Ch. 1 Flashcards
Authoritarianism
A type of regime in which only the government itself is fully contolled by the ruler. Social and economic institutions exist that are not under the government’s control
Authority
The right and power of a government or other entity to enforce its decisions
Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the U.S Constitution
Capitalism
An economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract
Civil Liberties
Those personal freedoms, including freedom of religon and of speech, that are protected for all individuals in a society
Conservatism
A set of beliefs that includes a limited role for the national government in helping individuals, support for traditional values and lifestyles, and a cautious response to change.
Conservative Movement
An American movement founded in the 1950’s that provides a comprehensive ideological framework for conservative politics
Democracy
A system of government in which political authority is vested in the people
Democratic Republic
A republic in which leaders elected by the people make and enforce laws and politics
Direct Democracy
A system of government in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives
Elite Theory
The argument that society is ruled by a smaller number of people who exercise power to further their self interest
Equality
As a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth
Government
The institution that has the ultimate authority for making decisions that resolve conflicts and allocate benefits and privileges within a society
Ideology
A comprehensive set beliefs about the nature of people and about the role of an institution or government
Initiative
A process y which voters can petition to vote on a law or a constitutional amendment
Institution
An ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society
Legitimacy
popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority
Liberalism
A set of beliefs that includes advocacy of positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals, support of civil rights, and tolerance for political and social change
Libertarianism
A political ideology based on skepticism or opposition toward most government activities
Liberty
The greatest freedom of the individual that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in the society
Limited Government
A government with powers that are limed either through a written document or through widely shared beliefs
Majoritarianism
A political theory holding that in a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want
Major Rule
A basic principle of democracy asserting that the greatest number of citizens in any political unit should select officials and determine policies
Order
A state of peace and security. Maintaining order by protecting members of society from violence and criminal activity is oldest purposes of government
Pluralism
A theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups. Political decision making is characterized by bargaining and compromise
Political Culture
A patterned set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics that characterizes a people
Political Socialization
The process by which people acquire political beliefs and values
Politics
The struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups that can grant or withhold benefits or privileges
Popular Sovereignty
The concept that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people
Progressive
A popular alternative to the term liberal
Property
Anything that is or may be subject to ownership
Recall
A procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from office before his/her term has expired
Referendum
An electoral device whereby legislative or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval
Representative Democracy
A form of government in which leaders elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies, but in which the monarchy may be retained in a ceremonial role
Republic
A form of government in which sovereign power rests with the people, rather that with a king or a monarch
Socialism
A political ideology based on strong support for economic and social equality. Socialists traditionally envisioned a society in which major businesses are taken over by the government or by employee cooperatives
Totalitarian Regime
A form of government that controls all aspects of the political, social, and economic life of a nation
Universal Suffrage
The right of all adults to vote for their representatives
Working Class
Currently those with no college education. Traditionally, individuals or families in which the head of household was employed in manual or unskilled labor
