Introduction Chapter

Power

The ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person's intentions.

Authority

The right to use power, which may or may not be held by individuals.

Power

The ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person's intentions.

Authority

The right to use power, which may or may not be held by individuals.

Formal Authority

The right to exercise power vested in a government office, conferred by law or the Constitution.

Legitimacy

The quality that makes a law a source of right; political authority conferred by law or the Constitution.

Democracy

The rule of many, where citizens participate in governance.

Direct or Participatory Democracy

A form of government in which all or most citizens participate directly in decision-making.

Representative Democracy

A government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for popular vote.

Elite

Individuals who possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource, influencing governance.

Class View

The perspective that the government is dominated by capitalists.

Power Elite View

The belief that a few top leaders, mostly outside the government, dominate the government.

Bureaucratic View

The view that appointed officials dominate the government.

Pluralist View

The perspective that interest group competition shapes policy and governance.

Political Agenda

Issues that people believe require government action, influencing laws and policies.

Genuine Competitive Leader Selection

A necessary condition for democracy, allowing individuals and parties to run for leadership.

Why is a Meaningful Choice important in elections?

Leads people to vote