Unit 1: Chapters 1-3

Question 1

Maintain Social Order

Answer 1

Setting up a system of expectations for society. Ex. Expect the government to set rules for how people behave, ensuring our daily needs are being met without interference, etc.

Question 2

Provide Public Services

Answer 2

The government provides something that we would struggle to provide for ourselves. Ex. clean water, sewage, public schools, government workers (police, firefighters, etc.), public defenders

Question 3

Provide National Security

Answer 3

We expect the government to protect us from outside threats. Ex. If Canada were to invade our town there’s not a lot that we as citizens can do about it.

Question 4

Manage Conflict

Answer 4

We don;t want vigilantism so we expect the government to manage conflict. Ex. We have options for peaceful conflict resolution. Laws are in place, a Justice System, etc.

Question 5

Establish and Administer Justice

Answer 5

If you are the victim of a crime, justice looks different then if you were the perpetrator. We want a system where if someone breaks the rules they are treated as they should but not to a point where it is a bit much. Ex. Having criminal issues taken care of, therapy, etc.

Question 6

Manage Resources

Answer 6

National Parks (Government sets aside designated land), Economy (managing money), Healthcare (The government designed who was high priority for COVID, Endangered species, natural resources, Managing Pollution, etc.

Question 7

Government

Answer 7

The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies (the things it decides to do)

Question 8

Legislative Power

Answer 8

The power to make law and to frame public policies. Ex. The Congress holds legislative power

Question 9

Executive Power

Answer 9

The power to execute, enforce, and Administer law. Ex. the president is in charge of enforcing the laws

Question 10

Judicial Power

Answer 10

The power to interpret laws, determine their meanings, and settle disputes. Ex. Dictator. The Supreme Court holds Judicial power

Question 11

state

Answer 11

A body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically, and with the power to make and enforces law without the consent of a higher authority (The highest authority). Sovereignty, the authority to make decisions.

Question 12

Nation

Answer 12

An ethnic term referring to a race of people. The people are their government

Question 13

Country

Answer 13

Refers to a specific place in terms of geography

Question 14

Population (A characteristic of a state)

Answer 14

A characteristic of a state. There must be people living in a state

Question 15

Territory (A characteristic of a state)

Answer 15

Land with known and recognized boundaries

Question 16

Sovereignty (A characteristic of a state)

Answer 16

It has supreme and absolute power within its territory. No one can tell them how to rule or reign over a country.

Question 17

Government (A characteristic of a state)

Answer 17

States must be politically organized and have a government that makes and enforces policies

Question 18

Force Theory

Answer 18

One person or small group claims control of an area and forces those inside it to submit to that person or group’s rule. Ex. Using violence or threats of violence to get someone to submit to their rule.

Question 19

Evolutionary Theory

Answer 19

States develop over time from families. Families start with one head of household. As more generations are born, that head becomes the head of many households. Over many generations, this can become a form of president. Ex. The King of England, his mother died so he became the king.

Question 20

Divine Right Theory

Answer 20

God created the state and has given those of royal birth a “divine Right” to rule. The people must obey the ruler as they would God. Ex. Don’t agree with the King? That’s a sin and you’re going to hell (after a beheading). Challenging this notion in the 17th century have rise to many ideas about modern democracy

Question 21

Social Contract Theory

Answer 21

The state exists because of the people. The state exists only to serve the will of the people, who are the sole source of political power. The people are free to give or withhold any power they choose. The only reason there is a monarch or government is because the people want it, so they create a contract where they do what the people like to do, and the people have the right to get rid of the government whenever.

Question 22

3 ways to classify a form of government

Answer 22

Who can participate, geographic distribution of government power within the state, relationship between the legislative and executive branches

Question 23

Democracy

Answer 23

“government of the people , by the people, for the people.” The government must have the consent of the people

Question 24

Direct Democracy

Answer 24

Democracy decisions are made directly by the people themselves. The entire country votes on everything.
Biggest Concern: Congress passes 400-700 laws every year, and each is over 100 pgs long. It takes a lot of time and effort and the people would get tired of voting. They wouldn’t be very educated
Biggest Advantage: Majority rules, so the majority of the people will be satisfied with what decisions are being made

Question 25

Representative Democracy

Answer 25

The people choose a small group to act as their representatives and express the public will. The people hold elections to choose a smaller group of people who are representatives: school board, senate, majors, etc. Pros: If we disagree with what someone is doing we can vote in someone new Cons: As communities grow it gets more difficult to represent the people, tough to represent big groups accurately

