American Government Key Terms - OpenStax

common goods goods that all people may use but that are of limited supply democracy a form of government where political power rests in the hands of the people direct democracy a form of government where people participate directly in making government decisions instead of choosing representatives...

common goods goods that all people may use but that are of limited supply democracy a form of government where political power rests in the hands of the people direct democracy a form of government where people participate directly in making government decisions instead of choosing representatives to do this for them elite theory claims political power rests in the hands of a small, elite group of people government the means by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in order to accomplish collective goals ideology the beliefs and ideals that help to shape political opinion and eventually policy intense preferences beliefs and preferences based on strong feelings regarding an issue that someone adheres to over time latent preferences beliefs and preferences people are not deeply committed to and that change over time majority rule a fundamental principle of democracy; the majority should have the power to make decisions binding upon the whole minority rights protections for those who are not part of the majority monarchy a form of government where one ruler, usually a hereditary one, holds political power oligarchy a form of government where a handful of elite society members hold political power : partisanship strong support, or even blind allegiance, for a particular political party pluralist theory claims political power rests in the hands of groups of people political power influence over a government’s institutions, leadership, or policies politics the process by which we decide how resources will be allocated and which policies government will pursue private goods goods provided by private businesses that can be used only by those who pay for them public goods goods provided by government that anyone can use and that are available to all without charge representative democracy a form of government where voters elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on behalf of all the people instead of allowing people to vote directly on laws social capital connections with others and the willingness to interact and aid them toll good a good that is available to many people but is used only by those who can pay the price to do so totalitarianism a form of government where government is all-powerful and citizens have no rights :