Chapter 1.1: American Government and Civic Engagement - What is Government?

Egalitarianism

________ (calls for equal treatment for all and the destruction of socioeconomic inequalities): government may raise taxes in order to be able to spend more money on public education, public transportation, housing for the poor, and care for the elderly.

Adam Smith

Although ________ theorized that capitalism would lead to prosperity for all, this has not necessarily been the case.

Politics

________: the process of gaining and exercising control within a government for the purpose of setting and achieving particular goals, especially those related to the division of resources within a nation.

Significant gaps

________ in wealth between the owners of major businesses, industries, and financial institutions and those who work for others in exchange for wages exist in many capitalist nations.

Civic engagement

________: the participation that connects citizens to government.

Oligarchy

________: only members of a certain political party or ruling elite can participate in government.

Americans

The market provides many goods and services needed by ________.

Fish

________ are one of the many common goods in which the government regulates access.

Political power

________: influence over institutions, leaders, and policies.

North Korea

________ is a notable example of a totalitarian government.

Individualism

________: government may choose to "relax "regulations on business and industry or to cut taxes so that people have more money to invest in business.

private individuals

The means of generating wealth (such as factories, large farms, and banks) are owned by the government instead of ________.

monarchy

In a(n) ________, one ruler (usually a hereditary ruler) holds the political power.

Representative democracy

________: citizens do not govern directly - they elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on behalf of all the people.

Local level

________: funds are allotted for education, police and fire departments, and maintenance of public parks.

Majority rule

________: the opinions of the majority of the people have more influence with government than those of the minority.

Socialism

________: an alternative economic system.

Civic engagement

________ is a vital ingredient of politics.

Government

________: the means by which a society organizes itself and how it allocates (distributes) authority in order to accomplish collective goals and provide benefits that the society as a whole needs.

Politics

________ involves choosing which values government will support and which it will not:

Democracy

________: a government in which political power rests in the hands of the people.

Government

the means by which a society organizes itself and how it allocates (distributes) authority in order to accomplish collective goals and provide benefits that the society as a whole needs

Politics

the process of gaining and exercising control within a government for the purpose of setting and achieving particular goals, especially those related to the division of resources within a nation

Democracy

a political system in which people govern themselves

As a result, great wealth can give a very small minority great influence over the government

this presents as a greater influence than that held by the majority of the population

Socialism

an alternative economic system

Oligarchy

only members of a certain political party or ruling elite can participate in government

Example

In China, the government is run by members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

Example

Food, clothing, and housing are provided in ample supply by private businesses; in turn, these businesses earn a profit

Like goods (and services), one can categorize schooling into two separate groups

public and private

Common goods

goods that all people may use free of charge but that are of limited supply

Local level

funds are allotted for education, police and fire departments, and maintenance of public parks

State level

funds are allotted for state colleges and universities, maintenance of state roads and bridges, and wildlife management, among other priorities

National level

funds are allotted for defense, Social Security, pensions for veterans, maintenance of federal courts and prisons, and management of national parks

Example

in the United States

Example

Western democracies protect citizens freedom of speech and the press

Individualism

government may choose to "relax" regulations on business and industry or to cut taxes so that people have more money to invest in business

Egalitarianism (calls for equal treatment for all and the destruction of socioeconomic inequalities)

government may raise taxes in order to be able to spend more money on public education, public transportation, housing for the poor, and care for the elderly

Civic engagement

the participation that connects citizens to government

Democracy

a government in which political power rests in the hands of the people

Political power

influence over institutions, leaders, and policies

Majority rule

the opinions of the majority of the people have more influence with government than those of the minority

Example

If the number of elected representatives who favor a proposed law is greater than those who oppose it, the law will be enacted

In a direct democracy

people participate directly in making government decisions

Examples

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates

Oligarchy

a form of government in which a handful of elite members of society (often those who belong to a particular political party) hold all political power

Example

In Cuba, only members of the Communist Party are allowed to vote or hold public office, and the partys most important members make all government decisions

John Locke

English philosopher; Believed that all people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property

Adam Smith

Scottish philosopher; Believed that all people should be free to acquire property in any way that they wished; Argued that people should be allowed to operate as they wish and keep the proceeds of their work

private goods

goods provided by private businesses that can be used only by those who pay for them

adequate housing

housing that is found in the most desirable neighborhoods

desirable neighborhoods have...

low crime rates and good schools

public goods

goods provided by government that anyone can use and that are available to all without charge

direct democracy

people participate directly in making government decisions

toll good

a good that is available to many people but is used only by those who can pay the price to do so

totalitarianism

a form of government where government is all-powerful and citizens have no rights

minority rights

protections for those who are not part of the majority