We the People (Patterson) Chapter 1 Key Terms
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1. Authoritarian Government: Openly represses its political opponents, mostly
through intimidation and prohibitions on free expression but sometimes by brutal-
izing or imprisoning opposition leaders.
2. Authority: Recognized right of authority to exercise power
3. Constitutionalism: The idea that there are lawful restrictions on government's
power.
4. Corporate Power: operates in part through the influence that firms have with
government officials.
5. Democracy: Form of government which people govern, either directly or through
selected officials.
6. Elitism: Power exercised by well-positioned and highly influential individuals.
(think of wealth)
7. Equality: The notion that all individuals are equal in their moral worth and thereby
entitled to equal treatment under the law.
8. Free-Market System: Operates mainly on private transactions.
9. Individualism: The commitment to personal initiative and self-sufficency
10. Legal Action: The use of courts as a means of asserting rights and interest-a
channel through which ordinary citizens exercise power.
11. Liberty: The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they
choose, provided they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well-being
of others.
12. Majoritarianism: When political leaders respond to the policy desires of the
majority.
13. Party (partisan) Polarization: Characterizes todays party politics. (The sepa-
ration of the two main parties)
14. Pluralism: holds that, on most issues, the preference of special interest largely
determines what government does.
15. Political Culture: A country's widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of its
people about politics.
16. Political Science: Study of government and politics
17. Political Thinking: Thinking focused on what can reasonably be believed and
then using this information to make political judgments.
18. Politics: The means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the
resulting benefits and cost. (process of making decisions applying to all members
of each group.)
19. Power: The ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political devel-
opments.
20. Public Policies: Decisions of a government to pursue particular courses of
action.
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Study online at https://quizlet.com/_2iqvcb
1. Authoritarian Government: Openly represses its political opponents, mostly
through intimidation and prohibitions on free expression but sometimes by brutal-
izing or imprisoning opposition leaders.
2. Authority: Recognized right of authority to exercise power
3. Constitutionalism: The idea that there are lawful restrictions on government's
power.
4. Corporate Power: operates in part through the influence that firms have with
government officials.
5. Democracy: Form of government which people govern, either directly or through
selected officials.
6. Elitism: Power exercised by well-positioned and highly influential individuals.
(think of wealth)
7. Equality: The notion that all individuals are equal in their moral worth and thereby
entitled to equal treatment under the law.
8. Free-Market System: Operates mainly on private transactions.
9. Individualism: The commitment to personal initiative and self-sufficency
10. Legal Action: The use of courts as a means of asserting rights and interest-a
channel through which ordinary citizens exercise power.
11. Liberty: The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they
choose, provided they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well-being
of others.
12. Majoritarianism: When political leaders respond to the policy desires of the
majority.
13. Party (partisan) Polarization: Characterizes todays party politics. (The sepa-
ration of the two main parties)
14. Pluralism: holds that, on most issues, the preference of special interest largely
determines what government does.
15. Political Culture: A country's widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of its
people about politics.
16. Political Science: Study of government and politics
17. Political Thinking: Thinking focused on what can reasonably be believed and
then using this information to make political judgments.
18. Politics: The means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the
resulting benefits and cost. (process of making decisions applying to all members
of each group.)
19. Power: The ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political devel-
opments.
20. Public Policies: Decisions of a government to pursue particular courses of
action.
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