People, Politics, and Participation

What is “Politics”?

The process of deciding who benefits in society and who doesn’t

What is efficacy?

Peoples belief that they have the ability to achieve something and that the government listens to them

What is civic engagement?

Individual and collective actions that identify and address issues of public concern

What is political engagement?

Citizen actions that are intended to solve public problems through political means

What are examples of civic engagement?

Volunteering, organizational involvement

What are examples of political engagement?

Boycotting, protesting

What is naturalization?

Becoming a citizen in a country through means other than birth

What are oligarchies?

Governments that are ruled by an elite group of people

What is totalitarianism?

The government has complete control over every persons life

What is authoritarianism?

The government is very powerful but is kept in check by other forces in society

What is a social contract?

An agreement between people and their leaders, people give up liberties so that other liberties are protected

What is direct democracy?

A structure of government where citizens discuss and decide policy based on majority vote

What is indirect democracy?

Representatives are elected to decide policies on behalf of their constituents

What is liberty?

Freedom from government interference and freedom pursue happiness

What is equality?

Equal opportunity, equal treatment

What is consent of the governed?

The idea that government power comes from the consent of the citizens