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Political science > Test 1 > Flashcards

Test 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is political science?

A

scientific study of politics which are the activities of power closely related to the state & its structure of government

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2
Q

Define politics

A

Activity related to influencing making or implementing collective decisions for a political community including all relationships that involve power

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3
Q

Why engage in politics?

A

As an end, as a means to an end, to shape political agenda

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4
Q

How do ppl engage in politics?

A

Voting, running for office, protesting, joining parties

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5
Q

Define the scientific method.

A

analysis of similarities and differences in the politics of countries by evaluating policies. Gather relevant facts to obtain theories to then develop policies to solve future problems

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6
Q

Define traditionalism and behaviouralism

A

Trad.: before ww2. reliance on facts only and focus on state as unit
Behaviouralism: after ww2, become more scientific and adds theory to seek patterns and create policies. focus on pol. system as unit.

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7
Q

What are the limitations of the scientific method?

A

Unpredictable external and human factors make accurate predictions difficult
Human biases affect objectivity

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8
Q

Discuss 5 fields of specialization in pol. sci.

A 
National pol. systems
Comparative political systems,
international relations
political theory
public administration
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9
Q

Emphasize the field of comparative politics

A

Legislature of Can.: parliament
Legislature of US: Congress
Legislature of France: Nat. assembly
Legislature of germany: bundestag, bundesrat
Pol executive: Can (PM and Cabinet), Usa (pres and cabinet), genrmany (chancelor and cabinet) france (premier president and cabinet
parties: canada (liberals, conservatives), usa (republicans and democrats), france (democratic movement, national front), germany (christian democrats, social democrats)

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10
Q

Reasons to compare political systems?

A

so we can better understand our system and of globalization

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11
Q

Define the concept of state

A

It is an organized government with juristiction over population on a territory. it has sovereingty. Provides law, order and security and are involved in business activities as well as the lives of citizens

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12
Q

Define population and territory.

A

The size of these is irrelevant because independant states have equal rights but in practice a state with a small population and territory only exists because bigger neighbours permit it for economic reasons

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13
Q

What is the definition of sovereignty?

A

Principle that states are the highest authority for their population and territory and are not subject to external authority. has internal supremacy of a country’s government that claims to be the highest authority on its territory and external independance. A

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14
Q

Define government

A

A set of institutions that makes decisions and oversees their implementation on behalf of the state for a particular period of time gov has 2 meanings (regime rules and pol. authority players). It refers to the agent and machinery of the state, narrower

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15
Q

Define state

A

This is the country and constitutes a continuing and virtually permanent entity that has existed for centuries. they can break appart through a civil war which is the most extreme challenge and involves the possible disintegration of a state

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16
Q

What is a regime?

A

It is a country’s constitutional law and basic institutions and processes for governing. it may be changed many times ex: canada existssince 1867 with major changes in 1982, france has had 15 new constitutions since 1789. The most violent challenge is a revolution that can change the constitution and way of governing or even an externally imposed regime

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17
Q

What are political authorities?

A

The present leaders which change more times than regimes. the most extreme challenge is a coup d’état involving a quick and illegal seizure of power by the military ex: chile us orchestrated removal of salvador allende by pinochet, haiti aristide removed by coup

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18
Q

What is governance?

A

Although it is often seen as unified, a state has multiple institutions that do not necessarly work cooperatively to pursuit a common goal so it is the broader collaboration of state and non state organization.

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19
Q

How can sovereignty be challenged?

A

It may be challenged by international intervention since there is a collective responsability to pretect the citizens that are in danger

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20
Q

What are challenges to sovereingty?

A

failed states, control of some of a states territory is uncertain, stronger state interventionsism

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21
Q

What are failed states?

A

Governments are unable to enforce laws, provide services, protect lives and maintain order. There is no effective authority because of corruption, civil war, violence or economic trouble. They have common indicators such as weak and ineffective governing, no public services, high corruotion and criminality, sharp economic decline and refugees. ex: yemen

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22
Q

Explain the control of a state’s territory may be contested or with uncertain future?

A

Ex: israel with palestine that occupies territories captured in past wars, pakistan and india over kashmir

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23
Q

Examples of stronger states interventionism?

A

Us interventionism: vietnam war, caribeean failed attempts at overthrowing gov., haiti, grenada
Coallition of countries: afganistan us can uk ally to dismantle al qaeda and remove taliban regime to create democratic state. Iraq invasion by us and uk bc they claimed saddam hussein was developping a weapon of mass destruction

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24
Q

What is a nation state?

