Chapter 1 AP Gov Vocab

vocab for chapter 1 of AP Gov

politics

the activity by which an issue is agitated or settled

power

the ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions

issue

a conflict, real or apparent, between the interests, ideas, or beliefs of different citizens.

authority

the right to use power

legitimacy

the political authority conferred by law or by state or national constitution

democracy

a form of govt. where the power of the government comes from the people - the rule of the many

direct democracy

a govt. in which all or most citizens participate directly

representative democracy

a govt. in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote

republic

a govt. in which elected representatives make the decisions

elite

persons who possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource, such as money, prestige, or expertise

pluralist democracy

recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making

elite democracy

decisions are made by elected representatives acting as trustees

class view

view that the govt. is dominated by capitalists

power elite view

view that the govt. is dominated by a few top leaders, most of whom are outside of govt.

bureaucratic view

view that the govt. is dominated by appointed officials

creedal passion veiw

view that the morally impassioned elites drive important political changes.

political agenda

issues that people believe require govt. action

cost

a burden that people believe they must beat if a policy is adopted

benefit

a satisfaction that people believe they will enjoy if a policy is adopted.

majoritarian politics

a policy in which almost everybody benefits and almost everybody pats

interest group politics

a policy in which one small group benefits and another small group pays

client politics

a policy in which one small group benefits and almost everybody pays

pork-barrel legislation

legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return

log-rolling

a legislator supports a proposal favored by another in return for support of his or hers.

entrepreneurial politics

a policy in which almost everybody benefits and a small group pays

policy entrepreneurs

activists in or out of govt. who pull together a political majority on behalf of unorganized interests