Participation in Government Unit One Fundamentals in Government

Government An institution through which a society makes and enforces its policies.

Democracy Rule by the people.

Representatives Citizens elected by other citizens to represent their interests in government.

Policy A course of action

Amendments A revision or proposed change in a bill or a law.

Bill of Rights The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Issue A point, matter, or dispute, the decision of which is of special or public importance

Conflict Sharp disagreement or struggle on an issue

Players A person or group that is actively involved in a conflict.

Influence The power to control or direct the behavior of others (peer pressure)

Resource The means that a person has to influence the behavior of others

Elite A person with a disproportionate amount of any resource

Ideology A set of beliefs that allow a person to view issues in a consistent manner; How a person views issues

Liberal A person who believes that government should actively and peacefully promote social reform within the existing political system; Likes change.

Conservative A person who is cautious about new policies and who generally feels that the gov’t should stay out of the affairs of private citizens and businesses.

Moderate A person whose attitudes and opinions are somewhere between those of a liberal and a conservative. COMPROMISE