Chapter 1 Gov

bureaucracy

A hierarchical authority structure that uses task specialization, operates on the merit principle, and behaves with impersonality; a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than elected representatives.

collective good

Something of value that cannot be withheld from a group member, such as money or clean air.

democracy

A system of selecting policymakers and organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public's preferences.

democratic republic

A form of government operating on principles adopted from a republic and a democracy, where both elected representatives and non-elected individuals run the government.

egalitarianism

A belief in the equality of all people.

elitism

A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that the upper-class elite will rule.

government

The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society.

government revenue

Money received by a government.

gross domestic product

The sum total of the value of all the goods and services produced in a nation.

hyperpluralism

A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that the government is weakened.

individualism

The belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government.

infrastructure

Fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area, such as transportation and communication systems, power plants, and schools.

interest groups

An organization of people with shared policy goals entering the policy process at several points to try to achieve those goals.

laissez-faire

The principle that the government should not meddle in the economy.

liberty

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.

linkage institutions

The political channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda, such as the media, elections, and interest groups.

majority rule

A fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory, stating the will of the majority should be followed and respected when choosing among alternatives.

minority rights

A principle of traditional democratic theory that guarantees rights to those who do not belong to the majorities.

pluralism

A theory of government and politics that politics is mainly a competition among many groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.

policy agenda

The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and others involved in politics at any given time.

policy gridlock

A condition occurring when no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy, resulting in inaction.

policy impacts

The effects a policy has on people and problems, analyzed to see how well the policy has met its goal and at what cost.

policymaking institutions

The branches of government charged with taking action on political issues, including congress, the president, courts, and bureaucracy.

policymaking system

The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time, shaped by people's interests, problems, and concerns.

ordinance

A written law at the local level.

political culture

Commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate.

political issue

An issue that arises when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it.

political participation

All activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue.

politics

The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue.

populism

A belief in the power of regular people and in their right to control their government rather than a small group of political insiders or a wealthy elite.

public policy

A choice that government makes in response to a political issue.

regulation

The use of government authority to control or change some practice in a private sector.

representation

A basic principle of traditional democratic theory describing how a few leaders act on behalf of many followers.

single-issue groups

Groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics.

statute

A written law passed by a legislative body, typically at the state level.

unitary government

A way of organizing the government so all the power resides in the central government.

Political Efficacy

The belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference.