Final Exam Flashcards
civic ignorance
Civic ignorance refers to a lack of understanding or awareness about the structures, functions, and processes of democratic governance. This can include not knowing how government institutions work, the roles of elected officials, or the rights and responsibilities of citizens. It often leads to disengagement from civic activities and a lack of participation in democratic processes.
negligence
Negligence refers to the failure to take proper care in doing something, which can result in damage or injury to another person.
For example, if a driver is texting while driving and causes an accident, their lack of attention and care would be considered negligence.
wooden headedness
Wooden headedness refers to being thick-headed, dull, or stupid12. It describes someone who is perceived as lacking intelligence or being stubbornly unresponsive to reason.
shortsightedness
It describes a lack of foresight or planning for the future. For example, a company might be criticized for shortsightedness if it focuses only on immediate profits without considering long-term sustainability2.
bone-headedness
Bone-headedness refers to being foolish, stubborn, or lacking intelligence. It describes someone who makes decisions or acts in a way that seems particularly stupid or clumsy12.
For example, if someone repeatedly ignores good advice and makes the same mistake over and over, their behavior might be described as bone-headedness.
cult of ignorance
The term “cult of ignorance” refers to a societal trend where ignorance is celebrated or valued over knowledge and intellectualism. This concept suggests that some people take pride in their lack of knowledge and dismiss expertise and education. It often involves the belief that one’s uninformed opinion is just as valid as well-researched knowledge
citizenship exam
The citizenship exam is a test that individuals must pass to become naturalized citizens of a country. In the context of the United States, the exam is part of the naturalization process and includes two main components:
English Test: This assesses the applicant’s ability to read, write, and speak basic English.
Civics Test: This evaluates the applicant’s knowledge of U.S. history, government, and civic principles. It includes questions about important historical events, the structure of the government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Passing the citizenship exam demonstrates that the applicant has the necessary language skills and understanding of the country’s civic values to become a citizen.
naïve realism
In social psychology, naïve realism refers to the tendency to believe that we see the world objectively, and that people who disagree with us must be uninformed, irrational, or biased
confirmation bias
Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. This cognitive bias leads people to favor information that supports their views while ignoring or dismissing information that contradicts them.
For example, if someone believes that a particular diet is the best for weight loss, they might only pay attention to articles and studies that support this belief and disregard any evidence to the contrary.
third person effect
The third-person effect is a psychological phenomenon where people tend to believe that mass media messages have a greater influence on others than on themselves. This bias leads individual to think that they are less susceptible to media influence compared to others.
For example, you might watch a political ad and think, “This ad won’t change my opinion, but it will probably influence other voters.” This perception can affect behaviors and attitudes, such as supporting censorship or underestimating one’s own susceptibility to persuasive messages
Dunning-Kruger effect
The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias where people with low ability or knowledge in a particular area overestimate their competence. This occurs because they lack the necessary skills to accurately assess their own performance.
For example, someone who is new to playing chess might believe they are much better at the game than they actually are, simply because they don’t yet understand the complexities involved.
intellectual humility
Intellectual humility is the recognition and acceptance of the limits of one’s knowledge and an awareness of one’s fallibility. It involves being open to new ideas, acknowledging mistakes, and understanding that one’s beliefs and opinions might be wrong.
People with intellectual humility are more likely to engage in thoughtful discussions, consider different perspectives, and make better decisions because they are open to learning and growth.
conservativism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that emphasizes the value of traditional institutions, practices, and customs. It generally advocates for maintaining established structures and gradual change rather than abrupt or radical shifts.
Key aspects of conservatism include:
Commitment to Tradition: Valuing long-standing cultural and social norms.
Free Enterprise: Supporting private ownership and minimal government intervention in the economy.
Social Stability: Preferring policies that promote order and stability within society
liberalism
Liberalism is a political and social philosophy that emphasizes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise. Key principles of liberalism include:
Individual Freedom: Advocating for personal autonomy and freedom of choice.
Equality: Promoting equal rights and opportunities for all individuals.
Democracy: Supporting democratic governance and the rule of law.
Free Market: Encouraging economic freedom and minimal government intervention in the economy
libertarianism
Libertarianism is a political philosophy that emphasizes individual liberty, minimal government intervention, and free markets. It advocates for maximizing personal freedom and autonomy, allowing individuals to make their own choices as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others.
