Reading notes 1-2

Question 1

Aristotle defined democracy as

Answer 1

the rule of the many, that is, rule by ordinary people, most of whom would be poor

Question 2

the rule of the rich

Answer 2

Oligarchy

Question 3

the rule of a despot

Answer 3

Tyranny

Question 4

any system of government in which leaders are authorized to make decisions-and thereby to wield political power-by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote

Answer 4

Representative democracy

Question 5

Majoritarian politics

Answer 5

elected officials are the delegates of the people, acting as the people (or a majority of them) would act were the matter put to a popular vote

Question 6

Elite

Answer 6

persons who possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource, like money or power

Question 7

Four ways of describing a political elite:

Answer 7

1. Reflect a dominant social class
2. A group of business, military, labor union and elected officals control all decisions
3. Appointed bureaucrats run everything
4. Representatives of a large number of interest groups are in charge

Question 8

Class view

Answer 8

view that the government is dominate by capitalists

Question 9

Power elite view

Answer 9

view that the government is dominated by a few top leaders, most of whom are outside of government

Question 10

Bureaucratic view

Answer 10

view that the government is dominated by appointed officials

Question 11

Pluralist view

Answer 11

the belief that competition among all affected interests shapes public policy

Question 12

The class

Answer 12

those who control the economic system will control the political one

Question 13

The elitist

Answer 13

a few top leaders, not all of them drawn from business, make the key decisions without reference to popular desires