Chapter 1 flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts and definitions from the lecture notes on American and Texas government.

Government

The system for implementing decisions made through the political process, including institutions and procedures through which people are ruled.

Forms of Government

Types of government identified by Aristotle: Monarchy (rule by one), Aristocracy (rule by few), and Polity (rule by many).

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy in which people directly participate in decision-making.

Collective Action

The pooling of resources and coordinating efforts by a group to achieve a common goal.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation in which individuals acting in their own self-interest deplete shared resources, leading to negative outcomes for the group.

Civil Liberties

Individual rights protected by law from governmental interference.

Politics

The process through which groups make collective decisions, often characterized by conflict.

Republic

A form of government in which power is explicitly vested in elected representatives, allowing for indirect representation of the popular will.

Texas Creed

Five foundational ideas shaping Texas politics: Individualism, Liberty, Constitutionalism, Equality, and Democracy.

Six Flags Over Texas

Theme park named after the six nations that have governed Texas: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States of America, and the United States.

Monarchy

A form of government with a single ruler, such as a king or queen, who typically inherits the position.

Aristocracy

A form of government in which power is held by a small, privileged class or group.

Polity

A form of government identified by Aristotle as rule by many for the common good, often balanced between oligarchy and democracy.

Democracy

A system of government where the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.

Collective Action Problems

Difficulties that arise when a group of individuals attempts to achieve a common goal, often due to individuals pursuing their self-interest rather than contributing to the public good.

Free Rider Problem

A situation where individuals benefit from a public good or service without contributing to its cost, leading to potential under-provision of the good.

Public Goods

Goods that are non-excludable (people cannot be prevented from using them) and non-rivalrous (one person's use does not diminish another's use).

Civil Liberties

Individual rights protected by law from governmental interference.

Liberty

The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose, provided they do not infringe upon the freedom of others; a core American political value.

Equality

The idea that all individuals are equal in their moral worth and are entitled to equal treatment under the law and in society; a core American political value.

Economic Individualism

The belief that individuals should be free to make their own economic decisions and that government intervention in the economy should be minimal.

Checks and Balances

A system in government where different branches have powers that can limit the actions of other branches, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Separation of Powers

The division of governmental responsibilities into distinct branches (legislative, executive, judicial) to prevent the concentration of power and provide for checks and balances.

Conservative

A political ideology generally favoring traditional values, limited government intervention in the economy, and a strong national defense.

Liberal

A political ideology generally advocating for government intervention to promote social and economic equality, protect civil liberties, and support progressive reform.

Libertarians

Adherents to a political philosophy that advocates for maximizing individual liberty, emphasizing free will, voluntary association, and limited government.

Ideology

A system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

Critical Consumer of Politics and News

An individual who actively questions and evaluates the information presented by political sources and news media for bias, accuracy, and completeness.

Culture Wars

Conflicts within society over values, morality, and lifestyle, often concerning issues like abortion, gender identity, and religion.

Factions

Groups of citizens, whether a minority or majority, united by a common interest or passion, whose actions may be adverse to the rights of other citizens or to the aggregate interests of the community.

Free Market

An economic system in which prices and production are determined by unrestricted competition between privately owned businesses, with minimal government regulation.

Norms

Informal rules and understandings that guide political behavior and interactions within a society, often without being legally codified.

Redistributive Tax Policies

Government policies that aim to reduce economic inequality by taxing higher earners at a higher rate and using the revenue to provide benefits or services to lower-income individuals.

Indirect Democracy

A form of democracy where citizens elect representatives to make political decisions and govern on their behalf, often referred to as a republic or representative democracy.

Sources of Conflict in Politics

Disagreements over fundamental values, scarce resources, public policy, and the distribution of power, often leading to competition among different groups or factions.

Core American Political Values

Fundamental principles widely shared in American society, including Liberty (freedom from government interference), Equality (equal moral worth and treatment), and Democracy (popular sovereignty through representation).

Primary Purpose of Government

Governments largely exist to prevent chaos by establishing order and rules within a society.

Key Functions of Government

Governments are responsible for creating and enforcing laws, creating and regulating money, providing public goods, regulating markets, and protecting civil liberties.

Limited Nature of a Republic

A republic is a limited form of government, where power is vested in elected representatives and is constrained by established laws and a constitution.