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AP Government Chapter 1 Flashcards

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6734440569GovernmentA system that makes authoritative public policies made for society.0
6734440570PoliticsThe process by which government officials, as well as the policies they pursue, are chosen.1
6734440571The Policymaking System2
6734440572Linkage InstitutionsPolitical channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. (political parties, elections, interest groups, the media, etc.)3
6734440573Policy AgendaSeveral issues that capture the serious attention of political officials and other figures in politics at a given time.4
6734440574Collective GoodsGoods and services, such as clean water, that by nature cannot be denied to anyone.5
6734440575The 5 Basic Duties Each Government Should Perform1. Maintain a national defense. 2. Provide public goods and services. 3. Preserve order. 4. Socialize the young. 5. Collect taxes.6
6734440576Political CultureAn overall set of values widely shared within a society7
6734440577Single-Issue GroupsGroups that have a narrow interest on which their members tend to take an uncompromising stance.8
6734440578DemocracyA system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the *public's* preferences.9
6734440579Traditional Democratic Theory1. Equality in voting. 2. Effective participation 3. Enlightened. understanding. 4. Citizen control of the agenda. 5. Inclusion10
6734440580PluralismDemocratic theory that states that the government is comprised of several different groups that compete to reach compromise, no one group dominating another.11
6734440581Elite and Class TheoryDemocratic theory that states that society is divided by class lines, with the upper class elite in power (Policies benefit those with money/power)12
6734440582HyperpluralismDemocratic 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 groups13
6734440583Challenges to DemocracyIncreased complexity of issues, limited participation in government, escalating campaign costs, and diverse political interests.14
67344405845 Elements of American Political Culture1. Liberty. 2. Egalitarianism. 3. Individualism. 4. Laissez-faire. 5. Populism.15

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