Chapter 1: American Political Culture Flashcards
- How does an examination of the “state of nature” help us to understand the need for government? Identify three key
problems in a state of nature that governments are expected to address.
It showcases three issues that government must address. The first is lack of order, no one is there to promote the law and ANYTHING can happen, and we need the government to ensure that we are safe from those who will do harm. The second is the loss of individual rights and property laws, that being privacy, property ie houses. So we need the government to protect our rights since anyone can infringe on them. And Finally, no one would provide public goods that some may need and all resources will be fought for. So we need the government to distribute goods equally and ensure that order is maintained in that.
- How does the work of Thomas Hobbes help us to understand the role of government? What type of government did Hobbes argue for, and why? How does the work of John Locke help us to understand the role of government? What type of government did Locke argue for, and why?
Thomas Hobbes argues that the S.O.N ( State of Nature) ensures constant freedom and complete equality, but life would be terrible and short since everyone would only be looking out for themselves. And he proposed a government ruled by one Absolute Monarch, essentially a totalitarian government where one person is the supreme ruler who ensures safety and peace over absolute freedom. And that most would welcome the dictator due to S.O.N being terrible.
John Locke argued that S.O.N may not be that bad, yes there are issues but if ironed out society would be better. And most would not want an absolute ruler if life and their freedoms were better before his rule. But one may rule if they have the consent of the governed. So he proposed a Limited Government that follows a constitution written by the citizens to protect private property and individual rights.
- What is the “social contract”? What does one “give up”, and what does one get “in return”? What is the critical underlying question with the social contract?
One gives up the absolute freedom to do whatever you want, but in return, others don’t get to do whatever they wish upon you or your property. And the critical question is how much are we willing to give up for security. Obviously if our state doesn’t provide much security we should have more freedom, but if we have more security we would likely have less freedom.
- How has governmental legitimacy changed over time? What is more likely to legitimate a government today, and what
was more likely to legitimate a government in past centuries? Provide two examples of how governments are
legitimized in the present day.
Moved to the more democratic role rather than giving leadership to someone due to “divine right of kings”.
Today free and fair elections, as well as accountability, would make a government more legitimate, but in the past, it was often religion, conquest, and wealth that gave legitimacy to government. Constitutions and the rule of law would be two great examples, representatives and citizens must both be held accountable.
- Identify and describe the three key purposes of government, and explain the key difference between “politics” and” government”.
The three purposes are as follows. One, maintain public order. Two Protect Individual rights. Three, provide public goods that can be used by all and do not make or encourage rivalry. Government is the procedures and institutions that rule a territory and its inhabitants. Politics is the dispute and conflicts over the leadership, policy, and structure of a government.
- How does the “collective goods” problem arise, and why does the “collective goods” problem cause tension in American society?
The “collective goods” problem arises when we want something but we don’t want to contribute to it. And this causes tension since we would all benefit from it, whatever it may be, but not all individuals want to contribute. And that could be because they don’t use it much so why should they have to contribute much or at all.
- Explain the framework of freedom vs. order and freedom vs. equality. How does this help explain American political
debates?
This framework basically states that when freedom increases order decreases, when freedom increases equality decreases. This shows that debates over topics are essential debates over these functions. When one thing is implemented one of those three values will go up or down.
- What are the major differences in the political viewpoints of moralistic, traditionalistic, and individualistic subcultures?
Describe three key characteristics of each political subculture and provide examples of how they may each view a
similar policy in a different way. Also, what is the dominant political subculture in Nevada?
Moralistic, to sum it up, essentially would like to improve society as a whole, they are community oriented, and would prefer high voter participation. Traditionalistic prefer to maintain social order, keep voter registration low, and in general want slow change and no progression. And. individualists are individually-oriented, voter registration would be dependent on policy, and in general might not agree with any side too heavily regarding specific policy as long as government stays out of it.
- How does political culture help explain what unites Americans while political subcultures help explain what DISunites Americans?
Political culture is a lot broader but essentially here in the states our political culture agrees on three values, those being order, equality, and freedom. And although we may prioritize those differently we can all generally agree on these three values. While with subcultures we take completely different approaches and care about different issues. For instance Moralistic people generally want better education but an Individualistic may not since they rather keep government involvement low.
- How does our understanding of political subculture help our understanding of increased political stability across the
nation?
