Chapter 1 Flashcards
What is anarchy?
Lawlessness and discord in the political system
What is government?
Collection of public institutions that establish and enforce the rules by which the members must live
What is incumbent?
Seeking reelection
Impact of radio in 1930’s led to FDR’s…?
fireside chats
What is social contract?
Agreement to form a govt and abide by its rules
What is authority?
Ability of public institutions and officials to make laws, independent of the power to execute them
Impact of newspapers in the 1930s?
Penny Press
Jean-Jacques Rousseau said…?
“Social contact” exists
What is democracy?
The people, either directly or through elected representatives, hold power and authority
What is oligarchy?
A small exclusive class holds supreme power
What is theocracy?
A particular religion plays role in govt
What is monarchy?
One person (a royal family member or designate) exercises supreme authority
What is authoritarian?
One political party, group or person maintains such complete control that it may refuse to recognize, or suppresses, all other parties and interests
What is power?
The capacity to get individuals to do something they may not otherwise do
What is legitimacy?
The extent to which the people afford govt authority and right to exercise power
The Framers of the constitution drafted…
A blueprint, mechanism, fairness
Total governments in the United States?
Approx. 90,000
Who proposed that people are born with natural rights?
John Locke
What is natural law?
It is more fundamental than any law
What did Thomas Hobbes believe?
That the essence of govt is to manage naturally occurring conflicts.
Govt must be based on “consent of the governed”
Who said govt must be based on the “consent of the governed”?
Thomas Hobbes
The 1st 3 words of the Constitution, “We the People” says…?
The ultimate source of power rests with the people
What is popular sovereignty?
The idea that the ultimate source of power in the nation is held by the people
What is indirect democracy?
System of govt in which voters choose those who govern on their behalf (the representatives)
The Constitution provides what kind of representation?
Representative democracy, which is the same as indirect democracy and republican form of govt
What is the difference between indirect and direct democracy?
Indirect, they elect officials to act on their behalf. Direct, the citizens they play an active role in govt
What is political culture?
Core values about the role of govt and its operation and institutions. How a society thinks practically. Transferred to new genrations
The 15th amendment provided that… in the year of…?
In 1870, the 15th amendment provided that the right to vote may not be denied on the basis of race
The 17th amendment provided that… in the year of…?
In 1913, the 17th amendment changed the method of selection of U.S. senators from having state legislatures choose senators directly elected by the voters of a state
The 19th amendment provided that… in the year of…?
In 1920, the 19th amendment provided voting rights to women by not allowing states to deny women the right to vote
The 23rd amendment provided that… in the year of…?
In 1961, the 23rd amendment provided residents of the District of Columbia with electoral votes in presidential elections
The 24th amendment provided that… in the year of…?
In 1962, the 24th amendment prevented states from levying a tax on people in order for them to vote in federal elections. Some states used a poll tax to discourage poor people and African Americans from voting
The 27th amendment provided that… in the year of…?
In 1971, the 27th amendment provided voting rights to those who are 18 years of age by not allowing states to deny the franchise to those who have obtained this age
How many times has the constitution been amended since the Bill of Rights? How many of these amendments deal with voting rights?
17 times. And 6 are based on voting rights
Immigrants coming to America were seeking…?
for a better life, improve economic conditions, and running away from political persecution
What is majority rule?
The notion that the will of the majority should guide decisions made by American government
What is limited government?
The value that promotes the idea that government power should be as restricted as possible. It supports the idea of Thomas Jefferson’s “the govt that governs least governs best”
Ethnic and racial diversity has…?
enhance the quality of our culture
What is individualism?
The value that individuals are primarily responsible for their own lot in life and that promotes and rewards individual initiative and responsibility. This value underlies America’s reliance on a capitalist economy and free market system.
U.S. is one of the most diverse, referred as the…?
Melting pot
