PoliSci Ch 1 & 2

Question 1

Institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled

Answer 1

Government

Question 2

Conflict over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments

Answer 2

Politics

Question 3

The ability to influence government and politics

Answer 3

Political Efficacy

Question 4

Informed and active membership in a political community

Answer 4

Citizenship

Question 5

A form of government in which a single individual - a king, queen, or dictator - rules

Answer 5

Autocracy

Question 6

A form of government in which a small group - landowners, military officers, or wealthy merchants - controls most of the governing decisions

Answer 6

Oligarchy

Question 7

A system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials

Answer 7

Democracy

Question 8

A system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of government

Answer 8

Constitutional Government

Question 9

A system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions

Answer 9

Authoritarian Government

Question 10

A system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it

Answer 10

Totalitarian Government

Question 11

Influence over a government’s leadership, organization, or policies

Answer 11

Power

Question 12

A system of government in which the populace select representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making

Answer 12

Representative Democracy (Republic)

Question 13

A system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policy

Answer 13

Direct Democracy

Question 14

The theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government : the outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation

Answer 14

Pluralism

Question 15

Broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should function. American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality, and democracy.

Answer 15

Political Culture

Question 16

Freedom from government control

Answer 16

Liberty

Question 17

A principle of constitutional government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution

Answer 17

Limited Government

Question 18

An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference

Answer 18

Laissez Faire Capitalism

Question 19

A widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential

Answer 19

Equality of Opportunity

Question 20

The right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of “one person, one vote”

Answer 20

Political Equality

Question 21

A principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people

Answer 21

Popular Sovereignty

Question 22

The democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority

Answer 22

Majority Rule / Minority Rights

Question 23

America’s first written constitution : served as the basis for America’s national government

Answer 23

Articles of Confederation

Question 24

A system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government

Answer 24

Confederation

Question 25

A framework for the Constitution, introduced by Randolph, that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state

Answer 25

Virginia Plan

Question 26

A framework for the Constitution, introduced by Paterson, that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population

Answer 26

New Jersey Plan

Question 27

The agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of population, but linked representation in the House of Representatives to population

Answer 27

Great Compromise

Question 28

The agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of the appointment of congressional seats, every slave would be counted as three-fifths of a person

Answer 28

Three-Fifths Compromise