1. Vocabulary- the key to understanding this stuff

2. Correlation An apparent association between certain factors or variables An apparent association between certain factors or variables For example, there is a positive correlation between medical care and life expectancy For example, there is a positive correlation between medical care and life expectancy

3. Causation When a change in one variable causes a change in another variable When a change in one variable causes a change in another variable For example, when the temperature drops below 32 degrees, water freezes For example, when the temperature drops below 32 degrees, water freezes

4. Politics A struggle for power A struggle for power That gives the winners the ability to make decisions affecting others That gives the winners the ability to make decisions affecting others Who gets what, when, and how Who gets what, when, and how

5. Nation A group of people A group of people Psychological sense of identity Psychological sense of identity Based on cultural, geographic, or linguistic ties Based on cultural, geographic, or linguistic ties

6. The State Institutions, people, and groups Institutions, people, and groups Have the power to effect change Have the power to effect change Has monopoly of force Has monopoly of force Over territory

7. Regime Fundamental norms and rules Fundamental norms and rules Established by administrations over time Established by administrations over time

8. Sovereignty A state’s ability to carry out actions independently

9. Legitimacy Generally accepted view that the government has the right to rule Traditional--the right to rule, because “it has always been that way.” Charismatic--rule based on personality Rational-legal--based on a widely accepted system of laws and procedures

10. Democracy A system of government where people choose policymakers in free, regular, competitive elections A system of government where people choose policymakers in free, regular, competitive elections Illiberal--procedural (holds elections) but without civil rights and liberties Illiberal--procedural (holds elections) but without civil rights and liberties Liberal--political competition, accountability, civil rights and liberties Liberal--political competition, accountability, civil rights and liberties

11. Institutions Structures, how they are set up and how they shape the political decision making process Structures, how they are set up and how they shape the political decision making process – Executive –Legislative –Judicial –Bureaucracy

12. FPTP/SMD First past the post, single member district First past the post, single member district –Winner-take-all –The winner gets the one seat available in an election (one person is elected to represent each district) –Plurality –the highest number of votes among competing candidates –House of Commons, US Congress

13. Proportional Representation Votes for parties, rather than candidates Votes for parties, rather than candidates Parties are represented in legislature according to percentage of votes received Parties are represented in legislature according to percentage of votes received Parties select office holders based on candidate lists Parties select office holders based on candidate lists

14. Corporatism A system of formal interest-group participation in the states’ decision-making processes A system of formal interest-group participation in the states’ decision-making processes Key groups in society-especially business and labor- should negotiate directly with government officials to work out the country’s principal economic and social welfare policies Key groups in society-especially business and labor- should negotiate directly with government officials to work out the country’s principal economic and social welfare policies –When business, labor, and the government work closely in policymaking This limits the influence of This limits the influence of smaller groups smaller groups

15. Cooptation Granting favors in exchange for a benefit Granting favors in exchange for a benefit “Buying off” critics “Buying off” critics

16. Cleavages Factors that separate groups Factors that separate groups Cross-cutting--a division that includes people with differences, strengthening society Cross-cutting--a division that includes people with differences, strengthening society Coinciding--a division that strengthens feelings of difference and discrepancy, weakening society Coinciding--a division that strengthens feelings of difference and discrepancy, weakening society

17. Political Culture History History Values Values Beliefs Beliefs Traditions Traditions Influencing Influencing political behavior political behavior

18. Political Socialization The means by which citizens learn about government and the political process The means by which citizens learn about government and the political process How people get their ideas about government and acquire their values about the political process How people get their ideas about government and acquire their values about the political process

19. Neo liberal Economics Classical liberal economics- Focus on the free market- state should strictly be limited Classical liberal economics- Focus on the free market- state should strictly be limited –Few restrictions on business … property rights strictly guaranteed Neo liberal economics Neo liberal economics –Mixed economy that combines private enterprise and a large economic role for the state