Glossary
Civil Liberties
Basic individual freedoms guaranteed by law, protecting citizens from government interference, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.
Example:
The right to publish dissenting opinions without fear of government censorship is a fundamental civil liberty protected in many democratic constitutions.
Civil Rights
Legal protections that ensure individuals are treated equally and are not discriminated against based on characteristics like race, gender, or religion.
Example:
Laws prohibiting employers from refusing to hire someone based on their ethnicity are examples of civil rights designed to ensure equal opportunity.
Civil Society
Voluntary organizations and groups that operate independently of the government, serving as a crucial space between the family and the state.
Example:
In a vibrant democracy, numerous environmental groups, human rights organizations, and local community associations form a robust civil society, advocating for diverse causes and holding the government accountable.
Forces that Impact Political Participation
Internal and external factors that either encourage or discourage citizens from engaging in political activities.
Example:
Restrictive laws on public assembly and a lack of trust in government institutions can be significant forces that impact political participation, leading to lower engagement in some authoritarian states.
Political Culture
The shared values, beliefs, and attitudes of a population towards politics and government, influencing how citizens view and interact with their political system.
Example:
Japan's high degree of social conformity and respect for authority is a key aspect of its political culture, often leading to stable governance and less overt public protest compared to some Western democracies.
Political Ideology
A coherent set of beliefs and values that outlines how government should be organized and what its primary goals should be.
Example:
A country founded on a liberal political ideology would likely prioritize individual freedoms, free markets, and democratic elections as core tenets of its governance.
Political Participation
The various ways in which citizens engage with the political system to influence decision-making, such as voting, protesting, or contacting elected officials.
Example:
High voter turnout in a national election, coupled with active citizen engagement in local town hall meetings, demonstrates robust political participation within a democratic system.
Political Values and Beliefs
Fundamental principles and convictions held by individuals and society about the role of government and the organization of society.
Example:
The strong emphasis on collective responsibility and social welfare in Scandinavian countries reflects deeply ingrained political values and beliefs that prioritize community well-being over strict individualism.
Political and Social Cleavages
Deep and persistent internal divisions within a society, often based on factors like ethnicity, religion, language, or socioeconomic status, which can lead to political conflict.
Example:
The historical linguistic divide between French-speaking and English-speaking populations in Canada represents a significant political and social cleavage that has shaped its political landscape for centuries.