Chapter 1 vocab

Question 1

Power

Answer 1

The ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments

Question 2

Politics

Answer 2

The process through which a society settles its conflicts

Question 3

Democracy

Answer 3

A form of government in which the people govern, either directly or through elected representatives

Question 4

Majoritarianism

Answer 4

The idea that the majority prevails not only in elections but also in policy determination

Question 5

Pluralism

Answer 5

A theory of American politics that holds that society interests are substantially represented through power exercised by groups

Question 6

Authority

Answer 6

The recognized right of officials to exercise power as a result of the positions they hold

Question 7

Constitutionalism

Answer 7

The idea that there are lawful limits on the power of government

Question 8

Judicial action

Answer 8

The use of courts of law as a means by which individuals protect their rights and settle their conflicts

Question 9

Free market system

Answer 9

An economic system based on the idea that government should interfere with economic transactions as little as possible. Free enterprise and self-reliance are the collective and individual principals that underpin free markets

Question 10

Corporate Power

Answer 10

The power that corporations exercise in their effort to influence government and maintain control of the workplace

Question 11

Elitism

Answer 11

The notion that wealthy and well-concerned individuals exercise power over certain areas of public policy

Question 12

Public policies

Answer 12

Decisions by government to pursue particular courses of action

Question 13

Autocracy

Answer 13

A form of government in which absolute control rests with a single person

Question 14

Legitimacy

Answer 14

The issue of the proper limits of judicial authority in a political system based in part on the principal of majority rule

Question 15

Oligarchy

Answer 15

Government in which control rests with a few persons

Question 16

Who is Aristotle

Answer 16

A Greek philosopher
The author of works on logic, metaphysics, ethnics, natural sciences, politics
Influences western thoughts

Question 17

Definition City State

Answer 17

A city that with its surrounding territory forms an independent state

Question 18

Definition state

Answer 18

Is a political community

Question 19

Definition participatory democracy

Answer 19

Individual participation by citizens in political decisions and polices that affect their lives, especially direly rather than through elected representatives

Question 20

Definition Political Power

Answer 20

An authority held by a group within a society that allows for the administration of public resources and implement policies for society

Question 21

Definition representative democracy

Answer 21

Type of democracy founded on the principle of elected officials representing a group of people

Question 22

Definition citizen participation

Answer 22

A process which provides private individuals an opportunity to influence public decisions and has long been an component of the democratic decision making process

Question 23

Definition community control

Answer 23

The local community having control of issues that directly affects their community

Question 24

Define nation

Answer 24

A size-able group of people who believe themselves to be united by a common band-race, language, and customs

Question 24

Define demographics

Answer 24

The makeup of ones population

Question 25

Define constituents

Answer 25

People who are governed, they give consenus to the government

Question 26

Essential features of a state

Answer 26

Population: demographics & constituents
Territory: physical & political
Government:
Soverneighty: the supreme authority with absolute power within its boundaries