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Hist 15A 1st Midterm
Ch. 1-3 We The People An Intro to American Politics shorter 7th edition
27
History
Undergraduate 1
09/18/2013

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Term
Political Efficacy
Definition
The ability to influence government and politics.
Term
Citizenship
Definition
Informed and active membership in a political community.
Term
Government
Definition
Institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled
Term
Autocracy
Definition
A form of government in which a single individual-- a king, queen or dictator rules.
Term
Oligarchy
Definition
A form of government in whihc a small group -- landowners, military officers, or wealthy merchants controls most of the governing decisions.
Term
Democracy
Definition
A system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials.
Term
Constitutional Government
Definition
A system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government.
Term
Authoritarian Government
Definition
A system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions.
Term
Totalitarian Government
Definition
A system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limit on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it.
Term
Power
Definition
Influence over a government's leadership, organization or policies.
Term
Representative Democracy/Republic
Definition
A system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making.
Term
Direct Democracy
Definition
A system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies
Term
Pluralism
Definition
The theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government. The outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation.
Term
Political Culture
Definition
Broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should function. American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality and democracy.
Term
Liberty
Definition
Freedom from governmental control
Term
Laissez-Faire Capitalism
Definition
An economic system in which means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference.
Term
Equality of Opportunity
Definition
A widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential.
Term
Policital Equality
Definition
The right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of "one person, one vote"
Term
Popular Sovereignty
Definition
A principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people.
Term
Majority Rule, Minority Rights
Definition
The democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority.
Term
Articles of Confederation
Definition
America's first written constitution; served as the basis for America's national government until 1789. It was really weak and consist of a loose alliance between the 12 states in the 18th century.
Term
Confederation
Definition
A system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government.
Term
Virginia Plan
Definition
A framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, which called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state.
Term
New Jersey Plan
Definition
A framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson, which called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population.
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