American Government Ch.1

Front 1

Authoritanism

Back 1

A type of regime in which only the government itself is fully controlled by the ruler. Social and economic institutions exists that are not under the government control.

Front 2

Authority

Back 2

The right and power of a government or other entity to enforce its decision and compel obedience.

Front 3

Bill of Rights

Back 3

The first ten amendments to the U.S. constitution.

Front 4

Capitalism

Back 4

An economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth- creating assets, free marketing, and freedom of contract.

Front 5

Civil Liberties

Back 5

Those personal freedoms, including freedom of religion and of speech, that are protected for all individuals in a society.

Front 6

Conservatism

Back 6

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

Front 7

Conservative Movement

Back 7

An American movement launched in the 1950s that provided a comprehensive ideological framework for conservative politics.

Front 8

Democracy

Back 8

A government system in which political authority is vested in the people.

Front 9

Democratic Republic

Back 9

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

Front 10

Direct Democracy

Back 10

A system of government in which political decision are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives.

Front 11

Elite Theory

Back 11

The argument that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to dither their self-interest.

Front 12

Equality

Back 12

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

Front 13

Government

Back 13

The preeminent institution within a society. Government has the ultimate authority to decide how conflicts will be resolved and how benefits and privileges will be allocated.

Front 14

Institution

Back 14

A ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society.

Front 15

Legitimacy

Back 15

Popular acceptance of the right and power of government or other entity to exercise authority.

Front 16

Liberalism

Back 16

A set of beliefs that includes advocacy of positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals, support for civil rights, and tolerance for political social charge.

Front 17

Libertarianism

Back 17

A political ideology based on skepticism or opposition toward most government activities.

Front 18

Liberty

Back 18

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

Front 19

Limited Government

Back 19

A government with powers that are limited either through a written document or through widely shared beliefs.

Front 20

Majoritarianism

Back 20

A political theory hiding that a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want.

Front 21

Majority Rule

Back 21

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

Front 22

Order

Back 22

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

Front 23

Pluralism

Back 23

A theory the views politics as conflicting among interest groups. Political decision making is characterized by bargaining and compromise.

Front 24

Political Culture

Back 24

The patterned set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking bout government and politics that characterizes a people.

Front 25

Political Ideology

Back 25

Acomprehensiveset of beliefsabout thenatureof politicsand the role of government.

Front 26

Political Socialization

Back 26

The process by which people acquires political beliefs and values.

Front 27

Politics

Back 27

The struggle over power or influence with in organizations or or informal groups that can grant or withhold benefits or privileges.

Front 28

Popular Sovereignty

Back 28

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

Front 29

Progressive

Back 29

A popular alternative to the term liberal

Front 30

Property

Back 30

Anything that is or may be subject to ownership.

Front 31

Recall

Back 31

A procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from office before his or her team has expired.

Front 32

Referendum

Back 32

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

Front 33

Representative Democracy

Back 33

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

Front 34

Republic

Back 34

A form of government in which sovereign power resets with the people, rather than with a king or a monarch.

Front 35

Socialism

Back 35

Apolitical ideology based onstrong support for economic and social equality. Socialists traditionally envisioned a society in which major businesses were taken over by the government or by empl oyee cooperatives.

Front 36

Totalitarian Regime

Back 36

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

Front 37

Universal Suffrage

Back 37

The right of all adults to vote for their representatives.

Front 38

Working Class

Back 38

Currently, those with no college education traditionally, individuals or families in which the head of household was employed in manual or unskilled labor