UNLV PSC 101 - Test 1 Vocab Glossary
Government Correct answer-institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people
are ruled
Politics Correct answer-conflict over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments
Political Efficacy Correct answer-the ability to influence government and politics
Citizenship Correct answer-informed and active membership in a political community
Autocracy Correct answer-a form of government in which a single individual - a king, queen , or
dictator - rules
Oligarchy Correct answer-a form of government in which a small group - landowners, military
officers, or wealthy merchants - controls most of the governing decisions
Democracy Correct answer-a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the
governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials
Constitutional Government Correct answer-a system of rule in which formal and effective limits are
placed on the powers of the governmant
Authoritarian Government Correct answer-a system of rule in which the government recognizes no
formal limits but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions
Totalitarian Government Correct answer-a system in rule in which the government recognizes no
formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might
challenge it
Power Correct answer-influence over government's leadership, organization, or policies
Representative Democracy (Republic) Correct answer-a system of government in which the
populace selects representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making
Direct Democracy Correct answer-a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws
and policies
Pluralism Correct answer-the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for
influence in the government; the outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation
Political Culture Correct answer-broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the
government should function; American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality,
and democracy
Liberty Correct answer-freedom from governmental control
Limited Government Correct answer-a principle of constitutional government; a government
whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution
, Laissez-faire Capitalism Correct answer-an economic system in which the means of production and
distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference
Equality of Opportunity Correct answer-a widely shared American ideal that all people should have
the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potntial
Political Equality Correct answer-the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle
of "one person, one vote"
Popular Sovreignty Correct answer-a principle of democracy in which political authority rests
ultimately in the hands of the people
Majority Rule, Minority Rights Correct answer-the democratic principle that a government follows
the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority
Articles of Confederation Correct answer-America's first written constitution; served as the basis
for America's national government until 1789
Confederation Correct answer-a system of government in which states retain sovereign authority
except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government
Virginia Plan Correct answer-a framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmond Randolph,
that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state
New Jersey Plan Correct answer-a framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson,
that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population
Great Compromise Correct answer-the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of
1787 that gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of its population but linked
representation in the House of Representatives to population
Three-Fifths Compromise Correct answer-the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention
of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats only three-
fifths of slaves would be counted
Bicameral Correct answer-having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses;
distinguished from unicameral
Checks and Balances Correct answer-mechanisms through which each branch of government is
able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches
Bill of Rights Correct answer-the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791;
they ensure certain rights and liberties to the people
Separation of Powers Correct answer-the division of governmental power among several
institutions that must cooperate in decision making
Federalism Correct answer-a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution,
between a central government and regional governments
Government Correct answer-institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people
are ruled
Politics Correct answer-conflict over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments
Political Efficacy Correct answer-the ability to influence government and politics
Citizenship Correct answer-informed and active membership in a political community
Autocracy Correct answer-a form of government in which a single individual - a king, queen , or
dictator - rules
Oligarchy Correct answer-a form of government in which a small group - landowners, military
officers, or wealthy merchants - controls most of the governing decisions
Democracy Correct answer-a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the
governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials
Constitutional Government Correct answer-a system of rule in which formal and effective limits are
placed on the powers of the governmant
Authoritarian Government Correct answer-a system of rule in which the government recognizes no
formal limits but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions
Totalitarian Government Correct answer-a system in rule in which the government recognizes no
formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might
challenge it
Power Correct answer-influence over government's leadership, organization, or policies
Representative Democracy (Republic) Correct answer-a system of government in which the
populace selects representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making
Direct Democracy Correct answer-a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws
and policies
Pluralism Correct answer-the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for
influence in the government; the outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation
Political Culture Correct answer-broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the
government should function; American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality,
and democracy
Liberty Correct answer-freedom from governmental control
Limited Government Correct answer-a principle of constitutional government; a government
whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution
, Laissez-faire Capitalism Correct answer-an economic system in which the means of production and
distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference
Equality of Opportunity Correct answer-a widely shared American ideal that all people should have
the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potntial
Political Equality Correct answer-the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle
of "one person, one vote"
Popular Sovreignty Correct answer-a principle of democracy in which political authority rests
ultimately in the hands of the people
Majority Rule, Minority Rights Correct answer-the democratic principle that a government follows
the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority
Articles of Confederation Correct answer-America's first written constitution; served as the basis
for America's national government until 1789
Confederation Correct answer-a system of government in which states retain sovereign authority
except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government
Virginia Plan Correct answer-a framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmond Randolph,
that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state
New Jersey Plan Correct answer-a framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson,
that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population
Great Compromise Correct answer-the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of
1787 that gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of its population but linked
representation in the House of Representatives to population
Three-Fifths Compromise Correct answer-the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention
of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats only three-
fifths of slaves would be counted
Bicameral Correct answer-having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses;
distinguished from unicameral
Checks and Balances Correct answer-mechanisms through which each branch of government is
able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches
Bill of Rights Correct answer-the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791;
they ensure certain rights and liberties to the people
Separation of Powers Correct answer-the division of governmental power among several
institutions that must cooperate in decision making
Federalism Correct answer-a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution,
between a central government and regional governments
