Chapter 1 - Study Guide for Test Flashcards
the process of influencing the actions and policies of government
politics
the rules and institutions that make up that system of policymaking
government
a system of government where power is held by the people
democracy
the right to life, liberty, and property, which government cannot take away
natural rights
people allow their governments to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society
social contract
the set of believes, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share
American political culture
the idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the people
popular sovereignty
a system in which the government’s authority comes from the people
republicanism
rights the government cannot take away
inalienable rights
social, political, and economic freedoms
liberty
the theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government
participatory government
an independent association outside the government’s control
civil society groups
a theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policy making process
pluralist theory
theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policy-making process
elitist theory
the structure of governments including the executive, legislature, and judiciary
political institutions
