Untitled Deck Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is a Theocracy?
A system of government where a religious leader holds power.
Theocracy often intertwines religion with governance.
What defines an Oligarchy?
A government run by elites.
Oligarchies often limit political power to a small group.
What characterizes Historical Monarchies?
Absolute monarchies with centralized power in a single ruler.
Historical monarchies often lack democratic processes.
Define Dictatorship.
A form of government where a single leader or party wields absolute power.
What is Totalitarianism?
A political system where the state seeks total control over all aspects of public and private life.
What is the line between Authoritarianism and Democracy?
It refers to the distinction and maintenance of political freedom versus centralized control.
What are Mixed Regimes?
Governments that incorporate elements of both democracy and authoritarianism.
What are Welfare States?
Political systems that redistribute wealth and provide social services.
Welfare states typically include free healthcare, education, and paid leave.
How does a Welfare State reflect socialism?
It aims for political and economic equality through wealth redistribution.
What did Karl Marx predict about history and communism?
He believed history would ultimately lead to the establishment of communism.
In Marxist theory, who are the Proletariats?
Workers or laborers who perform labor for the bourgeois.
What is the significance of the discrepancy between Proletariats and Bourgeois?
It grows larger due to competition and can lead to revolution.
Fill in the blank: Communism is defined as a _______.
takeover of the means of production.
What did Marx predict about dictatorship in the communist process?
He predicted a temporary dictatorship would be necessary.
What is the difference between communist and socialist theories?
Communism advocates for communal ownership, while socialism may allow for some private property.
What is a key ingredient to democracy?
Opposition to those in power.
What does Democratization entail?
The consolidation of democratic practices and institutions.
What helps sustain democracy?
- National wealth
- Middle class
- Citizen participation
- Support of the disadvantaged
- National unity
True or False: Presidential systems are generally stronger than parliamentary systems.
False.
What is Devolution?
The process of redistributing power from central authorities to local or regional ones.
According to Fukuyama, what signifies ‘the end of history’?
The worldwide establishment of democracy.
What distinguishes the Middle East from the Arab world?
The Middle East is a geographic term, while the Arab world is defined by language.
What is a characteristic of Islamic law in governance?
It is believed that law is given by God, not made by man.
What role does competition play in political systems?
It is important for democratization but can be hindered by vetting processes.
