Libertarians
Those who prefer very limited government and therefore tend to be conservative on issues such as social welfare policy, environmental policy, and government funding for education but liberal on issues involving personal liberty such as free speech, abortion, and the legalization of drugs.
Free Market
An economic system based on competition among businesses without government interference.
Liberal
The side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for stronger government programs and more market regulation; generally associated with Democrats.
Separation of Powers
The division of government power across the judicial, executive, and legislative branches.
Conservative
The sides of the ideological spectrum defined by support for lower taxes, a free market, and a more limited government; generally associated with republicans.
Democracy
Government by the people, In most context, this means representatives democracy in which the people elect leaders to enact policies Democracies must have fair elections with at least two options.
Government
The system for implementing decisions made through the political process.
Ideology
A cohesive set of ideas and beliefs used to organize and evaluate the political world.
Equality
American politics, "equality" means equality before the law, political equality (one person, one vote), and equality of opportunity (the equal chance for everyone to realize his or her potential), but not material equality (equal income or wealth).
Free Rider Problem
The incentive to benefit from others' work without making a contribution, which leads individuals in a collective action situation to refuse to work together.
Liberty
Political freedom, such as the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. These and other legal and due process rights protecting individuals from government control are outlined in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution.
Public Goods
Services or actions (such as protecting the environment) that, once provided to one person, become available to everyone. Government is typically needed to provide public goods because they will be underprovided by the free market.
Checks and Balances
A system in which each branch of government has some power over the others.
Norms
Unwritten rules and informal agreements among citizens and elected officials about how government and society should operate.
Politics
The process that determines what government dose.
Redistributive Tax Policies
Policies, generally favored by Democratic politicians, that use taxation to attempt to create social equality (for example, higher taxation of the rich to provide programs for the poor).
Culture Wars
Political conflict in the United States between "red-state" Americans, who tend to have strong religious beliefs, and "blue-state" Americans, who tend to be more secular.
Factions
Groups of like-minded people who try to influence the government. American government is set up to avoid domination by any one of these groups.
Collective Actions Problems
Situations in which the members of a group would benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is better off refusing to cooperate and reaping benefits from those who do the work.
Federalism
The division of power across the local, state, and national levels of government.