Parks 2013-2014
Unit 4: Politics in the Present: Democracy in the World
Terms: FPTP/SMD, Referendum, Illiberal Democracy, Proportional Representation, Regime, Revolution, Substantive Democracy, Sovereignty,
Democratic Consolidation, Freedom House
Term:
Definition in Images:
As seen in a text (anything we’ve
analyzed at in class.)
Definition in my words:
An electoral system in which
multiple candidates compete for
dominance, but in the end only one
representative candidate takes the
winnings.
As seen in Government/Politics:
FPTP systems are in place in to elect
representatives of the Electoral
College in all U.S. states. This means
the winner takes all the winnings and
holds the position in the College for
the next presidential election.
FPTP/SMD
Academic Definition:
First-past-the-post/Single member
district;" the candidate who wins a
plurality of the votes wins the one
seat available; winner-take-all
Term:
Definition in Images:
As seen in a text (anything we’ve
analyzed at in class.)
Definition in my words:
A direct popular vote that is used to
certify approval or disapproval of a
new piece of legislation
As seen in Government/Politics:
Referendum 74 in Washington
(same-sex marriage) left the state
mostly unified in terms of those who
were in support.
Definition in Images:
As seen in a text (anything we’ve
analyzed at in class.)
Referendum
Academic Definition:
a legislative act is referred for final
approval to a popular vote by the
electorate
Term:
Illiberal Democracy
Parks 2013-2014
Unit 4: Politics in the Present: Democracy in the World
Academic Definition:
procedural democracy, with
elections, but without real
competition, and lacking some civil
rights and liberties.
Definition in my words:
A democratic state with basic
democratic values and systems,
such as free elections, that
characteristically lacks preservation
of civil rights and liberties
As seen in Government/Politics:
Illiberal democracies like China
ensure that the people have a say,
but minimize their influence by
allowing one party to dominate
elections and public policy.
Term:
Definition in Images:
As seen in a text (anything we’ve
analyzed at in class.)
Academic Definition:
electoral system where citizens
vote for parties, rather than
candidates, that are represented
according to the proportion of
votes received
Definition in my words:
An electoral system that allows
people to vote for parties instead of
candidates. This allows the parties
to gain the proportional amount of
influence in seats after passing a
certain threshold.
As seen in Government/Politics:
British parliament distributes seats
according to the proportional vote
won by each party. Each party has to
pass a minimum number of votes to
gain the minimum number of seats.
Term:
Definition in Images:
As seen in a text (anything we’ve
analyzed at in class.)
In V for Vendetta, V propagates a
revolution by initiating the spark of
an idea and convincing that those
under the current regime are being
deceived under a false system
indoctrinated by false truths.
As seen in Government/Politics:
Revolutions take place as a part of
democratization in some countries.
The Arab Spring involved violent and
nonviolent demonstrations and wars
to overthrow oppressive regimes and
establish a system that would
consolidate democratic values.
Proportional Representation
Revolution
Academic Definition:
the overthrow of a government
by those who are governed or
some other huge change
Definition in my words:
Parks 2013-2014
Unit 4: Politics in the Present: Democracy in the World
Term:
Definition in Images:
As seen in a text (anything we’ve
analyzed at in class.)
Definition in my words:
A democratic state in which civil
liberties and rights are preserved,
more so than a procedural
democracy. There is a stable
foundation for politics and law,
usually in the form of a constitution.
As seen in Government/Politics:
The United States has a legislature
driven by the competition of a twoparty system. The standard of living
and index of freedom are both
relatively high compared to other
countries, making the U.S. one of
more successful states that enforce
democratic values
Definition in Images:
As seen in a text (anything we’ve
analyzed at in class.)
Definition in my words:
A state’s ability to control over its
citizens and level of autonomy
independent of outside influences.
As seen in Government/Politics:
Sovereignty is usually established
today by consolidation of power, be
in through democracy or autocracy.
Today’s leading nations can
potentially act independently of
others, but often work in each
other’s best interests.
Substantive Democracy
Academic Definition:
a democracy with political
competition, accountability,
civil rights, and liberties
Term:
Sovereignty
Academic Definition:
a state's ability to carry out actions
independently of other influences or
states
Parks 2013-2014
Unit 4: Politics in the Present: Democracy in the World
Term:
Definition in Images:
As seen in a text (anything we’ve
analyzed at in class.)
Definition in my words:
The indoctrination of/exposure to
democratic values through
generations of political socialization.
As seen in Government/Politics:
To become a consolidated
democracy, an developing nation
which has recently undergone some
sort of revolution must first establish
free elections and look towards
educating its citizens for many years.
Definition in Images:
As seen in a text (anything we’ve
analyzed at in class.)
Definition in my words:
For democracy to exist, there must
be a certain economic level (a preexisting standard) of growth in order
for citizens to not be bothered by
survival. Economic stability
automatically brings about
industrialization, urbanization,
literacy, and decreases
socioeconomic inequality.
As seen in Government/Politics:
The reason that many democratic
regimes fail and the reason that
many are unable to consolidate is
that they are economically unstable
and unable to support the citizens
enough. Their first concerns become
survival and self-preservation
instead of politics.
Democratic Consolidation
Academic Definition:
process of becoming firmer
or stronger; the process of
multiple generations of
political socialization.
Term:
Preconditions for Democracy
Academic Definition:
1. Economic Growth
2. Industrialization
3. Urbanization
4. Literacy
5. Decrease in Social and Economic
Inequality