Key Concepts about Gov't

Question 1

institutions AND processes; govt has authority

Answer 1

Government

Question 2

the right and power to enforce its decisions and compel obedience; Where does authority come from? Old debate: Pope? God? (Divine Right), US…by election?

Answer 2

Authority

Question 3

popular (ppl’s) acceptance of the right & power of a gov’t or other entity to exercise authority. Goes beyond a mere legal right to a moral/ ethical right; in US govt we acknowledge legitimacy of the govt w/ words “We the People…” (US Constitution Preamble)

Answer 3

Legitimacy

Question 4

concept that all power lies w/ the people, that they initiate (begin) policy

Answer 4

Popular Sovereignty (concept)

Question 5

Mob/Majority Rule: Tyrrany

Answer 5

Dangers of Democracy

Question 6

Harold Lasswell says it is the process by which “who gets what, when and how” of the valued goods in our society

Answer 6

Politics

Question 7

general political orientation or disposition of a nation- the SHARED VALUES & BELIEFS abt the nature of the political world that give us a common language in which to discuss & debate political ideas

Answer 7

Political Culture

Question 8

ideals or principles that most people agree are important, even though they may disagree on exactly how the value out to be defined. Normative statements

Answer 8

Values

Question 9

Key Debates @ Constitutional Convention

Answer 9

1) Great Compromise= how to set up legislative branch- New Jersey Plan; Virginia Plan
2) 3/5ths Compromise= representation & slave population
3) Slavery issue
4) No export taxes