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AP Government and Politics > Lesson 1: Introduction to American Politics and Democracy > Flashcards

Lesson 1: Introduction to American Politics and Democracy Flashcards

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1
Q

Government

A

The institution that makes and enforces public policies (laws)

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2
Q

Politics

A

The process of deciding who gets the benefits in society and who is excluded from the benefits (“who gets what, when, where, and how”)

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3
Q

Political Science

A

The study of politics

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4
Q

Linkage Institutions

A

Structures within a society that connect the people to the government in order to influence public policy

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5
Q

Linkage Institutions Examples

A

Elections, Political Parties, Interest Groups, Media

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6
Q

Democracy

A

Rule by the people, people partake in elections to have a say in politics and government

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7
Q

Direct Democracy

A

People voting directly on policies

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8
Q

Direct Democracy Example

A

Town hall meeting

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9
Q

Indirect Democracy

A

Citizens choose people to represent them and decide policy issues

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10
Q

Which is more common? Indirect or Direct

A

Indirect

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11
Q

Popular Sovereignty

A

Citizens are the source of power in a democratic government

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12
Q

Limited Government

A

Government is not all powerful

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13
Q

Rule of Law

A

No one is above the law

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14
Q

Natural Rights

A

Universal laws that men are born with and are unalienable

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15
Q

Social Contract

A

People give up absolute freedom to a government that is created by the people and govern with the consent of the people

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16
Q

Who created the idea of a social contract?

A

John Locke

17
Q

Republicanism

A

Democracy allows people to participate in elections to vote for officials to govern on their behalf

18
Q

Majority Rules with Minority Protections

A

The will of the majority should prevail but those in the minority also have rights

19
Q

Political Efficacy

A

The belief that citizens have the ability to make positive change in society

20
Q

Participatory Democracy

A

Individual participation by most/all citizens that help policymakers create laws

21
Q

What does participatory democracy look like?

A

Voting for elected officials at the national/state level or voting directly on policy at the state level

22
Q

Elite Democracy

A

Power is concentrated in a “ruling class” of rich and educated individuals

23
Q

Pluralist Democracy

A

Idea that our democracy is characterized by many organized interest groups

24
Q

Hyperpluralism

A

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

25
Q

Political Ideology

A

Set of beliefs regarding politics (how a person views the role of government in society)

26
Q

Political Spectrum

A

A method used by political scientists in order to provide a visual representation of a person’s political views

27
Q

Liberal

A

Government should be active in making changes thought to be unfair

28
Q

Conservative

A

Traditional policies designed to preserve the status quo led by minimal involvement from the government

29
Q

Political Polarization

A

The process by which public opinion divides and goes to the extremes

30
Q

Authoritarianism

A

Favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, especially that of the government, at the expense of personal freedom

31
Q

Socialism

A

Goal of Government: Equality

Role of Government: Strong government control of economy

32
Q

Liberalism

A

Goal of Government: Equality of opportunity, protection of liberty
Role of Government: Gov. action to promote equality and opportunity

33
Q

Conservatism

A

Goal of Government: Traditional Vales, stability, and economic freedom
Role of Government: Gov support to maintain capitalism, few regulations

34
Q

Libertarianism

A

Goal of Government: Absolute economic & social freedom

Role of Government: No gov regulation of economy, or regulation of social issues

AP Government and Politics (1 decks)

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