American goverment mid term worksheet 1 Flashcards
The most important message in this course is
Politics & government matter to me
Voter turnout for people under 25 has fallen from——- % in 1972 to—% in 2010 which means that when it comes to goverment inthe US, the most apathetic group of americans are: the elderly, the educated, the wealty , or the under 25 youth?
50 % to 20%
The under 25 youth
why is youth in America apathetic about government?
They think they can’t make a difference. The political system is corrupt, or they just don’t care.
Government is
The instittutions that make public policy decision for a society
The functions of goverment are:
1- maintain a national defense
2- provide public goods and services
3- preserve order
4- socialize the youth
5-collect taxes
Politics is
who gets what, when, and how
who we select as goverment leaders and what policy they persue
The steps in the circular policy making system are:
1- people
- Linkage institution
3-Policy agenda
4-Policy making instition
5-Policy
List some linkage institions:
Parties, interest groups, elections , the media
List some policy making institions
Congress, the presidency, and the courts
Translating people’s desires into public policy is crucial to the workings of
Democracy
A political isssue is when
People disagreeing about a problem, or about the public policy needed to fix
“Democracy” means
a system of selecting policy makers and of organizing govermment so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preference
An ideal democratic process should satisfy the following 5 criteria:
1- Equality in voting
2-Effective participation
3-Englightened understanding
4-Citizen control of the agenda
5- inclusion
What is “majority rule”
A fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory. requires that the majority’s desire be represented. 51% is th emajority
Representation is the relationship between
leaders and their constituants
Ideal democracy requires a connection between
Leaders(elected officials) and citizens(constituants)
What are the three theories of democracy?
Pluralism
elitism
Hyperpluriasm
Describe plurialism
A theory of American democracy emphesizing that the policmaking process is very open to the participation of all all groups with shared interests
Describe hyperplurialism
A theory of American democracy contending that groups are so strong that government , which gives into the many different groups is thereby weakened
what is the class elite theory
An upper-class elite rules, regardless of governmental organization. . Wealth is the basis of class power a few powerful Americans are the policymakers.
what are the main challenge to democracy?
limited participation
diverse political interest
escalating campaign cost
increase complexity of issues
policy gridlock
what is individualism?
belief individuals can get along on their own
explain policy gridlock
politicians try to satisfy too many groups which results
and confused and block policymakers
