Chapter 1 The Political Landscape Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter 1 The Political Landscape Deck (27)
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0
Q

An agreement between the people an their government signifying their consent to be governed

A

Social contract

1
Q

The formal vehicle through which policies are made and affairs of state are conducted .

A

Government

2
Q

Document written by the Pilgrims while at sea encumbering the scope of heir government and its expectations of its citizens .

A

Mayflower Compact

3
Q

The belief that people are free and equal by natural right, and that this in turn requires that all people give their consent to be governed.

A

Social contract theory

4
Q

Espoused by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and influential in the writing of the declaration if independence .

A

Social contract theory

5
Q

A system of government in which members of the polity meet to discuss all policy decisions and then agree to abide by majority rule

A

Direct democracy

6
Q

A system of government that gives citizens the opportunity to vote for representatives who work on their behalf

A

Indirect democracy

7
Q

A government rooted in the consent of the governed; a represented or indirect democracy

A

Republic

8
Q

A form of government in which power is vested in hereditary kings and queens who govern the interests of all

A

Monarchy

9
Q

A form of government in which power resides in a leader who rules according to self-interest and without regard for individual rights and liberties .

A

Totalitarianism

10
Q

A form of government in which the right to participate is conditioned on the possession of wealth, social status, military position, or achievement

A

Oligarchy

11
Q

A system of government that gives power to the people, whether directly or through elected representatives

A

Democracy

12
Q

Commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate.

A

Political culture

13
Q

A key characteristic of U.S. democracy. Initially meaning freedom from governmental interference, today it includes demands for freedom to engage in a variety of practices without governmental interference or discrimination .

A

Personal liberty

14
Q

The principle that all citizens are the same in the eyes of the law

A

Political equality

15
Q

The principle that governments must draw their powers from the consent of the governed

A

Popular consent

16
Q

The central premise of direct democracy in which only policies that collectively garner the support of a majority of voters will be made into law

A

Majority rule

17
Q

The notion that the ultimate authority in society rests with the people

A

Popular sovereignty

18
Q

A doctrine that society should be governed by certain ethical principles that are part of nature and, as such, can be understood by reason

A

Natural law

19
Q

The coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government held by groups and individuals

A

Political ideology

20
Q

One who believes that a government is best that governs least and that big government should not infringe on individual, personal, and economic rights .

A

Conservative

21
Q

One who believes that traditional moral teachings should be supported and furthered by the government

A

Social conservative

22
Q

One who favors governmental involvement in the economy and in the provision of social services and who takes an activist role in protecting the rights of women, the elderly, minorities, and the environment

A

Liberal

23
Q

A person who takes a relatively centrist view on most political issues

A

Moderate

24
Q

One who believes in limited government and no governmental interference in personal liberties

A

Libertarian

25
Q

The study of who gets what, when, and how-or how policy decisions are made

A

Politics

26
Q

An American ideal of a happy, successful life, which often includes wealth, a house, a better life for one’s children, and for some the ability to grow up to be president

A

American dream