Combination of institutions and processes that enable the making of public policies for society

Activities used by citizens to influence selection of leaders/policies

Most common in democracy: voting

Groups with a narrow interest that tend to dislike compromise

These draw membership from people who are completely new to politics.

Process used when policy evolves over time

Political issues include the interests, problems, and concerns of the people, all of which shape policy.

Political channels through which concerns are able to become issues on policy agenda.

These include elections, parties, and the media in the United States.

Issues that attract serious attention of public officials at any point in time

Government branches charged with taking action on issues.

Three established by the Constitution: Congress, presidency, and courts

Choice made by government as a response to an issue.

Course of action taken in response to a problem.

Principle of traditional democratic theory

This guarantees rights tho those who do not belong to majorities. This also allows them to join majorities by reasoned argument.

Principle of traditional democratic theory

Describes relationship between few leaders/many followers

Government/political theory that emphasizes politics as mainly a competition among groups

Each group presses for its own policies.

Government/political theory implying that societies divide along class lines

Upper class will rule.

Government/political theory saying that groups are so strong; government is weakened.

It is also an extended form of pluralism.

Condition occurring when coalition is strong enough to form majority and then establish policy

Unfortunately, nothing may get done.

Form of direct democracy

Began in Athens

Also "civil law"

Legal system of ancient Rome

Form of republicanism

It was inspired by governmental forms of classical antiquity.

Mixed Government

Democracy, oligarchy, and monarchy

In some cases, the government is governed by the majority; in other cases it is governed by few.

Composed of 2 legislative chambers

Typically requires a majority to pass through legislation

Originated in England

This is the type of law developed based on court decisions rather than legislative statutes.

Social Contracts

Federalism

Group of members are bound together as a form of government

Power divided between central authority and political units

Separation of powers

Congress members from different districts

Slow delivery of government = gridlock

Present in Great Britain

Elections based on burrows

Burrows choose their MP

Largest party chooses its PM

"Vote of no Confidence"

(Vote approaches legislature with no approval)

Reflects the will of the pepole

Great accountability