Chapter 1 Key Terms! Flashcards
understand key terms used in chapter 1
authoritarianism
gov’t itself is fully controlled by the ruler. social/economic institutions are not under gov’t control
authority
right/power of a gov’t or other entity to enforce decisions
Bill of Rights
First 10 Amendments
capitalism
economic system shown by the private ownership of wealth creating assets, free markets and freedom of contract
civil liberties
personal freedoms; including freedom of speech/religion
conservatism
limited role for gov’t in helping ppl, support for traditional values/lifestyles, and cautious response to change
conservative movement
movement in 1950s that provides ideological framework for conservative politics
demoncracy
system of a gov’t in which political authority is vested in the ppl
democratic republic
leaders elected by the ppl make and enforce laws/policies
direct democracy
political decisions are made by the ppl directly, rather than by elected reps.
elite theory
fight that society is ruled by small # of ppl who exercise power to further self interest
equality
idea that all ppl are equal of worth <3
government
has ultimate auth for making decisions that resolve conflicts/grant benefits/privileges within a society
ideology
set of beliefs abt nature of ppl and abt the role of an institution or gov’t
initiative
voters can petition to vote on law or amendment
insitution
performs certain functions for society
legitimacy
acceptance of the right/power of a gov’t or other entity to exercise auth
liberalism
set of beliefs fir positive gov’t action to improve welfare, civil rights, and political/social change
libertarianism
ideology based on skepticism or opposition towards gov’t activities
liberty
greatest freedom of the person, which is consistent with freedom of all other ppl in the society
limited gov’t
has powers that are limited either thru written document or shared beliefs
majoritarianism
theory in democracy, that gov’t should do what the majority of the ppl want
majority rule
greatest # of citizens in any political unit should select officials/determine policies
order
state of peace/security; protect members from violence and criminal activity
pluralism
theory that views conflict among interest grps. decision making is done by competition and compromise.
political structure
patterned set of ideas, values and ways of thinking abt gov’t and politics that shape ppl.
political socialization
process where ppl acquire political beliefs/values
politics
struggle over power; influence within organizations or grps that can grant/withhold benefits/privileges
popular sovereignty
concept that ultimate authority is based on the will of the ppl
progressive
alternative to liberal
property
is or may be subject to ownership
recall
procedure allowing ppl to vote/dismiss an elected official from office before their term is up
referendum
citizens vote directly on particular legislative or policy matters.
representative democracy
form of gov’t where leaders elected by the ppl make and enforce laws/policies, but monarchy may be retained
republic
form of gov’t where power rests with the ppl
socialism
ideology based on support for economic/social equality. envisioned businesses were taken over by the gov’t or employee cooperatives
totalitarian regime
form of gov’t that controls all aspects of political, social, and economic life in a nation
universal suffrage
the right of all adults to vote for their reps
working class
currently those w/ no college education - usually manual or unskilled labor
When citizens of a nation do not enjoy liberty, the gov’t frequently will:
A. abolish the right to fair trial
B. provide gov’t funds to churches
C. engage in military aggression
A. abolish the right to fair trial
When authority is broadly accepted, we say it has:
a. popularity.
b. validity.
c. legitimacy
c. legitimacy
A principal characteristic of direct democracy is that:
a. all lawful residents have citizenship rights.
b. laws are made by the entire citizenry acting together
c. the power of the government is limited to protect minorities.
b. laws are made by the entire citizenry acting together
A democratic republic is based on all of the following principles except:
a. popular sovereignty.
b. majority rule.
c. a limited monarchy – representative republic
c. a limited monarchy – representative republic
A word or phrase used to describe our democratic system in terms of competition among groups is:
a. majoritarianism.
b. pluralism
c. elite theory.
b. pluralism
Many of our basic guarantees of liberty (freedom rights) are found in
a. the Bible.
b. the Declaration of Independence.
c. the Bill of Rights
c. the Bill of Rights
Our economic system, under which property consists not only of personal possessions but also of wealth-creating assets, is called:
a. capitalism
b. industrialism.
c. democracy.
a. capitalism
A major theme of American politics during the twenty-first century has been:
a. arguments over whether all citizens should have the right to vote.
b. controversies over the proper size of government
c. disputes as to the role of the military.
b. controversies over the proper size of government
Popular American ideologies include:
a. conservatism, liberalism, and libertarianism
b. conservatism, liberalism, and Islamism.
c. conservatism, liberalism, and populism
a. conservatism, liberalism, and libertarianism
Important members of the conservative movement have included:
a. president Franklin D Roosevelt
b. Senator Barry Goldwater
c. President Lyndon B Johnson
b. Senator Barry Goldwater
Since the 1960s, most liberals have strongly supported all of these except:
a. civil rights for African Americans
b. federal health-care programs
c. the use of US Military forces abroad
c. the use of US Military forces abroad
- A common term that has come to replace liberalism in current American politics is:
a. populism
b. progressivism
c. libertarianism
b. progressivism
