UCSP POLITICS Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is a band in the context of political organization?
Usually small, formed by several families living together; egalitarian with no class differentiation based on wealth.
What type of leadership exists in a band?
No formal leadership; informal leaders emerge based on special skills and knowledge.
Define a tribe in political organization.
More complex than a band, organized through pantribal associations like councils and tribal leaders.
Who commonly heads a tribe?
A village headman with limited political power.
What is a chiefdom?
A more defined political organization with a full-time leader known as the chief.
What is the power structure in a chiefdom?
Authority rests on members of a select family, and power is inherited.
Differentiate between simple and complex chiefdoms.
Simple Chiefdom: single village ruled by one family; Complex Chiefdom: multiple simple chiefdoms ruled by a paramount chief.
What defines a nation?
A group of people sharing a common history, language, traditions, customs, and ethnicity.
Define a state.
A political unit consisting of a government with sovereignty over a well-defined territory.
What is the relationship between authority and legitimacy?
Authority is the right to command; legitimacy is the recognition of something as right and proper.
What are Weber’s three types of authority?
Traditional
Charismatic
Legal Rational
What is the role of government in society?
Making and enforcing rules, regulating relations with other societies.
What is monarchy?
A political system where power is controlled by a representative from one family, passed down through generations.
Name the two types of monarchy.
- Absolute Monarchy
- Constitutional Monarchy
What is democracy?
A system where citizens choose officials to run the government through popular votes.
Define authoritarianism.
A government form rejecting political plurality with a strong central power to maintain the status quo.
What characterizes totalitarianism?
A political system where the government controls all aspects of citizens’ lives.
Fill in the blank: A political system where citizens elect officials is called _______.
democracy
True or False: In a chiefdom, leadership is informal and based on personal skills.
False
