POLS 1510 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Social Movement Theory, Limited Government, Positive Liberty
Document Summary
Republic: government in which the citizens rule indirectly and make government decisions through their elected representatives. Pluralism: people can influence government through the many interest groups that spring up too champion everything. Elite theory: power rests in the hands of a small number of wealthy and powerful people. Bureaucratic theory: real government control lies with the men and women who carry out day-to-day operations of modern government and business. Politics is how a society makes its collective decisions. Institutions: organizations, norms, and rules that structure government and public actions. Rational choice theory: an approach to political behavior that view individuals as rational, decisive actors who know their political interests and seek to act on them. Establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty . You can get a good idea of the government"s priorities by looking at its major budget.
