Chapter 1: Understanding American Politics

American Government

What is government?

Insitutions that provide order and promote general welfatre

What are the two pressing questions when talking about government?

How should we govern? What should the government do?

National governments around the world preform the following actions:

Maintain national defenses, provide public services, maintain order, socializing the young, & collect taxes

What does “socializing the young” entail?

Political socialization and or indoctrination

What are the different forms of government?

Rule by one, rule by few, & rule by many

What does “Rule by one” entail?

Monarchy, or dictatorship

What does ‘Rule by the few” entail?

Oligarchy, military taking over government, & communist/socialist governments.

What are Politics?

The process of how laws are made and people think of the government

Why does politics matter?

Politics is everywhere in our daily lives, from taxes to the roads people drive on, to public parks & grocery stores

What are the sources of conflict in politics?

Economic interest, cultural values, ideology, & radical/ethnic differences

What do most Americans agree about economics?

A free market and economic indivudalism

Where does most conflict happen with the government?

The government’s economic spending and racing policies (ex. government shutdowns)

What is a Democracy?

A system of selecting and organizing governments to have policies be represented and respond to the public’s preferences

What is a Representative Democracy?

People who act as representatives and are elected to make decisions and pass laws on behalf of the people.

What is the criteria for a democracy?

Majority rule & minority rights