AP Government - Chapter 1

Terms in this set (23)

Government
The institutions through which public policies are made for a society.
Politics
The process determining the leaders we select and the policies they pursue.
The Policymaking System
Linkage Institutions
Political channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. (political parties, elections, interest groups, the media, etc.)
Policy Agenda
Several issues that capture the serious attention of political officials and other figures in politics at a given time.
Collective Goods
Goods and services, such as clean water, that by nature cannot be denied to anyone.
The 5 Basic Duties Each Government Should Perform
1. Maintain a national defense.
2. Provide public goods and services.
3. Preserve order.
4. Socialize the young.
5. Collect taxes.
Political Culture
An overall set of values widely shared within a society
Single-Issue Groups
Groups that have a narrow interest on which their members tend to take an uncompromising stance.
Democracy
A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public's preferences.
Traditional Democratic Theory
1. Equality in voting.
2. Effective participation
3. Enlightened. understanding.
4. Citizen control of the agenda.
5. Inclusion
Pluralism
Democratic theory that states that the government is comprised of several different groups that compete to reach compromise, no one group dominating another.
Elitism
Democratic theory that states that society is divided by class lines, with the upper class elite in power

(Policies benefit those with money/power)
Hyperpluralism
Democratic theory that states that he government is comprised of several groups, all of which are too strong, which leads to muddled policy and gridlock --- the government suffers because of groups
Challenges to Democracy
Increased complexity of issues, limited participation in government, escalating campaign costs, and diverse political interests.
5 Elements of American Political Culture
1. Liberty.
2. Egalitarianism.
3. Individualism.
4. Laissez-faire.
5. Populism.
Political Participation
All the activities by which citizens attempt to influence the selection of political leaders and the policies they pursue.
Political Issue
an issue that arises when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it.
Policymaking institutions
The branches of Government charges with taking action on political issues.
Public Policy
A choice that government makes in response to a political issue. A course of action taken with regard to a problem.
Policy Impacts
The effects a policy has on people and problems.
Policy Gridlock
A condition that occurs when interests conflict and no coalition is strong to form a policy, so nothing gets done.
GDP Gross Domestic Product
The sum total of the value of all the goods and services produced in a year in a nation.
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