Untitled Flashcards Set

What is the key principle of classical liberalism as proposed by Locke?

Individuals have natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

What does John Stuart Mill argue regarding government involvement?

Government should promote social justice while recognizing individual rights.

What is the focus of modern liberalism?

Based on human reason to establish a vision of good public policy and governance.

What is 'General Will' according to Rousseau in modern liberalism?

The collective interest of the community which should guide governmental decisions.

What three elements does Immanuel Kant include in his political philosophy?

A creator (God), human uniqueness in a social system, and the role of science in society.

What is John Rawls's principle of 'Justice as Fairness'?

Individuals seek private interests while preserving the rights and freedom of others.

What is communitarianism?

An egalitarian view of groups within a larger community context.

What are the two types of federalism discussed?

Dual federalism (layer cake) and cooperative federalism (marble cake).

What is the primary role of the president as 'Head of State'?

To serve as a symbolic representative of the whole country.

How does the process of how a bill becomes a law work?

Bill introduced -> committee considers bill -> vote in house/senate -> conference committee resolves differences -> president signs or vetoes.

What are the two types of interest groups?

Economic interest groups (benefit members) and public interest groups (benefit the public).

What is the free-rider problem in relation to interest groups?

Individuals benefit from resources or services without paying for them.

What defines the bureaucracy in government?

An organization characterized by hierarchical structure, explicit rules, and advancement by merit.

What is the primary goal of bureaucracies according to Max Weber?

Neutral competence, indicating that bureaucracy should be depoliticized and professional.

How does agenda setting function in the policy process?

It is the first step to get priority issues recognized and addressed by policymakers.

What is the concept of 'iron triangles' in politics?

The alliance of congressional committees, interest groups, and agencies working together for mutual benefit.

What role does the president play in agenda setting?

The president can influence which issues are prioritized and addressed by Congress.

What are the two opposing views concerning the influence of interest groups in politics?

Pluralist view sees them as equalizing forces, elitist view sees them as skewed toward wealthy interests.

What is 'social capital'?

A measure of civic engagement, political activity, social trust, and connectedness to sociopolitical systems.

What is net neutrality?

The principle that all internet traffic should be treated equally without discrimination by ISPs.