Chapter 1 & 8 Flashcards
(20 cards)
Institution (social)
Any seemingly permanent element of a society that performs a necessary (even vital) function
Government
The social institution through which the state makes and enforces public policy
Policy (public)
The actions and intended actions of the government for dealing with some matter of public concern
The state
Basic unit of political organization common to most modern societies
Characteristics of all “true” states
Populations
Territory
Government
Sovereignty
Population
Those who readily identify themselves as members of the state
Territory
Defined by borders that are recognized and respected
Characteristic of a true state
Government
Makes and enforces policy
Sovereignty
The ability of a state to govern itself without influence or control by a higher authority
Theories on the origins of the State
Evolution
Force
Devine rights of kings
Social control
Opinion
An individual belief or point of view, attitudes, perceptions, etc
In a democratic system,
Public policy should reflect public opinion
Problems with democratic systems
More than one opinion
More than one public
Public
Refers to any group within the general population that have similar interests and opinions
Public opinion
Refers to opinions that are….
Expressed
Held by a significant number of people to have an impact on policy making decisions
Expressed
Made known by those who have opinions
Ideology
Refers to a way of thinking or philosophical outlook on issues and events and consists of the sum of a person’s opinions where those opinions are both consistent and coherent
Consistency
Refers to opinions that are repeated in a predictable pattern
Coherency
Refers to a level of comprehension by the opinion holder
Spectrum
A continuum (striaght line
