Ch.1 The Democratic Republic Flashcards
An ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society
Institution
The preeminent institution within a society. Has the ultimate authority to decide how conflicts will be resolved and how benefits and privileges will be allocated.
Government
A state of peace and security. Maintaining order by protecting members of society from violence and criminal activity is the oldest purpose of government.
Order
The greatest freedom of the individual that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in the society.
Liberty
The right and power of a government or other entity to enforce its decisions and compel obedience.
Authority
Popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority
Legitimacy
A form of government that controls all aspects of the political, social, and economic life of a nation
Totalitarian Regime
A type of regime in which only the government itself is fully controlled by the ruler. Social and economic institutions exist that are not under the government’s control.
Authoritarianism
Rule by the “best.” In reality, rule by an upper class.
Aristocracy
Literally, rule by God or the gods. In practice, rule by religious leaders, typically self-appointed.
Theocracy
Rule by a few
Oligarchy
A system of government in which political authority is vested in the people.
Democracy
A system of government in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives.
Direct Democracy
The struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups that can grant or withhold benefits or priveleges
Politics
A governmental body primarily responsible for making the laws
Legislature
A procedure by which voters can propose a law or a constitutional amendment
Initiative
An electoral device whereby legislative or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval and disapproval
Referendum
A procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from office before his or her term has expired
Recall
The idea that governments and laws derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed
Consent of the People
A form of government in which sovereign power rests with the people, rather than with a king or monarch
Republic
The concept that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people
Popular Sovereignty
A republic in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies
Democratic Republic
A form of government in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies, but in which the monarchy may be retained in a ceremonial role
Representative Democracy
The right of all adults to vote for their representatives
Universal Suffrage
More than 50%
Majority
A basic principle of democracy asserting that the greatest number of citizens in any political unit should select officials and determine policies
Majority Rule
A government with powers that are limited either through a written document or through widely shared beliefs
Limited Government
A political theory holding that in a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want
Majoritarianism
The argument that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interest
Elite Theory
A theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups. Political decision making is characterized by bargaining and compromise.
Pluralism
The patterned set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics that characterizes a people.
Political Culture
The process by which people acquire political beliefs and values
Political Socialization
Those personal freedoms, including freedom of religion and speech, that are protected for all individuals in a society.
Civil Liberties
The first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
As a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth.
Equality
Anything that is or may be subject to ownership. As conceived by the political philosopher John Locke, the right to property is a natural right superior to human law (laws made by government).
Property
An economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract.
Capitalism
A comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and the role of government
Political Ideology
A set of beliefs that includes advocacy of a limited role for the national government in helping individuals, support for traditional values and lifestyles, and a cautious response to change.
Conservatism
A set of beliefs that includes advocacy of positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals, support for civil rights, and tolerance for political and social change.
Liberalism
A political ideology based on strong support for economic and social equality. Traditionally envisioned a society in which major businesses were taken over by the government or by employee cooperatives.
Socialism
A political ideology based on skepticism or opposition toward most government activities
Libertarianism
