Chapter 1

Question 1

Government

Answer 1

The institution and processes through which public policies are made for a society

Question 2

Public goods

Answer 2

goods such as clean air and clean water, that everyone must share

Question 3

Politics

Answer 3

Process we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue

Question 4

Political Participation

Answer 4

All activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or policies they pursue

Question 5

Single issue groups

Answer 5

Groups that have narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise , and often draw membership from people new to politics

Question 6

Policy making system

Answer 6

The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time.

Question 7

Linkage institutions

Answer 7

Political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda

Question 8

Policy agenda

Answer 8

Issues that attract serious attention of public officials and other people actually involved in politics at any given time

Question 9

Political issue

Answer 9

Issue arises when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it

Question 10

Policymaking institution

Answer 10

Branches of government charged with taking action on political issues

Question 11

Democracy

Answer 11

System of selecting policy makers and of organizing government so policy represents and responds to the publics preferences

Question 12

Majority rule

Answer 12

Choosing among alternatives requires that the majority’s desire be respected

Question 13

Minority rights

Answer 13

Guarantees rights to those who do not belong to majorities and allows that they might join majorities through persuasion and reasoned argument

Question 14

Representation

Answer 14

The relationship between the few leaders and many followers

Question 15

Pluralist theory

Answer 15

Politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies

Question 16

Elite and class theory

Answer 16

Societies are divided along class lines and that an upper class elite will rule

Question 17

Hyperpluralism

Answer 17

Groups are so strong that government is weakened

Question 18

Policy gridlock

Answer 18

A condition that occurs when no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy

Question 19

Gross domestic product

Answer 19

Sum total of the value of all goods and services produced in a nation

Question 20

Individualism

Answer 20

Belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government