A

A sovereign state based on people on a ountry who share a sense of common identity. This idea is instigated by french revolution. Nations have the right to self determination so they can determine their own political systems. More likely to be democratic

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25
Q

What is a nation?

A

A group of people who have a sense of common identity and believe they should be self governing in their homeland. They usually share values, ethnicity or language. They have the 1st 3 requirements but miss sovereignty. A nation that is sovereign is a nation state.

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26
Q

What are national identities?

A

The growth of national economies, capitalist system and industrial revolution have contributed to weaken local communities to create larger identities. Gov. have often made efforts to replace local dialects to promote national identities. Nation states have only one.

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27
Q

What is multiculturalism?

A

Recognizing and respecting group differences and cultural diversities in a country and prividing encouragement and support for retainng their culture and traditions

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28
Q

What is nationalism?

A

The idea that the nation state is the best form of political community and that the nation should have its own self governing state and that the interests of nation state should be promoted. Nationalists seek to limit foreign cultural influences and protect local businesses. Historically, they sought to expand the territories and form new nation states. It was put forward first by the french revolution and napoleon by encouraging ideas of revolution like equality liberty.

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29
Q

Define ethnic nationalism?

A

The basis of the nation state is common ancestry and tradition. effects: harrasment, ethnic cleansing, secession wars. 2 edged sword: conflict with existing states, opportunity for the group to create their own culturally pure state.

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30
Q

What is civic nationalism?

A

The basis are shared political values and history. Often more inclusive and residents are equal citizens. Effects: creates more counties and encouragement of patriotic rituals

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31
Q

Define citizenship.

A

The idea that a country’s permanent residents are full members of the political community with certain rights, are subject to the law and share power in sovereign state. Unless obtained with false pretences or committed a crime against national security, citizenship in dual citizenship can be revoked. Citizens are expected to defend their country in war.

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32
Q

Define globalization?

A

The broadening set of interdependant relationships among people from different countries. The precesses that are making the world interconnected (travel, business). In a way, the integration of global markets is enabling individuals to reach farther faster. The policies adopted can accelerate and slow down this process.

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33
Q

How does globalization challenges the state?

A

The heightened pressure of economic competition has caused countries to remove barriers to international markets reducing the role of government. Globalization is associated with derregulation of industries, privatisation and downsizing of gov and eroding power of the state (it may cause loss of sovereignty). It can lead to a strengthening of national identities since people look for stability in a changing world.

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34
Q

Explain economic globalization

A

There is a development of a global economic system in terms of production, trade and finance. The world trade is growing faster than world gdp fueled by trade barriers, liberalization of markets, advances in information, transportation and techlologies (large amount of money can flow in and out of countries). A lot of countries produce not locally.

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35
Q

Explain cultural globalization

A

The spreading of cultural products and values around the world because of advances in communication that increases the interaction of people and businesses. This causes a clash between globalized consummer culture (west spread) and local diversity that can coexist. It can cause loss of culture, homogenize the world and wipe out small businesses but it can leadto countries specializing and trade by importing other cultural goods.

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36
Q

Explain poilitical globalization.

A

Many contemporary problems cannot be dealt with effectively in just 1 country and require global institutions to take charge. Countries have negociated with them agreements that affect policies. World, regional and ngo have impact. Ex: world bank , un, green peace, eur union

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37
Q

What are the 7 elements of economic globalization?

A

Multinational corps, foreign direct investment, specialization of work, consumption, information and telecommunication technologies, transportation.

38
Q

Explain multinat corps

A

They have industries in developed countries but activities worldwide. Today they are the primary agents of trade mostly withing themselves. Gov try to accomodate them by ammending tax codes, provide subsides for them to install themselves in this country

39
Q

What is foreign direct investment?

A

International movement of money (glob. of investment) with 3 major poles: NY, tokyo, london. Manufacturing jobs are mainly in developing countries and can be through import or export led model.

40
Q

What is specialization of work?

A

Multinat corps locate different fuctions in different countries that are most profitable for that function

41
Q

Explain consumption.

A

Distinctive cultural traits are threatened by a globaluzed consummer culture from developed countries to developing countries.

42
Q

Explain info and telecommunication technologies.

A

There is increased connectivity and instantaneous exchange of digital information that facilitates internation transactions and spreads culture

43
Q

Explain transportation

A

The cost has declined spurring rapid growth of international trade that leads to lower shipping costs.

