of the majority of the population is tempered by protections for individual rights so that no individual or group has absolute power.
|
|
|
Separation of Powers
|
the state is divided into branches or estates, and each estate of the state has separate and independent powers and areas of responsibility. The normal division of estates is into the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial.
|
|
|
Parliamentary System
|
the executive branch is very dependent; There is no clear-cut separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, leading to a differing set of checks and balances. They usually have a clear differentiation between the head of government and the head of state, with the head of government being the prime minister or premier, and the head of state often being an elected president or hereditary monarch; the prime minister and cabinet will exercise executive power on a day-to-day basis, actual authority will usually be bestowed in the head of state, giving them many codified reserve powers, providing some balance to these systems; Its easier to pass legislation; the main criticism is that the head of state is directly elected by the legislature
|
|
|
“Tyranny of the Majority”
|
a criticism of the scenario in which decisions made by a majority are so far away from the minorities that they are not even taken into account or considered
|
|
|
Presidential system
|
a system of government where an executive branch exists and presides (hence the term) separately from the legislature. The president does not propose bills but can veto them.
|
|
|
Winner Take-All
|
United States uses this system where votes going to a losing candidate are wasted, even if that candidate garners 49.9% of the vote.
|
|
|
Unitary System
|
marked by the embodiment of all governmental authority in a single, central government
|
|
|
Proportional Representation
|
representatives are elected from multi-seat districts in proportion to the number of votes received; that political parties or candidates will have the percent of legislative seats that reflects their public support.
|
|
|
Two-Party System
|
a form of party system where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections. As a result, all, or nearly all, elected offices end up being held by candidates endorsed by one of the two major parties
|
|
|
Multi-Party System
|
a system in which three or more political parties have the capacity to gain control of government separately or in coalition
|
|
|
Reformation
|
16th Century, Split begins within Christianity. Catholic supremacy is challenged and Protestant religions begin to take shape.
|
|
|
Natural Rights
|
Life Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness
|
|
|
Enlightenment
|
18th Century, shift in intellectual thinking in Western Europe. Progress is now defined as a human accomplishment making the world better geared to serve humans. Became more critical of existing society and hostile to religion viewing it as holding them back.
|
|
|
Traditional Rights
|
Life Liberty and pursuit of property
|
|
|
Goal of Government
|
Protect natural rights
|
|
|
Popular sovereignty
|
the belief that the legitimacy of the state is created by the will or consent of its people, who are the source of all political power. It is closely associated to the social contract philosophers, among whom are Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
|
|
|
Executive Branch
|
is the branch of government responsible for the day-to-day management of the state. contains the head of government, who is the head of this branch. Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, they ENFORE THE LAWS
|
|
|
Judicial Branch
|
Courts and judges; There are three separate court levels in this branch, District Courts, Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. The Constitution created the Supreme Court and gave the power of establishing other courts to the Congress. INTERPRET THE LAWS
|
|
|
Legislature
|
Congress, is a type of representative deliberative assembly with the power to create, amend and ratify laws. Is equal to, and independent of, the executive. Has the authority to raise taxes and adopt the budget and other money bills
|
|
|
Unitary System
|
marked by the embodiment of all governmental authority in a single, central government
|
