I - American Gov't & Civic Engagement

Question 1

Common gods

Answer 1

Goods that all people may use but that are limited supply

Question 2

Democracy

Answer 2

Form of gov’t where political power rests in the hands of the people

Question 3

Direct Democracy

Answer 3

Form of gov’t where people participate directly in making gov’t decisions instead of choosing representatives to do this for them

Question 4

Elite theory

Answer 4

Claims political power rests in the hands of a small, elite group of people

Question 5

Gov’t

Answer 5

Means by which a society organizes itself & allocates authority in order to accomplish collective goals

Question 6

Ideology

Answer 6

Beliefs & ideals that help to shape political opinion & eventually policy

Question 7

Intense Preferences

Answer 7

Beliefs & preferences based on strong feelings regarding an issue that someone adheres to over time

Question 8

Latent preferences

Answer 8

Beliefs & preferences people are not deeply committed to and that change over time

Question 9

Majority rule

Answer 9

Fundamental principle of democracy

Majority should have the power to make decisions binding upon the whole

Question 10

Minority rights

Answer 10

Protections for those who are not part of the majority

Question 11

Monarchy

Answer 11

Form of gov’t where one ruler, usually a hereditary one, holds political power

Question 12

Oligarchy

Answer 12

Form of gov’t where a handful of elite society members hold political power

Question 13

Partisanship

Answer 13

Strong support, or even blind allegiance, fot a particular political part

Question 14

Pluralist theory

Answer 14

Claims political power rests in the hands of groups of people

Question 15

Political power

Answer 15

Influence over a gov’t’s institutions, leadership, or policies

Question 16

Politics

Answer 16

Process by which we decide how resources will be allocated and which policies gov’t will pursue

Question 17

Pivate goods

Answer 17

Goods provided by private businesses that can be used only by those who pay for them

Question 18

Public goods

Answer 18

Good provided by gov’t that anyone can use and that are available to all without charge

Question 19

Representative democracy

Answer 19

Form of gov’t where voters elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on behalf of all people instead of allowing people to vote directly on laws

Question 20

Social capital

Answer 20

Connections with others & willingness to interact and aid them

Question 21

Toll good

Answer 21

A good that is available to many people but is used only by those who can pay the price to do so

Question 22

Totalitarianism

Answer 22

Form of gov’t here gov’t is all-powerful & citizens have no rights