Questions and Answers
What are the basic functions of government?
What is the definition of government?
The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.
What is politics?
The effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government.
What does public policy refer to?
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What is a political system?
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What is a political issue?
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What is a policy agenda?
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Who is Robert Dahl?
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What does 'the state' refer to?
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What is sovereignty?
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What is divine right?
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What defines democracy?
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What is a republic?
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What is democratic centralism?
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What is power?
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What does authority mean?
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What is legitimacy?
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What is majoritarian theory?
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What is elitist theory?
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What is pluralist theory?
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What is hyperpluralist theory?
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What are Greek government ideas?
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What are Roman government ideas?
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What are British government ideas?
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What were the causes of the American Revolution?
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What does unicameral mean?
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What does bicameral mean?
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What is the Magna Carta?
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What is the English Bill of Rights?
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What is social contract theory?
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What is state of nature?
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What are natural (unalienable) rights?
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What is limited government?
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What is consent of the governed?
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Study Notes
Basic Functions of Government
- National defense: safeguarding the state against external threats.
- Preserve order: maintaining peace and security within the society.
- Establish and maintain a legal system: creating laws and a judiciary to enforce them.
- Provide services: offering public services that benefit the community.
- Socialize new generations: instilling values and norms in younger members of society.
Definition of Government
- An institution through which a society creates and enforces public policies, influencing various aspects of citizens' lives.
Concept of Politics
- The effort to exert control or influence over government actions and policies.
Understanding Public Policy
- Refers to the strategies implemented by government to address specific issues or problems affecting society.
Political System Overview
- The organization and structure of government within a nation, defining how authority is executed.
Nature of Political Issues
- Arises from disagreements among individuals or groups regarding problems and proposed solutions.
Policy Agenda Significance
- A collection of issues recognized by the public or authorities as needing governmental action.
Robert Dahl's Contribution
- Authored "Who Governs?" introducing criteria for evaluating democratic governance.
Definition of the State
- A political entity comprised of citizens residing in a defined territory, with authority to create and enforce laws independently.
Understanding Sovereignty
- The ultimate power of a government to govern itself without external interference.
Divine Right Concept
- The belief that monarchs derive their authority directly from divine origin, justifying their rule.
Democracy Explained
- A political framework in which power rests with the people, exercised directly or through elected representatives.
Characteristics of a Republic
- A type of democracy where elected officials represent the populace in government decisions.
Democratic Centralism
- A system where decisions are considered democratic if they serve the true interests of the populace, regardless of their involvement in the decision-making process.
Power Dynamics
- The capacity of an individual to influence another to act according to their desires.
Authority and its Right
- The recognized entitlement to exercise power over others.
Legitimacy in Government
- Political authority derived from legal statutes, popular support, or constitutional frameworks.
Majoritarian Theory Overview
- Policy-making approach where nearly all individuals benefit from a policy, which is funded collectively by the populace.
Elitist Theory Insight
- Suggests that a select group has a disproportionate amount of valuable resources, such as wealth or political influence, shaping government actions.
Pluralist Theory Explanation
- Competing interests within society that influence public policy decisions.
Hyperpluralist Theory Details
- Argues that competing interest groups wield so much power that they weaken government effectiveness, potentially leading to legislative gridlock.
Greek Contributions to Government
- Innovations in democratic principles and notions of citizenship responsibilities.
Roman Influences on Governance
- Emphasis on rule of law, republicanism, and representation in government.
British Ideas on Governance
- Introduction of limited government, constraining the powers of authority figures.
Causes of the American Revolution
- Major grievances included taxation without representation and violations of inherent natural rights.
Legislative Structures: Unicameral vs. Bicameral
- Unicameral: a single legislative body.
- Bicameral: two distinct legislative chambers.
Historical Documents
- Magna Carta (1215): established certain rights and restricted monarchical power.
- English Bill of Rights: safeguarded citizen rights and laid groundwork for the American Bill of Rights.
Social Contract Theory
- Philosophical theory positing that individuals consent to governance for the protection of their natural rights, as articulated by John Locke.
The State of Nature Concept
- A theoretical scenario without government, characterized by total freedom and equality among individuals.
Natural Rights Understanding
- Inherent rights not granted by governments, including life, liberty, and property.
Limited Government Definition
- A political system where powers are constrained by a constitution, ensuring individual liberties.
Consent of the Governed Principle
- The idea that legitimate government requires the consent and approval of the people it governs.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the basic functions of government and key political concepts with these flashcards. Designed for AP Government students, this quiz covers essential definitions and ideas critical to understanding how governments operate and interact with society.