Chapter 1 - Understanding American Politics

Question 1

define plurality in voting

Answer 1

when three or more things are being voted on, whichever number is the biggest, even if it does not reach 50% of the total

Question 2

define majority in voting

Answer 2

more than half of the voting 50%+1

Question 3

define supermajority in voting

Answer 3

any value that is more than 50%, refers more to a specific fraction or a percentage like three-fourths (3/4)

Question 4

How do you find the percentage point?

Answer 4

The absolute difference between two percentages. like from 10% to 15% is a 5 PERCENTAGE POINT increase

Question 5

Define Percent in voting

Answer 5

Expresses a proportion out of 100. from 10% to 15% is a 50% PERCENT increase
([15-10]/10) x100 = 50%

Question 6

which state did donald trump receive the most votes

Answer 6

California

Question 7

what are needed to develop an argument

Answer 7

the goal of identifying patterns, themes, and main points… all to use to help generate my own idea

Question 8

News stories are unbias and contain factual statements

Answer 8

true

Question 9

what is the difference between a primary source and a secondary source?

Answer 9

1. the primary source is a first-hand account or original material
2. secondary source is after the fact

Question 10

What are ways to determine whether an author is an expert?

Answer 10

1. relevant experience
2. awards and honors
3. education degrees
4. licenses and certifications

Question 11

You can only rely on objective sources (T/F)

Answer 11

False, subjective sources can introduce both sides

Question 12

what is democracy?

Answer 12

the ability of people to choose their leaders in free and fair elections

Question 13

what does liberty refer to?

Answer 13

political freedoms and legal rights

Question 14

what are public goods?

Answer 14

services and actions that become available to everyone

Question 15

what is federalism?

Answer 15

the division of power across the federal, state, and national levels of government (different levels)

Question 16

what are free riders

Answer 16

those who benefit from collective actions without making a contribution

Question 17

The Bill of Rights addresses what core American values?

Answer 17

liberty

Question 18

what is the culture war hypothesis?

Answer 18

the conflict over social issues, ie the red states vs the blue states

Question 19

what is the redistributive tax policy?

Answer 19

tax policies that attempt to create greater social equality

Question 20

what is a free market?

Answer 20

am economic system based on competition among businesses without government interference

Question 21

what is ideology?

Answer 21

a cohesive set of ideas and beliefs that allows an individual to organize and evaluate the political world (conservatism, liberalism, libertarianism)

Question 22

what is a presidential system?

Answer 22

separate powers between the legislative and executive branch

Question 23

what is liberty

Answer 23

limits the involvement of the government in one’s life

Question 24

what is the melting pot view?

Answer 24

people should leave their native language and customs behind to assimilate into America

Question 25

what is polity?

Answer 25

ruled by the many

Question 26

What is aristocracy?

Answer 26

ruled by the few

Question 27

what is a liberal (liberalism) view?

Answer 27

stronger government programs and more free market regulations

Question 28

what is a conservative view?

Answer 28

ideology of lower taxes, a free market, and limited government

Question 29

what is a libertarian view?

Answer 29

very LIMITED GOVERNMENT on issues like social welfare, environment, and defunding for education, free speech, abortion, and drugs

Question 30

what are core American values

Answer 30

liberty, equality, democracy

Question 31

what are factions

Answer 31

a group or citizens working towards their interest (now parties)