Civics and Government Lecture Notes Review

Practice flashcards capturing key concepts from the lecture notes on government, politics, economic systems, types of goods, and forms of government to help prep for exams.

What is the right to vote described as in the notes?

An important feature of civic engagement that affects all aspects of people’s lives and has been fought to obtain.

How is the term government described?

The means by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority to accomplish collective goals and provide benefits.

What goals do governments tend to provide according to the notes?

Economic prosperity, secure national borders, safety and well-being of citizens, education, and health.

What does the term politics refer to?

The process of gaining and exercising control within a government to set and achieve particular goals, especially regarding the division of resources.

Politics is sometimes confused with what system, according to the notes?

Economic systems.

What two ideas developed alongside capitalism in Western Europe and North America?

Democratic Republics/self-government and natural rights (liberty).

According to John Locke, what natural rights do people have?

Life, liberty, and property.

What governance idea did Locke advocate for?

Self-government through elected representatives; government by consent; representatives chosen by the people have the right to make laws.

What did Adam Smith argue about property and markets?

People should be free to acquire property and keep the proceeds; competition would ensure profits, low prices, and reduce faulty goods.

What two ideas did Smith’s writings help form in the context of capitalism?

Representative government and capitalism; the basis for Industrial Capitalism (Wealth of Nations, 1776).

What does a democratic government promote according to the notes?

Individualism and freedom to act; self-government rather than government control; capitalism, with socialism as an alternative.

In socialist societies, who owns the means of wealth and how is wealth redistributed?

The government owns the means of wealth and redistributes it through social programs (healthcare, education, etc.).

What kinds of assets are commonly owned or controlled by the government in socialist countries?

Large factories, large farms, banks, transportation, utilities, and telecommunications.

What is an oligarchy?

A system where only members of a political party or ruling elite can participate in government.

In the U.S., how do democracy and the market interact?

The interconnected system affects how goods and services are provided; the market distributes private goods while the government provides and protects public goods.

Name two goods provided by the government because the market cannot meet all needs.

National security and education.

What is a Toll Good?

An excludable good or service that is often non-rivalrous (e.g., cable TV, private schooling, turnpikes).

What is a Public Good?

A non-excludable and non-rivalrous good such as public education, mail service, and national security.

What is a Common Good?

A non-excludable and rivalrous good such as fish in the ocean or fresh water.

How are public goods funded?

Through the general tax base; citizens paying into the government fund public services.

What is a Private Good?

Excludable and rivalrous goods like cell phones, automobiles, and homes.

What is a Private Good vs a Toll Good example distinction?

Private goods are excludable and rivalrous (cell phones, cars); Toll goods are excludable and often non-rivalrous (turnpikes, cable TV, private schooling).

What is the difference between Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy in the notes?

Direct Democracy involves citizens directly making decisions; the Constitution requires representative forms, though some direct democracy elements exist.

What is a Republic as described in the notes?

A representative democracy where power rests in elected representatives who govern for the people.

What is majority rule and how are minority rights treated in representative governments?

Majority rule guides decisions, but minority rights are protected.

What is Totalitarianism?

A non-democratic form of government where the state controls nearly all aspects of life and political opposition is suppressed.

Give examples of Totalitarian or oligarchic states mentioned in the notes.

North Korea (totalitarian); Cuba and China (oligarchy/non-democratic elements).