Key Concepts Flashcards
Informal politics
The impact that the beliefs, values, and actions of ordinary citizens have on policy making
Civil society
The way citizens organize and define themselves and their interests
Institutions
The stable long lasting organizations that help to turn political ideas into policy
Advanced democracies
Well established democratic governments and a high level of economic development
Communist and post communist countries
System that limits individual freedoms and promotes equality
Newly industrializing and less developed countries
“Third world”,
Newly industrializing countries: experiencing rapid economic growth, trend toward democratization and political and social stability
Less developed countries: lack economic development, tend to have authoritarian govts
Institutions
Stable, long lasting organizations that help turn political ideas into policy
Sovereignty
The ability to carry out actions or policies within their borders independently without interference
Nation
A group of people that are bound together by a common political identity
Nationalism
The sense of belonging and identity that distinguishes one nation from another
Regime
The rules a state sets and follows
Indirect democracy
Elected officials represent the people
Direct democracy
The people have immediate say in governmental decisions
Parliamentary system
Citizens vote for legislative reps which select the executive branch
Presidential system
Citizens vote for legislative/executive representatives separately
