Ap gov, 1.4-1.5

what does democracy mean?

a system in which government is supposed to reflect the preferences of the people.

who actually ha power in America?

1. pluralism→ many competing groups

2. elitism → small number of wealthy/powerful people

3. hyperpluralism → too many powerful groups, government struggles to act

what is majority rule?

government follows more than half of voters want.

what are the minority rules?

the majority can’t take away the basic rights and freedom of the minority.

what is representation?

citizens elect officials to make government decisions for them.

what is policy gridlock?

competing political interests prevent government from agreeing and taking action

what is traditional democratic theory

the idea that democracy should give citizens equal opportunities to participate in government and influence decisions

what is equality in voting?

one person, one vote. everyones vote should count equally.

what is effective participation?

citizens should have equal opportunities to express their opinions and participate in political decisions.

what is enlightened understanding?

citizens need access to information and different ideas so they can make informed political decisions.

what is citizen control of the agenda?

citizens should have influence over what issues the government considers and acts on.

what is inclusion?

political rights and citizenship should be available to everyone subject to the government laws

why is increased complexity of issues a challenge to democracy?

government issues can be so complicated that it is hard for ordinary citizens to fully understand them and make informed decisions.

why is limited participation a challenge to democracy?

many citizens don’t vote or participate in politics, which can weaken democracy.

why are escalating campaign costs a challenge to democracy?

elections cost a lot of money, causing candidates to depend more on donors and political groups.

why are diverse political interests a challenge to democracy?

many different groups want different policies, which can make it difficult for government to reach agreement.

what is political culture?

the widely shared political values and beliefs of a society.

what is liberty?

freedom from unnecessary government interference.

what is egalitarianism?

the belief in political equality and equality of opportunity.

what is individualism?

the belief that people should be able to succeed through their own efforts.

what is laissez-faire?

the belief in free markets and limited government involvement in the economy.

what is populism?

the belief that government should support the interests of ordinary people rather than powerful elites.

what is a culture war?

a deep political division between groups with strongly different values and beliefs.

do all scholars agree that America is experiencing a culture war?

no, some believe americans are becoming more polarized, others argue americans still share many basic values.

what is the scope of governement?

the range of things the government does and the policies it makes.

what is gross domestic product (GDP)?

the total value of all goods and services produced in a country during a year.

how has the scope of the U.S. government changed over time?

the federal government has grown and taken on more responsibilities over time.

what are some major responsibilities of the federal government?

National defense, social security, medicare, education, environmental protection, and other public programs.

why does government spending increase?

as government takes on more responsibilities and programs, it needs more money to pay for them.

what is an argument FOR a larger role in government?

government can help solve problems such as poverty, unemployment, discrimination, health care, and environmental issues.

what is an argument AGAINST a larger role for government?

more government can mean higher taxes, more regulation, and less individual freedom.

how can individualism affect views about government?

people who strongly value individualism may prefer less government involvement and more personal responsibility.

what is the main debate about the scope of government?

people disagree about how much power and responsibility the government should have.