Ch 1 terms

Question 1

Civic life

Answer 1

Participation in the collective life of the community

Question 2

Social capital

Answer 2

Bonds of trust and reciprocity between citizens that form the glue that holds modern societies together

Question 3

Government

Answer 3

The institution by which the decisions of who gets what, when, and how are made

Question 4

Politics

Answer 4

The process of deciding who gets what when and how are made

Question 5

Direct democracy

Answer 5

A form of government in which decisions about public policy extend to the entire citizenry

Question 6

Representative democracy

Answer 6

A form of government in which popular decision-making is restricted to electing or appointing the public officials who make public policy

Question 7

Majority rule

Answer 7

The requirement that electoral majorities determine who is elected to office and that majorities in power determine our laws and how they are administered

Question 8

Minority rights

Answer 8

Protections beyond the reach of majority control are guaranteed to all citizens

Question 9

Legitimacy

Answer 9

Respect for authoritative decisions issuing from accepted standards and procedures

Question 10

Political power

Answer 10

The ability to get things done by controlling or influencing the institutions of government

Question 11

Ruling elite theory

Answer 11

The view posing that wealthy and well educated citizens exercise a disperportunate amount of influence over political desision making

Question 12

Pluralism

Answer 12

The view posing that various groups and coalitions continuously vie for government favor and the ability to exercise political power but none enjoy long term dominance

Question 13

Biased pluralism

Answer 13

A theory of power in America that contends the wealthy play an outsized role in politics that tilts results in their favor

Question 14

Direct initiatives

Answer 14

Procedure that enables citizens to place proposals for laws and amendments directly on the ballot for voter approval

Question 15

Indirect incentives

Answer 15

Citizen-initiated procedure for placing proposals on the ballot, requiring legislative action before submission to voters

Question 16

Popular referendum

Answer 16

A device that allows citizens to approve or repeal measures already acted on by legislative bodies

Question 17

Legislative referendum

Answer 17

Ballot measure aimed at securing voter approval for some legislative acts, such as changes to a state’s constitution

Question 18

Recall

Answer 18

Procedure whereby citizens can remove and replace a public official before the end of a term

Question 19

Ideology

Answer 19

Ideas, values, and beliefs about how governments should operate

Question 20

Liberal democracy

Answer 20

An ideology stressing individual rights and expressing faith in popular control of limited government

Question 21

Political participation

Answer 21

Taking part in activities aimed at influencing the policies or leadership of the goverment

Question 22

Social class

Answer 22

The perceived combination of wealth, income, education, and occupation that contributes to one’s status and power in society

Question 23

Service leadership programs

Answer 23

Programs that connect volunteers with organizations in need of help

Question 24

Civic engagement

Answer 24

Involvement in any activity aimed at influencing the collective wellbeing of the community

Question 25

Political engagement

Answer 25

Active interest and participation in political activities