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Amcerian Government Chapter 1
Flashcards for Chapter 1
24
History
12th Grade
09/04/2006

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Term
totalitarianism
Definition
An economic system in which the government has total control over the economy.
Term
oligarchy
Definition
A form of government in which the right to participate is conditioned on the possession of wealth, social status, military position, or achievement.
Term
democracy
Definition
A system of government that gives power to the people, whether directly or through their elected representatives
Term
direct democracy
Definition
A system of government in which members of the polity meet to discuss all policy decisions and then agree to abide by majority rule.
Term
indirect (representative) democracy
Definition
A system of government that gives citizens the opportunity to vote for representatives who will work on their behalf.
Term
republic
Definition
A government rooted in the consent of the governed; a representative or indirect democracy
Term
political culture
Definition
Commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate
Term
personal liberty
Definition
A key characteristic of U.S. democracy. initially meaning freedom from governmental intereference, today it includes demands for freedom to engage in a variety of practices free from governmental discrimination
Term
popular consent
Definition
The idea that governments must draw their powers from the consent of the governed
Term
majority rule
Definition
The central premise of direct democracy in which only policies that collectively garner the support of a majority of voters will be made into law
Term
popular sovereignty
Definition
The right of the majority to govern themselves.
Term
natural law
Definition
A doctrine that society should be governed by certain ethical principles that are part of nature and, as such, can be understood by reason
Term
civil society
Definition
Society created when citizens are allowed to organize and express their views publicly as they engage in an open debate about public policy
Term
political ideology
Definition
The coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government held by groups and individuals
Term
conservative
Definition
One thought to believe that a government is best taht governs least and that big government can only infringe on individual, personal, and economic rights.
Term
liberal
Definition
One considered to favor extensive governmental involvement in the economy and the provision of social services and to take an activist role in protecting the rights of women, the elderly, minorities, and the environment
Term
libertarian
Definition
One who favors a free market economy and no governmental interference in personal liberties.
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