"We The People" - Chapter 5

Question 1

Define: Public Opinion

Answer 1

“citizens’ attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events”

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Question 2

Define: Values (or beliefs)

Answer 2

“basic principles that shape a person’s opinions about political issues and events”

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Question 3

Define: Attitude (or opinion)

Answer 3

“a specific preference on a particular issue”

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Question 4

Define: Liberty

Answer 4

“freedom from governmental control”

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Question 5

Define: Equality of Opportunity

Answer 5

“a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential”

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Question 6

Define: Democracy

Answer 6

“a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials”

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Question 7

Define: Political Ideology

Answer 7

“a cohesive set of beliefs that forms a general philosophy about the role of government”

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Question 8

Fill in the Blank: “In America today, a variety of ideologies compete for attention and support, but two are dominant: ___ and ___.”

Answer 8

liberalism; conservatism

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Question 9

Question: What is a liberal in classical political theory?

Answer 9

“In classical political theory, a liberal was someone who favored individual initiative and was suspicious of governments and their ability to manage economic and social affairs…”

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Question 10

Question: What is social liberalism?

Answer 10

“recognition that government action might be needed to preserve individual liberty.”

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Question 11

Question: What is a liberal in today’s terms?

Answer 11

“today this term refers to those who generally support social and political reform; governmental intervention in the economy and more economic equality; the expansion of federal social services; and greater concern for consumers and the environment”

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Question 12

“In international affairs, liberals often support…”

Answer 12

“arms control, aid to poor nations, and international organization such as the United Nations and the European Union…”

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Question 13

Question: What do conservatives support?

Answer 13

“Conservatives generally support the social and economic status quo and are suspicious of efforts to introduce new political formulae and economic arrangements.”

“In terms of social policy, many conservatives support school prayer and traditional family arrangements, and are concerned about law and order.”

“In international affairs, conservatism has come to mean support for military intervention and the maintenance of American military power.”

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Question 14

Question: What do conservatives believe about a large and powerful government?

Answer 14

Conservatives “… believe strongly that a large and powerful government poses a threat to the freedom of individual citizens.”

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Question 15

Question: What do conservatives oppose?

Answer 15

“Conservatives generally oppose the expansion of governmental activity, asserting that solutions to social and economic problems can and should be developed in the private sector.”

“Conservatives particularly oppose efforts to impose government regulation on business, maintaining that regulation frequently leads to economic inefficiency, is costly, and can ultimately lower the entire nation’s standard of living.”

“… conservatives generally oppose abortion, same-sex marriage, and the use of mandatory school busing to achieve the racial integration of schools.”

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Question 16

Remember: “More Americans identify themselves as ‘conservatives’ than ‘liberals’.”

Answer 16

Remember: “More Americans identify themselves as ‘conservatives’ than ‘liberals’.”

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Question 17

Remember: Do American’s trust the government?

Answer 17

No.

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Question 18

Define: Political Socialization

Answer 18

Political socialization is “the induction of individuals into the political culture; learning the underlying beliefs and values on which the political system is based.”

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Question 19

Define: Agents of Socialization

Answer 19

Agents of socialization is “social institutions, including families and schools, that help to shape individuals’ basic political beliefs and values.”

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Question 20

Question: Do parents influence their children’s political views?

Answer 20

Yes. “Children are socialized into political environments in ways large and small, from attending political rallies with their parents to hearing off-hand comments at the dinner table.”

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Question 21

Remember: Social groups influence political values and views, such as race, socio-economic status, and gender.

Answer 21

Remember: Social groups influence political values and views, such as race, socio-economic status, and gender.

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Question 22

Define: Gender Gap

Answer 22

Gender Gap: “a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men”

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Question 23

Remember: “One of the major differences between college graduates and other Americans is that higher levels of education are associated with greater involvement in politics. College graduates are more likely to vote, join campaigns, take part in protests, and generally make their voices heard.”

Answer 23

Remember: “One of the major differences between college graduates and other Americans is that higher levels of education are associated with greater involvement in politics. College graduates are more likely to vote, join campaigns, take part in protests, and generally make their voices heard.”

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