Political Science Chapter 1

Front 1

Political Culture

Back 1

The characteristic and deep seated beliefs of a paticular people about government and politics

Front 2

Liberty

Back 2

the principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose, provided they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well-being of others

Front 3

Equality

Back 3

The notion that all individuals are equal in their moral worth and are entitled to equal treatment under the law

Front 4

Self-government

Back 4

the belief that the people are the ultimate source of governing authority and must have a vioce in how they are governed.

Front 5

America's core political ideals

Back 5

1. Liberty
2. Equality
3. Self- government

Front 6

Indiviualism

Back 6

A commitment to personal initiative, self-sufficiency, and materical accumulation

Front 7

Unity

Back 7

the principle that americans are one people and form an indivisble union

Front 8

Diversity

Back 8

individual and group differences should be respected and these differences themselves should be a source of strength

Front 9

T/F

Equality has always been an America birthright

Back 9

FALSE: it has NEVER been a birthright

Front 10

politics

Back 10

the process through with society settles its conflicts

Front 11

social contract

Back 11

ordinary people surrender the freedom they would have in a state of nature in return for the protection that a sovereign ruler can provide

Front 12

democracy

Back 12

a form of government in which the people govern, wither directly or through elected represenatives

Front 13

oligarchy

Back 13

control rests in a small group, such as top ranking military officers or a few wealthy families

Front 14

autocracy

Back 14

control rests with a single individual suh as a king or a dictator

Front 15

constitutionalism

Back 15

refer specifically to the Lockean idea that there are limits to the rightful power over government over citizens

Front 16

socialism

Back 16

assigns government a large role in the ownership of the means of production, in regulating economic decisions, and in providing economic security of the individual

Front 17

communism

Back 17

the government owns most or all major industries and also takes responsibility for overall management of the economy, including production quotas, supply points, and pricing

Front 18

capitalism

Back 18

government should interfere with the economy as little as possible

Front 19

power

Back 19

refers to the ability of persons or institutions to control public policy

Front 20

public policy

Back 20

a decision by government to follow a course of action designed to produce a particular outcome

Front 21

totalitarian governments

Back 21

assert complete dominance over individuals and the institutions of society

Front 22

authoritarian governments

Back 22

a form of government in which the leaders, though they admit to no limits on their powers, are effectively limited by other centers of power in the society

Front 23

authority

Back 23

when government officials excercise power

Front 24

Majoritarianism

Back 24

the notion that the majority prevails not only in the counting of votes but also in determination of public policy

Front 25

pluralism

Back 25

focuses on group activity and holds that many policies effectively are decided through power wielded by diverse intersts

Front 26

Elitism

Back 26

the power in america is held by a small number of well positioned highly influential individuals

Front 27

Bureaucratic rule

Back 27

power resides in the hands of career government bureaucrats

Front 28

political system

Back 28

the various components of American government. the parts are separate, but they connect with each other, affecting how each performs