Trust the System
A system where power is concentrated at the national level, where the power of subgovernments is not protected
Unitary System
When a government’s constituents believe it has the right to rule
Legitimacy
A system, such as authoritarian or democratic, that is the framework of government
Regime
An association between two or more variables
Correlation
A system where power is divided among different levels of government, with some subgovernment power protected
Federal System
The right to rule based on long standing customs and beliefs
Traditional Legitimacy
The set of institutions or individuals legally empowered to make binding decisions for a state
Government
When a change in one variable precipitates a change in another variable
Causation
When the national government delegates power to regional government
Devolution
The right to rule based on the leader’s personality
Charismatic Legitimacy
a set of institutions that maintain control over a given territory with defined borders.
State
A measure of political rights and civil liberties within a country
Freedom House Score
The transition from an authoritarian regime to a democratic system
Democratization
The right to rule based on an institutionalized system of laws
Rational-Legal Legitimacy
A state’s right and power to government itself without internal or external interference
Sovereignty
A measure of income inequality within a country
Gini Index
A system that holds contested elections, but with limited competitiveness and minimal civil liberties and transparency
A citizen’s belief that their political participation can make a difference
Political Efficacy
A change in the fundamental rules and system of government
Regime Change
A measure of the degree which citizens believe officials use their positions for private gain
Corruption Perceptions Index