Chapter 1 Flashcards
Government
a permanent structure composed of decision makers who make society’s rules to control the behavior of people. the decision makers possess the power and authority to enforce those rules
globalization
increasing interpendency between people and governments or countries across the world. in other words, policies, outlook and other social and political issues are world wide in scope
plutocracy
a government in which the wealthy exercise ruling power
politices
according to harold lasswell, politices is the process of determining “who gets what” when and how in a society. politics is the process of resolving conflicts over how society should use its scarce resources and who should receive various benefits such as wealth or higher education
golden rule of politics
he or she who has the gold and power thes the rules
thomas hobbes
without government life would be solitary poor nsty brutish and short and a constant struggle against the evil of others
power
the ability to influence the behavior of tohers, usually thought the use of force, persuasion, or rewards. it also means that power holders can control other to conform their behavior and make them do what they want. so it is important to understand who acquires the power and authority to govern, and how they obtain that power and authority
lord acton
power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely
purposes of government
- ) maintain order is having the power and authority, to exercise power;make and enforce laws.
- ) providing goods and public services. public schools, maintaining roads. welfare programs and preserving national parks. safety programs, law enforcement, fire protection and public safety and heal programs
- ) equality is a concept that all people are equal worth.
concepts of freedom and equality
many americans see freedom as a right or privilege.
- )any action that prevents some group of persons from exercising this right will be subject to the strict scrutiny standard.
- ) freedom can also mean an absence of constraints or an exemption from an obligation
- )our founders essentially called freedom liberty, which means citizens can believe ac and express themselves freely so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others.
ideology
1.) a comprehensive ordered set of beliefs about the nature of people and about the institutions and role of government
.2) a logically set of beliefs about human nature, social inequality, and government institutions that form the basis of a political system.
ideologue
an individual who holds very strong political opinions, with a comprehensive world view
political ideologies
totalitarinism socialism democratic socialism capitalism libertarianism anarchism
totalitarianism
designation of a government which controls every aspect of the political and social of life of a nation. all power resides with the government, which maintains complete control under a dictator citizens have no real power.
socialism
a theory or ideology where the government owns the major means of production and industries; and distribution is by society rather than by individuals. socialists believe in equality and usually active government involvement in the economy to bring about this goal.
democratic socialism
socially owned economy, with emphasis on economic democracy.
capitalism
this is an economic system where the major means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit, especially in terms of the free market. trade and industry are controoled also by private owners rather than by the state. but is also includes private property ownership, capital accumulation, wage labor, competitive markets and voluntary exchange
libertarianism
where governments allow full individual freedom of thought and action. the only need for government is to protect life, property and liberty. libertarians believe that people should be able to do whatever they want as long as their actions do not hurt others.
anarchism
this philosophy embrace the idea of having no government and no laws. each member of a particular society governs ones self. anarchists resist all government because it interferes unjustly with individual liberty. so people should cooperate without force or compulsion.
liberalism vs conservatism
liberals; advocate for the positive use of government to improve the welfare of all citizens. they also believe in supporting civil rights; having tolerance for different lifestyles and having the firm belief for political and social change.
conservatism; they believe in a limited role for the national government in helping citizens. they also have a cautions response to change, like same sex marriages; and they support traditional values and life styles. conservatives also believe in a strong military.
