Understand the role of civil society in the six required countries. Civil society consists of religious groups, media, NGOs, professional groups, neighborhood organizations and business groups. A thriving civil society is consistent with democratization.
Understand political culture and its relationship to behavior of citizens and the state in the six required countries. Political culture is communicated through political socialization. The following groups play a large role in the process of political socialization (agents of socialization): family, peers, schools, religious institutions and civil society. Post-materialism means social value in self expression and a quality of life that can put pressure on political regimes to address issues such as social equality, economic inequality and environmentalism.
Know the definition of political ideology as well as the following: neoliberalism, communism, individualism, socialism, fascism and populism. Contrasting ideologies can consist of rule of law (democratization) compared to rule by law (authoritarian).
Explain the impact of political values/beliefs on policy
Explain the connection between political participation and authority/power in the six required regimes. Analyze informal participation such as protests or public criticism in authoritarian and democratic regimes. Political participation can include the use of referenda.
Articulate the difference between civil rights and civil liberties. Understand the level of protection of civil liberties in the six required countries. Analyze why authoritarian regimes restrict access to the media. Analyze transparency in government in the required countries. An liberal democracy such as Russia can be classified as a hybrid between a democratic and an authoritarian regime.
Describe politically significant social cleavages and how they impact the relationship of citizens to the state.