AP Gov Buzzwords - Unit One

Question 1

natural law

Answer 1

a doctrine that society should be governed by certain ethical principles that are a part of nature and can be understood as reason

Question 2

social contract theory

Answer 2

the theory that individuals consent to surrender some of their freedoms in exchange for protection of their remaining rights

Question 3

personal liberty

Answer 3

freedom to engage in a variety of practices without governmental interferences or discrimination

Question 4

power

Answer 4

the ability of one person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions

Question 5

authority

Answer 5

the right to use power, which is conferred by election, appointment, law or constitution

Question 6

legitimacy

Answer 6

in the US it is the concept of democracy and the constitution

Question 7

monarchy

Answer 7

a form of government in which power is vested in hereditary kings and queens who govern in the interest of all

Question 8

democracy

Answer 8

a system of government that gives power to the people, whether directly or through elected representatives

Question 9

direct democracy

Answer 9

a system of government in which members of the polity meet to discuss all policy decisions and then agree to abide by majority rule

Question 10

participatory democracy

Answer 10

citizens participate directly in governing process

Question 11

representative democracy

Answer 11

acquisition of power by leaders who compete for votes via elections. Often used when direct democracy is impractical in terms of time and energy

Question 12

majority rule

Answer 12

the premise in direct democracy that only policies that garner the support of a majority of voters will be made into law

Question 13

oligarchy

Answer 13

a form of government in which the right ot participate depends on the possession of wealth, social status, military position, or achievement

Question 14

republic

Answer 14

a government rooted in the consent of the governed; a representative or indirect democracy

Question 15

elitist therory

Answer 15

representative democracy, where originally the elite represented the poor

Question 16

Marxist

Answer 16

one who believes that the economy should be determined by the dominant social class

Question 17

statist

Answer 17

one who believes in extensive government control of personal and economic liberties

Question 18

pluralist

Answer 18

the recognition and affirmation of diversity within a political body, which permits peaceful coexistence of different interests. (political moderates)

Question 19

political culture

Answer 19

commonly shared attitudes, beliefs and core values about how government should operate

Question 20

civic duty

Answer 20

individuals and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern

Question 21

political ideology

Answer 21

the coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government held by groups of individuals

Question 22

conservative

Answer 22

one who favors limited government intervention, particularly in economic affairs

Question 23

social conservative

Answer 23

one who believes that the goverment should support and further traditional moral teachings

Question 24

liberal

Answer 24

one who favors greater government intervention, particularly in economic affairs and in the provision of social services

Question 25

totalitarianism

Answer 25

a form of government in which power resides in a leader who rules according to self-interest and withought regard for individual rights and liberties

Question 26

libertarian

Answer 26

one who believes in limited government interference in personal and economic liberties

Question 27

popular sovereignty

Answer 27

the notion that the ultimate authority in society rests with the people