American Government and Civic Engagement

A set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the American Government and Civic Engagement lecture notes.

Public goods

Services or products that are provided by the government for the benefit of all citizens.

Government

Institutions and procedures by which a territory and its people are ruled.

Democracy

A form of government where political power rests in the hands of the people.

Direct Democracy

A form of government where people participate directly in making government decisions.

Representative Democracy

A form of government where voters elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Monarchy

A form of government where one hereditary ruler holds political power.

Oligarchy

A form of government where a select group of elite members holds political power.

Totalitarian

A form of government where the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life.

Politics

Conflicts and/or influence over the government’s leadership, institutions, and policies.

Civic Engagement

An informed and active membership and participation in a political community.

Political Efficacy

The public’s belief in its ability to influence government and politics.

Trust in Government

The degree to which citizens believe that government acts in their best interest.