Chapter 1: Key Terms Flashcards
(22 cards)
Goods that all people may use but that are of limited supply.
Common Goods
Political power rests in the hands of the people.
Democracy
People participate directly in making government decisions
instead of choosing representatives to do this for them.
Direct Democracy
Claims political power rests in the hands of a small, elite group of people.
Elite Theory
The means by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in order to accomplish
collective goals.
Government
The beliefs and ideals that help to shape political opinion and eventually policy.
Ideology
Beliefs and preferences based on strong feelings regarding an issue that someone adheres to over time.
Intense Preferences
Beliefs and preferences people are not deeply committed to and that change over time.
Latent Preferences
A fundamental principle of democracy; the majority should have the power to make decisions
binding upon the whole.
Majority Rules
Protections for those who are not part of the majority.
Minority Rights
One ruler, usually a hereditary one, holds political power.
Monarchy
A handful of elite society members hold political power.
Oligarchy
Strong support, or even blind allegiance, for a particular political party.
Partisanship
Claims political power rests in the hands of groups of people.
Pluralist Theory
Influence over a government’s institutions, leadership, or policies.
Political Power
the process by which we decide how resources will be allocated and which policies government will pursue.
Politics
Goods provided by private businesses that can be used only by those who pay for them.
Private Goods
Goods provided by government that anyone can use and that are available to all without charge.
Public Goods
Voters elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on behalf of all the people instead of allowing people to vote directly on laws.
Representative Democracy
Connections with others and the willingness to interact and aid them.
Social Capital
A good that is available to many people but is used only by those who can pay the price to do so.
Toll Good
Government is all-powerful and citizens have no rights.
Totalitarianism
