Flashcards

Question 1

Define Political Theory.

Answer 1

The study of political ideas, normative concepts, and ideologies.

Question 2

Describe Comparative Politics.

Answer 2

The study of political institutions and processes within states and different political systems.

Question 3

What is the focus of International Relations?

Answer 3

The study of the relationship between states.

Question 4

Explain Normative Analysis.

Answer 4

The examination of good vs. bad; what is good and right.

Question 5

How does Semantic Analysis function?

Answer 5

It involves analyzing the meaning of words and concepts, such as democracy.

Question 6

What does Empirical Analysis entail?

Answer 6

It is based on facts and observations, focusing on evidence.

Question 7

Describe the Deductive Approach.

Answer 7

It starts with a hypothesis and attempts to confirm or deny it.

Question 8

What is the Inductive Approach?

Answer 8

It involves gathering data to find a hypothesis, applicable only to quantifiable topics.

Question 9

Define Polity.

Answer 9

A social body or form that provides order, such as a constitution, law, state, or organizations.

Question 10

What is Politics?

Answer 10

The process and implementation involving interest, conflict, and consensus.

Question 11

Explain the concept of Policy.

Answer 11

It provides content and shape, including issues, goals, parties, and strategies.

Question 12

What does Leviathan refer to in political theory?

Answer 12

It signifies the almighty state that has rights over violence.

Question 13

Define Power in a political context.

Answer 13

The ability to coerce people to do something against their will.

Question 14

What is Authority?

Answer 14

Legitimate power that does not require coercion.

Question 15

Describe Traditional Authority.

Answer 15

Authority based on customs, values, age, religion, magic, and spirits.

Question 16

What characterizes Charismatic Authority?

Answer 16

It is based on the personality traits of an individual, including oratory skills and media image.

Question 17

Define Legal-Rational Authority.

Answer 17

Authority derived from elected or appointed office and constitutional rules.

Question 18

What did Plato and Aristotle contribute to political thought?

Answer 18

In the 4th century BCE, they studied virtue and noted that political systems degenerate due to moral corruption.

Question 19

Explain Machiavelli’s view on politics.

Answer 19

In the 16th century, he suggested that rule by fear makes others dependent on you, and that political success is based on skill and good fortune.

Question 20

What was John Locke’s perspective on lawmakers?

Answer 20

In the 17th century, he argued that lawmakers cannot be identical with the government.

Question 21

Describe Thomas Hobbes’ concept of the state.

Answer 21

In the 17th century, he viewed the state as the Leviathan, responsible for the protection of private property and the only entity with sovereignty over violence.

Question 22

What is Rousseau known for in political theory?

Answer 22

In the 18th century, he is recognized as a founding father of democracy, advocating that states must serve the common good and promote direct democracy.

Question 23

Explain Karl Marx’s contribution to political thought.

Answer 23

In the 19th century, he is known as the founding father of socialism, emphasizing that natural class struggles occur and are triggered by technological progress.

Question 24

What did Weber mean by ‘Politics as a vocation’?

Answer 24

In the 20th century, he described politics as a profession and discussed the state’s monopoly on violence.

Question 25

Define the concept of a sovereign state.

Answer 25

A sovereign state is characterized by superiority at the highest level, with no external challenges to its authority.

Question 26

Describe the role of the night watchman state.

Answer 26

The night watchman state has an inferior role in external and internal security, emphasizing free markets and a minimalist definition of the state, justified through new right theory.

Question 27

How does a developmental state facilitate economic growth?

Answer 27

A developmental state fosters a strong relationship between the state and the private economy, which facilitates rapid economic development.

Question 28

What is the primary objective of a social democratic state?

Answer 28

The primary objective of a social democratic state is to achieve greater social and economic equality through a welfare state.

Question 29

Define sovereignty in the context of governance.

Answer 29

Sovereignty refers to the supreme authority over a territory, including the right to make legislative, governmental, and judicial decisions.

Question 30

What are the key features of liberal democracies?

Answer 30

Liberal democracies are characterized by free and fair elections, protection of individual rights, and the rule of law.

Question 31

Describe the characteristics of illiberal democracies.

Answer 31

Illiberal democracies hold elections but provide little protection for rights and liberties, with state-controlled communication and limited power transfer through elections.

Question 32

What defines authoritarian regimes?

Answer 32

Authoritarian regimes are marked by the absence of fair elections, lack of accountability, and concentration of power.

Question 33

Explain the nature of a totalitarian state.

Answer 33

A totalitarian state intervenes in all aspects of life through brutal and oppressive state police.

