Chapter 1: Democracy, Policy Making, and Government – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the notes on policy making, democracy principles, and government functions.

Public policy

Every decision the government makes, including laws, budgets, and programs.

Statutes

Laws passed by Congress.

Presidential actions

Decisions made by the president that affect policy.

Court decisions

Legal opinions issued by the Supreme Court or lower courts interpreting laws.

Budgetary choices

The legislative process of enacting taxes and expenditures.

Regulation

Guidelines issued by agencies to interpret and implement laws.

Policy goal

The intended objective or aim of a policy.

Policy impact

The effects a policy has on people or problems, evaluated to see if the goal is met.

Equality in voting

the ideal that every eligible citizen should have an equal and unhindered opportunity to participate in elections, and all votes will hold the same weight. 'One person, one vote'

Effective participation

actively engaging with the political system and understanding how it functions. This includes being informed about current events, participating in elections, and engaging in other forms of civic action like contacting elected officials

Enlightened understanding

the ability of citizens in a democracy to access and understand information necessary for informed decision-making.including free press, free speech, and equal opportunities for citizens to participate in the marketplace of ideas. 

Citizen control of the agenda

Citizens' collective right to influence the government's policy agenda.

Inclusion

Extending rights to all; citizenship open to all in a democracy.

Pluralism

The theory that groups with shared interests influence policy through organized competition.

Elitism

The theory that society is divided along class lines and elites hold most of the power.

Hyperpluralism

Too many influential groups weaken government and hinder effective policy-making.

Liberty and order

The core idea guiding how a government balances individual freedom with social order.

National defense

Maintaining armed forces to protect the nation.

Public goods

Goods and services provided by the government that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous.

Socialize the young

Instilling national pride, values, and political socialization in youth.

Collect taxes

the process by which the government raises revenue through mandatory contributions from individuals and businesses.

Collective goods

Goods that cannot be denied to individuals and are available to all. (clean air,water)

Linkage institutions

Political parties, elections, interest groups, and the media that transmit preferences to policymakers.

Policy agenda

Issues attracting attention from public officials and guiding policy priorities.

Policy making system

The process by which policy is formed

Policy makers

the people who decide on policy: Congress, the presidency, the courts, and the bureaucracy. (“actors”)

Majority rule

The principle that policy should reflect the will of the majority.

Minority rights

Guarantees that the rights of those outside the majority are protected.

Representation

The relationship between leaders and followers; officials represent citizens' preferences.

Single-issue groups

Organizations focused on one issue that can influence votes and policy.

National Government Functions

Maintain national defense; provide public goods; preserve order and public safety; socialize the young; collect taxes.

Bureaucracy

The part of government that implements laws and regulations through agencies.

Judicial review

Courts interpreting laws and determining constitutional meaning and policy implications.

Policy making system steps (in order)

People (interests, policies, concern), Linkage Institutions (parties,elections,media, groups) , Policy Agenda (political issue), Policymaking Institutions(legislative,executive, courts, bureaucracy), Policy(taxes, laws, regulations), People(IMPACT)

Government

The institution through which public policies are made for a society

Politics

The process of determining the leaders we select and the policies they pursue. Producing authoritative decisions about public issues.

Harold D. def of politics

“who gets what,when,and how”

Democracy

A system of selecting policymakers, and of organizing gov so that policies represent the publics preference

Traditional democratic theory

A political theory that emphasizes how democracy should work in its purest form. It holds that government depends on the consent of the governed and should reflect the will of the majority while protecting the rights of the minority. Key principles include equality in voting, effective participation, enlightened understanding, citizen control of the agenda, and inclusion.

Political culture

an overall set of values widely shared within a society

challenges to democracy

diverse interests

escalating campaign costs

limited participation in gov

political polarization

misinformation

complexity of issues

who said “give me liberty or give me death”

Patrick Henry

Laissez-faire economics

an economic theory that advocates for minimal government intervention in the market.

individualism

The belief that people can, and should get ahead on their own

populism

a political ideology that emphasizes the idea of "the people" (“the average”), and often contrasts them against "the elite".

egalitarianism

the principle of equality and equal treatment under the law for all citizens, regardless of background or status. This includes equality of opportunity, equal rights, and equal access to resources and services.

GDP

Gross Domestic Product

total sum of all goods and services from a nation