American Goverment ch 1

• struggle over power within organizations or informal groups that can grant or withhold benifits or privileges
• harold lasswell- "who get what, when and how"

• Security
• liberty
• authority
• legitimacy

order; state of peace

greatest freedom of individuals. consistant with the freedom of other individuals in society

the right and power of a government or other entity to enforce its decisions and compel obedience

popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority.

• Totalitarian Regime
• Authoritarianism
• Aristocracy
• Democracy

a small group or an individual controls all aspects of the political and social life of a nation.

only the government itself is fully controlled by the ruler. Social and economic institutions exist that are not under the government’s control.

the rule by the “best”; in reality, rule by an upper class. Ancient Greeks used the term oligarchy for rule by the few.

political authority is vested in the people. Derived from the Greek words demos (the people) and kratos (authority).

which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives; probably attained most easily in small political communities.

voters can propose a law or a constitutional amendment

an electoral device whereby legislative or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval

a procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from state office before his or her term has expired.

government based on elected representatives

in a direct democracy decisions are made directly by the people while a a democratic republic a representive elected by the people enforce laws and policies.

the aremican founders belived most citizens were not educated enough and too easily swayed by emotion to make decisions.

the right of all adults to vote for their representitives

the greatest number of cititzens in any political unit should select officals and determine policies.

the powers of the government should be limited. usually by institutional checks.

a political theory stating that in a democracy,the government should do what the majority of the people whant

a perspective stating that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self interest.

a theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups.political decision making is characterized by barganing and compromise

the comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and about the role of an institution or government

• set of beliefs that includes the advocacy of positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals
• support for civil rights
• and tolenance for political and social change

• a set of beliefs that includes a limited role for the national government in helping individuals
• support for traditional values and lifestyles,
• and cautious response to change

• lebertarianism is aganist all government activity
• conservatism believes that the goverment's role should be limited
• liberalism- supports govenment

The proportion of Americans who are elderly is growing even as our fertility rate is leveling-off.

• liberty
• order
• equality
• property

The value of order often competes with civil liberties and economic equality competes with property rights.

• no single government can regulate global corporations
• reducing jobs in one nation incressing jobs in another
• little control over quality and consomer safety
• global warming
• pollution

institution in which decisions are made to resolve conflict or allocate benifits of pevilleges

is an ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society.