The study of American Government
democracy
A term used to describe three different political systems in which the people are said to rule, directly or indirectly.
direct or participatory democracy
A political system in which all or most citizens participate directly or indirectly by either holding office or making policy.
elitist theory
A theory that a few top leaders make the key decisions without reference to popular desires.
majoritartian politics
A political system in which the choices of the political leaders are closely constrained by the preferences of the people.
C. Wright Mills
A sociologist who presented the idea of mostly non-governmental power elites. Corporate leaders, military leaders, politicians.
political power
Power when used to determine who will hold government office and how government will behave.
power
The ability of one person to cause another person to act in accordance with the first person's intentions.
representative democracy
Conferring political power on those selected by the voters in competitive elections.