ap gov - chapter 1 vocab

issue

problem/conflict that relates to distribution of power, resources, rights; requires govt action

politics

the way ppl/groups reach agreements, manage disagreements, and use power to make decisions for the community

power

the ability of one person to get another person to do what they want

authority

a person’s right to use power

legitimacy

political authority granted by law, state, or national constitution; “verifiable”

democracy

rule by the people

direct/participatory democracy

broad participation by the ppl; ppl vote on the law

representative democracy

ppl vote for reps, reps vote for laws

elite

small, distinct group of ppl who hold power, wealth, & privilege to influence public policy and societal decisions

class view

political perspective that a society’s govt & public policies are fundamentally dominated by the wealthy capitalist class who own the means of production

power elite view

model stating that power is concentrated in small, interconnected group, of top leaders from the economic, political, & military sectors

bureaucratic view

perspective that views public admin - non-elected civil servants, agencies, and depts. - as primary holders of real power in a state

pluralist view

political power’s spread among many competing interest groups rather than controlled by a single small elite group (bargaining, negotiation, and compromise)

creedal passion view

morally impassioned elites/dedicated mass movements are the primary force behind major political change & public policy shifts (ppl driven to align govt policies with democratic ideals)

political agenda

set of problems/issues/goals that leaders choose to focus on, talk about, or turn into laws

cost/benefit comparison

process used to weigh expected monetary & social costs of public policy, laws, or project against the total anticipated benefits to decide if maximizes societal welfare & efficient resource allocation

majoritarian politics

majority rule

interest group politics

an organized collection of people who share common goals & actively try to influence govt. decisions w/o running candidates for public office

client politics

policy-making dynamic where a small, organized group or special interest receives concentrated benefits from the govt., while the general public pays a diffuse, largely hidden cost

pork-barrel legislation

govt spending directed by lawmakers for localized projects (roads, bridges, etc) that benefit home districts rather than national interest ; typically used to satisfy local voters for re-election

log-rolling

practice of lawmakers trading votes/political favors so that each get what they want

entrepreneurial politics

policy-making styles where a political entrepreneur mobilizes a political majority on behalf of an unorganized public interest; results in policy where almost everyone benefits & a small, concentrated group pays the cost

policy entrepreneurs

individual/group who invests resources (time, energy, money, reputation) to drive significant policy change