The State, Regimes and Political Ideology

Democratic Regime

• A system of politics in which political power is held by the people via systems of voting

• A system of politics in which political power is held by an elite group of technocrats

• A system of politics in which each person participates directly in government decisions

• A system of politics in which all political decisions are made by one person

Non-Democratic Regime

• A system of politics in which political power is held by the people via systems of voting

• A system of politics in which political power is held by a limited number of powerful people

• A system of politics in which each person participates directly in government decisions

• A system of politics in which all political decisions are made by one person

Legitimacy

• When a state declares independence

• When a state changes its political ideology

• When a state gives up its power

• When a state holds the accepted authority to govern over the people

Totalitarian Regime

• A system of government in which political power, but not other types of power, is concentrated in the hands of a few elites

• A system of government in which political, economic, and social power is concentrated in the hands of a few elites

• A system of government in which political power resides with the people

• A system of government that has very few laws

Authoritarian Regime

• A system of government in which political power, but not other types of power, is concentrated in the hands of a few elites

• A system of government in which political, economic, and social power is concentrated in the hands of a few elites

• A system of government in which political power resides with the people

• A system of government that has very few laws

Monarchy

• A state in which a government does not exist

• A state in which the people elect official to run the government

• A state in which one family retains political power over generations

• A state in which political power is shared amongst various elites

Regime Change

• The process by which a new government is elected

• The process by which an entire new system of government gains legitimacy in a state

• The process by which a state transfers power from one set of elites to another set of elites

• The process by which a state creates new laws to govern its citizens

Communism

• A political ideology in which free market economics dominates and the state has minimal impact on competition

• A political ideology in which elites are entrusted with decisions about how to modernize the state

• A political ideology in which it is believed that rules only inhibit human potential

• A political ideology in which the idea that the wealthy exploit the poor dominates; the state redistributes the wealth to create equality

Socialism

• A political ideology in which the idea that the wealthy exploit the poor dominates; the state redistributes the wealth to create equality

• A political ideology in which inequality is seen as a problem and the state should play a significant role in creating a more equitable society

• A political ideology that favors economic freedom

• A political ideology in which it is believed that rules only inhibit human potential

Liberal Democracy

• A political ideology that emphasizes the freedom of people to make choices in all realms of society

• A political ideology that encourages political freedoms, but recognizes economic inequality as a significant state issue, and thus believes in larger governmental role in society

• A political ideology in which the government has the power to control all aspects of a citizens life

• A political ideology in which it is believed that rules only inhibit human potential