Vocabulary

Front 1

Hyperpluralism

Back 1

A theory of govt. And politics contending that groups are so strong that govt. Is weakened.

Front 2

Pluralist theory

Back 2

Theory of govt and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.

Front 3

Politics

Back 3

Produces authoritative decisions about public issues. "Who gets what, when, and how."

Front 4

Policy agenda

Back 4

"The list of subjects/problems to which govt officials, & people outside of govt closely associated with those officials, are paying some serious attention at any given time."

Front 5

Public policy

Back 5

Choice that govt makes in response to a political issue. Policy=course of action taken with regard to some problem.

Front 6

Linkage institution

Back 6

Channels/access points through which issues & people's policy preferences get on the govt.'s policy agenda. In U.S., elections, political parties, interest groups, & mass media are the three main linkage institutions

Front 7

Democracy

Back 7

System of selecting policymakers & of organizing govt so that policy represents & responds to the public's preferences

Front 8

Government

Back 8

The institutions & processes through which public policies are made for a society

Front 9

Policy gridlock

Back 9

Condition that occurs when no coalition is strong enough to form a majority & establish policy. Result=nothing may get done

Front 10

Elite/class theory

Back 10

Theory of govt & politics contending that societies are divided along class lines & that upper class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization.