Lesson 1: Introduction to American Politics and Democracy Flashcards
Government
The institution that makes and enforces public policies (laws)
Politics
The process of deciding who gets the benefits in society and who is excluded from the benefits (“who gets what, when, where, and how”)
Political Science
The study of politics
Linkage Institutions
Structures within a society that connect the people to the government in order to influence public policy
Linkage Institutions Examples
Elections, Political Parties, Interest Groups, Media
Democracy
Rule by the people, people partake in elections to have a say in politics and government
Direct Democracy
People voting directly on policies
Direct Democracy Example
Town hall meeting
Indirect Democracy
Citizens choose people to represent them and decide policy issues
Which is more common? Indirect or Direct
Indirect
Popular Sovereignty
Citizens are the source of power in a democratic government
Limited Government
Government is not all powerful
Rule of Law
No one is above the law
Natural Rights
Universal laws that men are born with and are unalienable
Social Contract
People give up absolute freedom to a government that is created by the people and govern with the consent of the people
Who created the idea of a social contract?
John Locke
Republicanism
Democracy allows people to participate in elections to vote for officials to govern on their behalf
Majority Rules with Minority Protections
The will of the majority should prevail but those in the minority also have rights
Political Efficacy
The belief that citizens have the ability to make positive change in society
Participatory Democracy
Individual participation by most/all citizens that help policymakers create laws
What does participatory democracy look like?
Voting for elected officials at the national/state level or voting directly on policy at the state level
Elite Democracy
Power is concentrated in a “ruling class” of rich and educated individuals
Pluralist Democracy
Idea that our democracy is characterized by many organized interest groups
Hyperpluralism
A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is ultimately weakened due to politician’s attempt to placate various groups, many of which represent conflicting interests
Political Ideology
Set of beliefs regarding politics (how a person views the role of government in society)
Political Spectrum
A method used by political scientists in order to provide a visual representation of a person’s political views
Liberal
Government should be active in making changes thought to be unfair
Conservative
Traditional policies designed to preserve the status quo led by minimal involvement from the government
Political Polarization
The process by which public opinion divides and goes to the extremes
Authoritarianism
Favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, especially that of the government, at the expense of personal freedom
Socialism
Goal of Government: Equality
Role of Government: Strong government control of economy
Liberalism
Goal of Government: Equality of opportunity, protection of liberty
Role of Government: Gov. action to promote equality and opportunity
Conservatism
Goal of Government: Traditional Vales, stability, and economic freedom
Role of Government: Gov support to maintain capitalism, few regulations
Libertarianism
Goal of Government: Absolute economic & social freedom
Role of Government: No gov regulation of economy, or regulation of social issues
