Dec of Independence

Government

institutions that make and enforce public policy

Public Policy

decisions the government makes to solve problems

Politics

process of deciding who gets what, when, how

Democracy

system where power comes from the people

Republic

people elect representatives to make decisions

Natural Rights

rights all people are born with (life, liberty, property)

Popular Sovereignty

government authority comes from the people

Social Contract

people give up some freedoms for protection

Limited Government

government only has powers given by the Constitution

Federalism

power shared between national and state governments

Enumerated Powers

powers specifically listed in Constitution

Reserved Powers

powers given to states (10th Amendment)

Concurrent Powers

shared powers

Supremacy Clause

federal law > state law

Linkage Institutions

connect people to government (media, parties, interest groups, elections)

Policy Agenda

issues policymakers focus on

Political Participation

ways people influence government

Participatory Democracy

broad public participation

Pluralist Democracy

groups compete for influence

Elite democracy

elites hold most power

Majority rule vs Minority rights

majority decides but minority is protected

Voter apathy

low voter turnout

Hyperpluralism

too many groups → government gridlock