Lesson 2

Question 1

Refers to institutions that make decisions for society

Answer 1

Government

Question 2

What 4 parts make up the Government?

Answer 2

1) presidency
2) congress
3) courts
4) bureaucracy

Question 3

Refers to the organized struggle for power and control over and within these institutions

Answer 3

Politics

Question 4

What does government do? (5)

Answer 4

1) maintain national defense
2) provide public goods: parks, roads, schools, clean air/water
3) provide order
4) socialize citizens
5) collect taxes

Question 5

Why do citizens engage in different forms of political participation?

Answer 5

To influence the decisions government makes(these decisions become policy)

Question 6

How is policy made?

Answer 6

Through the policy making system–this system starts and ends with the people

Question 7

What are the 4 definitions of democracy

Answer 7

1) A form of government of which the founders were deeply suspicious
2) Government of the people, for the people, and by the people
3) One person, one vote
4) A means of selecting policymakers and organizing government, so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences

Question 8

What 6 criteria are essential for an ideal democratic process?

Answer 8

1) equality in voting
2) proper representation
3) free press and free speech
4) citizen control of the policy agenda
5) availability of citizenship
6) the practice of majority rule and the protection of minority rights

Question 9

What is this an example of?: 80% of americans support capital punishment, but supreme court claims the practice is unconstitutional and stops it

Answer 9

Protection of minority rights

Question 10

What are the 3 theories explaining how American democracy actually works?

Answer 10

1) pluralism
2) hyper-pluralism
3) elitism

Question 11

There Are many groups in society that successfully influence the making of policy

Answer 11

Pluralism

Question 12

Too many groups compete for influence over policy. Politicians try to serve all groups. Gridlock or confusing policy result

Answer 12

Hyper-pluralism

Question 13

The rich, powerful, and well connected influence policy. The average citizen has no real voice

Answer 13

Elitism

Question 14

What are the five elements of political culture shape american democracy ?

Answer 14

1) Liberty
2) Egalitarianism
3) Individualism
4) Capitalism(free market)
5) Populism: common man is supreme

Question 15

individualism

Answer 15

• Algerism: rags to riches

- boot strapping ideology: self-reliance

Question 16

What is a central question in american democracy? (3 parts)

Answer 16

How hands on should government be? How much or little do we want it to do? What should be its scope?

Question 17

What is the current scope of government in america(through an economic lens)?

Answer 17

1) government spends 30% of GDP
2) the national gov. spends $3.5trill annually
3) GDP is $18trill
4) national debt is $19trill

Question 18

What is GDP?

Answer 18

Gross domestic product: value of everything produced in 1 year