Introduction Flashcards
abstract review
The power of judicial review that allows courts to decide on questions that do not arise from actual legal cases; sometimes occurs even before legislation becomes law (France’s Constitutional Council)
civil society
Organizations outside of the state that help people define and advance their own interests
clientelism
The state provides benefits to groups of its political supporters
concrete review
The power of allowing the high court to rule on constitutional issues only on the basis of disputes brought before it (SCOTUS)
constitutional court
The highest judicial body that rules on the constitutionality of laws and other government actions, and, in most political systems, formally oversees the entire judicial structure
corporatism
When citizens are forced to participate in state-sanctioned
groups.
state
Organizations that maintain a monopoly of violence over a territory
government
The leadership or elite that operates the state
strong state
one that performs the basic tasks of defending its borders from outside attacks and defending its authority from internal nonstate rivals
weak state
one that has trouble carrying out those basic tasks and often suffers from endemic internal violence, a poor infrastructure, and the inability to collect taxes and enforce the rule of law
failed state
a state that suffers a complete loss of legitimacy and power and may be overwhelmed by anarchy and violence
unitary state
a state that concentrates most of its political power in the national capital, allocating little decision-making power to regions or localities
federal state
a state that divides power between the central state and regional or local authorities (such as provinces, counties, and cities)
head of state
symbolizes and represents the people, both nationally and internationally, embodying and articulating the goals of the regime
head of government
deals with the everyday tasks of running the state, such as formulating and executing policy
