Chapter 1: Political Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming a Responsible Citizen

Question 1

What is the term for the systematic study of government and politics?

Answer 1

political science

Question 2

What is the term for the widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of its people about politics?

Answer 2

political culture

Question 3

During what period did the first white settlers arrive?

Answer 3

the Enlightenment period

Question 4

What are America’s core political ideals?

Answer 4

Liberty
Individualism
Equality
Self-government

Question 5

Define liberty.

Answer 5

the principles that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose, provide they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well-being of others.

Question 6

Political scientist Louis Hartz said what about America?

Answer 6

it was “born free”

Question 7

The preamble to the constitution declares that the US government was founded to secure what?

Answer 7

“the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”

Question 8

Define individualism.

Answer 8

a commitment to personal initiative and self-sufficiency.

Question 9

Define equality.

Answer 9

the notion that all individuals are equal in their moral worth and thereby entitled to equal treatment under the law.

Question 10

Define self-government.

Answer 10

the principle that the people are the ultimate source of governing authority and should have a voice in their governing.

Question 11

Politics is…

Answer 11

…the means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs.

Question 12

Those who prevail in political conflicts are said to have power. Define power.

Answer 12

It is the term that refers to the ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments.

Question 13

Define these systems.
Democratic:
Constitutional:
Free market:

Answer 13

Democratic: a system of majority rule through elections.
Constitutional: a system based on rule of law, including legal protections for individuals.
Free market: an economics system that centers on the transactions between private parties.

Question 14

Name the implications of the democratic system and define them.

Answer 14

majoritarianism: empowers majorities
pluralism: empowers groups (special groups)
officials: empowers officials

Question 15

Name the implications of the constitutional system and define them.

Answer 15

legal action: empowers individuals by enabling them to claim their rights in court

Question 16

Name the implications of the free market system and define them.

Answer 16

corporate power: empowers business firms

elitism: empowers wealthy

Question 17

What is an authoritarian government?

Answer 17

one that openly represses its political opponents, mostly through intimidations and prohibitions on free expression but sometimes by brutalizing or imprisoning opposition leaders.

Question 18

Democracy:
Oligarchy:
Autocracy:

Answer 18

Democracy: people govern directly or through elected representatives.
Oligarchy: control rests in a small group; military, wealthy families, etc.
Autocracy: control rests in a single individual; king or dictator.

Question 19

Define authority.

Answer 19

the recognized right of officials to exercise power.

Question 20

What is party polarization?

Answer 20

the name given to today’s party politics; conflict between America’s major two parties has become bitter and prolonged.

Question 21

What is constitutionalism?

Answer 21

the idea that there are lawful restrictions on government’s power.

Question 22

Socialism:

Answer 22

Government does not attempt to manage the overall economy, but owns a number of major industries and guarantees every individual a minimal standard of living.
(Sweden and other countries)

Question 23

What system operates mainly on private transactions?

Answer 23

free-market system

Question 24

What operates in part through the influence that firms have with government officials?

Answer 24

corporate power

Question 25

3 branches of government:

Explain each.

Answer 25

Executive = president
Legislative = Congress
Judicial = Supreme Court

Question 26

Who makes the laws (at the federal level) in society?

Answer 26

Congress writes/makes them

President enforces them

Question 27

What is the name of the concept/idea of a society without a government?

Answer 27

State of nature

Question 28

Rule by one:
Rule by few:
Rule by many:

Answer 28

one: royalty
few: aristocracy
many: democracy