Chapter 1 Vocabulary Flashcards
Factions
Groups of like-minded people who try to influence the government. American government is set up to avoid domination by any one of these groups. (page 8)
Separation of powers
The division of government power across the judicial, executive, and legislative branches. (page 8)
Checks and balances
A system in which each branch of government has some power over the others. (page 8)
Federalism
The division of power across the local, state, and national levels of government. (page 8)
Public goods
Services or actions (such as protecting the environment) that, once provided to one person, become available to everyone. Government is typically needed to provide public goods because they will be under-produced by the free market. (page 8)
Collective action problem
A situation in which the members of a group would benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is better off refusing to cooperate and reaping benefits from those who do the work. (page 8)
Positive externalities
Benefits created by a public good that are shared by the primary consumer of the good and by society more generally. (page 8)
Politics
The process that determines what government does. (page 10)
Free market
An economic system based on competition among businesses without government interference. (page 19)
Economic individualism
The autonomy of individuals to manage their own financial decisions without government interference. (page 19)
Redistributive tax policies
Policies, generally favored by Democratic politicians, that use taxation to attempt to create greater social equality (i.e., higher taxation of the rich to provide programs for the poor). (page 19)
Culture wars
Political conflict in the United States between ‘‘red-state’’ Americans, who tend to have strong religious beliefs, and ‘‘blue-state’’ Americans, who tend to be more secular. (page 20)
Melting pot
The idea that as different racial and ethnic groups come to America, they should assimilate into American culture, leaving their native languages, customs, and traditions behind. (page 21)
Conservative Ideology
One side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for lower taxes, a free market, and a more limited government; generally associated with Republicans. (page 22)
Liberal Ideology
One side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for stronger government programs and more market regulation; generally associated with Democrats. (page 22)