Government and Democracy: Systems, Structures, Citizen Participation

Government

The means by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority to achieve collective goals and provide public benefits.

Politics

The process of gaining and exercising control over government to set and achieve particular goals, especially the allocation and division of resources.

Monarchy

A system of government where rule is held by a single hereditary figure, often a ceremonial monarch with a democratically elected parliament.

What characterizes a dictatorship?

Absolute power held by an elite ruling class, a single autocrat, or an oligarchy, often seeking to control every aspect of life.

Anarchy

The absence or extreme weakness of supreme authority, often associated with 'lawlessness' and a rejection of government as unnecessary.

Popular government

A system where citizens participate directly or indirectly in decision-making, such as direct democracy or representative democracy.

What is the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy?

Direct democracy involves citizens directly shaping policy, while representative democracy has citizens elect officials to act on their behalf.

Describe a unitary government.

A system where power resides centrally, and sub-national units derive their power from the central government.

Federalism

A system that splits authority among national, regional, and local governments, dividing power between them.

Confederate Government

A system where sovereign regional units retain most power, and the central authority is limited, acting only with state permission.

What is the main characteristic of a presidential system?

Citizens directly elect the president, who heads the executive branch independently of the legislature.

Describe a parliamentary system.

A system where the legislature and executive are fused, with the majority party in parliament selecting the prime minister to form a cabinet.

What is the role of government in a capitalist economy?

The government influences the distribution of goods and services, working closely with private enterprise.

Majority Rule

A principle where the majority's decisions bind everyone, either through popular majority or representative majority.

Pluralist Theory

A theory that limits majority power through competing interest groups, preventing any single group from dominating.

elitist theory

A theory arguing that a small elite dominates decision-making, contrary to the idea of broad citizen participation.

Distinguish between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome.

Equality of opportunity refers to equal chances for advancement, while equality of outcome refers to equal results or conditions.

Personal Liberty

Freedom that includes conscience, association, and expression, allowing individuals to make choices without undue restriction.

Political liberty

The freedom to participate in the political process, including voting, campaigning, and holding office.

Why is compromise necessary in a democracy?

Compromise is essential because diverse opinions abound, and lack of compromise can lead to polarization.

What are the conditions for a healthy democracy?

Opportunity for individuals to improve economically, advance educationally, and participate politically; an educated society; and moral responsibility.

Civic Engagement

The actions of citizens to participate in the political process, including voting, joining organizations, and contacting representatives.

Social capital

The value of networks that inspire mutual assistance among citizens, contributing to civic engagement.

List pathways to civic engagement.

Individual actions (voting, writing representatives, donating) and group actions (joining organizations, participating in rallies).

What factors influence civic participation?

Partisanship, ideology, latent preferences, and intense preferences shape how and why citizens engage politically.

Rule of law

Societal adherence to legal norms, ensuring that government and citizens act within established laws.

What is the trade-off perspective in government?

The balancing act between competing values such as central government supremacy vs. state autonomy, and efficiency vs. democratic responsiveness.

Explain the concept of federalism as applied in the United States.

Federalism in the U.S. divides power between the national government and the states, creating multiple levels of governance.

What is the difference between a constitutional monarchy and an absolute monarchy?

A constitutional monarchy has a monarch as a ceremonial head with limited powers, while an absolute monarchy grants the monarch complete control.

Totalitarian dictatorship

A dictatorship where an elite class seeks to control every aspect of citizens' lives, often through repression and propaganda.

Democratic republic

A system that combines republican structure with democratic principles, where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

What is the significance of political equality?

Political equality ensures equal justice and voting rights, providing a foundation for fair representation in government.

Explain the concept of liberty in a democratic context.

Liberty encompasses personal freedoms (conscience, association, expression) and political freedoms (voting, campaigning, holding office).

What is the role of education in a democracy?

Education enables citizens to evaluate policies, understand institutions, and appreciate heritage, fostering informed participation.

Define moral responsibility in the context of democracy.

Moral responsibility involves adhering to the rule of law, setting ethical standards for government actions, and understanding the limits of compromise.