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AP Government - Chapter 1 Flashcards

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5919080758GovernmentA system that makes authoritative public policies made for society.0
5919080759PoliticsThe process by which government officials, as well as the policies they pursue, are chosen.1
5919080760The Policymaking System2
5919080761Linkage InstitutionsPolitical channels through which people's concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. (political parties, elections, interest groups, the media, etc.)3
5919080762Policy AgendaSeveral issues that capture the serious attention of political officials and other figures in politics at a given time.4
5919080763Collective GoodsGoods and services, such as clean water, that by nature cannot be denied to anyone.5
5919080764The 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
5919080765Political CultureAn overall set of values widely shared within a society7
5919080766Single-Issue GroupsGroups that have a narrow interest on which their members tend to take an uncompromising stance.8
5919080767DemocracyA system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the *public's* preferences.9
5919080768Traditional Democratic Theory1. Equality in voting. 2. Effective participation 3. Enlightened. understanding. 4. Citizen control of the agenda. 5. Inclusion10
5919080769PluralismDemocratic theory that states that the government is comprised of several different groups that compete to reach compromise, no one group dominating another.11
5919080770Elite 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
5919080771HyperpluralismDemocratic 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
5919080772Challenges to DemocracyIncreased complexity of issues, limited participation in government, escalating campaign costs, and diverse political interests.14
59190807735 Elements of American Political Culture1. Liberty. 2. Egalitarianism. 3. Individualism. 4. Laissez-faire. 5. Populism.15

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