Chapter 1-Roots, Context, and Culture

Question 1

Monarchy

Answer 1

A form of government in which power is vested in hereditary kings and queens who govern in the interest of all.

Question 2

Totalitarianism

Answer 2

A form of government in which power resides in a leader who rules according to self-interest and without regard for individual rights and liberties.

Question 3

Oligarchy

Answer 3

A form of government in which the right to participate depends on the possession of wealth, social status, military position, or achievement.

Question 4

Democracy

Answer 4

A system of government that gives power to the people, whether directly or through elected representatives.

Question 5

Direct Democracy

Answer 5

A system of government in which members of the polity meet to discuss all policy decisions and then agree to abide by majority rule.

Question 6

Indirect Democracy

Answer 6

A system of government that gives citizens the opportunity to vote for representatives who work on their behalf.

Question 7

Republic

Answer 7

A government rooted in the consent of the governed; a representative or indirect democracy.

Question 8

Politics Culture

Answer 8

Commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate.

Question 9

Personal Liberty

Answer 9

A key characteristic of US democracy.

Initially meaning freedom from governments interferences, today it includes demands for freedom to engage in a variety of practices without governmental interference.

Question 10

Political Equality

Answer 10

The principal that all citizens are the same in the eyes of the law.

Question 11

Popular Consent

Answer 11

The principal that governments must draw their powers from the consent of the governed.

Question 12

Majority Rule

Answer 12

The central premise of direct democracy in which only policies that collectively garner the support of a majority of voters will be made into law.

Question 13

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 13

The notion that the ultimate authority in society rests with the people.

Question 14

Natural Law

Answer 14

A doctrine that society should be governed by certain ethnical principles that are part of nature and, as such, can be understood by reason.

Question 15

Political Identity

Answer 15

The coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government held by groups and individuals.

Question 16

Conservative

Answer 16

One who favors limited government intervention, particularly in economic affairs.

Question 17

Social Conservative

Answer 17

One who believes that the government should support and further traditional moral teachings.

Question 18

Government

Answer 18

The formal vehicle through which policies are made and affairs of state are conducted.

Question 19

Liberal

Answer 19

One who favors greater government intervention, particularly in economic affairs and in the provision of social services.

Question 20

Moderate

Answer 20

A person who takes a relatively centrist or middle-of-the-road view on most political issues.

Question 21

Statist

Answer 21

One who believes in extensive government control of personal and economic liberties.

Question 22

Libertarian

Answer 22

One who believes in limited government interference in personal and economic liberties.

Question 23

Politics

Answer 23

The study of who gets what, when, and how-or how policy decisions are made.

Question 24

American Dream

Answer 24

An American idea of a happy, successful life, which often includes wealth, a house, a better life for one’s children, and, for some, the opportunity to grow up to be President.