Mid-Term Exam Flashcards
Government
The formal institutions and procedures through which territory and people are ruled.
Constitutional democracy
System of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government
Authoritarian
Government recognizes no formal limits but may be restrained by power of social institutions
Totalitarian
Government recognizes no formal limits on power and eliminates or absorbs social institutions that might challenge it. Government controls every sphere of political, economic, and social life.
Politics
The conflict over leadership, structure, and policies of governments
- also about power/influence over gov’t
leadership,organization,policies
- Pol. Scientist Harold Lasswell: “Struggle over who gets what, when,
how.”
Autocracy
A single individual (King, queen, or dictator) rules
Oligarchy
Small group (landowners, military officers, wealthy merchants) controls government decision-making
Democracy
Citizens play a significant role in governmental process, usually through election of public officials.
Political Efficacy
Belief that one (citizen) can affect what the government does
Citizenship
Informed and active membership in a political community
- requires active participation in self governance
- Greek: “Enlightened political engagement”
Representative Democracy (Republic)
A system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who plays significant roles in government decision making
- USA has elements of this form or government
Direct Democracy
A system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies
- USA has elements of this form of government
Pluralism
Theory that allowing different interests and groups to compete for influence leads to compromise and moderate outcomes
- Examples: NRA, AARP, NAACP
Liberty
Limited governmental intrusion into our personal lives
Equality
Equality of opportunity to pursue whatever talents to fullest potential
