Chapter 1

Question 1

politics

Answer 1

The process of influencing the actions and policies of government.

Question 2

democracy

Answer 2

A system of government where power is held by the people.

Question 3

government

Answer 3

The rules and institutions that make up that system of policymaking.

Question 4

natural rights

Answer 4

the right to life, liberty, and property, which government cannot take away.

Question 5

social contract

Answer 5

People allow their governments to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society.

Question 6

American political culture

Answer 6

The set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share.

Question 7

popular sovereignty

Answer 7

the idea that government is authorized by citizens and influenced by what they want.

Question 8

republicanism

Answer 8

A system in which the government’s authority comes from the people.

Question 9

inalienable rights

Answer 9

Rights the government cannot take away.

Question 10

liberty

Answer 10

Social, political, and economic freedoms

Question 11

participatory democracy

Answer 11

A theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government.

Question 12

civil society groups

Answer 12

Independent associations outside the government’s control.

Question 13

pluralist theory

Answer 13

A theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process.

Question 14

elitist theory

Answer 14

A theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process.

Question 15

political institutions

Answer 15

The structure of government, including the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

Question 16

constitutional republic

Answer 16

A democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution is the supreme law.

Question 17

What does the preamble of the declaration of Independence discuss?

Answer 17

-natural rights, social contract

Question 18

What does the Declaration of Independence discuss after the preamble?

Answer 18

a list of grievances against King George

Question 19

what European movement heavily influenced the concept of natural rights and social contract in the declaration?

Answer 19

-the enlightenment

Question 20

What does the concept of unalienable rights suggest about the power of the government?

Answer 20

god and the forces of nature are greater than any government

Question 21

What is the difference between popular sovereignty and the social contract?

Answer 21

Popular sovereignty means that the government’s authority comes from the consent of the people
the social contract is the agreement where individuals give up some freedoms for government protection and order.