Politics Key Words

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Politics

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Is the process of resolving conflicts and deciding.

“who gets what, when, and how.”

It is also the struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups that can grant benefits or privileges.

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Institution

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An ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society.

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Government

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An institution within which decisions are made that resolve conflicts or allocate benefits and privileges.

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Order

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A state of peace and security. Maintaining order by protecting members of society from violence and criminal activity is the oldest purpose of government.

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Liberty

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It is a value that may be promoted by government but can also be invoked against government abuses.

The greatest freedom of individuals that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in the society.

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Totalitarian Regime

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a form of government that controls all aspects of the political and social life of a nation.

A small group of leaders or a single person(dictator)makes all political decisions for society.

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Authoritarianism

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a type of regime in which only the government itself is fully controlled by the ruler.

Social and economic institutions exist that are not under the governments control.

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aristocracy

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"rule by the best."

Rule by the upper class.

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theocracy

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"rule by God" or "rule by the deity."

the nation is ruled by religioud leaders and governed by religious percepts.

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democracy

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"rule by the people"

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direct democracy

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a system of government in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives; probably attained most easily in small political communities.

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legislature

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a governmental body primarily responsible for the making of laws

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initiative

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a procedure by which voters can propose a law or a constitutional amendment.

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referendum

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an electoral device whereby legislative or constitutional measures are reffered by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval.

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recall

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a procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from state office before his or her term has expired.

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Consent of the People

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the idea that governments and laws derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed

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republic

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a form of government in which sovereignity rests with the people, as opposed to a king or monarch.

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popular sovereignity

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the concept that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people

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pluralism

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a theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups. Political decision making is characterized by bargaining and compromise.

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political culture

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the collection of beliefs and attitudes toward government and te political processes held by a community or nation.

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democratic republic

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a republic in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies

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political socialization

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the process through which individuals learn a set of political attitudes and form opinions about social issues. the family and the educational system are two of the most iimportant forces in the political socialization process.

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representative democracy

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a form of government in which representatives elected by the people make and enfoce laws and policies, but in which the monarchy may be retained in a ceremonial role.

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dominant culture

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the values, customs, and language established by the group or groups that traditionally have controlled politics and government in a society.

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universal sufferage

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the right of all adults to vote for their representatives

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equality

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as a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth.

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majority

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more than 50.1%

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property

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anything that is or may be subject to ownership. as concieved by the political philosopher John Locke, the right to property is a natureal right superior to human law (laws made by government).

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capitalism

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an economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets and also by free markets and freedom of contract.

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majority rule

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a basic principle of democracy assertng that the greatest number of citizens in any political unit should select officials and determine policies.

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ideology

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a comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and about the role of an institution or government.

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limited government

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the principle that the powers of government should be limited, usually by institutional checks.

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conservatism

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a set of beliefs that includes a limited role for the national government in helping individuals, support for traditional values and lifestyles, and a cautious response to change.

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majoritarianism

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a political theory holding that in a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want,

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elite theory

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a perspective holding that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interest.

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liberalism

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a set of beliefs that includes the advocacy of positive governmnt action to improve the welfare of individuals, support for civil rights, and tolerance for political and social change.

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socialism

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a political ideology based on strong support for economic and social equality. Socialists traditionally envisioned a society in which major businesses were taken over by the government or by employee cooperatives.

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libertarianism

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a political ideology based on skepticism or opposition toward almost all government activities.