Chapter 1 Vocab One-Pager

Government

Institutions responsible for creating and enforcing public policy (laws) in a territory

Politics

debate over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments

Representative Dem.

People vote for representatives to run gov

Participatory Dem.

Theory - broad involvement through citizen’s voting

Pluralist Democracy

Theory - group ideas compete and compromise idea results

Elite Democracy

Theory - limited, true involvement by privileged class

Democracy (Pure)

People vote directly on public policy

Republic

A government ruled by elected representatives of the people

Monarchy

Life-long ruler determined by bloodline

Communism Public

control of economy and property is shared; classless society

Oligarchy

Dictatorship of few elites

Dictatorship

One ruler wields absolute control

Socialism

Government control of the economy; wealth & resources distributed equally

Theocracy

Rule by a religious leader on behalf of deity

Social Contract

People give up freedom in exchange for a government the provides law and order

Natural Rights

Life, liberty, property; all people are born with these inherent rights

State of nature

A theoretical condition without laws/government where life is chaotic and dangerous

Popular Sovereignty

Government’s legitimacy comes from the people’s buy-in; contract broken = overthrow

Hobbes (Pessimist)

Humans are naturally selfish and will be lethal(State of Nature)

Locke (Optimist)

Humans are mostly good but bad actors force protection (State of Nature)

Locke (Optimist)

People seek protection of their natural rights in the form of a government with consent (Social Contract)

Locke (Optimist)

Advocates for rebellion if contract not upheld