Unit 1 Overview: Frameworks for Comparing Political Systems

Power

The ability of one person or group to get another person or group to do something they otherwise would not do, achieved through coercion, incentives, or persuasion.

Authority

The legal right to use power, generally recognized by the people as binding.

Sovereignty

The ultimate legal authority and power over a specific territory, defining trait of a state.

Internal Sovereignty

The right to determine matters within one's borders without internal rivals.

External Sovereignty

The right to enter into binding agreements with other states and to be recognized by the international community.

Legitimacy

The popular acceptance of a government's right to rule, turning power into authority.

Traditional Legitimacy

Based on history, myth, and continuity; for example, monarchy traditions.

Charismatic Legitimacy

Based on the dynamic personality of a leader or revolutionary hero, such as Mao Zedong.

Rational-Legal Legitimacy

Based on a system of well-established laws and procedures; the office holds the power, not the person.

The State

The most permanent institution comprising political institutions with a monopoly of force over a specific territory.

The Regime

The fundamental rules and norms of politics that determine how power is acquired and used.

The Government

The leadership or elite currently in charge of running the state; the specific individuals occupying offices.

Liberal Democracy

A democratic regime characterized by free, fair, and competitive elections along with the protection of civil liberties.

Illiberal Democracy

A regime holding elections that appear competitive but are manipulated, with restricted civil liberties.

Authoritarian Regime

A regime where a small group of elites exercises power with no constitutional responsibility to the public.

Theocracy

A form of government in which religious leaders control the state based on religious law.

Totalitarianism

A regime where the state controls virtually all aspects of society.

One-Party State

A political system in which a single political party controls the state and bans rival parties.

Military Rule

A form of government where the military exerts control, often following a coup d'état.

Unitary System

A government system where power is concentrated in the national government, with regional governments having only the power given by the center.

Federal System

A government system where power is constitutionally divided between central and regional governments.

Parliamentary System

A political system where the executive is a member of the legislature and can be removed by a vote of no confidence.

Presidential System

A political system characterized by separation of powers, where the executive and legislature are elected independently.

Semi-Presidential System

A hybrid political system with both a President and a Prime Minister functioning as executives.

Democratization

The transition from an authoritarian regime to a democratic one.

Democratic Consolidation

The process through which a new democracy matures, reducing the likelihood of revert to authoritarianism.

Nation vs. State

A state is a political institution with sovereignty, while a nation is a group of people sharing a common identity.