Unit 1A Vocab

Question 1

Politics

Answer 1

The process of influencing the actions and policies of government

Question 2

Government

Answer 2

The rules and institutions that make up the system of policymaking

Question 3

Democracy

Answer 3

A system of government where power is held by the people

Question 4

Natural Rights

Answer 4

The right to life, liberty, and property which the government cannot take away

Question 5

Social Contract

Answer 5

A “contract” in which people allow their government to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society

Question 6

American Political Culture

Answer 6

The set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share

Question 7

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 7

The idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the people

Question 8

Republicanism

Answer 8

A system in which the government’s authority (leaders who are elected for a specific period) comes from the people

Question 9

Liberty

Answer 9

Social, political, and and economic freedoms

Question 10

Participatory democracy

Answer 10

A theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government

Question 11

Civil Society Groups

Answer 11

Independent associations outside the government’s control

Question 12

Pluralist theory (of democracy)

Answer 12

A theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups is policymaking process. Political power rest with competing interest groups so that no one group dominates political decisions

Question 13

Elite theory (of democracy)

Answer 13

A theory of democracy that the elites (wealthy, well-educated, influential) have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process.

Question 14

Political institutions

Answer 14

The structure of government, including the executive, legislature, and judiciary

Question 15

Constitutional Republic

Answer 15

A democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution is the supreme law

Question 16

Limited government

Answer 16

Governmental power is restricted or limited by law, usually in a written constitution

Question 17

Direct Democracy

Answer 17

Government in which citizens vote on laws and select officials directly

Question 18

Initiative

Answer 18

Procedure whereby a certain number of voters may, by petition, propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters

Question 19

Referendum

Answer 19

Procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution

Question 20

Recall

Answer 20

Procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term

Question 21

Representative Democracy

Answer 21

Government in which the people elect those who govern and pass laws; also called a republic

Question 22

Majority Rule

Answer 22

Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority

Question 23

Majority

Answer 23

The candidate or party that wins more than half the votes cast in an election

Question 24

Plurality

Answer 24

Candidate or party with the most votes cast in an election, not necessarily more than half

Question 25

Autocracy

Answer 25

A type of government in which one person with unlimited power rules

Question 26

Declaration of Independence

Answer 26

Formal statement written by Thomas Jefferson declaring the freedom of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain