Chapter 1

Question 1

term used to describe the formal institutions through which a territory and its people are ruled

Answer 1

Government

Question 2

conflicts and struggles over leadership, structure, and policies of government.

Answer 2

Politics

Question 3

Why is government needed?

Answer 3

Provide “public goods”, defense against foreign aggression, maintenance of public order, a stable currency, enforcement of contractual obligations and property rights, and some measure of economic security.

Question 4

small group, such as landowners, military officers, or the wealthy –controls most of the governing decisions, that government is an

Answer 4

oligarchy

Question 5

Nations are governed by a single individual ,king or dictator

Answer 5

autocracy

Question 6

the power to rule themselves-citizens or the general adult population have a popular sovereignty

Answer 6

democracy

Question 7

Constitutions and other laws limit what governments can do and how they do it.

Answer 7

Liberal or Constitutional governments.

Question 8

Government kept in check by other political and social institutions that it cannot control such as self-governing territories, organized religions, business organizations, or labor unions.

Answer 8

Authoritarian

Question 9

Governments not only lack legal limits but also try to eliminate institutions that might challenge their authority. These governments typically attempt to control all of a nation’s political, economic, and social life (Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, Nazi Germany, North Korea today)

Answer 9

Totalitarian

Question 10

The Founders of America focused on creating a democracy based on the principle of

Answer 10

majority rule with minority rights

Question 11

Today, the U.S. government is a

Answer 11

representative democracy, or a republic which citizens elect top officials.

Question 12

At the national level,

Answer 12

citizens select government officials but do not vote directly on legislation.

Question 13

influence over a governments leadership, organization, and policies

Answer 13

Political power

Question 14

the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government; the outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation

Answer 14

pluralism, or group politics

Question 15

How does democracy differ from an autocracy or oligarchy?

Answer 15

In a democracy, citizens rule themselves, while a single individual or small group controls most governing decisions in an oligarchy or autocracy.

Question 16

What is the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy?

Answer 16

In a representative democracy, voters select individuals to act on their behalf, while direct democracy involves citizens voting directly on legislation, such as through initiatives and referenda in some states.

Question 17

can be defined as a membership in political community that provides legal rights and carries participation responsibilities.

Answer 17

Citizenship

Question 18

Civil liberties and rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of worship, and trial by jury are identified in

Answer 18

the Constitution, Bill of Rights

Question 19

A citizens responsibilities

Answer 19

upholding the Constitution, obeying federal, state and local laws; paying taxes; serving and juries when called; be informed about issues and take part in the democratic process.

Question 20

One key ingredient for political participation is

Answer 20

political knowledge

Question 21

false information shared intentionally to reach a political goal-complicates the process of acquiring valid political information

Answer 21

Disinformation

Question 22

The belief that ordinary citizens can affect what government does

Answer 22

political efficacy

Question 23

Why are political knowledge and political efficacy important ingredients for democracy?

Answer 23

An informed and engaged public that participates and serves as a check on government is vital for ensuring that government is responsive to the public

Question 24

How is Americans’ knowledge and involvement in politics and government?

Answer 24

Americans’ level of efficacy has declined over time, and political involvement and knowledge is generally low among the public.

Question 25

Key Elements of American Political Culture

Answer 25

1. Liberty
2. Popular Sovereignty
3. Individualism
4. Civic-mindedness
5. Equality

Question 26

How does democracy differ from an autocracy of oligarchy?

Answer 26

In a democracy, citizens rule themselves, while a single individual or small group controls most governing decisions in an oligarchy or autocracy.

Question 27

What is the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy?

Answer 27

In a representative democracy, voters select individuals to act on their behalf, while direct democracy involves citizens voting directly on legislation, such as through initiatives and referenda in some states.

Question 28

Why are political knowledge and political efficacy important for a democracy?

Answer 28

An informed and engaged public that participates and serves as a check on the government is vital for ensuring that the government is responsive to the public.

Question 29

The U.S. House passed the CARES Act as a response to COVID-19.

Answer 29

majority rule (example)

Question 30

Ten states have legalized marijuana for adult recreational use through ballot initiatives.

Answer 30

-direct democracy
-majority rule

Question 31

Several lawmakers want to protect the Senate filibuster because it allows a single member to hold up legislation unless a supermajority votes for cloture.

Answer 31

minority rights

Question 32

—— limits the role of government, —— implies an obligation of the government to the people.

Answer 32

liberty limits the role of government, equality implies an obligation of the government to the people.

Question 33

Why is trusting the government important?

Answer 33

-a mistrusted government can do little work for its citizens
-it’s important to attract talented people to work for the government.
-lack of trust could endanger tax revenue.

Question 34

Describe Americans’ trust in the government?

Answer 34

Americans’ trust in the federal government has been declining, though their trust in state government has remained relatively consistent.

Question 35

What effect has the changing composition of the American population had on politics and government?

Answer 35

It raises contentious debates about balance of representation among different regions of the country and between urban and rural areas.

Question 36

In the American context, the concept of liberty is broken down into two sets of freedoms:

Answer 36

Personal/political freedom
Economic freedom
(both forms are closely tied with the concept of limited government)
(Enshrined in the first 10 amendments of the Constitution “Bill of Rights”)

Question 37

First Amendment

Answer 37

Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Freedom to assemble peacefully
Freedom to practice one’s religious beliefs without governmental interference

Question 38

a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people

Answer 38

popular sovereignty

Question 39

a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials

Answer 39

democracy

Question 40

a system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government

Answer 40

constitutional government

Question 41

a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions

Answer 41

authoritarian government

Question 42

a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it

Answer 42

totalitarian government

Question 43

the democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority

Answer 43

majority rule, minority rights

Question 44

the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government; the outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation

Answer 44

pluralism

Question 45

membership in a political community that confers legal rights and carries participation responsibilities

Answer 45

citizenship

Question 46

the belief that one can influence government and politics

Answer 46

political efficacy

Question 47

broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should function; American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality, and justice

Answer 47

political culture

Question 48

freedom from
governmental control

Answer 48

liberty

Question 49

an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference

Answer 49

laissez-faire capitalism

Question 50

the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of “one person, one vote”

Answer 50

political equality

Question 51

the just allocation of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society

Answer 51

social justice