Chapter 1 Terminology

Question 1

Authority (p. 21)

Answer 1

The recognized right of officials to exercise power.

Question 2

Constitutionalism (p. 22)

Answer 2

The idea that there are lawful restrictions on government’s power.

Question 3

Corporate Power (p. 23)

Answer 3

Enormous concentrations of wealth and power exist in the US private sector, primarily in the hands of large corporations, like Google, Ford, and Bank of America. Corporate power operates in part through the influence firms have with policymakers.

Question 4

Democracy (p. 18)

Answer 4

A term stemming form the Greek words demos, meaning “the people” and kratis, meaning “to rule.”

Democracy is a form of government in which the people govern, either directly or through elected representatives.

Question 5

Elitism (p. 24)

Answer 5

The power exercised by well-positioned and highly influential individuals. Wealth is the foundation of elitism.

It is argued that corporate elites have more political power than do the politicians in the visible government.

Question 6

Equality (p. 10)

Answer 6

The notion that all individuals are equal in their moral worth and thereby entitled to equal treatment under the law.

Question 7

Free Market System (p. 23)

Answer 7

Operates mainly on private transactions. Firms are free to make their own production, distribution, and pricing decisions, and individuals depend largely on themselves for economic security.

Question 8

Individualism (p. 10)

Answer 8

A commitment to personal initiative and self-sufficiency

Question 9

Legal action (p. 22)

Answer 9

The use of the courts as a means of asserting rights and interests – a channel through which ordinary citizens exercise power.

Question 10

Liberty (p. 9)

Answer 10

The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose, provided they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well-being of others.

Question 11

Majoritarianism (p. 19)

Answer 11

When political leaders respond to the policy desires of the majority.

Question 12

Party (partisan) polarization (p. 20)

Answer 12

Partisan divisions on issues; the rise of a strong division between political parties (i.e., Dems and Repubs) on issues.

Question 13

Pluralism (p. 20)

Answer 13

Holds that, on most issues, the preferences of the special interest (e.g., farmers for a farm bill) largely determines what government does.

Question 14

Political culture (p. 7)

Answer 14

A country’s widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of its people about politics. These beliefs derive form the country’s traditions and help to define the relationship of citizens to their government and to each other.

Question 15

Political science (p. 6)

Answer 15

The systematic study of government and politics.

Question 16

Political thinking (p. 2)

Answer 16

More than voicing an opinion, political thinking is reflective thinking focused on deciding what can reasonably be believed and then using this information to make political judgments.

Question 17

Politics (p. 17)

Answer 17

The means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs.

Question 18

Power (p. 17)

Answer 18

Refers to the ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments.

Question 19

Public policies (p. 24)

Answer 19

The decisions of govt. to pursue particular courses of action.

Question 20

Public policy process (p. 25)

Answer 20

The result of political interactions.
3 Stages:
• Problem recognition
• Policy formulation
• Policy implementation

Question 21

Self-government (p. 10)

Answer 21

The principle that the people are the ultimate source of governing authority and should have a voice in their governing.

Question 22

Problem recognition

Answer 22

Stage where conditions in society become seen as policy problems.

Question 23

Policy formulation

Answer 23

Stage where a policy or program is formulated and adopted

Question 24

Policy implementation

Answer 24

Stage where the adopted policy is put in place and evaluated.