Chapter 1: Understanding American Politics - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, theories, democratic models, assessment steps, policy stages, and case examples from Chapter 1.

Government

System for implementing decisions made throughout the political process.

Factions

Groups of like minded people who influence the gov. American gov is set up to avoid domination by any one of these groups.

Separation of Powers

Division of government power across the juridical executive and legislative branches.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government has some power over other branches.

Federalism

Division of power between local, state, and national level government.

Public Goods

Shared services or items that the government provides to everyone and one person cannot deny it.

Collective Action Problems

A group of people working together to achieve a common goal, where individuals act out in their own self-interest by undermining the group's objectives.

Free Rider Problem

People benefiting from others work without contributing, which can lead to collective action situations where people will refuse to work together.

Politics

The process determines what the government does.

Free Market

An economic system based on competition of business without government interference.

Redistributive Tax Policies

Policies that usually favor democrat politicians by using taxation as an attempt to make social equity.

Culture Wars

Political conflict between republicans and democrats.

Ideology

A set of beliefs and ideas that organize and evaluate the political world.

Conservative

A side that supports lower taxes, free market and more limited government associated with the republican party.

Liberal

A side of the government that supports stronger government and more regulated markets typically associated with the democratic party.

Libertarians

People who support a very limited government in social and economic life, prioritizes individual liberty and property.

Norms

Unwritten rules or agreements between citizens and elected officials about how the government operates.

Democracy

Government by the people which means people elect representatives to make decisions for them. Democracies must have fair elections with at least two choices.

Liberty

Political freedom such as freedom to speech, press and assemble these and other laws protect the people and are outlined in the Bill of rights.

Equality

Core American value that makes all citizens equal under the law.

Elite Democracy

A representative democracy where some citizens (wealthy, better educated or certain social groups) have disproportionate influence over government policy.

Participatory Democracy

A representative democracy where citizens are directly involved in making policies of our government.

Pluralist Democracy

A representative democracy where organized groups compete to influence policy and no single group dominates the political process.

Representative Democracy

Type of government known as republican, in which citizens choose candidates in elections, and winners are given power to determine policy for the next elections.

Federalist 51

States that government is necessary but must be structured so that its power is limited through separation of powers and checks and balances.

Three Key Ideas That Help Explain Politics

Power, institutions, and behavior.

Major Sources of Conflict in American Politics

Economic interests, cultural values, identity differences and ideology.

Declaration of Independence (on Equality)

States that all people are created equal and have natural rights that the government must protect.

5-Step Checklist for Assessing Reporting on Politics

1- Evaluate the author's reputation. 2- Verify the information. 3- Assess the extent of the claim. 4- Who agrees. 5- Assess the explanation.

Seven Policy Stages

1- Problem Recognition, 2- Agenda Setting, 3- Deliberation and Formulation, 4- Enactment, 5- Implementation, 6- Evaluation, 7- Possible Modifications, Expansion, or Termination of policy.

Paul LePage

Then-governor of Maine who justified a 21-day Ebola quarantine order by stating the need to protect 1.3 million Mainers and visitors.

Kaci Hickox

American nurse who refused a 21-day Ebola quarantine order, stating that such policies were not evidence-based and failed to balance risks and benefits when restricting individual rights.