The Theory Of Modern Government Flashcards
Define direct democracy.
Type of government characterized by citizens attending a town hall meeting and voting on issues raised, with the majority prevailing.
Define conservative.
A person who believes in less government, lower taxes, a strong national defense, and more responsibility.
Define elite and class theory.
A group theory that revolves around an economic stratum of society controlling the policy agenda.
Define government.
Those institutions that create public policy.
Define pluralism.
A group theory that involves different groups all vying for control of the policy agenda. No single group emerges, forcing the groups to compromise.
Define liberal.
A person who believes in greater government intervention, higher taxes, and smaller military.
Define policy agenda.
Agenda that results from the interaction of linkage institutions.
Define linkage institution.
The means by which individuals can express preferences regarding the development of public policy. Examples of linkage institutions include political parties, special interest groups, and the media.
Define loose construction.
A liberal interpretation of the Constitution.
Define political party.
A group of people joined together by common philosophies and common approaches with the aim of getting candidates elected in order to develop and implement public policy. It is characterized by an organization that is responsible to the electorate and has a role in government.
Define politics.
Who gets what, when, how, and why.
Define public policy.
The final action(s) taken by government in promotional, regulatory, or distributive form.
Define representative democracy.
Form of government that relies on the consent of the people and is often called a republican government.
Define strict constructionists.
Individuals who believe in a conservative interpretation of the Constitution.
