AP US Govt. & Politics - Patterson, Chap. 1 Key Terms

Political Thinking

The careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming a knowledgeable view about a political issue

Political Science

The systematic study of government and politics

Politics

The process which a society studies its conflicts

Power

The ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments

Democracy

A form of government in which the people govern, either directly or through elected representatives

Majoritarianism

The idea that the majority prevails not only in elections but also in policy determination

Pluralism

A theory of American politics that holds that society’s interests are substantially represented through power exercised by groups

Authority

The recognized right of officials to exercise power as a result of the positions they hold

Constitutionalism

The idea that there are lawful limits to the power of the government

Judicial Action

The use of courts of law as a means by which individuals protect their rights and settle their conflicts

Free-Market System

An economic system based on the idea that government should economic transactions as little as possible. Free enterprise and self-reliance are the collective and individual principals that underpin free markets

Corporate Power

The power that corporations exercise in their effort to influence government and maintain control of the workplace

Elitism

The notion that wealthy and well-connected individuals exercise power over certain areas of public policy

Public Policies

Decisions by government to pursue particular courses of action