Ch. 8: Key Dilemmas: Political Form, Culture, and Values

Question 1

Class values

Answer 1

Political interests shaped by social classes, such as worker or capitalist.

Question 2

Connection of powers

Answer 2

Connection of political power among governmental bodies, as opposed to the separation of powers.
ex. Britian

Question 3

Culture wars

Answer 3

Term that came into use during the first decade of the twenty-first century to describe sharp divisions within the American public over fundamental values as reflected in disagreements over such issues as abortion, gay marriage, prayer in public schools, euthanasia, genetic research, and sex education.

Question 4

Devolution

Answer 4

Surrendering of powers to local authorities by a central government/the transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, especially by central government to local or regional administration.

Question 5

Economic well-being

Answer 5

Level of income, food, health care, and education that satisfies minimum quality-of-life standards and permits full growth and development.

Question 6

Federalism

Answer 6

Governmental system that combines central authority for nationwide concerns with state, provincial, or regional authority for local concerns, with certain powers shared by, and certain powers denied to, both levels of government.

Question 7

Goal

Answer 7

An objective.

Question 8

Interest aggregation

Answer 8

Means of selecting priorities in which political actors build support for specific proposals, usually by working with other like-minded individuals or groups.

Question 9

Interest articulation

Answer 9

Expression of political actors’ needs, interests, and desires through voting, speaking at public forums, or joining political parties or interest groups.

Question 10

Interest groups

Answer 10

Members of the public who organize in an attempt to shape public policy on issues of concern to them.

Question 11

Majority rule

Answer 11

Power of one-half of the members plus one of any decision-making group to bind the remainder of that group to a decision.

Question 12

National interest

Answer 12

Vital needs and fundamental interests of nations, such as security, liberty, justice, and welfare, essential for independence, prosperity, and power.

Question 13

Policy

Answer 13

In the context of political science, a government course or general plan of action designed to solve problems or achieve specified goals.

Question 14

Political actor

Answer 14

Individual or group that expresses and shapes public values, struggles for power, and decides issues of public policy.

Question 15

Political culture

Answer 15

The distinguishing attitudes, habits, and behavior patterns of a political community.

Question 16

Political legitimacy

Answer 16

The idea that the authority of the government is accepted by people because the society’s basic rules are correct and right.

Question 17

Political values

Answer 17

Important beliefs about which goals, principles, and policies are worthwhile in public affairs.

Question 18

Polyarchy

Answer 18

Rule by the many in a democratic and constitutional system.

Question 19

Principle

Answer 19

Basic truth or belief that is used as a basis of reasoning or a guide to behavior.

Question 20

Public interest

Answer 20

Community interest that transcends the personal interests of individuals or groups and expresses the best long-range interests of the nation.

Question 21

Separation of powers

Answer 21

Division of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial in the U.S. government.

Question 22

Unitary government

Answer 22

Form of government in which all major power and policy emanates from the central government.

Question 23

Welfare

Answer 23

Government provisions for, or contributions to, individual needs for employment, income, food, housing, health care, and literacy.