Chapter 1

Question 1

what are the four theories to answer the question “who governs”?

Answer 1

pluralist theory, elitist theory, bureaucratic theory, social movement theory

Question 2

describe the pluralist theory

Answer 2

people influence government through the many interest groups that give people a voice

Question 3

describe the elitist theory

Answer 3

power rests in the hands of a small number of wealthy and powerful individuals

Question 4

describe the bureaucratic theory

Answer 4

power lies with the millions of men and women who carry out the day-to-day operations of modern government, establish policy regardless of party views

Question 5

describe the social movement theory

Answer 5

citizens can wield a lot of power when they organize and rise up in protest

Question 6

what is a republic?

Answer 6

a government in which citizens rule indirectly and make government decisions through their elected representatives, indirect rule

Question 7

how do american politics work? 4 I’s

Answer 7

ideas: powerful ideas shape the country
institutions: structure
interests: individuals, groups, and nations pursue their own self-interest
individuals: ordinary people can change the world :)

Question 8

what are institutions?

Answer 8

the organizations, norms, and rules that structure political action

Question 9

what is rational-choice theory?

Answer 9

an approach to political behavior that views individuals as rational, decisive actors who know their political interests and seek to act on them

Question 10

what does the government do?

Answer 10

NATIONAL DEFENSE, social security, unemployment and labor, medicare, medicaid

Question 11

who are we?

Answer 11

the answer is constantly being rewritten because WE CHANGIN

Question 12

what is American-exceptionalism?

Answer 12

the view that the US is uniquely characterized by a distinct set of ideas such as equality, self-rule, and limited government

Question 13

what is freedom?

Answer 13

the ability to pursue one’s own desires without interference from others

Question 14

what are the two kinds of liberty?

Answer 14

negative and positive

Question 15

what is negative liberty?

Answer 15

FREEDOM FROM constraint of interference from others, like the feds :)

Question 16

what is positive liberty?

Answer 16

FREEDOM TO pursue one’s goals, and having the basic provisions to do so, thanks government!

Question 17

us the idea of freedom constant and fixed?

Answer 17

no it’s always changing!

Question 18

what is self-rule?

Answer 18

the idea that legitimate government flows FROM the PEOPLE

Question 19

what is a democracy?

Answer 19

a government in which citizens rule DIRECTLY and make government decisions for themselves

Question 20

what is a referendum?

Answer 20

an election in which citizens vote DIRECTLY on an issue

Question 21

what is initiative?

Answer 21

a process in which citizens propose new laws or amendments to the state constitution, way to take INITIATIVE y’all!

Question 22

is America a democracy or a republic?

Answer 22

both! trying to find a balance

Question 23

what do conservatives believe in?

Answer 23

reduced government spending, personal responsibility, traditional (racist) moral values, and a strong national defense

Question 24

what do liberals value?

Answer 24

cultural diversity, government programs for the needy, public intervention in the economy, and individuals’ right to a lifestyle based on their own social and moral positions

Question 25

are all the limits on government efficient?

Answer 25

HELL NO, we can’t get anything done, but i guess we gotta have it for checks and balances????

Question 26

what is individualism?

Answer 26

the idea that individuals, not the society, are responsible for their own well-being

Question 27

what is social-democracy?

Answer 27

the idea that government policy should ensure that all are comfortable cared for within the context of a capitalist society

Question 28

what are the roots of American individualism?

Answer 28

golden opportunity and social discord

Question 29

is the American dream available to everyone?

Answer 29

in theory, yes, but it’s actually titled toward the wealthy, and hard work really isn’t all you need to get ahead anymore

Question 30

does the American dream promote the wrong values?

Answer 30

I kinda think so (elaborate)

Question 31

what is equality, and how many kinds are there?

Answer 31

all citizens enjoy the same privilege, status, and rights before the laws; there are three kinds

Question 32

what are the three kinds of equality?

Answer 32

social, economic, political

Question 33

describe social equality?

Answer 33

all individuals enjoy the same status in society

Question 34

describe political equality

Answer 34

all citizens have the same political rights and opportunities

Question 35

describe economic equality

Answer 35

a situation in which there are only small differences in wealth between citizens
AMERICA AINT IT CHIEF

Question 36

what is equal opportunity?

Answer 36

the idea that every American has the same CHANCE to influence politics and achieve economic success

Question 37

what is equal outcome?

Answer 37

the idea that citizens should have roughly equal economic circumstances

Question 38

is religion important in American economics and society?

Answer 38

yes, and this is unusual among developed countries

Question 39

what is the free market of religion in America?

Answer 39

Americans have a lot of religious options to choose from because there is no state-sanctioned religion

Question 40

what are the three ways religion touches politics?

Answer 40

injects questions about the role of religion in political life
inspires political participation
fosters a missionary sense in American foreign policy

Question 41

what is political culture?

Answer 41

the attitudes, beliefs, and assumptions that give order and meaning to public life