Chapter 1: The Study Of American Government

Question 1

Democracy

Answer 1

The rule of the many

Question 2

Direct or participatory democracy

Answer 2

A government in which all or most citizens participate directly

Question 3

Representative democracy

Answer 3

A government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote

Question 4

Elite

Answer 4

Persons who possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource, like money, prestige, or expertise

Question 5

Class view

Answer 5

View that the government is dominated by capitalists

Question 6

Power elite view

Answer 6

View that the government is dominated by a few top leaders, most of whom were outside of government

Question 7

Bureaucratic view

Answer 7

View that the government is dominated by appointed officials

Question 8

Pluralist view

Answer 8

View that competition among all affected interests shaped public policy

Question 9

Creedal passion view

Answer 9

View that morally impassioned elites drive important political changes

Question 10

Political agenda

Answer 10

Issues that people believe require governmental action

Question 11

Cost

Answer 11

A burden that people believe they must bear if a policy is adopted

Question 12

Benefit

Answer 12

A satisfaction that people believe they will enjoy a policy if adopted

Question 13

Issue

Answer 13

A conflict, real or apparent, between the interests, ideas, or beliefs of different citizens

Question 14

Majoritarian politics

Answer 14

A policy in which almost everybody benefits and everybody pays

Question 15

Interest group politics

Answer 15

A policy in which a small group benefits and another small group pays

Question 16

Client politics

Answer 16

A policy in which one small group benefits and almost everybody else pays

Question 17

Park-barrel legislation

Answer 17

Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return

Question 18

Log-rolling

Answer 18

A legislator supports a proposal favored by another in return for support of his or hers

Question 19

Entrepreneurial politics

Answer 19

A policy in which almost everybody benefits and a small group pays

Question 20

Policy entrepreneurs

Answer 20

Activists in or out of government who pull together a political majority on behalf of unorganized interests