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Introduction to Sociology 2e

Key Terms

Introduction to Sociology 2eKey Terms
absolute monarchies
governments wherein a monarch has absolute or unmitigated power
anarchy
the absence of any organized government
authority
power that people accept because it comes from a source that is perceived as legitimate
charismatic authority
power legitimized on the basis of a leader’s exceptional personal qualities
constitutional monarchies
national governments that recognize monarchs but require these figures to abide by the laws of a greater constitution
democracy
a form of government that provides all citizens with an equal voice or vote in determining state policy
dictatorship
a form of government in which a single person (or a very small group) wields complete and absolute authority over a government or populace after the dictator rises to power, usually through economic or military might
monarchy
a form of government in which a single person (a monarch) rules until that individual dies or abdicates the throne
oligarchy
a form of government in which power is held by a small, elite group
one person, one vote
a concept holding that each person’s vote should be counted equally
patrimonialism
a type of authority wherein military and administrative factions enforce the power of the master
politics
a means of studying a nation’s or group’s underlying social norms as values as evidenced through its political structure and practices
power
the ability to exercise one’s will over others
power elite
a small group of powerful people who control much of a society
rational-legal authority
power that is legitimized by rules, regulations, and laws
representative democracy
a government wherein citizens elect officials to represent their interests
totalitarian dictatorship
an extremely oppressive form of dictatorship in which most aspects of citizens’ lives are controlled by the leader
traditional authority
power legitimized on the basis of long-standing customs
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