Transcript politics - Cengage Learning

Chapter 14, Politics and
Government in Global Perspective
Key Terms

politics
The social institution through which power is
acquired and exercised by some people or
groups.

government
The formal organization that has the legal and
political authority to regulate the relationships
among members of a society and between the
society and those outside its borders.

state
The political entity that possesses a legitimate
monopoly over the use of force within its
territory to achieve its goals.

political sociology
The area of sociology that examines the nature
and consequences of power within or between
societies, as well as the social and political
conflicts that lead to changes in the allocation
of power.

power
The ability of persons or groups to achieve
their goals despite opposition from others.

authority
Power that people accept as legitimate rather
than coercive.

traditional authority
Power that is legitimized on the the basis of
long-standing custom.

charismatic authority
Power legitimized on the basis of a leader’s
exceptional personal qualities.

routinization of charisma
Occurs when charismatic authority is
succeeded by a bureaucracy controlled by a
rationally established authority or by a
combination of traditional and bureaucratic
authority.

rational-legal authority
Power legitimized by law or written rules and
regulations.

monarchy
A political system in which power resides in
one person or family and is passed from
generation to generation through lines of
inheritance.

Authoritarianism
A political system controlled by rulers who deny
popular participation in government.

totalitarianism
A political system in which the state seeks to
regulate all aspects of people's public and
private lives.

democracy
A political system in which the people hold the
ruling power either directly or through elected
representatives

pluralist model
Power is widely dispersed throughout many
competing interest groups.

special interest groups
Political coalitions made up of individuals or
groups that share a specific interest they wish
to protect or advance with the help of the
political system.

political action committees
Organizations of special interest groups that
fund campaigns to help elect (or defeat)
candidates based on their stances on specific
issues.

elite model
Power is concentrated in a small group of elites
and the masses are relatively powerless.

power elite
Made up leaders at the top of business, the
executive branch of the federal government,
and the military.

political party
An organization whose purpose is to gain and
hold legitimate control of government.

political socialization
The process by which people learn political
attitudes, values, and behavior.

military-industrial complex
The mutual interdependence of the military
establishment and private military contractors.
The economic system in global perspective
focuses on the nature of economy.

terrorism
The use of calculated, unlawful physical force
or threats of violence against a government,
organization, or individual to gain some
political, religious, economic or social objective.

war
Organized, armed conflict between nations or
distinct political factions.