Introduction to Government and Politics (AMSCO Ch.1)

16 Q&A flashcards covering key terms from the introduction vocabulary on government and politics.

What is government?

The institutions and processes through which public policy is made and enforced in a society.

What is politics?

The process by which society decides who gets what, when, and how; the struggle over scarce resources and policy choices.

What is political participation?

Activities by citizens to influence government policy, such as voting, volunteering, joining campaigns, or contacting officials.

What is the policymaking system?

The flow by which people's concerns are translated into public policy via institutions, agenda setting, policy outputs, and impacts.

What are linkage institutions?

Channels that connect citizens to policymakers, including elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

What is democracy?

A system in which the people hold sovereign authority and select policymakers, with majority rule and protection for minority rights.

What is majority rule?

The principle that policies are decided by the preference of the majority while respecting minority rights.

What are minority rights?

Protections for individuals and groups in the minority against oppression by the majority.

What is representation (representative democracy)?

A system where citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf.

What is Pluralist Democracy (pluralism)?

A theory that many groups compete for influence and policy outcomes result from bargaining among diverse interests.

What is Elite Democracy (elitism)?

A theory that a small, typically affluent, educated group holds most of the power and makes most major policy decisions.

What is Hyperpluralism?

A condition where excessive group influence reduces government effectiveness, leading to gridlock.

What is political culture?

The shared beliefs, values, and attitudes about politics and government in a society.

What is policy gridlock?

A situation where policy is blocked or slowed by competing interests and divided government.

What is Participatory democracy?

A model that emphasizes broad citizen involvement and direct participation in government decision-making.

Types of Governments (Monarchy, Totalitarianism, Oligarchy)

Monarchy: rule by a hereditary monarch; Totalitarianism: a system in which the state seeks to control every aspect of life; Oligarchy: rule by a small group.