Chapter 1, Ap US Gov

representation

A basic principle of traditional democratic theory that describes the relationship between the few leaders and the many followers.

public policy

A choice that government makes in response to a political issue. A policy is a course of action taken with regard to some problem.

policy gridlock

A condition that occurs when no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy. The result is that nothing may get done.

majority rule

A fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory. In a democracy, choosing among alternatives requires that the majority's desire be respected.

minority rights

A principle of traditional democratic theory that guarantees rights to those who do not belong to majorities and allows that they might join majorities through persuasion and reasoned argument.

democracy

A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public's preferences.

hyperpluralism

A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. Hyperpluralism is an extreme, exaggerated, or perverted form of pluralism. It is compared to elite and class theory, pluralist theory, and traditional democratic theory.

elite and class theory

A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization. It is compared to hyperpluralism, pluralist theory, and traditional democratic theory.

pluralist theory

A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies. It is compared to elite and class theory, hyperpluralism, and traditional democratic theory.

public goods

Goods, such as clean air and clean water, that everyone must share.

single-issue groups

Groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics. These features distinguish them from traditional interest groups.

policymaking institutions

The branches of government charged with taking action on political issues. The U.S. Constitution established three policymaking institutions- the Congress, the presidency, and the courts. Today, the power of the bureaucracy is so great that most political scientists consider it a fourth policymaking institution.

government

The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society.

policy agenda

The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actually involved in politics at any given point in time.

linkage institutions

The political channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. In the United States, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

policymaking system

The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time. People's interests, problems, and concerns create political issues for government policymakers. These issues shape policy, which in turn impacts people, generating more interests, problems, and concerns.

politics

The process by which we select our government leaders and what policies these leaders pursue. Politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues.

gross domestic product

The sum total of the value of all the goods and services produced in a nation.

political participation

All the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue. Voting is the most common but not the only means of political participation in a democracy. Other means include protest and civil disobedience.

political issue

An issue that arises when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it.

political culture

An overall set of values widely shared within a society.