Chapter 1 Vocabulary: People, Politics, and Participation

Vocabulary flashcards defining key political science terms from Chapter 1.

Politics

The process of deciding who benefits in society and who does not.

Efficacy

People's belief that they have the ability to influence government, and that the government genuinely listens to them.

Civic engagement

Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.

Government

An institution that creates and implements the policy and laws that guide the conduct of a nation and its citizens.

Public goods

Services whose benefits, by their nature, cannot be limited to specific groups or individuals.

Social contract

An agreement between people and their leaders, whereby the people give up some liberties so that their other liberties will be protected.

Popular sovereignty

The theory that government is created by the people and depends on the people for the authority to rule.

Political culture

The people's collective beliefs and attitudes about government and the political process.

Capitalism

An economic system in which the means of producing wealth are privately owned and operated to produce profits.

Political ideology

An integrated system of ideas or beliefs about political values in general and the role of government in particular.