Chapter 4 Questions

Question 1

Americans are more likely than the French or British to believe that everyone should be politically equal and less likely to think that it is important that everyone be economically equal. What do these differing views reflect?

Answer 1

Differences in the countries’ political cultures

Question 2

Which of these statements best fits the way most Americans view liberty?

Answer 2

People should be free to do as they please as long as they don’t hurt anyone.

Question 3

Which of the five important elements of the American view of the political system do some individuals use to argue against welfare programs?

Answer 3

individual responsibility

Question 4

Though equality is a foundational American value, Americans denied political equality to African Americans for generations. What helps to explain this contradiction?

Answer 4

Self-interest and social circumstances

Question 5

Why do significant conflicts over policy persist even though Americans share a common political culture?

Answer 5

Differing interpretations of beliefs

Question 6

Which personal characteristics often result in differing interpretations of political values?

Answer 6

age and education

Question 7

How do typical American economic values reflect the American belief in liberty?

Answer 7

most americans support free enterprise

Question 8

Why do the leaders of some left-leaning groups support preferential hiring and promotion practices for minorities and women?

Answer 8

They believe the disadvantages minorities and women face are the result of inequalities in the economic system rather than flaws in the individuals.

Question 9

Compared to citizens of other nations, Americans are most likely to believe in what value?

Answer 9

hard work

Question 10

Compared to citizens of Sweden, Americans are more likely to do what?

Answer 10

Challenge governmental decisions in court

Question 11

Compared to citizens of Japan, what value are Americans more likely to emphasize?

Answer 11

competition

Question 12

A classic study of political culture found that, of the five nations the study examined, the citizens of what country had the strongest sense of civic duty?

Answer 12

the united states

Question 13

In what area of political participation do Americans consistently lag behind many European countries?

Answer 13

voter participation

Question 14

Which of these is a good example of civic competence?

Answer 14

Voting because you believe your vote can make a difference

Question 15

Why are Americans more likely than citizens of many other Western democracies to accept income inequalities?

Answer 15

Americans value equality of opportunity more than equality of outcome.

Question 16

Compared to the average European, the average American is more likely to have what orientation toward religion?

Answer 16

The average American is more likely to acknowledge clear standards of right and wrong.

Question 17

In 2002, Americans showed the importance they place on religion when they protested a federal appeals court attempt to ban what?

Answer 17

the pledge of allegiance

Question 18

What strain of Protestantism was especially dominant around the time of the writing of the U.S. Constitution?

Answer 18

Puritanism

Question 19

Which of the following characterizes Max Weber’s Protestant ethic?

Answer 19

hard work

Question 20

Which of the following is the primary source of U.S. political party affiliation?

Answer 20

family

Question 21

In the United States, most people, regardless of their job, think of themselves as belonging to what socioeconomic group?

Answer 21

the middle class

Question 22

An American who belongs to the orthodox cultural class holds what belief?

Answer 22

Morality is as important as, or more important than, self-expression.

Question 23

Two opposing views exist about the importance of the culture war. One view holds that it is a myth perpetuated by political leaders and the media. Which of these statements describes the rival view?

Answer 23

More and more people are choosing party affiliations based on the party’s position on moral issues.

Question 24

What explains the unusually high confidence Americans had in their government in the 1950s?

Answer 24

americans expected far less of the government

Question 25

According to scholar Robert Putnam, what determines the level of trust among members of a community?

Answer 25

social capital