44
Q

Discuss the benefits of political globalization

A

Creation of organizations that deal with global problems otherwise not adressed promotes human rights, helps poorer countries and international law. Growing prosperity, strenghtening of national identities, poorer countries have opportunity to be specialized and grow their economies by focusing on expanding their range of trade.

45
Q

Discuss costs of political globalization

A

Downsizing of governments, deregulation of industries and privatization of firms, loyalty to the state is weakened because of more identities, small economies dependent on big ones, power shifts to supernational institutions, undermines the ability of a country to act in its best interest and international org. challenge the government’s authority, CHALLENGES SOVEREIGNTY

46
Q

Define purchasing power parity

A

The tool used to evaluate the capacity of a country’s currency to buy the same basket of goods. It takes into account that prices are not all the same and that people get paid less in some countries. It measures the actual output

47
Q

Compare ppp with gdp.

A

The gdp is the monetary value of the total output of goods and services produced in a country in a year and takes exchange rates into account whereas ppp measures the actual output by taking into account prices and pay.
What does the gdp per person calculate?

48
Q

What does the gdp per person calculate?

A

The standard of living in a country.

49
Q

How does china compare to the usa in terms of ppp?

A

Since ppp is measured in us dollars, the same basket of goods will be much cheaper in other countries. China’s currency is worth less and workers get paid less so the same basket is much cheaper than in the usa.

50
Q

Why is the gdp ppp higher in the usa?

A

Because in average workers get paid more in usa.

51
Q

Consequences of china having a larger ppp?

A

If china was to abolish every economical barriers and exploit its larger population to its fiull potential, China might surpass the USA largely in terms of economical performance. This has a consquence that the US might be mad and start conflict between both and move some of its china-located industries to other countries. the prices may be higher.

52
Q

What is HDI?

A

The human development index is an alternate way to measure economic well-being since it adds education and life expectancy to measure the standard of living to determine whether a country is developing or not. They use 3 indicators: life expectancy (health), literacy (education) and standard of living (gdp/person)

53
Q

Explain the oecd better life index.

A

It is the first attempt at comparing people’s lives in developed or emerging countries and mixed or market economies. They focus on the conditions of living based on 11 factors like housing, environment quality ect.

54
Q

State some benefits of globalization

A

Liberalization of markets so freeer trade and investment, increased overall economic efficiency by increasing competition, higher income and living standards because of higher economical growth, more jobs, lower price and better quality products for consummers, technology, efficient resource usage

55
Q

What are some costs of globalization?

A

Ebnvironmental stress (pesticides, deforestation: developed countries put their polluting industries in . developing ones), Economic problems that can spread around the world, lowered ability of government to manage their economies, income inequality, personnal stress (because the creation of superstar system widens the gap and increases income inequality creating more insecurities), outsourcing and offshoring, problems in emerging countries (inadequate nutrition, lack of healthcare and clean water, corruption)

56
Q

What is outsourcing?

A

An effect of globalization that involves buying supplies from a 3rd party a product it used to produce itself (NOT necessarly abroad)

57
Q

What is offshoring?

A

An effect of globalization involving the relocation of a business in another country for serving the home market at lower cost.

58
Q

What are some benefits of offshoring?

A

Economic growth, higher quality jobs in home country and creation of jobs in new country (higher living standards), higher profits and lower costs, higher wealth and efficiency

59
Q

What are some costs of offshoring?

A

Consummers don’t really get lower costs despite cheap labour because the profit goes in the pockets of the company, widens the gap of income inequality between countries, displacement and loss of jobs in home country creating income disparity.

60
Q

Define economic system

A

Refers to the set of structures and procedures that guide a country’s production, distribution and consumption of goods.

61
Q

Describe command economy.

A

A centrally planned economy with government ownership of economic ressources. It owns all land and economic activities and makes economic decisions (group over individual so collectivism). Mostly implemented by violent upheaval. Former command economies became mixed after failure to produce quality product efficiently and incentives for businesses after ussr collapse.

62
Q

Describe mixed economy.

A

Government and private ownership spread evenly. The public owns sector most important to national stability and security. Government provides generous welfare programs. The goal is lower unemployement, reduces poverty and steady economical growth

63
Q

Describe market economy.

A

Mostly private ownership of land and factories. Free enterprise and laissez-faire. Prices rise and fall depending on supply and demand and producers are driven by the profit motive. The government interferes less which implies a decentralized making of decisions

64
Q

What were the classifications of countries before the fall of ussr?

