Lecture 1: People, Politics, and Participation

Flashcards covering key concepts from Lecture 1: People, Politics, and Participation, including political definitions, forms of government, Enlightenment origins, political values, and political ideologies.

How is politics defined in the context of American democracy?

Politics is the process of deciding who benefits in society and who does not.

What modern technologies have changed how political information is shared?

High-speed computers, the Internet, cellular technology, and micro-targeting.

What trends in public sentiment and participation occurred in America from the 1970s through 2000?

Americans experienced increased cynicism, lower trust in government, and lower voter turnout.

What is the definition of civic engagement?

Civic engagement means individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.

What is political engagement?

Political engagement refers to citizen actions intended to solve problems through political means.

What are the seven key functions performed by governments?

Protecting the country's territory and citizens, providing national defense, preserving order and stability, establishing and maintaining a legal system, providing services, raising and spending money, and socializing new generations.

How does an absolute monarchy differ from a constitutional monarchy?

In an absolute monarchy, the ruler has significant authority, whereas in a constitutional monarchy, the monarch is mainly ceremonial.

What is an oligarchy?

A type of government where a small group or elite few hold political power.

What is the difference between totalitarianism and authoritarianism?

In totalitarianism, the government attempts to control every aspect of citizens' lives, while in authoritarianism, the government has strong powers, although other forces in society may provide some checks.

What is constitutionalism?

A system where government is structured by law, providing for limited government.

What was the divine right of kings?

The belief that monarchs had the authority to rule absolutely.

According to Thomas Hobbes, what was the nature of the social contract?

A contract between an absolute sovereign and the people where the sovereign provided protection while the people gave up certain rights.

According to John Locke, what should government protect, and what can citizens do if it fails?

Government should protect people's natural rights in exchange for acceptance of authority; if government fails, people have the right to rebel.

What is popular sovereignty, and who is it associated with?

Popular sovereignty, associated with Jean-Jacques Rousseau, means that government is created by the people and depends on the people for its authority.

What does social contract theory assume about human capabilities?

It assumes that people have free will, the ability to determine their own actions, and the ability to consent to being governed.

What is the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy?

Direct democracy occurs when citizens directly discuss and decide policies through majority rule, while representative democracy occurs when citizens elect representatives who make policy decisions on their behalf.

How is political culture defined?

Political culture refers to the collective beliefs and attitudes people have about government and the political process.

What are the key American political values mentioned in the text?

Liberty, Equality, Capitalism, and Consent of the governed.

What is a political ideology?

An organized system of ideas and beliefs about political values and the role of government.

What is the primary difference between liberalism and conservatism?

Liberalism supports changes in social, political, and economic areas to protect individual well-being and promote equality, whereas conservatism emphasizes preserving tradition, order, stability, individual initiative, the rule of law, limited government authority, and the free market.

How does socialism propose to achieve economic equality?

Through the government or workers owning the means of production.

What is the core principle of libertarianism?

Libertarianism supports a hands-off approach by government in most areas and places a strong emphasis on individual freedom.

How is the American population changing, and why do these changes matter?

The population is growing, aging, and becoming increasingly diverse, with an increase in nonfamily and single-person households; these changes matter because they create new demands and different priorities for politics and government.