| authority | The recognized right of officials to exercise power as a result of the positions they hold.
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| constitutionalism | The idea that there are definable limits on the rightful power of a government over its citizens.
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| corporate power | The power that corporations exercise in their effort to influence government and maintain control of the workplace.
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| democracy | A form of government in which the people govern, either directly or through elected representatives.
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| elitism | The notion that wealthy and well-connected individuals exercise power over certain areas of public policy.
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| free market system | An economic system based on the idea that government should interfere with economic transactions as little as possible. Free enterprise and self-reliance are the collective and individual principles that underpin free markets.
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| judicial action | The use of courts of law as a means by which individuals protect their rights and settle their conflicts.
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| majoritarianism | The idea that the majority prevails not only in elections but also in policy determination.
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| pluralsim | A theory of American politics that holds that society’s interests are substantially represented through power exercised by groups.
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| political science | The systematic study of government and politics.
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| political thinking | The careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming a knowledgeable view about a political issue.
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| politics | The process through which a society settles its conflicts
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| power | The ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments.
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| public policies | Decisions by government to pursue particular courses of action.
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