Government & politics

Government & politics

The study of general concepts used in governments and politics, as well as the institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that make up the government and political reality.

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Government & politics

political participation

Government; Government & politics

Becoming involved in activities such as voting, running for political office, signing petitions and other activities which help citizens make an impact on public or political issues.

Organized group of people who want to control or influence government by winning elections, holding public office, and having the government's laws and policies reflect their political beliefs. In ...

politics

Government; Government & politics

An area of activity aimed at influencing or controlling the government in order to formulate or guide public policy.

poll tax

Government; Government & politics

A tax a person is required to pay before he or she is allowed to vote. Poll taxes were used in many southern states after the Reconstruction period to restrict African-American citizens' right to ...

popular sovereignty

Government; Government & politics

Idea that government should reflect the general will of the people, or the interests that all citizens have in common. Political theorist Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78) described this concept in Du ...

popular vote

Government; Government & politics

Vote of the people of a nation or group. In the United States, this contrasts with an electoral vote, which is done by a small group of electors, rather than the general public.