Flashcards: Understanding Regimes and Democratic Transitions — 18 cards

Regime — definition?

Set of rules, norms, institutions governing power.

Regime change — process?

Alteration of governing rules or institutions.

Modern democracy — key features?

Inclusive participation, free elections, rule of law.

Democracy as contestation — focus?

Extent of political competition and freedoms.

Polyarchy — Dahl's concept?

Governance with contestation and inclusion.

Inclusion — meaning?

Who participates in the democratic process.

Measuring democracy — tools?

Binary (Democracy-Dictatorship), continuous (Freedom House, V-Dem).

Validity — in measurement?

Measures accurately reflect the concept.

Democratic decline — what?

Weakening of democratic features over time.

Democratic stagnation — meaning?

No significant progress or deterioration in democracy.

Waves of democratization — Huntington?

Periods of significant democratic expansion.

Counterwaves — what?

Periods of democratic decline or reversal.

Dictatorship — key trait?

Lack of free, competitive elections; repression.

Types of dictatorships — examples?

Monarchic, military, civilian, personalist, dominant-party.

Electoral competition — importance?

Ensures meaningful, fair political contestation.

Presidential vs parliamentary — difference?

Presidential: independent election of leader; parliamentary: government accountable to legislature.

Political parties — role?

Organized groups competing in elections to influence policy.

Coalition bargaining — purpose?

Form government and divide ministerial roles.