Flashcards POLS 1101 Ch. 2 Why Do Majoritarianism and Pluralism Matter to Me? Vocab

autocracy

A system of government in which the power to govern is concentrated in the hands of one individual.

Oligarchy

A system of government in which power is concentrated in the hands of a few people.

democracy

A system of government in which, in theory, the people rule, either directly or indirectly.

Procedural democratic theory

A view of democracy as being embodied in a decision-making process that involves universal participation, political equality, majority rule, and responsiveness.

universal participation

The concept that everyone in a democracy should participate in governmental decision making.

majority rule

The principle—basic to procedural democratic theory—that the decision of a group must reflect the preference of more than half of those participating; a simple majority.

participatory democracy

A system of government where rank-and-file citizens rule themselves rather than electing representatives to govern on their behalf.

E-government

Online communication channels that enable citizens to easily obtain information from government and facilitate the expression of opinions to government officials.

representative democracy

A system of government where citizens elect public officials to govern on their behalf.

responsiveness

A decision-making principle, necessitated by representative government, that implies that elected representatives should do what the majority of people wants.

peaceful transition of power

A principle of procedural democracy that requires candidates that lose elections to accept election outcomes and allow their political opponents to govern. Instead of trying to retain power by force, they instead try to regain power through subsequent elections.

Five Principles of Procedural Democracy

Universal Participation

Political Equality

Majority Rule

Government Responsiveness to Public Opinion

Peaceful Transition of Power

Substantive democratic theory

The view that democracy is embodied in the substance of government policies rather than in the policymaking procedure.

minority rights

The benefits of government that cannot be denied to any citizen by majority decision.

majoritarian model of democracy

The classical theory of democracy in which government by the people is interpreted as government by the majority of the people.

interest group

An organization that seeks to influence public policy; also called a lobby.

pluralist model of democracy

An interpretation of democracy in which government by the people is taken to mean government by people operating through competing interest groups.

elite theory

The view that a small group of people actually makes most of the important government decisions.

democratization

A process of transition as a country attempts to move from an authoritarian form of government to a democratic one.

Procedural democracy

emphasizes processes that enable the people to govern (means); establishes principles describing how government should make decisions. Keep in mind that democracy is messy, inefficient and oftentimes unsatisfying due to compromises.

Substantive democracy

about the substance of government policies regarding individual liberty and rights (ends). Keep in mind that democracy means allwoing others to have rights, even if you dislike them.