Vocab Chapter 1 Flashcards
Learn term vocabulary
Politics
The process by which we choose government officials and make decisions about public policy
Civic Life
Participation in the collective life of the community
Government
The body (or bodies) charged with making official policies for citizens
Civil Society
The broad array of voluntary associations that bring citizens together to deal with community and social issues of common concern
Social Capital
Bonds of trust and reciprocity between citizens that form the glue that holds modern societies together
Direct Democracy
Form of government in which decisions about public policy extend to the entire citizenry
Representative Democracy
Form of government in which popular decision making is restricted to electing or appointing the public officials who make public policy
Majority Rule
The requirement that electoral majorities determine who is elected to office and that majorities in power determine our laws and how they are administered
Political Power
The ability to get things done by controlling or influencing the institutions of government
Ruling Elite Theory
View positing that wealthy and well-educated citizens exercise a disproportionate amount of influence over political decision making
Pluralism
View positing that various groups and coalitions constantly vie for government favor and the ability to exercise political power but non enjoys long term dominance
Initiative
Procedure that enables citizens to approve or repeal measures already acted on by legislative bodies
Popular Referendum
A device that allows citizens to approve or repeal measures already acted on by legislative bodies
Legislative Referendum
Ballot measure aimed at securing voter approval for some legislative acts, such as changes to a state’s constitution
Recall
Procedure whereby citizens can remove and replace a public official before the end of a term
