Unit 1 Constitutional Underpinnings Vocab (Introduction 1.1) Flashcards
Authority
the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience
Bureaucratic Theory on democracy (Max Weber)
This non-personal view of organizations followed a formal structure where rules, formal legitimate authority and competence were characteristics of appropriate management practices.
Democracy
A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.
Direct Democracy
form of democracy in which people decide policy initiatives directly
Dissolution
the closing down or dismissal of an assembly, partnership, or official body
Domestic policy (3 types)
administrative decisions which are directly related to all issues and activity within a nation’s borders (Economic, Social Welfare, Health Care, Environmental)
Elite Theory on democracy
A theory of American democracy contending that an upper-class elite holds the power and makes policy, regardless of the formal government organization.
Equality
the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities
Foreign policy (3 types)
a government’s strategy in dealing with other nations (
Government
The institution through which public policies are made for a society.
Government spending (3 types)
all government consumption, investment, and transfer payments (Discretionary Spending, Mandatory Spending, Interest on Debt)
Hyperpluralist Theory of democracy
theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government, which gives in to the many different groups, is thereby weakened
Legislature
the legislative body of a country or state that makes laws
Legitimacy
undisputed credibility or authenticity.
Liberty
the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views
Majoritarian Theory on democracy
asserts that a majority of the population is entitled to a certain degree of primacy in society, and has the right to make decisions that affect the society
Marxist Theory on democracy
socialist society evolves into communism, class distinctions will no longer exist, which will eliminate the need for the state in any form
Natural Rights
Rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments (central to Locke’s theory)
Pluralism
a theory emphasizing that the policy making process is very open to the participation of all groups with shared interests, with no single dominating group, thus public interest prevails.
Pluralist Theory on democracy
describes a political system where there is more than one center of power, which public interest prevails
Policy (Public policy)
a choice that government makes in response to a political issue. A policy is a course of action taken with regard to some problem.
Policy process
- process by which public policies are created and changed is complex and varies significantly from one policy question to the next
Politics
the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power
Power
the ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially as a faculty or quality
Representative democracy (Indirect or Republic)
a variety of democracy founded on the principle of elected officials representing a group of people
Representative vs. Trustee model of governance (Edmund Burke)
Electing officials trusting that they will correctly represent their group of citizens
Social Contract Theory (John Locke)
the view that persons’ moral and/or political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society in which they live
Universal suffrage
consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens, though it may also mean extending that right to minors and non-citizens
