Chapter 19 Politics and Political Institutions Key Terms

Power The ability to control the behavior of others, even against their will. Authority Power whose exercise is governed by the norms and statuses of organizations.

Political institution A set of norms and statuses pertaining to the exercise of power and authority. State The set of political institutions operating in a particular society.

Legitimacy The ability of a society to engender and maintain the belief that the existing political institutions are the most appropriate for that society. Traditional authority Authority that is hereditary and is legitimated by traditional values, particularly people’s idea of the sacred.

Charismatic authority Authority that comes to an individual through a personal calling, often claimed to be inspired by supernatural powers, and is legitimated by people’s belief that the leader does indeed have Godgiven powers. Legal authority Authority that is legitimated by people’s belief in the supremacy of the law; obedience is owed not to a person but to a set of impersonal principles.

Nationalism The belief of a people that they have the right and the duty to constitute themselves as a nation-state. Nation-state The largest territory within which a society’s political institutions can operate without having to face challenges to their sovereignty.

Citizenship The status of membership in a nation-state. Demagogue A leader who uses personal charisma and political symbols to manipulate public opinion.

Political party An organization of people who join together to gain legitimate control of state authority. Oligarchy Rule by a few people who stay in office indefinitely rather than for limited terms.

Totalitarian regime A regime that accepts no limits to its power and seeks to exert its rule at all levels of society. Democracy A political system in which all citizens have the right to participate in public decision making.

Power elite model A theory stating that political decisions are controlled by an elite of rich and powerful individuals even in societies with democratic political institutions. Pluralist model A theory stating that no single group controls political decisions; instead, a plurality of interest groups influence those decisions through a process of coalition building and bargaining.

Interest group An organization that attempts to influence elected and appointed officials regarding a specific issue or set of issues. Lobbying The process whereby interest groups seek to persuade legislators to vote in their favor on particular bills.