Test 1

Question 0

The ruling institution in a society consisting of the government, the police, and the military. The only institution in society with a monopoly of the legitimate use of force.

Answer 0

The State

Question 1

Study and evaluation of political behavior and systems. A tool for studying political behavior

Answer 1

Political Science

Question 2

The control or influence that a person or group has on the behavior of others

Answer 2

Political power

Question 3

Structures and systems by which decisions or rules are determined and enforced for all members of society

Answer 3

Government

Question 4

The process of seeking and effectively using power. Process of determining who gets what, when, and how (Harold Lasswell)

Answer 4

Politics

Question 5

A system if analysis which views the political and economic systems as interdependent, a single integrated whole, within which no meaningful boundaries can be drawn

Answer 5

Political economy

Question 6

Legitimacy- authority to use power because of rightness

Answer 6

Bases of political power

Question 7

Tradition, Charisma, and Legality

Answer 7

Sources of legitimacy

Question 8

A particular group of interrelated elements, performing activities resulting in decision-making, and ultimately in public policy. public policy applies to an entire public

Answer 8

The political system

Question 9

Process by which individuals acquire political attitudes and opinions. Environmental factors, and other individuals are influential in this process

Answer 9

Political socialization

Question 10

Fundamental set of practices- “contract”, set of rules and regulations. Does not need to be written in one concise document (e.g.,Great Britain)

Answer 10

Constitution

Question 11

Was ratified by the State Legislatures: A constitution has to have a political philosophy. Based primarily on Locke’s philosophy. Also to a certain extent on Montesquieu and Rousseau

Answer 11

US Constitution

Question 12

Some concepts in the US Constitutional framework.

Answer 12

Popular Sovereignty. Republican form of govt. Separation of powers. Checks and balances.

Question 13

• Refers to the way in which values are politically expressed.
• Refers to the manner in which policy is determined.
• Refers to the means by which political power is distributed in society.
• Policy decisions of govt rest upon the freely given consent of the governed.

Answer 13

Democracy

Question 14

A competitive political system in which competing leaders and organizations define the alternatives of public policy in such a way that the public can participate in the decision making process

Answer 14

Working defn of Democracy

Question 15

Models of US Democracy

Answer 15

Pluralist Model; Power Elite Model: Radical Elite Perspective, Conservative Elite Perspective, Marxist Model

Question 16

A representative democracy composed of a wide diversity of organized interest groups- farmers, laborers, business owners, ethnic groups, etc- that compete with one another to influence public policy through lobbying, propaganda, education, voting, etc.
Robert Dahl: power is widely dispersed among these interest groups. The serve as a “transmission belt” for the peoples’ interests to the govt policy makers

Answer 16

Pluralist Model

Question 17

C. Wright Mills. Most important policies are decided by a unified “power elite” drawn from corporate leaders, a few key political leaders and top military officers. Elections are generally a facade to make the public think they have power

Answer 17

Power Elite Model

Question 18

Democracy for the few (the elite) is not true democracy and must be transformed into democracy for the many. Strategies include political organization, mass demonstrations, peaceful protests, education, voting and taking part in elections. Can be made meaningful- not all a facade

Answer 18

Radical Elite Perspective

Question 19

The elites rule and dominate the US Political System, but that this is natural in all historical societies, including democracies. Elites are the most qualified to rule because they are the most educated, the most tolerant (of a diversity of political opinions) and more capable than the masses. Thomas Dye and Harmon Ziegler.

Answer 19

Conservative Elite Perspective

Question 20

Illustrated by the early New England town govt’s in which all adult males (citizens) met together to discuss and vote upon community matters. Originally a political experiment based on Puritan Theological Doctrine.

Answer 20

Direct Democracy

Question 21

Life, Liberty, Property. Could not be abridged by any political state; the state existed solely for protecting these rights

Answer 21

Natural Rights

Question 22

Assumptions of Democracy

Answer 22

1.Rationality and Self-Interest: natural laws-natural rights. Govt for the people or individual 2. Social Contract, right to revolution 3. Majority rule 4. Minority rights 5. Constitutionalism and limited govt 6. Equality

Question 23

“Ambition made to counteract ambition”. System of checks and balances (Montesquieu)

Answer 23

Dispersion of power

Question 24

Democracy does not flourish in its true sense in a society of extreme concentration of wealth and power.

Answer 24

Dispersion of Economic and Social Power

Question 25

Voters can make laws

Answer 25

Initiative

Question 26

Factors of maintenance of democratic govt

Answer 26

1.Dispersion of power 2. Dispersion of economics social power 3. Free & frequent elections, universal suffrage, secret ballot 4. The organized opposition 5. The open forum 6. Universal education