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The system for implementing decisions made through the political process.
government
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
factions
The division of government power across the judicial, executive, and legislative branches
separation of powers
A system in which each branch of government has some power over the others
checks and balances
The division of power across the local, state, and national levels of government
federalism
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-provided by the free market
public goods
Situations 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
collective action problems
The incentive to benefit from others’ work without making a contribution, which leads individuals in a collective action situation to refuse to work together
free rider problem
The process that determines what government does
politics
An economic system based on competition among businesses without government interference
free market
Policies, generally favored by Democratic politicians, that use taxation to attempt to create social equality (for example, higher taxation of the rich to provide programs for the poor)
redistributive tax policies
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
culture wars
A cohesive set of ideas and beliefs used to organize and evaluate the political world
ideology
The side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for lower taxes, a free market, and a more limited government; generally associated with Republicans
conservative
The side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for stronger government programs and more market regulation; generally associated with Democrats
Liberal
Those who prefer very limited government and therefore tend to be conservative on issues such as social welfare policy, environmental policy, and government funding for education but liberal on issues involving personal liberty such as free speech, abortion, and the legalization of drugs
libertarians
Unwritten rules and informal agreements among citizens and elected officials about how government and society should operate.
norms
Government by the people. In most contexts, this means representative democracy in which the people elect leaders to enact policies. Democracies must have fair elections with at least two options
democracy
Political freedom, such as the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. These and other legal and due process rights protecting individuals from government control are outlined in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution
liberty
In the context of American politics, “equality” means equality before the law, political equality (one person, one vote), and equality of opportunity (the equal chance for everyone to realize his or her potential), but not material equality (equal income or wealth)
equality
Sent to the states for ratification in 1777, these were the first attempt at a new American government. It was later decided that the Articles restricted national government too much, and they were replaced by the Constitution.
Articles of confederation
A political system in which the powers of the government are restricted to prevent tyranny by protecting property and individual rights
limited government
A form of government in which power is held by a single person, or monarch, who comes to power through inheritance rather than election
monarchy
An uprising of about 1,500 men in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787 to protest oppressive laws and gain payment of war debts. The unrest prompted calls for a new constitution.
shays rebellion