Political Concepts and Systems

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Authority

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The power of a political figure to be obeyed.

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Power

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Political power is the ability to make and carry out decisions.

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Political Socialization

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The learning of political values and factual assumptions about politics.

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Supranational Governance

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Entities that have been given some sovereignty because nations have shifted their powers upwards to them.

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Charismatic Legitimacy

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People consent to be ruled by individuals with special human qualities. Such qualities inspire loyalty and obedience.

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Patron-Clientelism

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The state co-opts members of the public by providing specific benefits or favors to a single person or small group in return for public support.

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Supranational Organizations

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An organization with its own sovereign powers over member states.

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Unitary System

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A system that concentrates all policy-making powers in one central geographic place.

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Authoritarian

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A political system in which a small group of individuals exercises power over the state without being constitutionally responsible to the public.

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Cleavages

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A concept used in voting analysis, referring to the division of voters.