AP GOPO - Unit 1

Intro to American Government and Politics - Mr. Gordon

demakratia

people-ruled government, direct democracy (Greek), the people make the policy themselves.

platonic myths

stories we use to teach values (ex. Manifest Destiny); used to make better citizens

mixed government

John Adams's theory from Thoughts on Government (1776), which called for three branches of government, each representing one function: executive, legislative, and judicial. This system of dispersed authority was devised to maintain a balance of power and ensure the legitimacy of governmental procedures.

citizen

A person with certain rights and responsibilities in his or her country or community and is legally recognized

classical republicanism

placed the needs of people as a community above individual liberty and self-determination

republic

a form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws

written law

an old-fashioned reference to the statutes and ordinances of federal, state, and local governments, and the published rules of administrative agencies.

right

power or privilege that is recognized by tradition or law

common law

A system of law based on tradition, precedent, and custom.

code law

detailed lists on rules and regulations leaving little room for interpretation

rule of law

no one is above the law, the law applies equally to everyone

limited government

government structure in which government actions are limited by law

bill of rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual—like freedom of speech, press, and religion. It sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the States

bicameralism

a legislative body with 2 chambers

state of nature

a condition in which no governments or laws existed at all

natural rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

natural law

a body of unchanging moral principles regarded as a basis for all human conduct.

social contract

a voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.

natural rights social contract

needs of individual over that of society (Hobbs and Locke)

classical republicanism social contract

needs of society over that of the individual (Cicero/Plato)

agency contract

you can leave (Locke)

alien contract

you can't leave or control (Hobbes)

contract entrance (implicit)

born into it

contract entrance (explicit)

a moment of tie when you initiated entrance

contract entrance (tacit)

slowly over time

civic education

Plato; the process teaching citizens the fundamental values and beliefs of the established order. If we want people to have a common good, you have to raise the public (platonic myths, arete)

iron law of oligarchy

tendency of organizations to become increasingly dominated by small groups of people

separation of powers

constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

checks and balances

a system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

federalism

a form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states; we have 2 governments, each with sovereignty over the same land

government

the governing body of a nation, state, or community; the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

politics

method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government (who gets what, when, and how); the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power.

public policy

anything the government chooses to do or not to do.

formal institution

institutions usually based on officially sanctioned rules that are relatively clear; the written constitution, laws, policies, rights and regulations enforced by official authorities

political institution

the system of roles and norms that governs the distribution and exercise of power in society; are the organizations in a government that create, enforce, and apply laws

policymaking institution

the branches of government such as the legislature, the executive, and the judicial, charged with taking action on political issues; the U.S. Constitution established three policymaking institutions- the Congress, the presidency, and the courts. Today, the power of the bureaucracy is so great that most political scientists consider it a fourth policymaking institution.

linkage institutions

the political channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. In the United States, linkage institutions include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

political culture

commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate

political efficacy

the belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference

political participation

all the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue

political socialization

the process by which we develop our political attitudes, values, and beliefs.

political ideology

a more or less consistent set of beliefs about what policies government ought to pursue; certain set of ethical ideals, principles, doctrines, myths or symbols of a social movement, institution, class or large group that explains how society should work and offers some political and cultural blueprint for a certain social order.

political party

a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy

interest group

a collection of people who share a common interest or attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends. interest groups usually work within the framework of government and try to achieve their goals through tactics such as lobbying.

democratic theory

the view that elected officials should represent the interests of all people in a democracy

pluralism

groups with shared interests influence public policy by pressing their concerns through organized efforts

hyperpluralism

groups are so strong that government is weakened. In needing to appease groups, gridlock develops.

elite theory

a theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization.

civil disobedience

the refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines, as a peaceful form of political protest

legitimacy

political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution; moral authority, legislative bodies for higher law that allow for a deeper level of consent

civilian control of military

civilian authority should control the military in order to preserve constitutional government; a doctrine in military and political science that places ultimate responsibility for a country's strategic decision-making in the hands of the civilian political leadership, rather than professional military officers

flexibility

processes in which the United States Constitution is not always definite, but can be interpreted, or changed, in certain circumstances, this is the changing or adding of laws to the constitution.

popular sovereignty

A government in which the people rule by their own consent because ultimate power resides in the people

arete

a person who understands that they have a place in public discourse

unitary/confederacy

a nation-state that has a centralized government and administration that exercises power equally over all parts of the state; makes it possible for the several states to cooperate in matters of common concern and at the same time, retain their separate identities.

parliamentary

the executive branch is made up of the prime minister or premier, and that official's cabinet

presidential

features a separation of powers between the executive and the legislative branches of the government

liberalism

a belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity; a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise

conservatism

a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, favoring obedience to political authority and organized religion

Neo-liberalism

a strategy for economic development that calls for free markets, balanced budgets, privatization, free trade, and minimal government intervention in the economy (active to protect human rights and democracy)

southern democratic ideology

fiscally liberal and socially conservative (hospitals, infrastructures, one shared traditional value system)

new england liberals

believe in polarity fiscally and socially liberal (taxing and funding; same sex marriage, religions, beliefs, etc)

social conservatism

focus on shared conservative social values, government should protect "traditional" (Christian) views on marriage, gender roles, & social issues. Oppose gay marriage, legalization of drugs, abortion.

libertarianism

believe that government should be as small as possible; believed government is opposite of liberty

neo-conservatism

interested in a act of foreign policy (free trade and capitalism)