01
Front
What is a state?
Back
A durable political order that claims authority over a population and territory and organizes public law and administration.
Free Online Flashcard Deck
4 States and Political Institutions Free Online FlashCards
Study 4 States and Political Institutions with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
12 cards
02
Front
What does sovereignty mean in its classic sense?
Back
In its classic sense, sovereignty is supreme authority within a territory.
03
Front
What is state capacity?
Back
State capacity is the ability to carry out public decisions, such as collecting revenue, administering services, enforcing laws, and maintaining public order.
04
Front
What are political institutions in a broad definition?
Back
Political institutions are formal and informal rules, practices, and regular patterns that guide and limit political action.
05
Front
What do legislatures commonly do?
Back
Legislatures debate and enact laws and often oversee the executive.
06
Front
What makes an institution formal?
Back
Formal institutions are officially recognized rules and procedures, such as constitutions, statutes, regulations, and election rules.
07
Front
How can informal practices affect formal rules?
Back
Informal practices can support formal rules, fill gaps where written rules leave discretion, or undermine and circumvent official procedures.
08
Front
What is political power?
Back
Power is the ability to shape decisions or outcomes, including through offices, legal powers, resources, information, organization, or access to decision-makers.
09
Front
What question does legitimacy address?
Back
Legitimacy concerns whether authority is justified or accepted as rightful; it differs from the mere ability to command or enforce.
10
Front
How does a government differ from a state?
Back
Governments are the officeholders and bodies directing public affairs at a given time; the state’s institutions and legal order can continue through leadership changes.
11
Front
How do institutional rules differ from political organizations?
Back
Rules of the game establish expectations and procedures; organizations such as legislatures and courts operate within or interpret those rules.
12
Front
What is the role of a bureaucracy?
Back
Bureaucracies turn laws and policy decisions into routine administration.
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