test drive Flashcards
What does the term government describe?
The means by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority to accomplish collective goals and provide benefits
What are some common goals that governments seek to accomplish?
- Economic prosperity
- Secure national borders
- Safety and well-being of citizens
What type of benefits do governments commonly provide?
- Education
- Health care
- Infrastructure for transportation
What does the term politics refer to?
The process of gaining and exercising control within a government to set and achieve particular goals
How are governmental systems sometimes confused with economic systems?
Certain types of political thought or governmental organization are closely related to specific economic systems
Who proposed the idea of natural rights to life, liberty, and property?
John Locke
What is the basis for industrial capitalism as discussed by Adam Smith?
The belief that people should be free to acquire property and operate businesses without government control
What year was ‘The Wealth of Nations’ published?
1776
What is the relationship between democracy and capitalism in the United States?
Representative government and capitalism developed together, often equating democracy with capitalism
True or False: Democracy and capitalism must always coexist.
False
What is socialism?
An economic system where the means of generating wealth are owned by the government
What are some examples of public goods provided by the government?
- National security
- Public education
- Public transportation
- Mail service
What are private goods?
Goods that are provided by private businesses and are available only to those who can pay
What distinguishes public goods from toll goods?
Public goods are available to all without charge, while toll goods require payment for access
Fill in the blank: Goods that all people may use free of charge but that are of limited supply are called _______.
common goods
What is sustainability in the context of common goods?
The idea of protecting resources to ensure future generations have access
What role does government play in regulating access to common goods?
To ensure sustainable use and prevent depletion of resources
What are the three levels of government mentioned that allocate funds for services?
- Local
- State
- National
What is the primary purpose of laws passed by government bodies?
To maintain order and ensure the efficient functioning of society
What does the process of politics involve?
Choosing which values government will support and which policies it will pursue
True or False: Only certain citizens can participate in government in Western democracies.
False
What is a toll good?
Goods that are available to many people, but only if they can pay the price
What might a government do if it supports the ideal of egalitarianism?
Raise taxes to spend more on public services like education and housing for the poor
How does government fund the provision of public goods and services?
Through taxes collected from citizens
