Ch 1: Basic Terms and Concepts of Political Science: Help and Review
About This Chapter
Who's it for?
Anyone who needs help understanding introductory political science material will benefit from taking this course. You will be able to grasp the subject matter faster, retain critical knowledge longer and earn better grades. You're in the right place if you:
- Have fallen behind in understanding the definitions and rules used to discuss political science and American politics.
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- Struggle with learning disabilities or learning differences, including autism and ADHD.
- Experience difficulty understanding your teachers.
- Missed class time and need to catch up.
- Can't access extra political science learning resources at school.
How it works:
- Start at the beginning, or identify the topics that you need help with.
- Watch and learn from fun videos, reviewing as needed.
- Refer to the video transcripts to reinforce your learning.
- Test your understanding of each lesson with short quizzes.
- Submit questions to one of our instructors for personalized support if you need extra help.
- Verify you're ready by completing the Basic Terms and Concepts of Political Science chapter exam.
Why it works:
- Study Efficiently: Skip what you know, review what you don't.
- Retain What You Learn: Engaging animations and real-life examples make topics easy to grasp.
- Be Ready on Test Day: Use the Basic Terms and Concepts of Political Science chapter exam to be prepared.
- Get Extra Support: Ask our subject-matter experts any relevant question. They're here to help!
- Study With Flexibility: Watch videos on any web-ready device.
Students will review:
In this chapter, you'll learn the answers to questions including:
- What are some causes of governmental conflict in politics?
- How do capitalism, constitutionalism and democracy work?
- What is the definition of political power, and how does it change hands?
- What are some basic political justice and political rights concepts?
- How do political culture and popular opinion relate to each other?
- What is the gross domestic product?
- How do countries, governments, nations and states differ from each other?

1. What is Political Science?
The great Greek philosopher Aristotle once called political science the master science. In this lesson, you'll learn what political science is, different subfields in the discipline, and why the study of political science is important.

2. Politics: Definition and Source of Governmental Conflict
In this lesson, we will explore the concept of politics. We will examine the various definitions of the word, take a close look at the role of politics in government, and investigate the conflicts sometimes caused by politics.

3. The Rules of American Politics: Democracy, Constitutionalism & Capitalism
In this lesson, we will explore the three rules of American politics: democracy, constitutionalism, and capitalism. We will define each rule and see how it works to keep the political system running smoothly.

4. Political Power: Definition, Types & Sources
In this lesson, we will take a close look at political power. We will define the term, examine its elements, and learn about several theories that help determine who gets to use political power.

5. Shifting Power From Majority to Only a Few: Factors & Process
In this lesson, we will explore factors that have shifted power from the majority of voters to specific groups. We'll pay special attention to voter participation, single-issue voters, uninformed citizens, the nomination of candidates, and campaign expenses.

6. Political Justice and Political Rights
Some of the greatest questions in political thought revolve around the nebulous concepts of justice and rights. In this lesson, we'll be exploring these complex concepts. You'll also have a chance to reinforce your knowledge with a short quiz.

7. Civil Society and Citizenship
Citizenship and civil society are important concepts in the study of political science. In this lesson, you'll learn what citizenship is and what it means for people that hold it. You'll also learn about the important role of civil society in a democracy.

8. The Relationship Between Political Culture and Public Opinion
Politicians are always trying to take the pulse of public opinion, either to follow it or to try to change it. In this lesson, you'll learn about public opinion and its relation to political culture. A short quiz follows.

9. The Difference Between Countries, Nations, States, and Governments
The study of political science requires you to relearn familiar terms that hold a different meaning than found in common everyday usage. In this lesson, you'll learn about the difference between countries, nations, states and governments.

10. Representation in Political Science
Given the size and complexity of a modern state, direct democracy is impractical, if not infeasible. In this lesson, you'll learn about representative democracy, its different forms, and how it differs from direct democracy.

11. Gross Domestic Product: Definition and Components
Learn how economists measure the total production of an economy using gross domestic product (GDP). This lesson also outlines the components that make up a GDP. How do we calculate the economic value of a nation?

