Ch. 1 Government Terms

Front 1

Anarchism

Back 1

A political philosophy that opposes government in any form.

Front 2

Capitalism

Back 2

The system of government that favors free enterprise (privately owned businessesoperating without government regulation).

Front 3

Communism

Back 3

A political system in which, in theory, ownership of all land and productivefacilities is in the hands of the people, and all goods are equally shared. The production anddistribution of goods are controlled by an authoritarian government.

Front 4

Communitarians

Back 4

Those who are willing to use government to promote both order and equality.

Front 5

Conservatives

Back 5

Those who are willing to use government to promote order but not equality.

Front 6

Democratic Socialism

Back 6

A socialist form of government that guarantees civil liberties such asfreedom of speech and religion. Citizens determine the extent of government activity through freeelections and competitive political parties

Front 7

Equality of Opportunity

Back 7

The idea that each person is guaranteed the same chance to succeed in life.

Front 8

Equality of Outcome

Back 8

The concept that society must ensure that people are equal, and governments must design policies to redistribute wealth and status so that economic and social equality is actually achieved.

Front 9

Freedom From

Back 9

Immunity, as in freedom from want.

Front 10

Freedom Of

Back 10

An absence of constraints on behavior, as in freedom of speech or freedom ofreligion.

Front 11

Globalization

Back 11

The increasing interdependence of citizens and nations across the world

Front 12

Government

Back 12

The legitimate use of force to control human behavior; also, the organization oragency authorized to exercise that force.

Front 13

Laissez faire

Back 13

An economic doctrine that opposes any form of government intervention in business.

Front 14

Liberalism

Back 14

The belief that states should leave individuals free to follow their individual pursuits.Note that this differs from the definition of liberal later in this chapter.

Front 15

Liberals

Back 15

Those who are willing to use government to promote equality but not order

Front 16

Libertarianism

Back 16

A political ideology that is opposed to all government action except as necessaryto protect life and property

Front 17

Libertarians

Back 17

Those who are opposed to using government to promote either order or equality

Front 18

National Sovereignty

Back 18

A political entity’s externally recognized right to exercise final authorityover its affairs.

Front 19

Order

Back 19

Established ways of social behavior. Maintaining order is the oldest purpose ofgovernment.

Front 20

Police Power

Back 20

The authority of a government to maintain order and safeguard citizens’ health,morals, safety, and welfare.

Front 21

Political Equality

Back 21

Equality in political decision making: one vote per person, with all votescounted equally

Front 22

Political Ideology

Back 22

A consistent set of values and beliefs about the proper purpose and scope ofgovernment.

Front 23

Public Goods

Back 23

Benefits and services, such as parks and sanitation, that benefit all citizens but arenot likely to be produced voluntarily by individuals.

Front 24

Rights

Back 24

The benefits of government to which every citizen is entitled

Front 25

Social Equality

Back 25

Equality in wealth, education, and status

Front 26

Socialism

Back 26

A form of rule in which the central government plays a strong role in regulatingexisting private industry and directing the economy, although it does allow some private ownershipof productive capacity.

Front 27

Totalitarianism

Back 27

A political philosophy that advocates unlimited power for the government toenable it to control all sectors of society