2.8 and 2.9 Vocabulary Words

Public Policy

• what the government chooses to do or not do about a particular issue or problem

• the laws that govern a country

• the opinions of the public on various issues

• the actions taken by private organizations to influence government

Elected Official

• a person holding public office by virtue of election to that office or through constitutional succession

• a private citizen who volunteers for community service

• an individual appointed to a position without a public vote

• a member of a political party who campaigns for others

Gatekeeper

• a person who controls access to something

• a type of security system

• a person who manages finances

• a tool for opening doors

Peaceful Protest

• nonviolent resistance or action for the purpose of achieving social or political change

• violent actions taken to disrupt social order

• passive acceptance of social injustices

• aggressive demonstrations to demand immediate change

Interest Group

• a group of people who are concerned with a particular issue and who try to influence legislators to act in their favor

• a collection of individuals who share a common hobby and meet regularly

• a political party that seeks to gain control of the government

• a non-profit organization that provides community services

Whistleblower

• a person who reports illegal or unethical activities within an organization

• a person who is responsible for maintaining safety standards in the workplace

• a person who is hired to investigate fraud within a company

• a person, often an employee, revealing information about activity within a private or public organization that is deemed illegal, immoral, illicit, unsafe or fraudulent

Media

• the means of mass communication in the forms of print, radio, television and internet/social media

• a type of digital art created using software

• a genre of music that combines various styles

• a form of visual storytelling through photography

Transparency

• The ability to see through objects clearly.

• The capacity of citizens to obtain valid and timely information about the activities of government or private business for the purpose of making informed decisions and holding individuals/institutions accountable.

• A method of ensuring privacy in government dealings.

• The process of making government decisions more complex.

Freedom of the Press

• the right that the media has to present information to the people without government interference

• the ability of the government to regulate media content

• the freedom of individuals to express their opinions without censorship

• the right of citizens to access government documents

Voting

• to formally record one's choice or opinion in an election or on a specific question

• to express a preference in a casual conversation

• to make a decision based on a majority opinion

• to participate in a survey without any formal commitment