Question 34

What is pluralism in political theory?

Answer 34

Pluralism is the idea that no single class or interest predominates, with the state acting as a regulator to maintain a balance of power and allow for minority rule.

Question 35

Define democratic elitism.

Answer 35

Democratic elitism is a subtype of pluralism where power is concentrated within elites, but multiple competing elites exist.

Question 36

What does elitism imply about state governance?

Answer 36

Elitism implies that the state is ruled by a single self-conscious elite.

Question 37

Describe corporatism as a political concept.

Answer 37

Corporatism is a subtype of elitism that involves a form of power distribution through the incorporation of economic interests.

Question 38

How does Marxism relate economic power to political power?

Answer 38

Marxism posits that economic power equates to political power and emphasizes the need for revolution.

Question 39

What is the new-right theory's perspective on government?

Answer 39

The new-right theory suggests a hyperpluralism of powerful groups confronting weak governments.

Question 40

Explain horizontal separation of power.

Answer 40

Horizontal separation of power refers to the system of checks and balances among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

Question 41

What is federalism in the context of power distribution?

Answer 41

Federalism involves a federal government that shares power with provincial governments.

Question 42

Define confederation in terms of governmental structure.

Answer 42

In a confederation, federal power is subordinated to the power of individual states.

Question 43

What is the liberal social contract tradition?

Answer 43

The liberal social contract tradition idealizes a powerful, sovereign state and justifies its existence by imagining life without a state, as discussed by Hobbes and Locke.

Question 44

How does utilitarianism evaluate government effectiveness?

Answer 44

Utilitarianism assesses government effectiveness based on its ability to promote happiness.

Question 45

What is the relationship between liberalism and communitarianism?

Answer 45

Liberalism views the state as neutral, respecting individual autonomy, while communitarianism emphasizes unity around shared values.

Question 46

Describe the concept of the general will according to Rousseau.

Answer 46

The general will is the idea that states should uphold the collective interests and desires of the populace.

Question 47

What is the perspective of anarchies on the state?

Answer 47

Anarchies view the state as a corrupting influence.

Question 48

Describe the concept of power as outlined by Luke A.

Answer 48

Power is exercised when A affects B in a manner contrary to B's interests.

Question 49

Define the Decision-making approach in the context of power.

Answer 49

It refers to the ability of groups to make and implement decisions when their interests are partly met.

Question 50

Explain the Non-Decision making or agenda setting power.

Answer 50

Elite groups have the power to prevent certain issues from entering the decision-making process.

Question 51

How does manipulation play a role in power dynamics according to Luke A.?

Answer 51

Manipulation involves controlling human desires and distinguishing between perceived interests and real interests.

Question 52

What are the characteristics of tribes in terms of power structure?

Answer 52

Tribes are hierarchies based on traditional authority and can include egalitarian bands.

Question 53

Identify examples of stateless societies mentioned in the content.

Answer 53

Examples include the Mayas, Kingdom of Egypt, Xia Dynasty, and Akkadian Empire.

Question 54

Describe the feudal society structure.

Answer 54

In feudal societies, a liege lord gives territory (fiefdom) to a vassal, who pledges allegiance through an oath of fealty.

Question 55

What was the significance of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648?

Answer 55

It marked the establishment of the first nation-states and respect for state sovereignty among countries like France, Britain, Spain, and Portugal.

Question 56

Define absolutism in the context of power.

Answer 56

Absolutism refers to the centralization of power in the hands of a king, reducing the influence of nobility and ministries.

Question 57

What distinguishes empires from nation-states?

Answer 57

Empires consist of multiple territories and are multicultural, while nation-states are historically ethnically homogeneous and have legitimacy through national heritage.

Question 58

Explain the concept of a state as described in the content.

Answer 58

A state has an underlying structure, territory, a monopoly on law-making and violence, and is based on a claim of legitimacy.

Question 59

What is meant by the term 'regime' in political context?

Answer 59

A regime refers to the rules of the game or the operating system of the state.

Question 60

Identify the role of government in the context of power.

Answer 60

Government consists of the people in power and the players in the political game.

Question 61

What are institutions in the context of power dynamics?

Answer 61

Institutions are practices and patterns of behavior, such as marriage and laws, and include organizational entities like parliament.

Question 62

Summarize Charles Tilly's predatory theory of state building.

Answer 62

Tilly's theory includes four points: 1. War makes the state, 2. The state makes war, 3. The state as a protection racket, 4. Exchange for resources/taxes.