A

1st world: who trade among themselves, 2nd world that trade with 1st world and 3rd world that provide materials and commodities to 1st world

65
Q

Describe the developed countries of the global north

A

High income countries with high living standards, health and education (1b ppl). Competitive industries, service based economies that outsourced activities to low cost countries, urbanized and secularized, efficient capital movement. Most are liberal democracies with stable parliamentary or presidential government (multiparty and distribution of power)
Goal: prosperity and policy choice (central debate with appropriate level of gov. interference)
Effects: Emerging economies have higher growth rates, inequality of prosperity

66
Q

Describe the developing countries of global south

A

Low standard of living, stagnant economy and limited industrialization countries (2b ppl). Low income and high birth rates=constant poverty, lack of adequate food and housing, incomplete infrastructure and unequal distribution of goods, inefficient capital movement and resistance to foreign ownership.àGoal: stability. The leaders know that the surest road to their own wealth is controlling the state so they are reluctant to democratic ideas that would threaten their power. (corruption, bureaucracy difficult to establish)
Effects: gap between rich and poor widens, suffer from political decay since no democracy and institutions are weak, violence leading to wars and revolutions.

67
Q

Describe emerging market countries

A

Former developing countries that have achieved substantial industrialization and economical growth (4,6b ppl) BRIC. Most former ussr countries, accelerating growth in productivity export and per capita income.
Goal: prosperity and stability
Effects: rapidly improving living standards and growing middle class, modernizing financial and political systems, strong average gdp growth exceding developed countries.

68
Q

What is import substitution approach to development?

A

Replacing foreign import with domestic production and consumption. Seeks autarky and self-sufficiency based on mixed economy. The gov. protects domestic products by lowering imports and highering tarifs so foreign firms are forced to establish locally as a goal to diversify the economy and produce more. Short term success: creates new industries and jobs. Long run failure: requires protection so consummers get less choice for less quality and price. India

69
Q

What is export led industrialization

A

Gov and industries work together to develop export industries based on mixed or market. The gov. provides incentives to firms to form partnerships with local ones to develop them and leave profit to the country. Currency and labour wages stay low. Asian model since it works best there with their values of cooperativism and hard work.

70
Q

What is power?

A

The ability to FORCE another to act in some way he would’ve not otherwise WITH direct or implied sanctions. 4 types: coercion (fear or threts), inducement (reward or bribe), persuasion (truth to encourage or manipulate), leadership (convince to follow example). Not only domination, it can be bargaining and be exercised through the co ntrol of the political agenda because it shapes the dominant ideas of society. (usa asking can)

71
Q

Define influence

A

Capacity to PERSUADE someone to act in some way he would not have otherwithe WITHOUT direct or implied sanctions (can asking usa)

72
Q

What is authority?

A

Willingness of ppl to accept the ruler’s right to rule and exercise power irrespective of sanctions. The right to exert power accepted by those being governed as legitimate.

73
Q

What is legitimacy?

A

Acceptance of those governed that those in position of power have the right to govern. The more authority, the more legitimate he is and less raw power.

74
Q

What are 3 key sources of authority?

A 
Traditional (citizens obey out of custom ex: hereditary power)
Charistmatic (obey because of exceptional personnal and heroic characteristics. when the leader is gone, the regime is threatened with a problem of succession)
Legal rational (state depends on citizens obeying official s that fill rationally created positions based on legal rules rather than characteristics Obey the structure rather that person)
75
Q

Define political system

A

Persistent and patterned interaction of the formal institutions of government at the center and other institutions of society.

76
Q

Define Anarchy

A

Only during transitionnal periods of civil wars, based on proudhon 19th cent.

77
Q

Define pluralism

A

PURPOSE: seeks to maintain balance between individual rights and state authority
DIFFUSION of power: moderate
WHO GETS POWER?: distributed amond many independent power structures with various degrees of power. Mostly equal private and public sector that are further subdivided.
POLITICAL parties and leadership: More that 1 party that compete freely for elections in periodic ellection with secret ballot
JUDICIARY: free and independent
FREEDOMS: total freedoms
RULE OF LAW: applicable

78
Q

Define autoritarianism

A

PURPOSE: seeks to promote state’s authority as a means of social stability
DIFFUSION of power:: Restricted
WHO GETS POWER?: most is concentrated with a small elite or single party but social economic power mostly spread out
POLITICAL parties and leadership: monarchies (1 person has unlimited power so no party) institutional dict. (controlled by 1 party and others can’t win, rule by a few) Theocracy (run by religious elites in the name of god) There is licenced opposition (parties with seats but without power which discourages ppl to oppose party and gives a false democratic image. Legislature to neutralize threats to regime, elections to look more legitimate and connect with voters
JUDICIARY: subject to significant gov. control punishing decisions that contradict the regime
FREEDOMS: few and restricted because of strict censorship of liberties of those outside the ruling circle
RULE OF LAW: none, police suppress opponents to gov.

