Politics: The process of deciding who gets what, when and how in a society State: An organization with authority over a territory and population Sovereignty: Supreme authority within a territory Legitimacy: Widespread belief that authority is rightful Weber's three types of authority: Traditional, charismatic and legal-rational Power: The ability to get others to do what they otherwise would not Social contract: Idea that government rests on an agreement among the governed Thomas Hobbes: Wrote Leviathan; argued strong rule prevents chaos John Locke: Argued for natural rights to life, liberty and property Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Wrote about the general will and popular sovereignty Montesquieu: Advocated separation of powers Democracy: Government by the people, directly or through representatives Direct democracy: Citizens decide issues themselves Representative democracy: Citizens elect officials to decide for them Autocracy: Rule by one person with unlimited power Oligarchy: Rule by a small group Monarchy: Rule by a king or queen Constitutional monarchy: A monarch whose powers are limited by a constitution Totalitarianism: A government seeking total control of public and private life Authoritarianism: Strong central power with limited political freedom Theocracy: Government ruled by religious authorities Liberalism: Ideology stressing individual liberty and limited government Conservatism: Ideology valuing tradition and gradual change Socialism: Ideology favoring collective or public ownership Communism: Ideology of classless society with common ownership Fascism: Ultranationalist, authoritarian ideology Anarchism: Opposition to all forms of government Libertarianism: Ideology maximizing individual freedom and minimizing the state Nationalism: Devotion to one's nation and its interests Capitalism: Economic system with private ownership and markets Parliamentary system: Executive is chosen by and accountable to the legislature Presidential system: Executive is elected separately from the legislature Semi-presidential system: Shares power between a president and a prime minister Unitary state: Power concentrated in a central government Federal system: Power divided between national and regional governments Confederation: A loose league of independent states Bicameral legislature: A legislature with two chambers Proportional representation: Seats awarded in proportion to votes Plurality system: The candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority Majority system: Winner needs more than half of votes Duverger's law: Plurality systems tend toward two parties Coalition government: Several parties share power Vote of no confidence: Legislature's vote to remove a government Political party: Group that organizes to win elections Interest group: Organization seeking to influence policy Civil society: Voluntary associations outside government and business Political culture: Shared attitudes about politics Political socialization: How people acquire political beliefs Civil liberties: Freedoms protected from government interference Civil rights: Guarantees of equal treatment Rule of law: Everyone, including officials, is subject to the law Judicial independence: Courts free from political pressure Constitutionalism: Government limited by a constitution Bureaucracy: Appointed officials carrying out policy Patronage: Rewarding supporters with jobs or favors Corruption: Misuse of public office for private gain Clientelism: Exchanging benefits for political support Public policy: Government decisions and actions on public problems Public good: A good available to all, like national defense Collective action problem: Individuals benefit from a shared effort without contributing Rational choice theory: People act to maximize their own benefit Median voter theorem: Parties move toward the center to win the median voter Realism: International relations theory: states seek power in an anarchic world Liberalism in IR: Cooperation and institutions can produce peace Constructivism: Ideas and identities shape international politics Anarchic international system: No higher authority above states Balance of power: States counter strong rivals to prevent domination Hegemony: Dominance of one state over others Soft power: Influence through attraction and culture, not force Hard power: Influence through military or economic force Deterrence: Preventing attack by threatening retaliation Security dilemma: One state's defense measures make others feel less secure Collective security: States agree to respond together to aggression Alliance: Formal agreement for mutual support Treaty: Binding agreement between states Sanctions: Penalties used to pressure a country International organization: Group of states or bodies cooperating, such as the UN Nongovernmental organization: Private group working on public issues across borders Human rights: Rights belonging to all people Globalization: Increasing connection of economies, cultures and politics Diplomacy: Managing relations between states by negotiation Foreign aid: Assistance given by one country to another Revolution: Fundamental change of a political system, often rapid Coup: Sudden seizure of power by a small group Failed state: A state unable to provide basic order and services Democratization: Process of becoming more democratic Political efficacy: Belief that one's participation matters Turnout: Share of eligible citizens who vote Gerrymandering: Drawing district lines to benefit a party or group Referendum: Direct popular vote on a question Initiative: Citizens propose laws by petition Recall: Voters remove an official before the term ends Federalism and subsidiarity: Decisions made at the lowest level able to handle them Comparative politics: Comparing political systems across countries Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/tp-political-science