Government Vocab Chapter 1

Public Policy

Definition: A decision of government to pursue a course of action designed to produce and intended outcome. Sentence: In the United States, public policy refers not only to the result of policies, but more broadly to the decision-making and analysis of governmental decisions.

Autocracy

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

Oligarchy

Definition: A form of government in which control rests with a few persons Sentence: An example of an oligarchy is how the the United States government acts in the interests of the international bankers who own the Federal Reserve banking system.

Authoritarian government

Definition: A form of government in which leaders, though they admit to no limits on their powers are effectively limited by other centers of power in the society. Sentence: An authoritarian government has a strong executive government with weak checks on it.

Totaltarian government

Definition: A form of government in which the leaders claim complete dominance of all individuals and institutions Sentence: Some examples of totaltarian governments are Cuba under Fidel Castro and Italy under Mussolini.

Democracy

Definition: A form of government in which the people govern, either directly or through elected representatives Sentence: Democracy believes in majority rule through elections.

Pluralism

Definition: A theory of American politics that holds that society's interests are substantially represented through the activities of groups Sentence: As long as many groups have influence in their areas of interests, the government will respond. Pluralism is not successful though if groups don't have enough money.

Social Contract

Definition: A voluntary agreement by individuals to form government, which is then obliged to act within the confines of the agreement. Sentence: Thomas Hobbes created the first social contract in which he wanted people to give up freedoms in the state of nature in order to have protection under the law.

Capitalism

Definition: An economic system based on the idea that government should interfere with economic transactions as little as possible because free enterprise and self reliance are the collective and indvidual principles that underpin capitalism Sentence: In capitalism, wealthier people have greater say in economics and politics.

Socialism

Definition: An economic system in which government owns and controls many of the major industries Sentence: Governments that try to control too many aspects of their societies adopt many of the aspects of socialism.

Communism

Definition: An economic system in which government owns most or all major industries and also takes responsibility for overall management of the economy Sentence: The Soviet Union under Stalin and Germany under Hitler practiced communism.

Power

Definition: The ability of persons or institutions to control policy Sentence: Competition for power among a great many interests of all kinds is a major characteristic of American politics.

Individualism

Definition: The idea that people should take the initiative, be self sufficient, and accumulate the material advantages necessary for their well being Sentence: Individualism teaches a person how to support themselves without the help of other people.

Majoritarianism

Definition: The idea that the majority prevails not only in elections but also in policy determination Sentence: On many major issues, researches have found when the majority opinion is changed, policies tend to change in the same direction.

Constitutionalism

Definition: The idea that there are definable limits on the rightful power of a government over its citizens Sentence: Constitutionalism in democracy makes sure that the majority rule does not take away certain liberties from minorities.

Equality

Definition: The notion that all individuals are equal in their moral worth, in their treatment under the law, and in their political voice Sentence: Though a core principle of American government is equality, Americans fight everyday for gender equality, racial equality, sexual equality, ect.

Unity

Definition: The principle that Americans are one people and form an invisible union Sentence: Though all types of people, coming from all over the world, live together in the U.S.A., citizenship here means showing unity by uniting under the Constitution.

Diversity

Definition: The principle that individual and group differences should be respected and are a source of strength. Sentence: Citizens of the United States of Americas are united by their political culture, however diversity and differences are still celebrated.

Liberty

Definition: The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose, provided they do not infringe unreasonably on the rights and freedoms of others. Sentence: Becoming a citizen of the U.S.A. means acquiring the liberty to do and say what you feel, as long as it does not harm another person's liberty.

Self-Government

Definition: The principle that the people are the ultimate source and proper beneficiary of governing authority; in practice, a government based on majority rule. Sentence: The Ghettysburg Address simply defines self government as "a government of the people, by the people, and for the people."

Politics

Definition: The process through which a society makes its governing decisions Sentence: The two primary sources of politics are struggle for power, and advantage

Political System

Definition: The various components of American government. Sentence: The parts in a political system are separate, but they connect with each other, affecting how each performs.

Elitism

Definition: The view that the U.S. essentially is run by a tiny elite (composed of wealthy or well connected individual) who control public policy through both direct and indirect means. Sentence: An example of elitism is the montery policy, which is set by the Federal Reserve board. These people meet in secret to decide the interest rates that banks pay for loans recieved by the Federal reserve, which in turn affects the interest rates the banks charge their customers.

Political culture

Definition: the characteristic and deep-seated beliefs of a particular people Sentence: When settlers came to the Americas during the Enlightenment period, their political culture was built upon the ideals of freedom and self government.

Bureaucratic rule

Definition: the tendency of large-scale organizations to develop into the bureaucratic form, with the effect that administrations make key policy decisions Sentence: The Iron law of oligarchy concludes that power gravitates towards experienced administrators.