Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Chapter 1: Introducing Government In America
Vocabulary from Chapter 1
18
Other
12th Grade
10/23/2009

Additional Other Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Government
Definition
The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society
Term
Public Goods
Definition
Goods, such as clean air and clean water, that everyone must share
Term
Politics
Definition
The process by which we select our government leaders and what policies these leaders pursue. Politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues
Term
Political Participation
Definition
All the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders of the policies they pursue. Voting is the most common but not the only means of political participation in a democracy. Other means include protest and civil disobedience
Term
Single-Issue Groups
Definition
Groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics. These features distinguish them from traditional interest groups
Term
Policymaking System
Definition
The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time. People’s interest, problems, and concerns create political issues for government policymakers. These issues shape policy, which in turn impacts people, generating more interests, problems, and concerns.
Term
Linkage Institutions
Definition
The political channels through which peoples concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. In the United States, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media
Term
Policy Agenda
Definition
The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actually involved in politics at any given point in time
Term
Political Issue
Definition
An issue that arises when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it
Term
Public Policy
Definition
A choice that government makes in response to a political issue. A policy is a course of action taken with regard to some problem
Term
Democracy
Definition
A system of selection policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences
Term
Majority Rule
Definition
A fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory. In a democracy, choosing around alternatives requires that the majority’s desire be respected. See also minority rights
Term
Representation
Definition
A basic principle of traditional democratic theory that describes the relationship between the few leaders an the many followers
Term
Elite and Class Theory
Definition
A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties f governmental organization. Compare hyperpluarism, pluralist theory, and traditional democratic theory
Term
Hyperpluralism
Definition
A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. Hyperpluralism is an extreme, exaggerated, or perverted form of pluralism. Compare elite and class theory, pluralists theory, and traditional democratic theory
Term
Policy Gridlock
Definition
A condition that occurs when no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy. The result is that nothing may get done.
Term
Political Culture
Definition
An overall set of values widely shared within a society
Term
Gross Domestic Product
Definition
The sum total o the value of all the goods and services produced in a nation
Supporting users have an ad free experience!