Vocabulary & People Flashcards
(93 cards)
Civic Life
Participation in the collective life of the community
Government
The body or bodies charged with making official policies for citizens
Social Capital
Bonds of trust and reciprocity between citizens that form the glue that holds modern societies together
Direct Democracy
Form of government in which decisions about public policy extend to the entire citizenry
Representative Democracy
Form of government in which popular decision making is restricted to electing or appointing the public officials who make the public policy
Majority Rule
The requirement that electoral majorities determine who is elected to the office and that majorities in power determine our laws and how they are administered
Political Power
The ability to get things done by controlling or influencing the institution of government
Ruling Elite Theory
View positing that wealthy and well-educated citizens exercise a disproportionate amount of influence over political decision making
Pluralism
View posting that various groups and conditions constantly vie for government favor and the ability to exercise political power but none enjoys long term dominance
Initiative
Procedure that enables citizens to approve or repeal measures already acted on by legislative bodies (24 states)
Popular Referendum
Ballot measure aimed at securing voter approval for some legislative acts, such as changes to a states constitution (50 states)
Recall
Procedure whereby citizens can remove and replace a public official before the end of a term. (18 states)
Ideology
Ideas, values, beliefs about how government should operate
Political Participation
Taking part in activities like voting or running for office aimed at influencing the policies or leadership of government
Social Class
The perceived combination of wealth, income, education, and occupation that contribute to one’s status and power in society
Politics
The process by which we choose government officials and make decisions about public policy
Service Learning Programs
Agencies that help connect volunteers with organizations in need of help
Robert Filmer
Wrote “Patriarcha”
Bicameral
Composed of two houses
Elastic Clause
Provision of Article I of the Constitution authorizing Congress to make those laws necessary and proper for carrying out the other laws it passes
Supremacy Clause
Provision of Article VI stipulating that the federal government, in exercising any of the powers enumerated in the Constitution, must prevail over any conflicting or inconsistent state exercise of power
Civil Society
The broad array of voluntary associations that bring citizens together to deal with community and social issues of common concern
Federalist
Supporters of the Constitution and its strong central government
Antifederalists
Opponents of the ratification of the Constitution