Glossary
Authoritarianism
A political system characterized by rule by a single leader, a small group, or a single party, featuring limited political participation and little government accountability.
Example:
Many citizens in an authoritarianism regime may feel their voices are not heard, as political dissent is often suppressed.
Competitive Elections
Elections in which multiple political parties or candidates genuinely contend for power, offering voters a real choice.
Example:
The presence of strong opposition parties vying for votes demonstrates truly competitive elections in a democratic system.
Consolidated Democracy
A democracy that is well-established and stable, where democratic institutions, practices, and values are deeply ingrained and widely accepted.
Example:
The United Kingdom is considered a consolidated democracy because its democratic institutions have been stable and consistently upheld for a long period.
Democracy
A political system where government officials are chosen through free and fair elections, balancing majority rule with the protection of minority rights and limiting government power through a constitution.
Example:
In a democracy, citizens have the right to vote for their leaders and expect their fundamental freedoms to be protected.
Direct Democracy
A form of democracy where citizens directly participate in decision-making, often through mechanisms like referendums or initiatives.
Example:
The Brexit vote in the UK, where citizens directly voted on leaving the EU, is an example of a mechanism used in a direct democracy.
Elected Officials with Real Authority
A characteristic of democracy where the individuals chosen by citizens through elections genuinely hold the power to make and implement policy decisions.
Example:
In a true democracy, the president or prime minister, as elected officials with real authority, can enact the policies they campaigned on.
Federal Democracy
A democratic system where governmental power is constitutionally divided and shared between a central government and regional or subnational governments.
Example:
In a federal democracy like Nigeria, states have their own legislatures and some autonomy, while still being part of a larger national government.
Free and Fair Elections
Elections where all eligible citizens can vote without coercion, ballots are counted accurately, and the process is transparent and impartial.
Example:
A key indicator of a healthy democracy is the presence of free and fair elections, ensuring the legitimacy of elected officials.
Government Accountability and Transparency
The principle that government officials are responsible for their actions and decisions, and that government operations are open to public scrutiny.
Example:
When a government faces public inquiries and publishes its spending records, it demonstrates strong government accountability and transparency.
Head of Government
The individual who holds the day-to-day executive power and is responsible for leading the administration and implementing policies.
Example:
The Prime Minister of the UK is the Head of Government, responsible for the daily operations and policy decisions of the country.
Head of State
The ceremonial figure who represents the nation internationally and embodies its identity, often distinct from the head of government.
Example:
In the United Kingdom, the monarch serves as the Head of State, performing symbolic duties.
Illiberal Democracy/Hybrid Regime
A political system that holds elections, but these elections are often manipulated, and civil liberties and political rights are significantly curtailed, blurring the lines between democracy and authoritarianism.
Example:
Russia is often categorized as an illiberal democracy/hybrid regime because while elections occur, the playing field is heavily skewed in favor of the ruling party.
Independent Judiciary
A judicial system that operates free from political influence or control by the executive and legislative branches, ensuring impartial application of the law.
Example:
An independent judiciary is crucial for upholding the rule of law, as judges can make decisions based solely on legal principles, even against powerful government figures.
Lack of Political Accountability and Transparency
A characteristic of authoritarian regimes where government officials are not held responsible for their actions and government operations are not open to public scrutiny.
Example:
When government decisions are made in secret and officials cannot be easily removed by citizens, there is a clear lack of political accountability and transparency.
Limited Autonomy of Society from State Control
A feature of authoritarianism where the state extensively regulates or controls various aspects of civil society, including media, organizations, and individual freedoms.
Example:
When the government dictates what can be published in newspapers and controls social media, it demonstrates limited autonomy of society from state control.
Limited Political Participation
A characteristic of authoritarian regimes where citizens have restricted or no meaningful opportunities to influence government decisions or choose their leaders.
Example:
In China, citizens experience limited political participation as the Communist Party controls the political process and restricts opposition.
Military Regime
An authoritarian regime where military leaders seize and control the government, often through a coup d'état.
Example:
Nigeria has experienced periods of a military regime, where the armed forces directly governed the country.
One-Party System
An authoritarian regime where only a single political party is legally allowed to hold power, and all other parties are either banned or severely restricted.
Example:
China operates under a one-party system, with the Communist Party of China maintaining exclusive control over the government.
Parliamentary Democracy
A democratic system where the head of government (e.g., Prime Minister) is chosen by the legislature and is distinct from the head of state.
Example:
The United Kingdom operates as a parliamentary democracy, where the Prime Minister is selected from the Members of Parliament.
Political Regimes
The fundamental rules and norms that define a political system, determining who holds power and how that power is exercised within a country.
Example:
Understanding the differences between the political regimes of China and the United Kingdom is central to comparative government.
Presidential Democracy
A democratic system where the president is directly elected by the people and serves as both the head of state and head of government.
Example:
Mexico is an example of a presidential democracy, where the president holds significant executive power and is elected independently of the legislature.
Protection of Political and Civil Rights
The safeguarding of fundamental freedoms for all citizens, including rights to speech, assembly, religion, and participation in the political process.
Example:
A country that upholds the protection of political and civil rights allows its citizens to protest peacefully without fear of reprisal.
Representative Democracy
A form of democracy where citizens elect officials to represent their interests and make decisions on their behalf in a legislative body.
Example:
Most modern democracies, including the United States, function as a representative democracy, where citizens vote for senators and representatives.
Restrictions on Political Opposition
Measures taken by authoritarian regimes to suppress or eliminate groups or individuals who challenge the ruling power, often through legal or coercive means.
Example:
Russia's government has implemented severe restrictions on political opposition, leading to the imprisonment or exile of many critics.
Rule of Law
The principle that all individuals and institutions, including the government, are subject to and accountable under the law, which is applied equally and fairly.
Example:
Even the highest government officials must adhere to the rule of law, meaning they are not above the legal system.
Theocracy
An authoritarian regime where religious leaders control the government and state laws are based on religious doctrines.
Example:
Iran is a theocracy, where religious clerics hold ultimate authority and Islamic law forms the basis of the legal system.
Totalitarian Government
An extreme form of authoritarianism where the government seeks to control all aspects of public and private life, including economy, culture, and personal thought.
Example:
North Korea is often cited as a totalitarian government due to its pervasive state control over every aspect of its citizens' lives.