Question 26

Dictatorship

Answer 26

Those who rule are not responsible for the will of the people. The dictator gets to do what they want, and the people under them don’t get to say anything about it. All dictatorships are authoritarian - those in power hold absolute and unchallenged authority over the people

Question 27

Autocracy

Answer 27

Single person holds power, UNCHALLENGEABLE authority. Most dictatorships are an autocracy

Question 28

Oligarchy

Answer 28

Small group (self appointed elites) holds the power. Rare because the kind of person who wants to be a dictator does not want to rule with others, not together

Question 29

Unitary Government

Answer 29

All power is held by a single, central government body. One branch of government makes all the decisions. Cons: There are no checks and balances, a government can become a dictatorship real quick Pros: Makes decisions faster Ex. England’s parliament

Question 30

Federal Government

Answer 30

Powers of government are divided between: a central government and several local governments. Has a national government for national problems and has a local government for local problems (fixing potholes, etc.) Pros: Only the government can declare war, one state cannot start a war for the entire country

Question 31

Confederate Government

Answer 31

An alliance of independent states in which a central organization only has the powers assigned to it by the States. It is difficult because most countries don’t agree to share power like that. Made up of Independent nationals/states that make their own laws and do everything that an independent nation does. But on some issues they are unified and make decisions together Ex. The European Union: Visas, currency

Question 32

Presidential Government

Answer 32

Legislative and Executive branches are independent and equal. One branch typically has some power to limit others. Always separation of powers, a division between those with Legislative power and Executive power. Usually a check and balance system Ex. Only Congress can write laws, Only the President has the right to enforce laws.

Question 33

Parliamentary Government

Answer 33

The executive branch is chosen from and by the legislative branch. The executive branch gets its power from the legislature, and only holds office as long as it has the confidence of the legislature Ex. England has had issues with their Parliament, and they lost confidence in the early prime minister. Since they lost confidence in the Prime Minister they can hold a vote of no confidence and kick out the prime minister

Question 34

Comparative Economic Systems

Answer 34

Related to state economics, not government

Question 35

Capitalism: Free enterprise

Answer 35

Entrepreneurs use land, ideas, and capital ($) to produce goods and services. Consumers validate these decisions by buying or not buying the goods and services. Entrepreneurs decide what they want to sell, the people decide what to buy, and the government does NOTHING. Has a Mixed Economy Fundamentals Elements: Private ownership of goods, individual initiative, profit, and COMPETITION

Question 36

Mixed Economy

Answer 36

The government intervenes to promote and regulate the economy

Question 37

Socialism

Answer 37

Government strives for social and economic equality for all members of society. Cooperation and social responsibility lead of equal distribution of wealth and opportunity. Government ownership or regulation of industry, high taxes, generous public welfare programs. HAS GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT Pros: It gives people equal opportunities Cons: If you earned a high position because you work hard you wouldn’t feel motivated to work if all of your money from taxes was given to someone who doesn’t work hard

Question 38

Communism

Answer 38

Follow Marx’s work on socialism, but with an emphasis on gaining power through violent revolution and class struggle. A strong central government owns all industry and land and plants, all parts of the economy. The government dictates EVERYTHINGGGGGGGGG. Another name for communism is a command economy Cons: It takes away from the expertise from people, if you are amazing at one thing, but the government needs more farmers, you will be forced to do whatever the government wants you to do

Question 39

Worth of the individual (Basic Concepts of Democracy)

Answer 39

Each individual is a separate and distinct being, regardless of culture, monetary status, etc.. the government has to recognize that people are different, you need to treat each person fairly. Ex. You shouldn’t tax red heads more than others without red hair

Question 40

Equality of all persons (Basic Concepts of Democracy)

Answer 40

All are entitled to equality of opportunity and equality before the law. Every individual should be equally significant to the government. Ex. Every vote should count the same, whether you are rich or not

Question 41

Minority rule, Minority rights (Basic Concepts of Democracy)

Answer 41

Faith in the majority to make the right decision most of the time, and insistence on minority rights. Majority rule, majority is most of the time correct, when voting they go with what the most amount of people want. But it doesn’t mean that the minority is wrong, and they should be respected for their perspective. Talking about popular and unpopular ideas RESPECT

Question 42

Necessity of compromise (Basic Concepts of Democracy)

Answer 42

Decision making is a matter of give-and-take amongst competing interests. When we make decisions we need to compromise, everyone should leave feelings like they are okay with the decision that was might, even if it’s not their ideal final solution

Question 43

Individual Freedom (Basic Concepts of Democracy)

Answer 43

Everyone is free to do as they please as far as the freedom of all will allow. “The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.” People need the right to pursue what makes them happy, if there are too many things that you can’t do, then it wouldn’t be a real democracy