Chapter 1 The Political Landscape

Question 0

An agreement between the people an their government signifying their consent to be governed

Answer 0

Social contract

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Government

Question 2

Document written by the Pilgrims while at sea encumbering the scope of heir government and its expectations of its citizens .

Answer 2

Mayflower Compact

Question 3

The belief that people are free and equal by natural right, and that this in turn requires that all people give their consent to be governed.

Answer 3

Social contract theory

Question 4

Espoused by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and influential in the writing of the declaration if independence .

Answer 4

Social contract theory

Question 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

Answer 5

Direct democracy

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Indirect democracy

Question 7

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

Answer 7

Republic

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Monarchy

Question 9

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 .

Answer 9

Totalitarianism

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Oligarchy

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Democracy

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Political culture

Question 13

A key characteristic of U.S. democracy. Initially meaning freedom from governmental interference, today it includes demands for freedom to engage in a variety of practices without governmental interference or discrimination .

Answer 13

Personal liberty

Question 14

The principle that all citizens are the same in the eyes of the law

Answer 14

Political equality

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Popular consent

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Majority rule

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Popular sovereignty

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Natural law

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Political ideology

Question 20

One who believes that a government is best that governs least and that big government should not infringe on individual, personal, and economic rights .

Answer 20

Conservative

Question 21

One who believes that traditional moral teachings should be supported and furthered by the government

Answer 21

Social conservative

Question 22

One who favors governmental involvement in the economy and in the provision of social services and who takes an activist role in protecting the rights of women, the elderly, minorities, and the environment

Answer 22

Liberal

Question 23

A person who takes a relatively centrist view on most political issues

Answer 23

Moderate

Question 24

One who believes in limited government and no governmental interference in personal liberties

Answer 24

Libertarian

Question 25

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

Answer 25

Politics

Question 26

An American ideal of a happy, successful life, which often includes wealth, a house, a better life for one’s children, and for some the ability to grow up to be president

Answer 26

American dream