Class notes
Terms Sheet
- Course
- GOVT235
- Institution
- American University
A list of key terms compiled in a document. Most of these terms are related to governments.
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- Ethnic democracy is a system where the state functions democratically for the majorityethnic group but presents less democratic practices and protections for minority groups.
So an ethnic democracy emphasizes the interests and rights for the dominant ethnic
group, prioritizing them over those in minority groups/communities.
- Executive Aggrandizement is when elected leaders weaken institutions that check &
balance the executive power and protect rights (ex: judicial, legislative, Department of
Justice).
- Populism is characterized as the “us vs them” narrative which pits the people against the
elite, specific groups like minorities, and undermining institutions seen as obstacles to the
common people. While populism may build democratic reforms, it often leads to majority
rule at the cost of minority rights and weakens checks and balances.
- Social and Political Polarization are the deep divisions within society, specifically along
political lines, vulnerable to backsliding. Polarization obstructs cooperation and fuels
distrust in institutions, which makes populist leaders utilize these issues to their
advantage. One sign of increased polarization is called negative partisanship, where
individuals focus on opposing the “other side” rather than support their own.
- Checks & Balances are when different branches of government keep each other in check
in order to keep the balance of power, preventing one branch from becoming too
powerful.
- Civil Society are groups who come together to achieve collective political and social
objectives outside the government.
- Democratic Backsliding is the process in which a democracy is becoming less
democratic. This can be through restrictions of institutions.
- Electoral democracies are democratic governments that hold free and fair elections but
do not uphold all of liberal democracy’s essential features like full civil liberties and the
rule of law.
- Gerrymandering is the process to draw an electoral map to disadvantage a political or
candidate from winning.
- Formal representation refers to women’s legal right to participate in politics on equal
terms with men.
- Descriptive representation is the numerical balance between the legislature and
electorate in terms of gender and other democratic characteristics.
- Substantive representation is the advocacy of women’s interests and issues in the
political area.
- Symbolic representation is the aim to show fair representation for women.
- Vertical accountability is the citizen’s ability to hold their government accountable
through elections.
- Mispractice refers to unintentional errors during elections.
- Malpractice is strategic manipulation of electoral rules to gain an advantage.
- Electoral malpractice uses legal methods to exploit the electoral process.
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