Studied by 36 people
authority
right to rule
bureaucracy
the system of government that bureaucrats/state officials make the important decisions instead of elected representatives
Bureaucrats
appointed (NOT ELECTED) officials who exercise vast power
Citizen Participation
Requiring those affected by some government program to participate in its formation
city-state (polis)
Self-governing city surrounded by its territory. (where its citizenship was extended to all free male property owners)
client politics
a policy in which one small group benefits and almost everybody pays (Medicare, Medicaid)
community control
Allowing individual neighborhoods in big cities to govern themselves
Democracy
The rule of the many a way of governing which depends on the will of the people
direct/participatory democracy
a government in which the will of the people is represented through themselves directly, rather than through elected representatives
Entrepreneurial politics
A policy in which almost everybody benefits and a small group pays the cost
Interest groups
groups of individuals with common interests that organize to influence public policy in a manner that benefits their members
interest group politics
a policy in which a small group pays and a another small group benefits
Legitimacy
a society's belief that their ruler or government has the right to rule
majoritarian politics
a policy in which almost everybody benefits and almost everybody pays
Natural Rights
the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property
Polis
A city-state in ancient Greece.
Popular Sovereignty
the THEORY that government gets its power from the people and the people elect officials
Power
The ability to get people to behave in certain ways even when people don't want to behave in those ways (the ability to rule)
Republicanism
the APPLICATION of the idea of popular sovereignty (that the people choose leaders, vote and can be part of the government) in a form of government; a republic
Social Contract
An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed (people give up certain rights for the protection of others)
Sovereignty
supreme power or authority
Ideals of Democracy
limited government, natural rights, popular sovereignty, republicanism, social contract
Types of Government
Republic democracy, Theocracy, constitutional monarchy, dictatorship,direct democracy, anarchy, oligarchy, absolute monarchy
Theocracy
A government controlled by religious leaders. Pros: Help people because of religious believes Cons: Hard to ask divine being for advice about interpreting the text (and thus might not be following its will properly)
Republic Democracy
the people elect officials to represent them in government. the people can also vote and be in government PROS: people are represented in government through elected officials CONS: officials can become corrupt, and would have to wait a year to elect new ones
Constitutional Monarchy
A King or Queen is the official head of state but power is limited by a constitution. PROS: Stable government CONS: The people lack power
Dictatorship
Dictators have full power PROS: Less chaos in government (no one but dictator has a say) CONS: People live in fear
Direct Democracy
A form of government in which CITIZENS RULE DIRECTLY and not through representatives PROS: more opinions better solutions CONS: people may not be educated enough for some issues
anarchy
absence of government PROS: people are allowed to do whatever they want CONS: people aren't held accountable if they do wrong
Oligarchy
A government ruled by a few powerful/rich people PROS: the powerful and rich have experience to rule CONS: would be hard for the regular, working class people to gain power
Absolute Monarchy
A government in which the king or queen has absolute power PROS: Easy transfer of power CONS: People have no power, only the royals
Thomas Hobbes
Ideal form of gov. is a King The gov. should control religion People should not go against the king The purpose of the gov. is to maintain peace and avoid war
John Locke
People have natural rights that can't be taken away Republican gov is the best form of gov Only adult male property owners can vote People can revolt against the king The purpose of the gov is to protect and trade
Charles Montesquieu
People fight over food, so gov. is there to stop war Power should be separated (checks and balances) Purpose of the gov is to protect property
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Purpose of the gov is to enforce laws and protect property (do what the people want) Ideal form of gov is direct democracy No one should give their rights to the king or the gov (through social contract) Social contract is a way for the rich to be powerful
marxism/class theory
founded by Karl Marx. Capitalist and workers hold power (exp: Big businesses dominates the economy and hence the gov)
Elite Power Theory
Founded by C. Wright Mills. Society is ruled by a small number of people (top leaders/the rich/people outside the gov) who exercise power in their self interest.
Bureaucratic Theory
Founded by Max Wieber. A theory that appointed civil servants (gov workers) make the key governing decisions
Pluralism
No one intellectual parent/founder. No one has absolute power; people wih power are diverse
the iron triangle
describes the policy-making relationship between the congress, bureaucracies and interest groups
how does the iron triangle work? (outer triangle)
interest groups give electoral support to congress > congress gives funding and political support to bureaucracy > bureaucracy gives low regulation and special favors to interest groups
how does the iron triangle work? (inner triangle)
interest groups give bureaucracy support by trying to influence legislation (lobbying) > bureaucracy gives policy choices and execution to congress > congress gives friendly legislation and oversight to interest group
Note 
Flashcard (66)