Nation-State
A single people governed by a political authority
The Modern State
Governments claim authority over its people
Characteristics of Citizens
-Live within a countries border
-Granted certain rights and privileges
-Must perform and have certain obligations and duties
Characterisitcs of Non-Citizens
-Temporary or permanent residents
-Denied same rights and privileges as citizens
The Welfare State
A political structure characterized by the broad opportunities of social and economic welfare benefits for its citizens.
Example: Social Security and Food Stamps
Civil Rights
Protects citizens from injury (Physical and other)by individuals and institutions.
Examples of Civil Rights
-Equal treatment in school and work place
-Freedom from Racial Discrimination
-Freedom to practice ones religion without persecution
-Right to attend integrated public schools
-Right to access public buildings using wheelchair ramps
Political Rights
Ensures citizens can participate in governance
Theories of State Power: Functionalist Perspective
Assumes most people in a society agree on a set of norms and values. Government just translates shared values and interests into laws and policies
Theories of State Power: Contemporary Function Perspective
Government is a neutral body, balancing conflicting values, norms and interests of competing groups through law and actions
Theories of State Power: Pluralist Perspective
All power in a society is exercised through political processes.
Interest group
Groups who share same concerns and beliefs on an issue
Class Dominance Theory or Conflict Perspective on politics
The argument that a small and concentrated group of elite or upper-class people dominate and influence societal institutions.
Coercism
Threat or use of violence to force compliance
Legitimate Authority
Power recognized as rightful by those over whom it is exercised (Parents authority)
Traditional Authority
Power based on belief of a long standing tradition (Kings and Queens)
Rational-legal authority
Power based on the belief in laws.
Charismatic Authority
Power based on devotion inspired in followers by the personal qualities of a leader
Authoritarianism
A form of government in which citizens are denied the right to participate in government, while political power is exercised by and for the benefit of a small political elite
Monarchy
A form of governance in which power resides in an individual or a family and is passed from one generation to the next through hereditary lines.
Dictatorship
A form of government in which power rests in a single individual
Totalitarianism
A form of government which which denies citizens participation in government and seeks to control all aspects of citizens lives
Democracy
A form of government in which citizens are able to participate directly or indirectly in their government.
Direct Democracy
A political system in which all citizens fully participate in their own governance
Representative democracy
A political system in which citizens elect representatives to govern them
Politics
The art or science of influencing public policy
Political action commitees
organizations created by powerful groups, which gather money to contribute to political candidates who favor the groups interest
Lobbyists
Paid professionals whose job it is to influence legistlation