Studied by 15 people
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
Note 
Flashcard (159)