Ch 1: American Government: Roots, Context, And Culture

Question 0

Monarchy

Answer 0

A form of government in which power is vested in hereditary kings and queens who govern in the interest of all

Question 1

Government

Answer 1

The formal vehicle through which policies are made and affairs of state are conducted

Question 2

Totalitarianism

Answer 2

A form of government in which power resides in a leader who rules according to self-interest and without regard for individual rights and liberties

Question 3

Oligarchy

Answer 3

A form of government in which the right to participate depends on the possession of wealth, social status, military position, or achievement

Question 4

Democracy

Answer 4

A system of government that gives power to the people, whether directly or through elected representatives

Question 5

Direct democracy

Answer 5

A system of government in which members of the polity meet to discuss all policy decisions and then agree to abide by majority rule

Question 6

Indirect democracy

Answer 6

System of government that gives citizens the opportunity to vote for representatives who work on their behalf

Question 7

Republic

Answer 7

A government rooted in the consent of the governed; a representative or indirect democracy

Question 8

Political culture

Answer 8

Commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate

Question 9

Personal liberty

Answer 9

Key characteristic of US democracy. initially meaning freedom from governmental interference, today it includes demands for freedom to engage in a variety of practices without governmental interference or discrimination

Question 10

Political equality

Answer 10

The principle that all citizens are the same in the eyes of the law

Question 11

Popular consent

Answer 11

The principle that governments must draw their powers from the consent of the governed

Question 12

Majority rule

Answer 12

The central premise of direct democracy in which only policies that collectively garner the support of a majority of voters will be made into law

Question 13

Popular sovereignty

Answer 13

The notion that the ultimate authority in society rests with the people

Question 14

Natural law

Answer 14

A doctrine that society should be governed by certain ethical principles that are part of nature and as such can be understood by reason

Question 15

Political ideology

Answer 15

The coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government held by groups and individuals

Question 16

Conservative

Answer 16

One who favors limited government intervention particularly in economic affairs

Question 17

Social conservative

Answer 17

One who believes that the government should support and further traditional moral teachings

Question 18

Liberal

Answer 18

One who favors greater government intervention particularly in economic affairs in the provision of social services

Question 19

Moderate

Answer 19

A person who takes a relatively centrist or middle-of-the-road view on most political issues

Question 20

Statist

Answer 20

One who believes in extensive government control of personal and economic liberties

Question 21

Libertarian

Answer 21

One who believes in limited government interference in personal economic liberties

Question 22

Politics

Answer 22

The study of who gets what, when, and how-or how policy decisions are made

Question 23

American dream

Answer 23

An American ideal of a happy, successful life which often includes wealth, a house, a better life for one’s children, and for some the opportunity to grow up to be president