Chapter 1: Understanding American Politics

Government

The system for implementing decisioins made through the political process

Factions

Groups of like-minded people who try to influence the government. American government is set up to avoid domination by any one of these groups

Seperation of powers

The division of government power across the judicial, executive, and legislative branches

Checks and balances

A system in which each branch of government has some power over the others

Federalism

The division of power across the local, state, and national governments

Public goods

Services or actions (such as protecting the environment) that, once provided to one person, became available to everyone. Government is typically needed to provide public goods because they will be underprovided by the free market.

Collective action problems

Situations in which the members of a group would benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is better off refusing to cooperate and reaping benefits from those who do the work

Free rider problem

The incentive to benefit from others’ work without making a contribution, which leads individuals in a collective action situation to refuse to work together

Norms

Unwritten rules and informal agreements among citizens and elected officials about how government and society should operate

Democracy

Government by the people. In most contexts, this means representative democracy in which the people elect leaders to enact policies. Democracies must have fair elections with at least 2 options.

Liberty

Political freedom, such as the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. These and other legal and due process rights protecting individuals from government control are outlined in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution

Equality

In the context of American politics, “equality” means equality before the law, political equality (one person, one vote) and equality of opportunity (the equal chance for everyone to realize their potential) but not material equality (equal income or wealth)