federal government: chapter 1

the formal institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled

government

conflicts and struggles over the leadership, structure and policies of government

politics

rule by a single individual

autocracy

rule by a small group of elites

oligarchy

a form of government in which citizens play a significant role by selecting leaders

democracy

a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people

popular sovereignty

a system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision-making

representative democracy (republic)

a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies

direct democracy

the democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority

majority rule with minority rights

many formal rules and limits are in place

constitutional government

has fewer limits

authoritarian government

rulers have no limits on the decisions they can make and eliminate any challenges to their decisions

totalitarian government

a principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution

limited government

the constitution’s first 10 amendments that delineate and guarantee individual personal liberties and rights

bill of rights

influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies

political power

information about the formal institutions of government, political actors, and political issues

political knowledge

the belief that individual citizens can influence government

political efficacy

“we the people” understand what government is doing

internal efficacy

 “we the people think our government understands us by being responsive to our needs

external efficacy

membership in a political community that confers legal rights and carries participation responsibilities

citizenship

competition among groups and organized interests for influence in the government

pluralism

broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should function; american political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, democracy, equality, and justice

political culture

freedom from governmental control

liberty

the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of “one person, one vote”

political equality

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

equality of opportunity

the fairness of how rewards and punishments are delivered, especially by governments and courts, but also in society

justice

the just allocation of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society

social justice

impartial decision-making; the quality of treating people equally, free from discrimination

fairness

concerned with what our government should be doing

political ideology

false information shared intentionally to reach a political goal

disinformation

an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference

laissez-faire capitalism

services provided by the government that all citizens need but cannot provide adequately for themselves

public goods

the difference between a household’s assets and debt

wealth

refers to the disparity in assets of typical American household across racial and ethnic groups

racial wealth gap

a period of rapid economic growth, heavy industrialization, and sharp social inequity lasting from the 1870s to 1900

gilded age

the passage of an idea from theory to practice

revolution

a law stating that only free white people could become naturalized citizens

naturalization act of 1790

outlawed the entry of chinese laborers into the u.s.

chinese exclusion act of 1882

guaranteed the vote to nonwhite men

15th amendment

guaranteed women the right to vote

19th amendment

granted u.s. citizenship to all native americans born within the territorial limits of the country

indian citizenship act of 1924

limited the number of immigrants allowed entry into the u.s. through a national origins quota

immigration act of 1924

prohibited racial discrimination in voting

voting rights act of 1965

gave 18-20 year olds the right to vote

26th amendment

to rule

to govern

a government can be:

small or large

what are the three forms of government?

autocracy, oligarchy, and democracy

the different forms of government have: 

different limits on what they can do

how does a democracy differ from an autocracy or oligarchy?

in a democracy, citizens rule themselves, while a single individual or small group controls most governing decisions in an oligarchy or autocracy

how is democracy in the u.s. structured?

majority rule, minority rights

what are two types of democracy?

representative and direct

as more americans have participated in the political system, the power has shifted to who?

the people

what are the different classifications of state authority?

constitutional, authoritarian, and totalitarian

what forms the basis of many freedoms for individual citizens?

limits placed on the u.s. government

what are the individual liberties for all citizens?

freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of conscience, freedom from arbitrary search and seizure, freedom of worship, and trial by jury

democracy is sustained by what?

institutions and culture

what are the core american political values?

liberty, democracy, equality, and justice

what anchors the american political system?

liberty, justice, democracy, and equality

what are the critical components to our political culture?

liberty, democracy, individualism, civic duty, and self-reliance

the root of our culture is found where?

our solidarity

where is solidarity formed?

our private, civic associations, social clubs, church groups, and sporting activities

what is most important to every political culture?

a feeling of political efficacy

____ rule the world and its events

ideas

many are concerned that our political culture is what?

being challenged from within

what is the political knowledge of many americans?

many americans have significant gaps in their political knowledge

most americans know little about what?

current issues, debates, or the basics of how government works

what are the responsibilities of a citizen?

upholding the constitution, obeying federal, state, and local laws, paying taxes, serving on juries when summoned, being informed about issues

government by the people functions best when...

