Chapter 1: The Study Of American Government Flashcards
Democracy
The rule of the many
Direct or participatory democracy
A government in which all or most citizens participate directly
Representative democracy
A government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote
Elite
Persons who possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource, like money, prestige, or expertise
Class view
View that the government is dominated by capitalists
Power elite view
View that the government is dominated by a few top leaders, most of whom were outside of government
Bureaucratic view
View that the government is dominated by appointed officials
Pluralist view
View that competition among all affected interests shaped public policy
Creedal passion view
View that morally impassioned elites drive important political changes
Political agenda
Issues that people believe require governmental action
Cost
A burden that people believe they must bear if a policy is adopted
Benefit
A satisfaction that people believe they will enjoy a policy if adopted
Issue
A conflict, real or apparent, between the interests, ideas, or beliefs of different citizens
Majoritarian politics
A policy in which almost everybody benefits and everybody pays
Interest group politics
A policy in which a small group benefits and another small group pays
Client politics
A policy in which one small group benefits and almost everybody else pays
Park-barrel legislation
Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return
Log-rolling
A legislator supports a proposal favored by another in return for support of his or hers
Entrepreneurial politics
A policy in which almost everybody benefits and a small group pays
Policy entrepreneurs
Activists in or out of government who pull together a political majority on behalf of unorganized interests
