ch. 1 Flashcards
(28 cards)
Politics
the affairs of the cities, state, country
power
the ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions
authority
the right to use power
formal authority
the power that is given to a leader by an organization
legitimacy
what makes a law or constitution a source of right
Bourgeoise
the capitalist class who own most of society’s wealth and means of production
Proletariat
working or working class people
cost
a burden that people believe they must bear if a policy is adopted
benefit
a satisfaction that people believe they will enjoy if a policy is adopted
Pork-barrel legislation
legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return
log-rolling
legislature supports proposals favored by another in return of support for his/hers.
Views of James Madison and Patrick Henry regarding the proposed constitution?
Patrick Henry -believed powers bestowed on the federal government would be few and defined
James Madison -predicted immense increase in taxes and a growing federal government
Know the original purpose of the constitutional convention and how the results differed from the purpose
They were there to discuss issues and perhaps make amendments but they ended up creating a whole new document.
What is the tendency regarding issues when they become objects of government action?
The tendency is that if we let the government take over on certain issues, the gov will maintain control of helping with that issue and its unhealthy to give government too many responsibilities (reason is that people tend to be lazy)
Distinguish views of Alexander Hamilton and George Mason , both as described in the text and as described in class discussion
Hamilton book said he thought the new government was too democratic, mr clay said he was in favor of a strong national government.
Mason said it was not democratic enough(book)- he wanted state power
What is the primary source of legitimate political authority in the United States?
The constitution
Aristotle’s definition of democracy?
Direct democracy- all or most citizens participate directly “rule of many”
Distinguish between direct/participatory democracy and representative democracy with examples in text
Direct democracy- the greek city state
Representative democracy- the U.S.A.
What are the two main arguments against direct democracy?
The first argument is that it is impractical. The second argument is that the public will make bad decisions based on fleeting passions and demagogues.
Four factors that must exist for representative democracy to work?
Must be opportunity for leadership competition
individuals/parties must be able to run for office
Communications must be free
Voters must perceive that a meaningful choice exists
Five views of how political power is distributed in America
Class view: dominated by capitalists
Power elite view: dominated by a few top leaders, most outside the government.
Bureaucratic view: dominated by appointed officials
Pluralist view: competition amazing all affected interests shaped public policy
Creedal passion view:morally impassioned elites drive important political changes
Know the text’s two aspects of costs and benefits( perception vs. actual and the legitimacy of who benefits.)
Perception would be what the perceived cost is and the perceived benefit versus who is actually paying for the benefit and who receives it.
Actual is what that we are really spending on certain things and the actual costs are what it’s taking from each of us.
Know the four types of politics as described in the text.
Majoritarian politics: policy in which almost all benefit and all pay
Interest group politics: policy where one small group benefits and one small group pays.
Client politics: policy where one small group benefits and all pay
Entrepreneurial politics: policy in which all benefit and one small group pays.
Be familiar with the data presented on the current federal budget that was presented and discussed in class.
Mandatory spending is usually more than non mandatory and the budget is always less than we actually spend. Last year due to covid and stimulus, non mandatory was higher than mandatory spending
