Chapter 1 Vocab Flashcards
politics
the resulting activity or debate in which an issue is argued or settled
power
the ability to of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first persons intentions
authority
the right to use power over specific people or in specific situations
legitimacy
political authority granted by law, or by a state/national constitution
democracy
the rule of the many
OR
a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives
direct/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
people who possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource, like money, prestige or expertise
class view
a 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 are outside of government
bureaucratic view
the view that the government is dominated by appointed officials
pluralist view
the view that resources are so widely spread across government institutions that no one can dominate it
credal passion view
the belief that morally passionate elites drive important political changes
political agenda
issues that people believe require government action
cost
a burden that people believe they must bear if a policy is adopted
benefit
a satisfaction that people believe they will enjoy if a policy is adopted
majoritarian politics
a policy in which almost everybody benefits and almost 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 pays
pork-barrel legislation
a legislation that gives tangible benefits to people in several districts or states in the hopes of winning their votes in return
log-rolling
a legislator supports proposal favored by another in return for support of his or hers
entrepreneurial politics
a policy in which almost everyone benefits and a small group pays
issue
a conflict that is real or apparent, between the interests, ideas or beliefs of different citizens or factions
