Unit 1 Exam

Government

The institution in society that develops and institutes policy

Public Policy

The choices that government makes through the laws, regulations, rules, procedures, decisions, non-decisions, directives, etc, that it makes about issues that affect the public

Politics

The use of power and influence to try to achieve public policy

Linkage Institutions

Institutions that connect citizens to government
1. political parties
2. interest groups
3. the media
4. elections

Democracy

Rule by the people

Pluralist Theory

People express policy preferences through interest groups

Elite and Class Theory

Public policy is controlled by wealthy individuals

Hyperpluralist Theory

Interest group competition becomes so strong that it cripples the government's ability to make public policy