79
Q

Define totalitarianism

A

PURPOSE: seeks to promote the state’s authority as a means of remaking society
DIFFUSION of power: none
WHO GETS POWER?: all power concentrated in 1 leader or party in all spheres
POLITICAL parties and leadership: a leader supported by 1 party. All former bonds are destroyed and replaced by faith in the state
JUDICIARY: total gov. control
FREEDOMS: none
RULE OF LAW: none

80
Q

Define democracy

A

(rule by the people) A moral yardstick against which political systems are measured even though the ideal of all adults have an equal voice in political decisions doesn’t exist. Governance by the leaders based on a limited mandate from elections with genuine choices with political opposition. There can be a democratic deficit if citizens are unhappy with their representatives not following what they want so there is a decline in voter turnout.

81
Q

What are concepts of democracy?

A

Pluralism (Centers of powers independent from gov. and can compete for power and influence decisions), rule of law (all are subject to same law and courts), accountability (gov. held accountable for its actions with media, opposition and citizens that can reelect gov.), transparency (gov. makes all rules and decisions accessible to be held accountable and avoid corruption and understandable to citizens except from info that needs to be kept secret for security), population participation (public participates to free and fair elections so the gov. acts accordingly and not in its own interest) and gov. responsiveness (free elections and polling to be responsive to electorate)

82
Q

Compare direct and representative democracy.

A

Direct: active citizen participation without representatives. Impractical in large societies
Representative: citizens elect ppl to the legislature to make decisions on their behalf. They are independent to act in the citizens interest or not so there is NO guarantee that libertie will be respected

83
Q

Compare democracy and non democracy

A

Democracy: contains rule of law pluralism, transparency, accountability, public participation and gov. responsiveness

84
Q

Compare liberal and illiberal

A

Liberal: combines ideas of liberalism with substantial individual liberties. Representatives advocate for liberal ideas and is based on civil society
Illiberal: no individual freedoms (a range)

85
Q

What is plebiscitary?

A

Citizens have greater control over collective decisions. It advocates for populism so the decisions are more in the hands of citizens using devices like referendums (opportunity to vote on an issue), initiatives (right to have a sizable number of signature on a petition to propose or change a law), recall elections (allow citizens to move ppl from office). The problem is that citizens are affected by ads and not prepared for decisions

86
Q

What is deliberative democracy?

A

Decisions are made by discussions by citizens rather than voting or representatives

87
Q

Has political science been successful at arriving in a theory to explain?

A

No, they have not been able to explain how and why and are stuck at the facts section focusing on classification of data. The result is that scientists have developed approaches to classify rather that explain

88
Q

What is a political system, culture and environment?

A

Sytem: patterned interactions of formal institutions of government at the center and other institutions of society.
Culture: buffer zone refering to a country’s political heritage and psychology. (what citizens know feel or think about politics)
Environment: everything else like physical matter

89
Q

What is structure and function?

A

Function: certain jobs and tasks that must be done in any political system to survive, their nature never varies in time nor space. The same function of rule making performed at all times
Structure:various political institutions that perform the function, they vary over time (france before 1789 monarchy and after republics) and space (canada parliament vs usa congress)

90
Q

Define the input output system

A

Step 1: input (demands of what ppl want, support of what ppl think positively, apathy or indifference)
Step 2: processing and converting in gov. at legislature
Step 3: output (decisions and actions like laws and policies)
feedback

91
Q

Define structural analysis

A

Step 1: input (interest articulation and interest aggregation)
Step 2: processing and converting
Step 3: output (rule making, rule implementation, rule adjudication)
feedback and political socialization

92
Q

Define the 6 aspects of structural analysis

A

Interest articulation: pop. expressing their desires
Interest aggregation: bringing as many ppl as possible in seek of gov. power (parties)
Rule making (legislature and executive)
Rule implementing (executive)
Rule adjudication (judiciary)
Political socialization: process of political education creating citizens whereby political culture is transmitted and acquired from generation to generation through family, education and religious institutions and media

Political science (2 decks)

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