Ch. 1

Question 1

Government

Answer 1

The formal institutions through which a land and its people are ruled.

Question 2

Politics

Answer 2

Conflicts and struggles over the leadership, structure, and policies of government.

Question 3

Autocracy

Answer 3

When a nation is governed by a single individual

Question 4

Oligarchy

Answer 4

When a nation is governed by a small group

Question 5

Democracy

Answer 5

When citizens are given the power to rule themselves

Question 6

Constitutional Governments

Answer 6

Governments that are limited in some way by something like a constitution

Question 7

Authoritarian

Answer 7

Governments where there is not really a law controlling the government but other institutions check its power and keep it from getting too strong

Question 8

Totalitarian

Answer 8

Governments that have no legal limits and also seek remove any other institutions that might limit it as well.

Question 9

Power

Answer 9

Influence over a government’s leadership, organization or policies

Question 10

Representative Democracy

Answer 10

A system of government in which the people select representatives, who play a significant role in government decision making.

Question 11

Direct Democracy

Answer 11

A system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies

Question 12

Pluralism

Answer 12

The theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government

Question 13

Political Knowledge

Answer 13

Possessing information about the formal institutions of government, political actors, and political issues.

Question 14

Citizenship

Answer 14

Informed and active membership in a political community

Question 15

Digital Citizenship

Answer 15

Using the internet, social media, and other information technology to engage in society and government

Question 16

Political Efficacy

Answer 16

The ability to influence government and politics

Question 17

Political Culture

Answer 17

Broadly shared beliefs, values, and attitudes about how the government should function. American political culture is based on liberty, equality, and democracy

Question 18

Liberty

Answer 18

Freedom from governmental control

Question 19

Limited Government

Answer 19

A government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Question 20

Laissez-Faire Capitalism

Answer 20

An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference

Question 21

Equality of Opportunity

Answer 21

A widely shared American ideal that people should be able to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential

Question 22

Political Equality

Answer 22

The right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of “one person, one vote”

Question 23

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 23

A principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people

Question 24

Majority rule with minority rights

Answer 24

The democratic principle that the government follows the preferences of the majority of the voters but protects the interests of the minority