PSC 101 Unit 1 Key Terms
government Correct answer-institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people
are ruled
authoritarian Correct answer-system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits
but may nevertheless be restrained by other social institutions
totalitarian Correct answer-system of 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
oligarchyy Correct answer-form of government in which a small group controls most of the
governing decisions
democracy Correct answer-system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the
governmental process
Western nations Correct answer-group of countries characterized by constitutional democracies
and capitalist economies
constitutional government Correct answer-system of rule in which formal and effective limits are
placed on the powers of the government
autocracy Correct answer-form of government in which a single individual rules
politics Correct answer-conflict and struggle over leadership, structure, and policies of government
power Correct answer-influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies.
representative democracy Correct answer-system of government in which the populace selects
representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decisionmaking
direct democracy Correct answer-System of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and
policies.
pluralism Correct answer-All interests are and should be free to compete for government influence
citizenship Correct answer-Informed and active membership in a political community
digital citizenship Correct answer-using the internet, social media, and other IT to engage in society
and government
political efficacy Correct answer-Ability to influence government and politics
initiative Correct answer-proposed law or policy change that is placed on the ballot by citizens or
interest groups for a popular vote
referenda Correct answer-practice of referring a proposed law passed by a legislature to the vote
of the electorate for approval or rejection
personal liberty Correct answer-freedom in the private sphere
, limited government Correct answer-principle of constitutional government
Declaration of Independence Correct answer-formal document that declares separation of the
American colonies from the British empire
U.S. Constitution Correct answer-formal document that places formal and effective limits on the
power of U.S. national and state governments
Bill of Rights Correct answer-First 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, securing personal
liberty/freedom
economic liberty Correct answer-freedom in the economic sphere
laissez-faire capitalism Correct answer-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-All people should have the freedom to use whatever
talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential
political equality Correct answer-The right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle
of "one person, one vote"
affirmative action Correct answer-government policies or programs that seek to redress past
injustices against specified groups by making efforts to provide members of those groups access to
educational and employment opportunities
Thomas Hobbes Correct answer-Philosopher credited with the idea of just government under the
social contract
John Locke Correct answer-Philosopher credited with the idea of the fundamental right to life,
liberty, and property
Bréde et de Monte Correct answer-Philosopher credited with the idea of checks and balances
John Adams Correct answer-Defense attorney for British troops who committed the Boston
Massacre and leader of the revolutionary war
Samuel Adams Correct answer-Leader of the radicals and the Boston Tea Party
Thomas Jefferson Correct answer-Primary writer of the Declaration of Independence
Daniel Shays Correct answer-Person who led the rebellion against Massachusetts's taxes
Mob of farmers Correct answer-People that rebelled against Massachusetts's taxes
Radicals Correct answer-People who wanted independence from British rule and to change the
political system
Northern merchants and southern planter Correct answer-Groups hurt the most by British taxes
and led protest
government Correct answer-institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people
are ruled
authoritarian Correct answer-system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits
but may nevertheless be restrained by other social institutions
totalitarian Correct answer-system of 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
oligarchyy Correct answer-form of government in which a small group controls most of the
governing decisions
democracy Correct answer-system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the
governmental process
Western nations Correct answer-group of countries characterized by constitutional democracies
and capitalist economies
constitutional government Correct answer-system of rule in which formal and effective limits are
placed on the powers of the government
autocracy Correct answer-form of government in which a single individual rules
politics Correct answer-conflict and struggle over leadership, structure, and policies of government
power Correct answer-influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies.
representative democracy Correct answer-system of government in which the populace selects
representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decisionmaking
direct democracy Correct answer-System of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and
policies.
pluralism Correct answer-All interests are and should be free to compete for government influence
citizenship Correct answer-Informed and active membership in a political community
digital citizenship Correct answer-using the internet, social media, and other IT to engage in society
and government
political efficacy Correct answer-Ability to influence government and politics
initiative Correct answer-proposed law or policy change that is placed on the ballot by citizens or
interest groups for a popular vote
referenda Correct answer-practice of referring a proposed law passed by a legislature to the vote
of the electorate for approval or rejection
personal liberty Correct answer-freedom in the private sphere
, limited government Correct answer-principle of constitutional government
Declaration of Independence Correct answer-formal document that declares separation of the
American colonies from the British empire
U.S. Constitution Correct answer-formal document that places formal and effective limits on the
power of U.S. national and state governments
Bill of Rights Correct answer-First 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, securing personal
liberty/freedom
economic liberty Correct answer-freedom in the economic sphere
laissez-faire capitalism Correct answer-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-All people should have the freedom to use whatever
talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential
political equality Correct answer-The right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle
of "one person, one vote"
affirmative action Correct answer-government policies or programs that seek to redress past
injustices against specified groups by making efforts to provide members of those groups access to
educational and employment opportunities
Thomas Hobbes Correct answer-Philosopher credited with the idea of just government under the
social contract
John Locke Correct answer-Philosopher credited with the idea of the fundamental right to life,
liberty, and property
Bréde et de Monte Correct answer-Philosopher credited with the idea of checks and balances
John Adams Correct answer-Defense attorney for British troops who committed the Boston
Massacre and leader of the revolutionary war
Samuel Adams Correct answer-Leader of the radicals and the Boston Tea Party
Thomas Jefferson Correct answer-Primary writer of the Declaration of Independence
Daniel Shays Correct answer-Person who led the rebellion against Massachusetts's taxes
Mob of farmers Correct answer-People that rebelled against Massachusetts's taxes
Radicals Correct answer-People who wanted independence from British rule and to change the
political system
Northern merchants and southern planter Correct answer-Groups hurt the most by British taxes
and led protest
