ap gov unit 1.1 and 1.2 quiz

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