Public Policy

This set of flashcards focuses on key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes regarding democracy, Tocqueville's analysis, and policing in society. Each flashcard presents a term along with its definition to aid in understanding and retention of the material.

Majority Rule

(Toqueville) The principle that the majority holds ultimate power in decision-making.

Suppression of Minority Voices

(Toqueville) The phenomenon where dominant groups inhibit dissent and independent thought, leading to conformity.

Intellectual Stagnation

A state of limited intellectual growth, often resulting from suppression of dissenting ideas.

Instability in Governance

Frequent changes in laws and policies due to short legislative terms can lead to unpredictability.

Moral Authority of the Majority

The belief that the majority possesses a moral superiority that prevents challenges from minorities.

Despotism

A form of government characterized by oppressive absolute power.

Tocqueville

French diplomat and philosopher known for his work on democracy in America.

Law of Omnipotence

The idea that absolute power, regardless of who wields it, can lead to corruption and injustice.

Diplomatic Mission

An official journey undertaken to study specific aspects of another nation.

Political Science

The study of politics, government systems, and political behavior.

Crowd Wisdom

The theory that large groups of people collectively make better decisions than individuals.

Unchecked Majority Power

The majority's power when not counterbalanced by minority rights or legal safeguards.

Countermajoritarian Measures

Constitutional provisions that protect minority rights against majority rule.

Electoral College

A body that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that guarantee individual liberties.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Dahl's Conception of Power

Robert Dahl's perspective where power is seen as the ability to influence others within a political system.

Interest Group

An organization of people with shared objectives that seeks to influence government policy.

Negative Power

The ability to influence others by preventing them from obtaining their goals.

Policy-Making Process

The series of steps taken by government officials to create laws and regulations.

Two Faces of Power

The concept distinguishing between direct influence on decisions and the ability to control what issues are considered.

Procedural Justice

The idea that the processes by which legal decisions are made must be fair and impartial.

Community Policing

A strategy that focuses on police building relationships and collaborating with community members.

Public Trust

The level of confidence that citizens have in their law enforcement and governmental institutions.

Police Misconduct

Improper or unlawful actions taken by police officers.

Police Reform

Changes made to improve the operations and conduct of police forces.

Judicial Authority

The power of courts to make legal decisions and judgments.

Authority Delegation

The process by which higher officials grant tasks or powers to subordinates.

Citizen Representation

The act of including ordinary people's voices and perspectives in decision-making processes.

Political Autonomy

The ability of local governments or communities to govern themselves independently.

Social Capital

Networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society that enable society to function effectively.

Civic Engagement

Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.

Accountability

The obligation of an individual or organization to report, explain, and be answerable for resulting consequences.

Perceptions of Legitimacy

Public beliefs about the rightfulness of police actions and authority.

Bias in Policing

Discriminatory practices by law enforcement based on race, ethnicity, or other identity factors.

Informal Education

Learning that occurs outside of a formal classroom setting, often through experiences and civic interactions.

Racial Bias

Prejudice against individuals based on their race, impacting perceptions and treatment by law enforcement.

Criminal Justice System

The network of courts, law enforcement, and corrections that work to enforce laws, administer justice, and control crime.

Non-compliance Penalties

Consequences for failing to adhere to legal or administrative requirements.

Community-Based Initiatives

Programs designed to engage local citizens in problem-solving and decision-making.

Environmental Justice

The fair treatment and involvement of all people in environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Public Safety

The welfare and protection of the general public, typically managed by the government.

Policing Models

Different approaches to law enforcement that dictate how police interact with communities.

Funding Mechanisms

Sources of financial support for operations and programs within law enforcement.

Urban Warfare

Violent conflict occurring in urban areas, often affecting police-community relations.

Civic Responsibility

The duties and obligations of citizens to participate in governance and community affairs.

Consent Decree

A legal agreement that addresses problems and sets standards for police departments under scrutiny.

Ethics in Policing

The moral principles guiding law enforcement practices and decision-making.

Local Governance

A form of political authority that operates at a community or municipal level.

Political Rights

The rights of citizens to participate in their government, including voting and running for office.

Legal Aid

Services that provide legal assistance to individuals who cannot afford to pay for it.

Government Insight

An understanding of how government operates and impacts citizens.

Organizational Culture

The values, beliefs, and behaviors that shape how members of an organization interact and work together.

Democracy

A system of government in which power rests with the people, who elect representatives.

Civic Virtue

Moral excellence as a foundation for good citizenship.

Equality in Law

The principle that every individual is subject to the same laws.