Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
27 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
POLITICS |
The process of resolving conflicts and deciding, "Who gets what, when, and how." It is the struggle over power or influence with organizations that grant benefits or privileges. |
|
|
GOVERNMENT |
The head institution within society in which decision are made to resolve conflicts and allocate (distribute) benefits and privileges. (ULTIMATE AUTHORITY!) |
|
|
DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS |
A political and religious doctrine that asserts a monarch's legitimacy as conferred by GOD; a king is not subject to an earthly authority. -> People cannot oppose! |
|
|
SOCIAL CONTRACT * |
A theory of politics that asserts individuals from political communities by a process of mutual consent. (Give up some individual liberty to gain gov't protection) |
|
|
JOHN LOCKE. What did he do?! |
He created the idea of a Social Contract. However, he also created the idea of being able to sue/disagree/revolt against the gov't. He also believed in the right to life, liberty, and property rather than the right to the pursuit of happiness. |
|
|
What are the fundamental values? |
~Order: A state of peace and security that is maintained with laws. ~Liberty: FREEEEDOOOMM that is consistent with that of others. ~Individualism: This value tends to focus more on individuals rather than a group. This allows minorities to voice their opinion. ~Equality: Everyone is treated equal regardless of gender, race, etc. ~Property: Subject to owner ****THESE VALUES CAN CONFLICT**** For example: I own two acres of land but my neighbor only owns one. This is not equal, but its my property. Therefore I don't have to split my acreage for them. PROPERTY VS. EQUALITY |
|
|
AUTHORITY |
The power and the right to make and enforce important decisions. (This term is often used in relation to government.) |
|
|
LEGITIMACY* |
The greatest freedom of an individual that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in society. |
|
|
POLITICAL CULTURE |
A patterned set of ideas or customs within government. (Example: The 3 branches of government.) |
|
|
POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION |
The method of teaching political beliefs and values to immigrants or children. (Example(s): Learning about politics in school such as a Political Science class, or even registering to become a U.S. citizen from a foreign territory.) |
|
|
What are the types of government? |
~Totalitarian: Dictatorship (Method of remembering: In the name the word "total" is present. As in TOTAL CONTROL.) ~Authoritarian: Similar to a dictatorship, except only the government is controlled by the dictator. ~Aristocrats: Government positions are ruled by the upperclass/rich. (Method of remembering: In the name the root word "Aristo" is present. As in, aristocrats meaning rich or wealthy.) ~Theocracy: Government positions are "ruled by God", often times with religious leaders. (Method of remembering: In the name the word "Theo" is present, meaning God.) ~Oligarchy: Government is ruled by a small group of people. Often times this can lead to political corruption. ~Anarchy: NO GOVERNMENT ~Democracy: Government is ruled by the people. |
|
|
DIRECT DEMOCRACY |
A system of government where decisions are made directly by the people instead of an ordinary democracy. They don't have elected representatives/officials to make the choices. This method of government often works best in small communities. |
|
|
INITIATIVE |
A part of direct democracy in which everyday voters can propose laws. |
|
|
REFERENDUM |
An electoral device where decisions are REFERRED to voters for approval or disapproval. This is also a method used in direct democracy. |
|
|
RECALL |
A procedure in which people can vote an elected official out of office in order to have a RECALL election before the initial term was over. |
|
|
DANGERS OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY (Why do we not use a direct democracy?) |
~Uneducated masses: Thousands of people are uneducated about the government and how it works. Therefore, in our democracy we elect representatives or officials to make the decision for us because they are more educated and involved within the government. ~Demagogues: Politicians who try to sway people into their way of government. ~Tyranny of the majority: Where the minority is getting silenced by the majority. |
|
|
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC |
A democracy in which representatives are elected by the people to make and enforce laws. HOWEVER, this form of democracy doesn't use a king or monarch in any circumstance. |
|
|
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY |
A democracy in which representatives are elected by the people to make and enforce laws. HOWEVER, this form of democracy CAN HAVE A MONARCH OR KING. Often times this is in a ceremonial manner. (Ex: England has parliament to make and enforce laws, but they still have ceremonial monarchs in place.) |
|
|
What are the principals of democratic government? |
~Universal Suffrage: (EVERYONE CAN VOTE! However, some restrictions might be age.) ~Majority Rule: More than 50% are in favor therefore it will pass. ~Minority Rights: The minority isn't silenced and still has the right to oppose and give their opinion on current government situations. |
|
|
CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY |
~Limited Government: A government with powers that are limited either through a written document or widely shared beliefs. (Our gov't is LIMITED by the CONSTITUTION. If we did not have the Constitution in place our government would be like a Totalitarian government where the government has full control over every single thing.) |
|
|
MAJORITARIANISM |
A political theory that the government should do what the MAJORITY wants. |
|
|
ELITE THEORY |
A perspective stating that society is ruled by a small group of people who use their power to further self-interests. Often times this is the rich who would be in this group because they can afford to. (How to remember this: The word "Elite" is used, and it is often used in reference to the rich.) |
|
|
PLURALISM |
A theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups where political decisions are made through compromise and accommodation. (This type of situation could possibly lead to violence and no progress being made due to the constant debates and disagreements. Also, in some cases many lower class are not being represented because they cannot afford to be in the interest groups.) |
|
|
SOCIALISM |
A political ideology based on strong support for economic and SOCIAL equality. They also envision a society in which major businesses are controlled by the government. |
|
|
LIBERALISM |
A set of beliefs that includes the want for positive government action in order to improve the welfare of individuals (poverty), support for civil rights, and tolerance for both political and social changes in society. This ideology also focuses more on allowing lifestyles such as gay marriage to occur in society. They want 100% social rights. |
|
|
CONSERVATISM |
A set of beliefs that includes the want for a LIMITED role in national government in both economy and helping individuals. They also have a low tolerance/cautious response to changes that occur within society. This ideology also focuses more on a traditional marriage between a man and a woman. They are very cautious when it comes to changes in social rights. |
|
|
LIBERTARIANISM |
A political ideology based on skepticism or opposition toward most government activities. They want LIBERTY, or social and economic freedom with limited use of government due to their opposition. |
