Module 1 Key Terms - AP GOV

Authority

power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior

Direct Democracy

a form of government where people participate directly in making government decisions instead of choosing representatives to do this for them

Elite Democracy

a model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy or well-educated, influence political decision-making

Legitimacy

Power is gained rightfully through the established process

Majoritarian Politics

the idea that the numerical majority of a population should have the final say in determining the outcome of a decision

Public Policy

All actions taken by a government

Political Power

Influence over institutions, leaders, and policies

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy in which citizens have the power to make policy decisions

Pluralistic Democracy

A model of democracy in which no single group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy

Representative Democracy

a form of government where voters elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on behalf of all the people instead of allowing people to vote directly on laws