Types of Democracy - AP Government and Politics
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What is the purpose of an electoral college?
What is the purpose of an electoral college?
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To formally elect the president in a representative democracy. Indirect election system mediating between popular and state will.
To formally elect the president in a representative democracy. Indirect election system mediating between popular and state will.
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Identify one advantage of a representative democracy.
Identify one advantage of a representative democracy.
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Efficient decision-making through elected officials. Enables governance of large populations effectively.
Efficient decision-making through elected officials. Enables governance of large populations effectively.
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What is the significance of checks and balances in a democracy?
What is the significance of checks and balances in a democracy?
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They prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. Separation of powers prevents tyrannical concentration.
They prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. Separation of powers prevents tyrannical concentration.
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Define constitutional democracy.
Define constitutional democracy.
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A democracy governed by a constitution that limits powers. Constitutional framework constrains democratic majority power.
A democracy governed by a constitution that limits powers. Constitutional framework constrains democratic majority power.
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What is the role of a constitution in a democracy?
What is the role of a constitution in a democracy?
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It outlines the structure and limits of government. Provides framework and constraints for democratic governance.
It outlines the structure and limits of government. Provides framework and constraints for democratic governance.
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What is a key characteristic of a liberal democracy?
What is a key characteristic of a liberal democracy?
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Protection of individual rights and freedoms. Combines democratic governance with individual liberty protections.
Protection of individual rights and freedoms. Combines democratic governance with individual liberty protections.
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Which type of democracy is most likely to use referendums?
Which type of democracy is most likely to use referendums?
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Direct democracy. Direct voting mechanisms are core to this system.
Direct democracy. Direct voting mechanisms are core to this system.
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Identify a criticism of elite democracy.
Identify a criticism of elite democracy.
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It concentrates power in a small group, limiting broader input. Reduces democratic participation and accountability to masses.
It concentrates power in a small group, limiting broader input. Reduces democratic participation and accountability to masses.
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What distinguishes pluralist democracy?
What distinguishes pluralist democracy?
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Multiple groups compete to influence policy. Power is distributed among competing interest groups.
Multiple groups compete to influence policy. Power is distributed among competing interest groups.
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What role do interest groups play in a pluralist democracy?
What role do interest groups play in a pluralist democracy?
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They compete to influence public policy. Multiple groups prevent any single faction from dominating.
They compete to influence public policy. Multiple groups prevent any single faction from dominating.
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What is majority rule?
What is majority rule?
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The principle that the greater number should exercise greater power. Fundamental democratic principle ensuring majority preferences prevail.
The principle that the greater number should exercise greater power. Fundamental democratic principle ensuring majority preferences prevail.
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Define recall election.
Define recall election.
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A procedure where voters can remove an elected official. Democratic accountability tool for removing underperforming officials.
A procedure where voters can remove an elected official. Democratic accountability tool for removing underperforming officials.
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What is an initiative in the context of democracy?
What is an initiative in the context of democracy?
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A process where citizens propose legislation. Empowers citizens to bypass legislature and propose laws directly.
A process where citizens propose legislation. Empowers citizens to bypass legislature and propose laws directly.
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Which type of democracy emphasizes consensus building?
Which type of democracy emphasizes consensus building?
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Deliberative democracy. Seeks agreement through discussion and compromise.
Deliberative democracy. Seeks agreement through discussion and compromise.
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What is the role of public opinion in a democracy?
What is the role of public opinion in a democracy?
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To influence and guide government policy decisions. Citizen preferences shape government policy directions.
To influence and guide government policy decisions. Citizen preferences shape government policy directions.
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What is the significance of free and fair elections?
What is the significance of free and fair elections?
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They ensure government accountability and legitimacy. Foundation of democratic legitimacy and peaceful transitions.
They ensure government accountability and legitimacy. Foundation of democratic legitimacy and peaceful transitions.
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Identify one key feature of participatory democracy.
Identify one key feature of participatory democracy.
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Emphasis on broad citizen involvement in politics. Maximizes citizen engagement beyond just voting in elections.
Emphasis on broad citizen involvement in politics. Maximizes citizen engagement beyond just voting in elections.
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Define representative democracy.
Define representative democracy.
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A system where citizens elect officials to make decisions. Indirect democracy where representatives act on citizens' behalf.
A system where citizens elect officials to make decisions. Indirect democracy where representatives act on citizens' behalf.
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What does 'majoritarianism' imply in democracy?
What does 'majoritarianism' imply in democracy?
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The majority's desires have the most influence. Democratic principle privileging numerical majority preferences.
The majority's desires have the most influence. Democratic principle privileging numerical majority preferences.
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What is meant by 'political efficacy'?
What is meant by 'political efficacy'?
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The belief that one's actions can influence politics. Personal sense of power to affect political outcomes.
The belief that one's actions can influence politics. Personal sense of power to affect political outcomes.
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Identify one way to increase political participation.
Identify one way to increase political participation.
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Implementing easier voter registration processes. Reduces barriers to democratic participation.
Implementing easier voter registration processes. Reduces barriers to democratic participation.
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Which type of democracy involves direct citizen lawmaking?
Which type of democracy involves direct citizen lawmaking?
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Direct democracy. Citizens vote directly on policies without intermediaries.
Direct democracy. Citizens vote directly on policies without intermediaries.
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Define elite democracy.
Define elite democracy.
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A system where a small number of people influence decisions. Power concentrated in hands of educated or wealthy few.
A system where a small number of people influence decisions. Power concentrated in hands of educated or wealthy few.
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Define digital democracy.
Define digital democracy.
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Utilizing digital technologies to enhance democratic processes. Technology expands democratic participation and accessibility.
Utilizing digital technologies to enhance democratic processes. Technology expands democratic participation and accessibility.
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What is a constitutional monarchy?
What is a constitutional monarchy?
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A system where a monarch acts within the boundaries of a constitution. Hereditary head of state constrained by democratic institutions.
A system where a monarch acts within the boundaries of a constitution. Hereditary head of state constrained by democratic institutions.
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How does elite democracy view citizen participation?
How does elite democracy view citizen participation?
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Minimal participation is necessary; elites make decisions. Argues masses lack knowledge for effective governance.
Minimal participation is necessary; elites make decisions. Argues masses lack knowledge for effective governance.
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What is the significance of checks and balances in a democracy?
What is the significance of checks and balances in a democracy?
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They prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. Separation of powers prevents tyrannical concentration.
They prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. Separation of powers prevents tyrannical concentration.
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Which type of democracy involves direct citizen lawmaking?
Which type of democracy involves direct citizen lawmaking?
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Direct democracy. Citizens vote directly on policies without intermediaries.
Direct democracy. Citizens vote directly on policies without intermediaries.
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What is an initiative in the context of democracy?
What is an initiative in the context of democracy?
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A process where citizens propose legislation. Empowers citizens to bypass legislature and propose laws directly.
A process where citizens propose legislation. Empowers citizens to bypass legislature and propose laws directly.
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What is the principle of popular sovereignty?
What is the principle of popular sovereignty?
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The authority of the government is derived from the people. Democratic legitimacy derives from citizen consent.
The authority of the government is derived from the people. Democratic legitimacy derives from citizen consent.
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