individuals discuss ideas, share their preferences, and talk about what the government is doing

the american population has become more ___ as it has grown

diverse

in the early years of the republic, the majority of americans were...

european settlers, enslaved people brought from africa, and an unknown number of indians

over time, the ____ has changed the racial and ethnic makeup of america

ebb and flow of immigration

how do americans vary?

race, ethnicity, religion, age, socioeconomic status, etc

the American government used _____ to draw boundaries around the american population

racial and ethnic criteria

people who were not white could not become naturalized citizens until _____

1870

the first official census was in _____ counting 3.9 million

1790

in 1965 congress lifted the tight restrictions of the 1920s allowing...

expanded immigration from Asia and Latin America

when was the chinese exclusion act reversed?

1943

the declaration of independence identified what unalienable rights?

life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness

economic freedom supports what?

capitalism, free markets, and the protection of private property 

what is decided in the supreme court?

disputes over the meaning of justice

in the 1960s, the enactment of civil rights legislation and new social programs helped...

shrink the income disparity between those at the bottom and those at the top

what has widened in the "new gilded age"?

economic inequality

what are the factors of economic inequality widening in the "new gilded age"?

deindustrialization, globalization, slow growth in wages, technological change, the great recession of 2007-2009

___ has become the central fact of life in american politics

money

what part does money play in american politics?

determines who runs for office, can exert a heavy influence on who wins, affects what politicians do once they're in office

how do americans feel about the government?

they are reluctant to grant the government too much power

how do americans feel about politicians?

suspicious

_____ reached its highest point in the 1960s and has declined since

public trust

long term distrust in government can result in what?

opposition to the taxes that support crucial government services and protections, discourage political participation, and can make it difficult to attract talented workers to public service

orthodox believe in what?

morality is more important than self-expression

progressives believe in what?

they think personal freedom is more important than traditional moral values

for democratic revolutions to succeed, people will have to learn...

democracy is a verb, not a noun

how does a democracy differ from an autocracy or oligarchy?

in a democracy, citizens rule themselves, while a single individual or small group controls most governing decisions in an oligarchy or autocracy

why are political knowledge and political efficacy important ingredients for a democracy?

an informed and engaged public that participates and serves as a check on government is vital for ensuring that government is responsive to the public

which of the following statements about how Americans’ knowledge and involvement in politics and government is true?

a. Americans are generally highly knowledgeable about politics and the workings of government given the wide accessibility of information.

b. Most Americans feel that government cares what they think and works for the public good.

c. Americans' level of efficacy has steadily increased over time, leading to significant increases in voter turnout among the public.

d. Americans' level of efficacy has declined over time, and political involvement and knowledge is generally low among the public.

d

how has the racial and ethnic composition of the u.s. population changed over time?

the American population has become more racially and ethnically diverse

what effect has the changing composition of the American population had on politics and government?

it raises contentious debates about balance of representation among different regions of the country and between urban and rural areas

which of the following statements regarding the values of liberty, democracy, equality, and justice is true?

a. Although Americans are deeply committed to equality, they have shown less commitment to the values of liberty, democracy, and justice.

b. Liberty, democracy, equality, and justice are contested values and their meaning has changed over time.

c. Most Americans support the idea of equality of results because it is necessary for liberty, democracy, and justice.

d. While liberty was a value explicitly mentioned by the Founders, democracy, equality, and justice as political values were not introduced until after the Civil War.

b

how have the values of liberty, democracy, equality, and justice shaped the u.s. political system?

they are core values that have not been equally applied over time, yet they continue to inform debates around important issues like press freedom, income inequality, and criminal justice reform

which statement best describes Americans’ views about government?

a. Republicans generally support a larger role for the federal government, while Democrats support a limited role of government.

b. Nearly every American supports a larger role for government, while also being skeptical of government.

c. The power and size of government have decreased over time as an overwhelming majority of Americans support a smaller role for government.

d. Americans are deeply divided over the scope of government, with Democrats supporting an enlarged role and Republicans preferring limited government.

d