AP GOV CHAPTER 1 VOCAB

What is politics?

Politics is the process of managing disagreements about what government should do.

What are the two types of democracy?

1) Direct democracy – everyone votes on every issue. 2) Representative democracy – people elect leaders to make decisions.

Why do disagreements in politics need to be managed?

To prevent conflict and decide what actions government should take.

How does politics drive democracy?

By determining which issues are debated, how decisions are made, and how power is exercised.

What is politics?

Politics is the process of managing disagreements about what government should do.

What are the two types of democracy?

1) Direct democracy – everyone votes on every issue. 2) Representative democracy – people elect leaders to make decisions.

Why do disagreements in politics need to be managed?

To prevent conflict and decide what actions government should take.

How does politics drive democracy?

By determining which issues are debated, how decisions are made, and how power is exercised.

What is the elite view of political power in the U.S.?

A small group of wealthy business leaders and powerful elites control political power.

What is the bureaucratic view?

Government officials and bureaucrats hold the real power, running things behind the scenes.

What is the pluralist view?

Political power is widely spread among many groups and institutions; no single group dominates.

What is the Marxist view?

Power belongs mainly to those who control the economy, influencing politics to serve their interests.

How can leaders influence politics?

Moral or passionate leaders can sometimes strongly affect policies even without representing large groups.

Is political power ever equally distributed in the U.S.?

No; it varies depending on perspective and situation.

What does “who governs?” ask?

Who really makes the decisions in government—groups, leaders, or institutions.

What does “to what ends?” ask?

What goals or benefits the government’s decisions serve, for the public, special interests, or political gain.

Why are these questions important?

They help explain how government works and why it acts the way it does.

What is interest group politics?

Small group pays and small group benefits (concentrated costs & benefits).

What is client politics?

Few benefit, many pay small costs (concentrated benefits & distributed costs).

What is majoritarian politics?

Benefits and costs are widely distributed; everyone is affected.

What is entrepreneurial politics?

Most benefit, a small group bears high costs (distributed benefits & concentrated costs).

Who was Thomas Jefferson?

Third U.S. president, main author of the Declaration of Independence, and advocate for democracy and individual rights.

What were the 13 colonies?

British colonies on the east coast of America that became the first states of the U.S.

What did Jefferson write in the Declaration of Independence?

That all men are created equal and have unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Why did the colonies want independence from Britain?

Because of unfair taxes, lack of representation, and restrictions on trade and governance.

What was the role of the 13 colonies in forming the U.S.?

They united to declare independence, fight the Revolutionary War, and create a new nation with a democratic government.