US Chapter 4

Question 1

Americans for Democratic Action

Answer 1

The best known pressure group for contemporary liberalism

Question 2

Classical liberalism

Answer 2

A view, dating from the nineteenth century that government should play a minimal role in society and should permit maximum economic freedom for the individual

Question 3

Conservatism

Answer 3

A defense of the political and economic status quo against forces of change, holding that established customs, laws, and traditions should guide society

Question 4

Contract theory

Answer 4

Theory holding that the state gains its legitimacy from the consent of the governed and is formed primarily to protect the rights of individuals to life, liberty, and property

Question 5

Democratic socialism

Answer 5

• Public ownership of basic industries, banks, agricultural enterprises, and communications systems
• Wage and price controls
• Redistribution of wealth to achieve true economic equality
• Expanded welfare programs

Question 6

Industrial policy

Answer 6

Proposals for partnership in economic decision-making among government officials, corporate leaders, union officials, and public interest groups

Question 7

Laissez-faire economics

Answer 7

French for “leave things alone”; the view in economics that government should not interfere in the workings of the economy

Question 8

Liberalism

Answer 8

A ideology that regards the individual as a rational being capable of overcoming obstacles to a better world and supporting changes in the political and economic status quo

Question 9

Libertarianism

Answer 9

• Minimal government
• Protection of property rights and freedom of individuals
• No governmental regulation of the economy
• Non-interventionist foreign policy
• Drastic reduction in defense spending

Question 10

Neoconservatism

Answer 10

• Skepticism of government’s ability to solve social and economic problems
• Acceptance of a modest welfare state
• Opposition to racial and gender quotas to redress discrimination
• Creation, not redistribution of wealth
• Assertive foreign policy

Question 11

Neoliberalism

Answer 11

A pragmatic form of liberalism that emphasizes such beliefs as:

• promotion of wealth rather than its redistribution
• reform of military practices rather than the simple reduction of military spending
• free trade
• reform in entitlement spending

Question 12

Progressivism

Answer 12

An urban reform movement of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth centuries influential for Roosevelt and Wilson that called for:

• direct primaries
• restrictions on corporations
• improved public services
• ban on child labor
• regulation of banks and corporations

Question 13

Social Darwinism

Answer 13

A set of ideas applying Charles Darwin’s theory of biological evolution to society and holding that social relationships occur within a struggle for survival in which only the fittest survive

Question 14

Populism

Answer 14

Democratization of government; Economic reform

Question 15

Contemporary liberalism

Answer 15

• Solving problems collectively through government
• Programs that provide economic well-being of nation
• Tolerance of various lifestyles
• Believe in strong central government

Question 16

Early American Conservatism

Answer 16

• Sanctify private property
• Distrust of unchecked popular rule
• Duty of government to promote healthy economic environment and virtuous citizenry

Question 17

Industrial Age Conservatism

Answer 17

• Laissez-faire economy
• Individualism
• Social Darwinism
• Ideology of America’s business class

Question 18

Contemporary Conservatism

Answer 18

• Reduce spending on social programs
• Strong military defense
• Little positive action to redress racial and gender discrimination
• revamping of tax policies to encourage economic growth