Chapter 1

Question 1

define elitism

Answer 1

A theory of American democracy contending that an upper-class elite holds the power and makes policy, regardless of the formal governmental organization

Question 2

define politics

Answer 2

The process of determining the leaders we elect and the policies they pursue. Politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues.

Question 3

define policy agenda

Answer 3

The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people involved in politics at a point in time.

Question 4

define government

Answer 4

The institutions through which public policies are made for a society.

Question 5

policy gridlock

Answer 5

A condition that occurs when interests conflict and no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy, so nothing gets done.

Question 6

pluralism

Answer 6

A theory of American democracy emphasizing that the policymaking process is very open to the participation of all groups with shared interests, with no single group usually dominating. Pluralists tend to believe that as a result, public interest generally prevails.

Question 7

political issue

Answer 7

An issue that arises when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it.

Question 8

gross domestic product (GDP)

Answer 8

The sum total of the value of all the goods and services produced in a year in a nation.

Question 9

represenation

Answer 9

A basic principle of traditional democratic theory that describes the relationship between the few leaders and the many followers.

Question 10

democracy

Answer 10

A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.

Question 11

public policy

Answer 11

A choice that government makes in response to a political issue. A policy is a course of action taken with regard to some problem.

Question 12

political participation

Answer 12

All the activities by which citizens attempt to influence the selection of political leaders and the policies they pursue. Voting is the most common means of political participation in a democracy. Other means include contacting public officials, protest, and civil disobedience.

Question 13

policymaking institutions

Answer 13

The branches of government charged with taking action on political issues. The U.S. Constitution established three policymaking institutions—Congress, the presidency, and the courts. Today, the power of the bureaucracy is so great that most political scientists consider it a fourth policymaking institution.

Question 14

political culture

Answer 14

An overall set of values widely shared within a society.

Question 15

linkage institutions

Answer 15

The political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. In the United States, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

Question 16

majority rule

Answer 16

A fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory. In a democracy, choosing among alternatives requires that the majority’s desire be respected.

Question 17

single-issue groups

Answer 17

Groups that have a narrow interest on which their members tend to take an uncompromising stance.

Question 18

minority rights

Answer 18

A principle of traditional democratic theory that guarantees rights to those who do not belong to majorities.

Question 19

policymaking system

Answer 19

The process by which policy comes into being and evolves. People’s interests, problems, and concerns create political issues for government policymakers. These issues shape policy, which in turn impacts people, generating more interests, problems, and concerns.

Question 20

hyperpluralism

Answer 20

A theory of American democracy contending that groups are so strong that government, which gives in to the many different groups, is thereby weakened.

Question 21

policy impacts

Answer 21

The effects a policy has on people and problems. Impacts are analyzed to see how well a policy has met its goal and at what cost.

Question 22

collective goods

Answer 22

Goods and services, such as clean air and clean water, that by their nature cannot be denied to anyone.