Key principles of libertarianism include:
Personal Freedom: The right to live one’s life as one chooses, provided it doesn’t harm others.
Limited Government: The belief that government should have a minimal role, primarily to protect individual rights and maintain order.
Free Markets: Support for economic freedom and minimal regulation, allowing market forces to operate freely
authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a political system characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms. In such systems, individual freedoms are often subordinated to the authority of the state, which is typically controlled by a single leader or a small group.
Key features of authoritarianism include:
Centralized Control: Power is concentrated in the hands of a few, with little to no checks and balances.
Limited Political Pluralism: Political opposition and dissent are often suppressed.
Lack of Civil Liberties: Freedoms such as speech, assembly, and the press are restricted.
Minimal Political Mobilization: Citizens have limited ability to participate in political processes
ying and yang of liberalism and conservativism
The concept of the “yin and yang of liberalism and conservatism” suggests that these two political philosophies complement each other, much like the ancient Chinese symbol of yin and yang, which represents balance and interdependence12.
Liberalism: Often associated with progress, change, and equality. It emphasizes individual rights, social justice, and government intervention to address social inequalities.
Conservatism: Typically linked to tradition, stability, and order. It values established institutions, gradual change, and minimal government interference in personal and economic affairs3.
Together, these ideologies can create a balanced and dynamic society. Liberals push for progress and reform, while conservatives ensure stability and respect for tradition. This balance can lead to a more harmonious and effective governance, where both innovation and continuity are valued.
belief hygiene
Belief hygiene refers to the practice of regularly examining and updating one’s beliefs to ensure they are accurate, rational, and well-founded. Just as personal hygiene involves maintaining cleanliness to prevent illness, belief hygiene involves maintaining a healthy mindset by questioning assumptions, seeking evidence, and being open to new information12.
Practicing belief hygiene can help prevent cognitive biases, misinformation, and the spread of false beliefs, leading to more informed and rational decision-making.
belief myopia
Belief myopia refers to the tendency to focus narrowly on one’s own beliefs and perspectives, often ignoring or dismissing alternative viewpoints and evidence. This can lead to a limited understanding of complex issues and reinforce existing biases.
For example, someone with belief myopia might only seek out information that confirms their preexisting opinions, while disregarding any contradictory evidence.
direct democracy
Direct democracy, also known as pure democracy, is a form of democracy in which all laws and policies are decided by the people themselves, rather than by elected representatives. In this system, citizens have the direct power to make decisions on policy initiatives through mechanisms like referendums and initiatives.
For example, in a direct democracy, a proposed law might be put to a public vote, and if the majority of citizens approve it, the law is enacted. This contrasts with representative democracy, where elected officials make decisions on behalf of the people
representative democracy
Representative democracy, also known as indirect democracy, is a system of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. These elected officials create and vote on laws, policies, and other matters of government, rather than the citizens voting on each issue directly.
In this system, representatives are accountable to the electorate and must act in the best interests of their constituents. Examples of representative democracies include the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany
high propensity voters
High propensity voters are individuals who consistently participate in elections. These voters have a reliable history of voting in various types of elections, including primaries, midterms, local elections, and presidential elections. Campaigns often target high propensity voters because they are more likely to turn out and cast their ballots, making them crucial for election strategies
low propensity voters
Low propensity voters are individuals who are eligible to vote but have a history of infrequent participation in elections. They often skip midterms, primaries, or even general elections. These voters can be challenging to engage due to various factors such as systemic barriers, personal disinterest, or logistical issues like inconvenient polling locations.
Campaigns often target low propensity voters in voter turnout efforts because their participation can significantly impact the outcome of closely contested races
democracy vouchers
Democracy vouchers are a form of public campaign financing designed to increase political participation and reduce the influence of wealthy donors. Here’s how they work:
Issuance: Eligible voters receive a set amount of vouchers or credits from the government.
Donation: Voters can donate these vouchers to political candidates of their choice.
Redemption: Candidates redeem the vouchers for public campaign funds.
This system aims to empower ordinary citizens to participate more in the financing of political campaigns and to help candidates run for office without relying heavily on wealthy donors.
The first implementation of democracy vouchers was in Seattle, Washington, where each registered voter received four $25 vouchers to support municipal candidates