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Government
the institution through which a society makes and enforces a public policy
Public Goods
a commodity or service that is provided without profit to all members of a society, either by the government or a private individual or organization
Politics
the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power
Political Participation
how individuals engage in politics
Policymaking system
what mechanisms the government utilizes to create policy
Political issue
an issue is an important subject that people are arguing about or discussing
Policymaking institutions
organizations within the government that create policy
Public policy
the principles, often unwritten, on which social laws are based
Democracy
a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically though elected representatives
Majority rule
50% plus 1
Minority rights
guaranteed freedoms for a group that is not a part of the majority
representation
the action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone or the state of being so represented
Pluralist theory
the theory that there are a multitude of interest groups trying to influence government
Elite and class theory
the theory posits that a small minority, consisting of members of the economic elite and policy-planning networks, holds the most power--and that this power is independent of democratic elections
Hyperpluralism
a theory of government contending that when a large number of different groups or factions become so politically influential, the government is unable to function properly
Policy gridlock
there are so many groups competing in government that nothing gets done
Great (Connecticut) Compromise
combined elements of the New Jersey and Virginia plans to create the Constitution
Electoral College
a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president
Three-Fifths Compromise
three out of every five slaves was counted when determining a state's total population for legislative representation and taxation
Virginia Plan
outlined a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive and judicial
New Jersey Plan
retain a unicameral (one-house) legislature with equal votes of states and have the national legislature elect the executive
Federalism
division of power between state, federal, and local governments
Grants
money that is given to the states from the federal government for some purpose. Two types of this are categorical and block grants
Commerce Clause
gives Congress the power "to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes."
Necessary and Proper Clause
allows Congress to make any law necessary to execute their expressed powers
Expressed Powers
those powers specifically listed in the Constitution
Implied Powers
those powers suggested in the Constitution to ensure that governing entities have the ability to execute their expressed powers
Note 
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