12. What is Autonomy? - Definition & Ethics
Through this lesson, you will learn how to define autonomy and gain insight into how the concept works in personal, political, and medical contexts. When you are through with the lesson, test your new knowledge with the quiz.

13. Bull Moose Party: Definition & Platform
After years away from the office, former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt returned to the campaign trail with the Bull Moose Party. Read about the colorful history of the party and the election of 1912, and check your knowledge with a quiz.

14. Doctrine of Nullification: Definition & Theory
The Doctrine of Nullification is the inherent right of a state to override the federal government. Learn more about the theory of nullification and how it was applied over the course of United States history.

15. Hyperpluralism: Definition, Theory & Examples
Through this lesson you will learn what defines hyperpluralism, come to understand some of the ways that it is applied in political discussions, and explore examples of hyperpluralism in practice.

16. Maryland: History & Facts
Maryland, the border between the northern and southern states in the US is rich in history. We look at an overview of the state and some important history here.

17. Militarism: Definition & Examples
Militarism is the belief that the military should play a central role in society. It usually features high government spending and aggression with neighbors. We look at three examples and then note the role of militarism in the First World War.

18. Military Conscription: Definition, History & Debate
Through this lesson, you will learn how to define military conscription, discover its origins, and gain an understanding of why it is often a controversial public and political issue.

19. National Government: Definition, Responsibilities & Powers
Learn about the two basics types of national government, and see how each works with regional governments. When you're finished, take the quiz to see what you've learned.

20. National Road: Definition & History
The National Road was the first major interstate highway in America. This lesson gives the history and description of the road from the early 1800s to today.

21. New York State History: Facts & Timeline
New York State has played a central role in both North American and world affairs for the past three centuries. In this lesson, we'll explore the three distinct phases in New York's history, including its emergence as one of the most important regions in the world from the 1900s through today.

22. Niccolo Machiavelli: Philosophy, Politics & Books
Machiavelli established the standards for much of our modern day evaluation of leaders in society. This lesson will assist you in understanding the historical foundations of this criteria. It will also explore the politics, works, and philosophy of ~'father of modern political theory,~' Niccolo Machiavelli.

23. What is Public Policy? - Definition, Types, Process & Examples
Through this lesson, you will learn how to define public policy, how it works in societies, and what it takes to shape and change policy through the political process.

24. Tyranny of the Majority: Definition & Examples
The idea of a tyranny of the majority goes back centuries, but for the past 200 years it has been a byword in American politics. This lesson explains the concept.

25. What is a Vizier?
A vizier was a person who stood second to the Egyptian king, or pharaoh, and was in charge of administration, security, judgment and the safety of the pharaoh and the empire.

26. Logical Positivism: Definition, Philosophy & Examples
Logical Positivism was a school of philosophy which developed in Austria in the years following World War One. It focused on applying strict logic and empirical observation to describing the world.

27. What is Constitutionalism? - Definition, History & Concept
In this lesson we will learn about the concept of constitutionalism. We will define the term, explore the concept, and examine how this view developed throughout history.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Introduction to Political Science: Help and Review course
- Civil Liberties in Political Science: Help and Review
- Civil Rights in Political Science: Help and Review
- Political Ideologies and Philosophy: Help and Review
- Forms of Government: Help and Review
- Types of Legislatures in Government: Help and Review
- Presidential Elections & Powers: Help and Review
- The Congress: Powers & Elections: Help and Review
- The Federal Judicial System in Political Science: Help and Review
- The Federal Bureaucracy in the United States in Political Science: Help and Review
- The History & Role of Political Parties: Help and Review
- Interest Groups in Politics: Help and Review
- Mass Media and Politics: Help and Review
- Political Culture, Public Opinion & Civic Behavior: Help and Review
- Comparative Law: Help and Review
- Public and Social Policy: Help and Review
- Fiscal Policy in Government & the Economy: Help and Review
- Foreign Policy, Defense Policy & Government: Help and Review
- Concepts of International Relations: Help and Review
- International Actors in Political Science: Help and Review
- International Law in Politics: Help and Review
- Global Issues and Politics: Help and Review