FG Chapter 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts regarding critical thinking, American political culture, core political ideals, and systems of power from Chapters 1 through 6.

Critical thinking

The ability to effectively analyze information and form a reasoned judgment.

Party polarization

The deep divide that separates Republicans and Democrats.

Confirmation bias

Our psychological preference for information that supports what we would like to believe.

Political science

The systematic study of government and politics.

Political culture

The widely shared and deep seated beliefs of a nation's people about politics.

Habits of the heart

The phrase used by Alexis de Tocqueville to describe the shared beliefs that serve as Americans' common bond.

Unalienable rights

Freedoms that belong to every citizen and that cannot lawfully be denied by the government.

Liberty

The principle that individuals should be free from arbitrary and oppressive governments so that they can think and act as they choose.

Individualism

A commitment to personal initiative and self sufficiency.

Equality

The notion that all individuals are equal in their moral worth and thereby entitled to equal treatment under the law.

Self government

The principle that the people are the ultimate source of governing authority and should have a voice in their governing.

Politics

A conflict over who gets what, when, and how, serving as the means by which society settles its conflicts and determines benefits and costs.

Power

The ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political decisions.

Authoritarian government

A government system that openly represses its political opponents mostly through intimidation and prohibitions on free expression, and sometimes through brute force.

Democracy

A form of government in which the people govern directly or through elected representatives.

Oligarchy

A system of government in which control rests with a small group, such as top ranking military officers or a few wealthy families.

Autocracy

A system of government in which control rests with a single individual, such as a king or dictator.

Majoritarianism

The term used to describe situations in which political leaders act on behalf of the majority.

Pluralism

A principle holding that the government responds primarily to interest groups.

Authority

The recognized right of officials to exercise power.

Constitutionalism

The idea that there are lawful restrictions on the government's power.

Free market system

An economic system operating mainly on private transactions where firms make their own production, distribution, and pricing decisions.

Corporate power

The influence of business firms on public policy.

Elitism

The power exercised by well positioned and highly influential individuals.