Ch. 1

Question 1

3 requirements for representative democracy to work

Answer 1

1. Actual competition between people trying to get elected
2. Free communication
3. A meaningful choice between candidates

Question 2

Majoritarian government

Answer 2

a form of representative government in which the representative is so closely constrained to the people’s views that he/she acts as the majority of his/her constituency would act

Question 3

What are the four main views about distribution of power in the U.S?

Answer 3

Marxist, Power Elite, Bureaucratic, Pluralist

Question 4

Marxist view of power distribution

Answer 4

Government is a tool for the legitimization of tools that the bourgoisie use in the class struggle. Economy dominates the government

Question 5

Power Elite view of power distribution

Answer 5

American government is actually dominated by a few people, many of whom are outside of the government, but have power because they control something that the government needs

Question 6

Bureaucratic view of power distribution

Answer 6

It doesn’t actually matter who is “in charge” of the government bc it’s actually the low-level bureaucrats who implement the laws. Thus, they have the power.

Question 7

Pluralist view of power distribution

Answer 7

There are tons of different interest groups that influence each decision made in the government. No one group has monopoly, but power is not distributed equally

Question 8

What is politics about?

Answer 8

“Who governs, and to what ends”

Question 9

Authority

Answer 9

The right to use power

Question 10

Power

Answer 10

The ability to make someone else do something you want

Question 11

Legitimacy

Answer 11

The thing that makes a law/constitution right. Popular vote gives something legitimacy

Question 12

What are three ways local governments can open the door to direct democracy?

Answer 12

Initiative, Referendum, Recall

Question 13

Initiative

Answer 13

Voters can get a constituional amendment or legislative measures into the ballot box by getting a certain number of signatures (usually 5-15% of the # of ppl who voted in the last election)

Question 14

Referendum

Answer 14

A measure that allows voters to reject a measure that has been approved by the legislature. Some kinds of measures (like tax increases) must be subject to referendum whether the legislature likes it or not. ~ 25 states have it

Question 15

Recall

Answer 15

In which voters can remove/replace an elected official before their term is over. Signatures on a petition, then popular vote for remove, replace, or let them be. ~20 states have it