Chapter 1: American Government and Civic Engagement

common goods

goods that all people may use but that are of limited supply (such as fish in the sea and clean drinking water)

democracy

A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

direct democracy

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

elite theory

claims political power rests in the hands of a small, elite group of people

government

the means by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in order to accomplish collective goals

ideology

a system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

intense preferences

beliefs and preferences based on strong feelings regarding an issue that someone adheres to over time

latent preferences

beliefs and preferences people are not deeply committed to and that change over time

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.

monarchy

A government in which power is in the hands of a single person

oligarchy

A form of government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite.

partisanship

Government action based on firm allegiance to a political party

pluralist theory

claims political power rests in the hands of groups of people

political power

influence over a government's institutions, leadership, or policies

politics

Method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government (who gets what, when, and how)

private goods

goods provided by private businesses that can be used only by those who pay for them

public goods

goods provided by government that anyone can use and that are available to all without charge (such as public education and national security)

representative democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

social capital

connections with others and the willingness to interact and aid them

toll good

a good that is available to many people but is used only by those who can pay the price to do so

totalitarianism

A form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)