Unit 1 Flashcards
What is a Pluralist Democracy?
There are multiple groups competing for power and influence and not a single group that dominates
What are natural rights?
Rights granted to everyone (life, liberty, property)
What day did the Continental Congress sign a petition to King George III declaring independence?
July 4th, 1776
What percentage of people cannot name a single right protected by the First Amendment?
37%
The preamble to the constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
What is a “Social Contract”?
When a group of people sacrifice some of their individual freedoms in exchange for protection from the state
When were the thirteen British colonies rebelling after more than a decade and a half of torture?
1776
How did Hobbes describe human life without government?
“Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”
What are the purposes of government?
- Create order
- Provide Public Services
- Provide for National Security
- Protect Justice and Liberty
What is a Representative (republic) Democracy?
Power from the people through elected representatives
What are the ideals of American Government?
- Protection of natural rights
- Social Contract
- Popular Sovereignty
- Limited Government
- Republicanism
What is mainstream media?
A term used to refer to the large mass news media that influence large numbers of people
What is a “social contract” ?
Humans agreeing to give up their rights in exchange for protection and security
What is ideology?
A set of beliefs used to organize and evaluate the political world
What percentage of people can name all three branches in the government?
26%
What is a Participatory democracy?
Citizens have the power to make policy decisions and politicians are responsible for implementing those
What is a Direct (participatory) democracy?
Power directly from the people
What are politics?
Conflict and struggle over leadership, structure, and policies of government
What is an Elite Democracy?
A small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated make decisions
Types of government
- Autocracy (one ruler)
- Oligarchy (ruled by a group of wealthy people)
What is popular sovereignty?
A government based on the consent of the people
What is a Democratic Government?
A government where the people have the power to rule (either directly or through elected representatives)
What is filtering in mainstream media?
Deciding specific news stories to report
What is Conservative Ideology?
A side of the ideological spectrum, defined by support for less taxes and government involvement
How did Hobbes describe how humans lived before government?
“State of Nature”
The 3 parts of the Declaration of Independence
- Preamble
- List of Grievances
- Resolution for Independence
What day did the Continental Congress approve the thirteen colonies as independent?
July 2nd, 1776
What is framing in mainstream media?
The way a story is presented
What is Libertarian Ideology?
Those who prefer VERY limited government
What is Liberal Ideology?
A side of the ideological spectrum, defined by support for more government involvement
What is limited government?
A government with restriction and limited power
What percentage of people cannot name a branch in the government?
33%
What is political polarization?
Division or conflict that forms major groups in a political system
What is republicanism?
Interests of the people are represented by elected representatives
