Chapter 1 American Government and Civic Engagement - Flashcards

Flashcards covering the key concepts from sections 1.1–1.3: what government is, its functions, politics, major political philosophies (elitism, pluralism, tradeoffs), democracy versus capitalism, socialism, public/private/toll goods, and civic engagement.

What is government?

The means by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in order to accomplish collective goals and provide benefits that the society as a whole needs.

Name the five core governmental functions listed in the notes.

Establish justice; ensure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare; secure the blessings of liberty.

What is politics, as defined in these notes?

The process of gaining and exercising control within a government for the purpose of setting and achieving goals, especially relating to the distribution of resources; summarized by Harold Lasswell as 'who gets what, when, and how.'

Who is John Locke and what natural rights did he advocate?

An English political philosopher who argued that people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

What is the Social Contract Theory?

The idea that people should be free to consent to being governed and should govern themselves through elected representatives; only representatives chosen by the people have the right to make laws.

What did Adam Smith argue about property and markets?

People should be free to acquire property as they wish; competition keeps prices low and faulty goods disappear; markets operate with limited government intervention.

How are democracy and capitalism related in the United States?

They developed together; democracy is about governance, capitalism about the economy; some argue capitalism can impact democracy, and vice versa.

What is socialism, as described in the notes?

An economic system where the government owns factories, large farms, and banks; wealth is redistributed through social programs providing health care, education, and childcare; utilities and transportation are often government-owned, and politics can be oligarchic in some cases.

What are public goods?

Goods or services available to all without charge (e.g., national security, education).

What are toll goods?

Goods that are available but only to those who can pay the price.

What are private goods?

Goods and services provided by private businesses for profit, typically accessible through purchase.

What form of government is the United States?

A republic, i.e., a representative democracy where citizens elect representatives to make decisions.

What is majority rule and how are minority rights protected?

Most opinions have influence, but minority rights are protected by constitutional limits and due process.

What is the difference between monarchy and republic?

Monarchy is rule by a single ruler, often hereditary; power may be limited or absolute. A republic (representative democracy) governs through elected representatives and laws.

What is oligarchy and what is totalitarianism?

Oligarchy is rule by a handful of elites; totalitarianism is a government that controls all aspects of citizens’ lives with restricted rights (e.g., North Korea).

What are elitism and pluralism?

Elitism holds that a small set of elites control government; pluralism holds that political power rests with competing interest groups.

What is the tradeoffs perspective in government?

The idea that government action often involves compromises among competing interests, balancing power between central and state authorities and weighing rights such as freedom of speech.

What is civic engagement?

Participation that connects citizens to government and influences policies, values, initiatives, and decision-making.

Why is citizen participation historically important?

Civic engagement has driven major social changes, such as abolition, voting rights expansions, and civil rights movements for women and LGBTQ communities.

What is partisanship and what is notable about youth participation?

Partisanship is strong identification with a political party; youth often identify as independents and feel parties don’t always address issues relevant to them.

What are latent and intense political preferences?

Latent preferences are not deeply held views; intense preferences are strong, enduring beliefs that drive engagement.

Give an example of how government interacts with education and public services.

Public schools provide education to all children regardless of background; government funds and regulates these services, while private schools rely on tuition and market mechanisms.