Chapter 1

Question 1

Institution

Answer 1

An ongoing organization that performs certain functions of society.

Question 2

Government

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Order

Answer 3

A state of peace and security. Maintaining order by protecting members of society from violence and criminal activity is the oldest purpose of government.

Question 4

Liberty

Answer 4

The greatest freedom of the individual that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in the society.

Question 5

Authority

Answer 5

The right and power of a government or other entity to enforce its decisions and compel obedience.

Question 6

Legitimacy

Answer 6

Popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority.

Question 7

Totalitarian Regime

Answer 7

A form of government that controls all aspects of the political, social, and economic life of a nation.

Question 8

Authoritarianism

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Democracy

Answer 9

A system of government in which political authority is vested in the people.

Question 10

Direct Democracy

Answer 10

A system of government in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives.

Question 11

Legislature

Answer 11

A government body primarily responsible for the making of laws.

Question 12

Initiative

Answer 12

A procedure by which voters can propose a law or a constitutional amendment.

Question 13

Referendum

Answer 13

An electoral device whereby legislative or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval.

Question 14

Recall

Answer 14

A procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from office before his or her term has expired.

Question 15

Republic

Answer 15

A form of government in which sovereign power rests with the people, rather than with a king or a monarch.

Question 16

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 16

The concept that. Ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people.

Question 17

Democratic Republic

Answer 17

A republic in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies.

Question 18

Representative Democracy

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Universal Suffrage

Answer 19

The right for all adults to vote for their representatives.

Question 20

Majority Rule

Answer 20

A basic principle of democracy asserting that the greatest number of citizens in any political unit should select officials and determine policies.

Question 21

Limited Government

Answer 21

A government with powers that are limited either through a written document or through widely shared beliefs.

Question 22

Majoritarianism

Answer 22

A political theory holding that in a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want.

Question 23

Elite Theory

Answer 23

The argument that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interests.

Question 24

Pluralism

Answer 24

A theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups. Political decision making is characterized by bargaining and compromise.

Question 25

Political Culture

Answer 25

The patterned set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics that characterizes a people.

Question 26

Political Socialization

Answer 26

The process by which people acquire political beliefs and values.

Question 27

Civil Liberties

Answer 27

Those personal freedoms, including freedom of religion and of speech, that are protected for all individuals in a society.

Question 28

Bill of Rights

Answer 28

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Question 29

Equality

Answer 29

As a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth.

Question 30

Property

Answer 30

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).

Question 31

Capitalism

Answer 31

An economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract.

Question 32

Political Ideology

Answer 32

A comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and the role of government.

Question 33

Conservatism

Answer 33

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.

Question 34

Conservative Movement

Answer 34

An American movement launched in the 1950s that provides a comprehensive ideological framework for conservative politics.

Question 35

Liberalism

Answer 35

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.

Question 36

Socialism

Answer 36

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.

Question 37

Libertarianism

Answer 37

A political ideology based on the skepticism or opposition toward. Ost government activities.

Question 38

Politics

Answer 38

The struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups that can grant or withhold benefits or privileges.