AP Gov Chapter 1 Test

politics

process of resolving conflicts + deciding "who gets what, when, and how"

government

institutions where decisions that resolve conflicts/allocate benefits + privileges are made

institutions

ongoing organizations that perform specific functions for society

divine right of kings

doctrine that asserts the monarchy's legitimacy comes directly from God, so a king is not subject to any earthly authority, including his people/church

social contract

theory of politics that individuals form political communities (mutual agreement, giving up a measure of individual liberty to gain protection from government)

What does the textbook refer to when it uses the term politics?

It refers to the conflicts and decisions found at the federal, state, and local levels regarding the selection of decision makers, the structure of institutions, and the creation of public policy.

What does the term "govern" mean?

To govern is to rule.

What did Hobbes believe people would be without government and the rule of law?

Hobbes believed that without government and the rule of law, the people would revert to a state of nature and individuals would be left to fight over basic necessities, rendering life "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

What did Hobbes argue for in government?

Hobbes argued for a single ruler, a Leviathan.

What did Locke believe individuals do to protect property?

Locke believed that people were willing to give up a portion of individual liberty for government protection.

What did Locke argue governments were formed for? What did he believe could happen if the government was not protecting rights?

Locke argues that the government is formed to protect life, liberty, and property, if its not then its the people's duty to end the abusive government and replace it with a new form.

political culture

set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics that's shared by all citizens

political socialization

process through which individuals learn a set of political attitudes and form opinions about social issues

liberty

greatest freedom of individuals that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in society

order

state of peace and security

equality

as a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth

property

anything that is or may be subject to ownership

capitalism

economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract

eminent domain

power set forth in the 5th Amendment to the US Constitution that allows the government to take private property for public use under the condition that just compensation is offered to the landowner

What does the nation depend on for political socialization?

The nation depends on families, schools, houses of worship, and the media.

What are the two sides of Political Value of freedom?

Positive and negative sides. Positive is the freedom to, while negative is the freedom from.

Explain how Freedom of Religion is an example of two sides of Liberty?

Freedom of Religion on the negative side is freedom from government entanglement in religious matters. Freedom of Religion on the positive side is the freedom to pursue your religious beliefs.

When can positive freedom and individual liberties be limited?

Positive freedom and individual liberties can be limited during times of war.

What values can Order and Security run counter to?

Order and security run counter to the values of liberty and equality.

What does Individualism state as the primary functions of government?

Individualism states that one of the primary functions of the government is to enable individuals' opportunities for personal fulfillment and development.

How had political equality not been followed at our founding?

Political equality was not followed at our founding since the political leaders excluded some people from the broad understanding of a politically autonomous person. (African Americans, women, Native Americans, and most men who didn't own property)

What is capitalism typically characterized by?

It is typically characterized by considerable freedom to make binding contracts and by relatively unconstrained markets for goods, services, and investments.

Totalitarian Regime

form of government that controls all aspects of the political and social life of a nation

Authoritarianism

regime where only the government if fully controlled by the ruler

Aristocracy

rule by "the best"; in reality, rule by upper class

Oligarchy

rule by the few in their own interests

Democracy

system of government where political authority is vested in the people

Anarchy

absence of any form of government or political authority

Direct Democracy

system of government where political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives; probably attained most easily in small political communities

Legislature

governmental body primarily responsible for the making of laws

Initiative

procedure where voters can propose a law or constitutional amendment

Referendum

electoral device where legislative or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval

Recall

procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from state office before his or her term has expired

How has the internet impacted Democracy? Give a brief answer with a few examples.

The internet has impacted Democracy because Americans have access to more political information than before. (Voters can examine records of any candidate, constituents can contact congressional representatives and state legislators, etc.)

What were some of the reasons the founders had a concern over a direct democracy?

The founders had a concern about the stability and practicality of direct democracy. The masses were considered to be uneducated to govern themselves, too prone to the influence of manipulative political leaders, and too likely to subordinate minority rights to the tyranny of majority. They feared that direct democracy would deteriorate into mob rule.

Republic

form of government where sovereignty rests with the people opposed to a king or monarch

Democratic Republic

republic where representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies

Representative Democracy

form of government where representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies but may retain the monarchy in a ceremonial role

What is the major difference between a representative democracy and a democratic republic?

A representative democracy can contain a monarchy, while a democratic republic cannot.

Universal Suffrage

right of all adults to vote for their representatives

Majority

more than 50%

Majority Rule

basic principle of democracy asserting that the greatest number of citizens in any political unit should select officials and determine policies

What do nations do to prevent majority rule from becoming oppressive?

Modern democracies also provide guarantees of minority rights to prevent majority rule becoming oppressive

Limited Government

principle that the powers of government should be limited (usually by institutional checks)

What Document in the USA sets forth limited government?

The U.S. Constitution sets down the fundamental structure of the government and the limits to its activities.

What are the three theories on American Democracy?

The three theories are majoritarian theory, elite theory, and the theories of pluralism.

Majoritarianism

political theory holding that in a democracy the government has to do what the majority of people want

Why do scholars consider Majoritarianism to be a poor theory of the US government?

Scholars think Majoritarianism theory is a poor description of how the U.S. democracy actually works.

Elite Theory

perspective holding that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interest

Pluralism

theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups, political decision making is characterized by bargaining and compromise