Unit 4 - Political Patterns Flashcards
Sovereignty
Definition: The authority of a state to govern itself without outside interference. Example: A country exercising control over its own territory is demonstrating sovereignty.
Self-determination
Definition: The right of a people to choose their own political status and form of government. Example: Many colonial countries sought self-determination to gain independence from imperial powers.
State
Definition: A politically organized territory with a permanent population
Nation
Definition: A group of people with common cultural characteristics such as language religion or heritage. Example: The Kurds are considered a nation but they do not have an independent state.
Nation-State
Definition: A state whose territory is largely occupied by a single nation or ethnic group. Example: Japan is a nation-state with a largely homogenous population.
Failed State
Definition: A state with weak institutions that cannot provide basic services or maintain control over its territory. Example: Somalia is often considered a failed state due to ongoing civil conflict.
Stateless Nation
Definition: A group of people who share a common identity but do not have a state of their own. Example: The Palestinians are a stateless nation.
Multinational State
Definition: A state with multiple ethnic or national groups within its borders. Example: Canada is a multinational state with French and English-speaking populations.
Multistate Nation
Definition: A nation that exists across multiple states. Example: The Kurdish nation exists across parts of Turkey Iraq and Syria.
Autonomous Region
Definition: A geographic area with a degree of independence from the central government. Example: Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy from mainland China.
Semiautonomous Region
Definition: A region with limited self-governance but still under the authority of a central government. Example: Puerto Rico has semiautonomous status under U.S. governance.
American Indian Reservation
Definition: A designated area of land managed by Native American tribes rather than the federal government. Example: The Navajo Nation has a large reservation in the southwestern United States.
System Governance
Definition: The structure of political organization that governs a state or territory. Example: The system governance of the U.S. is a federal system with a balance of powers.
Unitary States
Definition: States with a centralized government where most of the power is held by the national government. Example: France is a unitary state.
Federal States
Definition: States in which power is shared between a central government and regional governments. Example: The United States is a federal state.
Democracy
Definition: A system of government where citizens participate directly or through elected representatives. Example: Switzerland practices a direct democracy with frequent referenda.
Republic
Definition: A form of government where elected leaders represent the people. Example: The United States is a republic.
Theocracy
Definition: A government system where religious leaders control the state often guided by divine law. Example: Iran is a theocracy with its political leaders chosen from the clergy.
Monarchy
Definition: A government led by a king queen or emperor often with a hereditary succession. Example: The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II.
Dictatorship
Definition: A form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader often through force. Example: North Korea is ruled by a dictatorship.
Oligarchy
Definition: A political system where a small group of people hold power. Example: Russia has been described as having oligarchic elements in its government.
Parliament
Definition: A representative assembly that makes laws and decisions for a country. Example: The United Kingdom has a parliamentary system with the House of Commons and House of Lords.
National Identity
Definition: A sense of belonging to a nation and the shared experiences and values that create that identity. Example: The sense of national identity in the U.S. is often tied to the ideals of freedom and democracy.
Regional Identity
Definition: A sense of belonging to a particular region within a state often with distinct cultural historical or linguistic characteristics. Example: People in Catalonia identify with their regional culture language and history.