Ch. 1 Political Landscape

Question 1

government

Answer 1

the institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society

Question 2

politics

Answer 2

the process by which we select out governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue

Question 3

democracy

Answer 3

a system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences

Question 4

political culture

Answer 4

an overall set of values widely shared within a society

Question 5

majority rule

Answer 5

a fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory. In a democracy, choosing among alternatives requires that the majority’s desire be respected

Question 6

citizen

Answer 6

member of the political community to whom certain rights and obligations are attached

Question 7

monarchy

Answer 7

government form, hereditary kings and queens govern

Question 8

totalitarianism

Answer 8

economic system, government has complete control over economy

Question 9

oligarchy

Answer 9

government form, control held by a group with similar traits (wealth, military position, achievement)

Question 10

social contract

Answer 10

agreement between people and their government giving consent to be governed

Question 11

social contract theory

Answer 11

John Locke’s theory, people are naturally free and equal to therefore must give consent to be governed

Question 12

direct democracy

Answer 12

government form, citizens vote directly on every decision of the government

Question 13

representative (Indirect) democracy

Answer 13

government form, citizens vote for representatives who will work on their behalf

Question 14

republic

Answer 14

government form, power held by the people and those who they elect

Question 15

personal liberty

Answer 15

the freedom from things and the freedom to do things

Question 16

political culture

Answer 16

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

Question 17

popular consent

Answer 17

idea that government draws its power from those being governed

Question 18

majority rule

Answer 18

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

Question 19

popular sovereignty

Answer 19

the right of the majority to govern themselves, i.e. if the government is performing poorly people have the power to change it

Question 20

natural law

Answer 20

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

Question 21

civil society

Answer 21

society type, when citizens are allowed to organize and express their view publicly

Question 22

political ideology

Answer 22

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

Question 23

conservative

Answer 23

one who believes that a government is best when it governs least and that big gov infringes on rights

Question 24

liberal

Answer 24

one who believes in extensive governmental involvement in the economy and the provision

Question 25

libertarian

Answer 25

one who favors a free market economy and no governmental interference in personal liberties

Question 26

American Dream

Answer 26

American ideal of a happy, successful life, which often includes wealth, a house, a better life for one’s children