Learning Objectives 1

Question 1

LO1

define globalization and explain how it affects american politics and government

Answer 1

we live in an era of globalization- a term for the increasing interdependence of citizens and nations across the world. globalization infringes on national sovereignty, the right of governments to govern their people as they wish. global forces generate pressures for economic trade, observance of human rights and governance by international law. more than ever before, foreign affairs affect amercian government and american politics affects government in other nations.

Question 2

LO2

indentify the purposes that government serves and trace their historical roots

Answer 2

government requires citizens to surrender some freedom as part of being governed. people do so to obtain the benefits of government. maintaining order, providing piblic goods and equality

Question 3

LO3

Describe how political scientists use concepts to structure events and promote understanding

Answer 3

political concepts are generalized ideas about government and politics. they provide broader views than those offered by examining specific political events. our conceptual framework consists of five concepts organized into 2 groups. concepts that identify values pursued by government: freedom, order and equality and concepts that describe models of democratic government: majoritarian and pluralist democracy.

Question 4

LO4

define freedom order and equality and discuss the various interpretations of each value

Answer 4

the terms freedom, order and equality have varied connotations in american politics. freedom and equality are positive terms that mean different things to different people at different times. order has negative connotations for many because it symobolized government intrusion into private lives. freedom can be used in two major senses: freedom of and freedom from. we use it in the “freedom of” sense. freedom of speech means freedom to speak. order in politics means more than preserving life and property: it also means established patterns of authority in society and traditional modes of behavior. equality in politics can be viewed narrowly as political equality or as social equality. it can be viewed as equality of opportunity or of outcome.

Question 5

LO5

analyze the inherent conflicts between freedom versus order and freedom versus equality

Answer 5

the conflict between the values of freedom and order represents the original dilemma of government. the modern dilemma of politics is the conflict between the values of freedom and equality.

Question 6

LO6

distinguish among these terms: totalitarianism. socialism, capitalism, libertarianism and anarchism

Answer 6

conservatives may want less government but they are willing to use the governments coercive power to impose social order.

liberals willing to use coercive power of government but for the purpose of promoting equality.

libertarians choose freedom over both order and equality

communitarians are willing to sacrifice freedom for both order and equality

Question 7

LO7

explain how liberals, conservatives, libertarians and communitarians view the role of government

Answer 7

in popular usage, liberals favor more government and conservatives less. that is, liberals support a broader role for government than do conservatives. liberals and conservatives mainly quarrel over the purpose of government action.

conservatives may want less government but they are willing to use the governments coercive power to impose social order.

liberals willing to use coercive power of government but for the purpose of promoting equality.

libertarians choose freedom over both order and equality

communitarians are willing to sacrifice freedom for both order and equality