Chapter 1 Flashcards
Institution
An ongoing organization that performs certain functions of society.
Government
The preeminent institution within a society. Government has the ultimate authority to decide how conflicts will be resolved and how nene fits and privileges will be allocated.
Order
A state of peace and security. Maintaining order by protecting members of society from violence and criminal activity is the oldest purpose of government.
Liberty
The greatest freedom of the individual that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in the society.
Authority
The right and power of a government or other entity to enforce its decisions and compel obedience.
Legitimacy
Popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority.
Totalitarian Regime
A form of government that controls all aspects of the political, social, and economic life of a nation.
Authoritarianism
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.
Democracy
A system of government in which political authority is vested in the people.
Direct Democracy
A system of government in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives.
Legislature
A government body primarily responsible for the making of laws.
Initiative
A procedure by which voters can propose a law or a constitutional amendment.
Referendum
An electoral device whereby legislative or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval.
Recall
A procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from office before his or her term has expired.
Republic
A form of government in which sovereign power rests with the people, rather than with a king or a monarch.
Popular Sovereignty
The concept that. Ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people.
Democratic Republic
A republic in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies.
Representative Democracy
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.
Universal Suffrage
The right for all adults to vote for their representatives.
Majority Rule
A basic principle of democracy asserting that the greatest number of citizens in any political unit should select officials and determine policies.
Limited Government
A government with powers that are limited either through a written document or through widely shared beliefs.
Majoritarianism
A political theory holding that in a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want.
Elite Theory
The argument that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interests.
Pluralism
A theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups. Political decision making is characterized by bargaining and compromise.
Political Culture
The patterned set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics that characterizes a people.
Political Socialization
The process by which people acquire political beliefs and values.
Civil Liberties
Those personal freedoms, including freedom of religion and of speech, that are protected for all individuals in a society.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Equality
As a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth.
Property
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).
Capitalism
An economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract.
Political Ideology
A comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and the role of government.
Conservatism
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.
Conservative Movement
An American movement launched in the 1950s that provides a comprehensive ideological framework for conservative politics.
Liberalism
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.
Socialism
A political ideology based on strong support for economic and social equality. Socialist traditionally envisioned a society in which major businesses were taken over by the government or by employee cooperatives.
Libertarianism
A political ideology based on the skepticism or opposition toward. Ost government activities.
Politics
The struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups that can grant or withhold benefits or privileges.
