Review of Key Concepts and Terms- #1 Flashcards
What is politics?
The practice of who gets what, when and how
What are institutions?
Rules by which conflict is resolved. Institutions are the establishments that govt uses to exercise politics. e.g. Congress, Senate, President, etc.
How can govt resolve conflict?
Govt uses institutions to resolve conflict via laws, and its legitimacy of power.
We give govt power by recognizing its power. Same for all judiciary systems. They only have power because we give them power. Of course they use jails, and police, and fines to force us into doing their bidding, but still.
What are some basic forms of government?
o Autocracy: Power is allocated to one individual
o Oligarchy: Power is held by a small group of people
o Democracy: Ruled by the people
o DIFFERENCE: Democracy is based off popular sovereignty
Describe core Democratic values.
• Popular sovereignty rests on the extent to which the process and outcomes of a political system are consistent with: political freedom, majority rule, and politcal equality.
What is Pluralism?
Having the largest vote. Not a majority vote, but a vote that has the largest gathering of support
What is a private good?
A good that you have to put in something to receive. Could be an iphone. Could be reelection. Depends.
What is a public good?
A good that everyone receives regardless of what they contributed.
What is collective action?
Collective Action is the act of getting multiple people to agree, and act upon, an issue
Sum up the basis of the Declaration of independence
It justifies our struggle for independence with a republican theory of government based on the concept of natural rights.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
It was an early form our constitution, but it gave more power to the states by instating the Second Continental Congress.
Who were the Federalists?
The Federalists called for a strong national government that promoted economic growth and fostered friendly relationships with Great Britain, as well as opposition to revolutionary France. The party controlled the federal government until 1801, when it was overwhelmed by the Republican opposition led by Thomas Jefferson.
Who were the Anti-Federalists?
Anti-Federalism refers to a movement that opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and which later opposed the ratification of the 1787 Constitution. The previous constitution, called the Articles of Confederation, gave state governments more authority. Led by Patrick Henry of Virginia, Anti-Federalists worried, among other things, that the position of president, then a novelty, might evolve into a monarchy
What was the main idea of Federalist #10?
Discussed the problems with factions
What was the main idea of Federalist #51?
Discussed the importance of checks and imbalances.
What are “factions”?
Factions refer to political parties, or really any large group that came together to represent an ideal of government
What is Direct Democracy?
o It is a form of democracy where people vote directly on policy instead of western-democracy where “representative democracy” is popular
How does Direct Democracy differ from a
republican (representative) democracy?
o The difference is that there are no representatives that get in the way of people voting. The peoples votes only matter and there are no representatives in the way
What is advertising? (in politics
o This is essentially campaigning. It is a way for candidates to get their name and message out
What is Pork-Barreling?
o At its basis, it is spending of the governmental budget on things that we don’t really need. It is the money that congressmen use on their districts to fund projects like the “bridge to nowhere” and Boston’s “big dig”
Describe the Norm of Universalism.
o “If you help me, I’ll help you”
o Basically, congressmen will help each other as long as it benefits them
What are is the role of political parties?
o Parties exist to represent a moderate view of certain ideals. Ex. The Republican party does not represent the same extreme ideals that Ted Cruz encompasses, nor does the Democratic party represent the same ideals that Bernie Sanders encompasses- but instead, more moderate views of each