Modules 1-3 Flashcards
Free Election
Elections in which (1) more than one candidate runs for office, (2) the candidates present real alternatives by promising to promote different public policies (or stand for different values or principles) if elected, (3) no adult citizen is unjustly denied the right to vote, (4) all who have the right to vote have reasonable opportunity to exercise that right, and (5) everyone’s vote is counted.
Political Parties
Coalition of individuals and groups—bound together by relatively similar interests, beliefs and values—that seeks to influence government by getting members elected to office and by coordinating the actions of elected officials in government.
Constituents
Those whom elected officials represent and to whom they are held accountable via elections
Petition
A written request, signed by many people, asking government to address an issue
Interest Groups
refers to an association of individuals or organizations that seeks to influence government to benefit members of the association or advance a cause they share a belief in
Lobbying
activities aimed at influencing government through direct contact with government officials.
Jury
A group of citizens chosen at random to make judgments in one or more legal cases
Civil Disobedience
Deliberate, open acts of lawbreaking intended to create awareness of unjust laws or government practices and thereby catalyze reforms of those laws and practices
*Madison; “A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government” means:
Madison was giving insight on how to solve the “great difficulty” and that was to make sure there is “dependence on the people” (democracy) and to make “auxiliary precautions” (checks and balances). This all is based on the idea that the different parts of government exert enough power over one another to keep each other within their proper constitutional limits.
Constitutional Governments
governments that are effectively bound by fundamental laws
Racial Supremacy
when governments promote the supremacy of one racial group over another
Theocracy
a form of government whose primary purpose of enforcing and/or fulfilling the doctrines of a particular religion
State Socialism (aka Communism or Marxist-Leninist Socialism
an ideology of government that seeks to overthrow market capitalism and replace it with an equal society free of all class oppression
Limited Government
A principle of government that holds government must be empowered to serve its legitimate purposes, including the protection of rights, but it must also be limited and controlled in its powers so that it does not pose an unacceptable risk to rights
Socioeconomic Rights
Social or economic services or benefits that governments and/or private employers have a duty to provide or guarantee
Legal Rights
Written human made laws; may or may not be in accord with natural (or human) rights
Natural Rights (AKA: Human Rights)
Moral rights that all human beings possess even in a state of nature prior to the creation of government; natural rights that humans have even if the government does not recognize or secure them.
What are the 4 Human/Natural Rights?
- Natural right to life (not to be killed)
- Liberty (right to not be enslaved or physically restrained)
- Pursuit of Happiness without unjust interference by others
- Right to property (not have your valued items stolen)
ideology
refers to beliefs about the proper role of government (or legitimate purposes of government);
Public Goods
goods that once provided, no one in a group can be excluded from enjoying; goods that are non-excludable. Example: firework show that everyone can enjoy, no one is excluded.
