American Government and Civic Engagement Flashcards

Flashcards generated from lecture notes on American Government and Civic Engagement, covering key concepts and definitions related to government, politics, economic systems, and civic participation.

Civic engagement

Participation in government through voting, demonstrating, speaking out on important issues, or other means, vital to a thriving and effective republic.

Government

The system by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in order to accomplish collective goals and provide benefits to that society.

Politics

The process of gaining or exercising control within a government by an association of persons with shared goals or objectives for society.

Capitalist economic system

An economic system where private businesses produce and sell most consumer goods and services, earning a profit on these private goods.

Private goods

Consumer goods and services produced and sold by private businesses for a profit.

Public goods

Goods or services, such as public safety and education, that cannot be produced in sufficient quantities or for a profit, provided by the government.

Common goods

Natural resources, such as water, that are used by individuals but must be protected for the benefit of all.

Democracy

A form of government in which political power—influence over institutions, leaders, and policies—is controlled by the people.

Representative democracy

A form of government where citizens do not govern directly; government institutions and policy are determined by elected representatives.

Direct democracy

A form of government where people participate directly in government decisions, instead of relying on elected representatives.

Absolute monarchy

A form of government in which a single, usually hereditary, ruler holds political power.

Totalitarian governments

Governments where the state, usually controlled by a single leader or small group of elites, controls virtually every aspect of citizens’ lives.

Elite theory of government

A theory holding that a small group of elites control power within a representative democracy, while other citizens have little or no influence.

Pluralist theory of government

A theory holding that competing interest groups influence the government and hold political power.

Social capital

The collective value of all social networks and the willingness of these networks to work together toward a common goal.