terms

Question 1

Political science

Answer 1

the systematic study of government and politics

Question 2

political culture

Answer 2

v

Question 3

Liberty

Answer 3

Individuals should be free to act as they choose

Question 4

Individualism

Answer 4

The individual is paramount; government is secondary

Question 5

Equality

Answer 5

European aristocratic privilege versus American equal treatment under the law

Question 6

Self-government

Answer 6

Vision of a self governing nation with powers “…from the consent of the governed”

Question 7

Pluralism

Answer 7

the preferences of special interests largely determine what government does

Question 8

Constitutionalism

Answer 8

idea that there are lawful restrictions on government’s power

Question 9

Elitism

Answer 9

power exercised by the influential few

Question 10

free-market system

Answer 10

Operates mainly on private transactions
Some government intervention through regulatory, taxing, and spending policies
Tax rate much lower in U.S. than in European countries

Question 11

Philosophy of John Locke

Answer 11

Inalienable (natural) rights: life, liberty, and property

Social contract: government has responsibility to preserve rights

Question 12

Thomas Jefferson

Answer 12

“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
“All men are created equal”
Just powers derive from the consent of the governed

Question 13

Articles of Confederation

Answer 13

Adopted during the Revolutionary War
Created weak national government
States retained “sovereignty, freedom and independence”
Prohibited Congress from interfering in states’ commerce policies
Prohibited Congress from taxation
Needed unanimous consent of states to approve amendments

Question 14

Unitary

Answer 14

: national government is sovereign

Question 15

Confederacy

Answer 15

: states are sovereign

Question 16

Federal system:

Answer 16

national government and states share power

Question 17

The argument for federalism

Answer 17

Authority divided into two levels: national and state
Protects liberty
Moderates government power by sharing
Strengthens the union
Promotes more responsive government

Question 18

enumerated powers

Answer 18

Seventeen powers, including measures for secure defense and stable commerce
Supremacy clause

Question 19

implied powers

Answer 19

“Necessary and proper” = “elastic” clause: make laws in support of enumerated powers

Question 20

reserved powers

Answer 20

powers not delegated to the national government are reserved for the states