Ch. 1 - Democracy In The United States

Front 1

primary election

Back 1

Election that narrows the number of candidates by determining who will be the nominees in the general election.

Front 2

general election

Back 2

Final election that selects the office holder.

Front 3

initiative

Back 3

Proposed laws or state constitutional amendments placed on the ballot via citizen petition.

Front 4

referendum

Back 4

law proposed by a legislature or city council but does not go into effect unless the required majority of voters approves it.

Front 5

proposition

Back 5

A shorthand reference to an initiative or a referendum.

Front 6

government

Back 6

The institution in society that has a monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force.

Front 7

aristocracy

Back 7

Government by a few leaders made eligible by birthright.

Front 8

oligarchy

Back 8

Government by a few who gain office by means of wealth, military power, or membership in a single political party.

Front 9

democracy

Back 9

System in which governmental power is widely shared among the citizens, usually through free and open elections.

Front 10

direct democracy

Back 10

An indirect form of democracy in which the people choose representative who determine what government does.

Front 11

prospective voting

Back 11

Voting on the basis of a candidate's policy promises for the future.

Front 12

retrospective voting

Back 12

Voting on the basis of the past performance of the incumbent politician.

Front 13

constituency

Back 13

Those legally entitled to vote for a public official.

Front 14

permanent campaign

Back 14

Condition that prevails when the next election campaign begins as soon as the last has ended and the line between electioneering and governing has disapeared.

Front 15

single issue voter

Back 15

Voter who cares so deeply about some issue that a candidate's position on this one issue determines his or her vote.

Front 16

electoral incentive

Back 16

Desire to obtain or retain elected office.