All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the purpose of an electoral college?
Answer: To formally elect the president in a representative democracy. Indirect election system mediating between popular and state will.
Flashcard 2: Identify one advantage of a representative democracy.
Answer: Efficient decision-making through elected officials. Enables governance of large populations effectively.
Flashcard 3: What is the significance of checks and balances in a democracy?
Answer: They prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. Separation of powers prevents tyrannical concentration.
Flashcard 4: Define constitutional democracy.
Answer: A democracy governed by a constitution that limits powers. Constitutional framework constrains democratic majority power.
Flashcard 5: What is the role of a constitution in a democracy?
Answer: It outlines the structure and limits of government. Provides framework and constraints for democratic governance.
Flashcard 6: What is a key characteristic of a liberal democracy?
Answer: Protection of individual rights and freedoms. Combines democratic governance with individual liberty protections.
Flashcard 7: Which type of democracy is most likely to use referendums?
Answer: Direct democracy. Direct voting mechanisms are core to this system.
Flashcard 8: Identify a criticism of elite democracy.
Answer: It concentrates power in a small group, limiting broader input. Reduces democratic participation and accountability to masses.
Flashcard 9: What distinguishes pluralist democracy?
Answer: Multiple groups compete to influence policy. Power is distributed among competing interest groups.
Flashcard 10: What role do interest groups play in a pluralist democracy?
Answer: They compete to influence public policy. Multiple groups prevent any single faction from dominating.
Flashcard 11: What is majority rule?
Answer: The principle that the greater number should exercise greater power. Fundamental democratic principle ensuring majority preferences prevail.
Flashcard 12: Define recall election.
Answer: A procedure where voters can remove an elected official. Democratic accountability tool for removing underperforming officials.
Flashcard 13: What is an initiative in the context of democracy?
Answer: A process where citizens propose legislation. Empowers citizens to bypass legislature and propose laws directly.
Flashcard 14: Which type of democracy emphasizes consensus building?
Answer: Deliberative democracy. Seeks agreement through discussion and compromise.
Flashcard 15: What is the role of public opinion in a democracy?
Answer: To influence and guide government policy decisions. Citizen preferences shape government policy directions.
Flashcard 16: What is the significance of free and fair elections?
Answer: They ensure government accountability and legitimacy. Foundation of democratic legitimacy and peaceful transitions.
Flashcard 17: Identify one key feature of participatory democracy.
Answer: Emphasis on broad citizen involvement in politics. Maximizes citizen engagement beyond just voting in elections.
Flashcard 18: Define representative democracy.
Answer: A system where citizens elect officials to make decisions. Indirect democracy where representatives act on citizens' behalf.
Flashcard 19: What does 'majoritarianism' imply in democracy?
Answer: The majority's desires have the most influence. Democratic principle privileging numerical majority preferences.
Flashcard 20: What is meant by 'political efficacy'?
Answer: The belief that one's actions can influence politics. Personal sense of power to affect political outcomes.
Flashcard 21: Identify one way to increase political participation.
Answer: Implementing easier voter registration processes. Reduces barriers to democratic participation.
Flashcard 22: Which type of democracy involves direct citizen lawmaking?
Answer: Direct democracy. Citizens vote directly on policies without intermediaries.
Flashcard 23: Define elite democracy.
Answer: A system where a small number of people influence decisions. Power concentrated in hands of educated or wealthy few.
Flashcard 24: Define digital democracy.
Answer: Utilizing digital technologies to enhance democratic processes. Technology expands democratic participation and accessibility.
Flashcard 25: What is a constitutional monarchy?
Answer: A system where a monarch acts within the boundaries of a constitution. Hereditary head of state constrained by democratic institutions.
Flashcard 26: How does elite democracy view citizen participation?
Answer: Minimal participation is necessary; elites make decisions. Argues masses lack knowledge for effective governance.
Flashcard 27: What is the significance of checks and balances in a democracy?
Answer: They prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. Separation of powers prevents tyrannical concentration.
Flashcard 28: Which type of democracy involves direct citizen lawmaking?
Answer: Direct democracy. Citizens vote directly on policies without intermediaries.
Flashcard 29: What is an initiative in the context of democracy?
Answer: A process where citizens propose legislation. Empowers citizens to bypass legislature and propose laws directly.
Flashcard 30: What is the principle of popular sovereignty?
Answer: The authority of the government is derived from the people. Democratic legitimacy derives from citizen consent.