American Government Unit 1 Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following concepts did James Madison agree with? (Select all that apply)

  • Federalism (correct)
  • Checks and balances (correct)
  • Unitary government
  • Separation of power (correct)
  • Government is often necessary to provide public goods, such as a cleaner environment. This is because the free market tends to __________ such goods.

    under provide

    What is an example of politics being everywhere?

    The food you had for breakfast was likely subject to regulation by the government.

    What does it mean when we say politics is conflictual?

    <p>Americans are deeply divided on their views, such as the availability of abortion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does the political process matter?

    <p>The cloture rule in the Senate makes it more difficult to pass new laws.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a democratic viewpoint?

    <p>Draw more support from African Americans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a Republican viewpoint?

    <p>Tend to be more conservative</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ability of people to choose their leaders in free and fair elections is a ______________ while _______________ refers to political freedom and legal rights.

    <p>democracy , liberty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the scenario of friends arguing over lunch choices demonstrate?

    <p>Politics is everywhere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is known as the process we use to determine what the government is going to do?

    <p>Politics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are conservative, liberal, and libertarian examples of?

    <p>Ideology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What were groups of citizens concerned about their own interests known as?

    <p>Factions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best captures the 'melting pot' view of racial and ethnic differences?

    <p>Leaving native languages and customs behind</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example that signifies politics being everywhere?

    <p>Seeing a campaign trending on social media</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Equality as a political value in the U.S. is primarily about ensuring that everyone has equal resources and wealth.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The U.S. government is a ____________ separating national power between the executive and legislative branches. The U.S. government is also a __________________ sharing power among different levels of government.

    <p>presidential system, federal system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following are examples of political factions?

    <p>National Organization of Women</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match Aristotle's forms of government with the correct order from most rulers to fewest rulers:

    <p>Polity = Everyone Aristocracy = Few Monarchy = One ruler</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the U.S., compromise is required to resolve conflict because of our commitment to?

    <p>Democracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What value did President Obama emphasize by proposing a plan to expand health insurance coverage for all Americans?

    <p>Equality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which position is someone with a libertarian ideology likely to support?

    <p>Cutting income and property tax</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the government help solve collective action problems such as defense or a clean environment?

    <p>It provides public goods that would otherwise not be produced by the free market.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Select all of the following that are identified as being at the core of American values.

    <p>Democracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Select the example that best emphasizes the concept that 'political process matters':

    <p>Changing the voting rule in a student group from unanimous consent to simple majority.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the mechanisms that facilitate checks and balances in government?

    <p>The ability of Congress to impeach the president or for the president to veto legislation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Separation of Powers and Checks

    • Separation of power, checks and balances, and federalism are key principles supported by James Madison.

    Public Goods

    • Government intervention is essential for providing public goods due to the free market's tendency to under-provide these services.

    Ubiquity of Politics

    • Everyday life is influenced by government regulations, demonstrating that politics is pervasive in daily decisions.

    Political Conflict

    • There is significant division among Americans regarding contentious issues like abortion, reflecting the conflictual nature of politics.

    Importance of Political Processes

    • The Senate's cloture rule complicates the process of passing new legislation, highlighting the significance of political procedures.

    Democratic Ideologies

    • Democrats generally advocate for more redistributive tax policies and receive substantial support from African American communities.

    Republican Ideologies

    • Republicans tend to adopt conservative views, advocating for reduced spending on social programs and stricter regulations related to family values.

    Democracy vs. Liberty

    • Democracy is defined by the ability of citizens to elect leaders through free elections, while liberty encompasses political freedoms and legal rights.

    Political Argument Example

    • A dispute over a lunch destination among friends exemplifies the omnipresence of politics, showcasing its conflictual nature and the influence of political processes.

    Definition of Politics

    • Politics encompasses the processes used to determine governmental actions, including ideologies like conservatism, liberalism, and libertarianism.

    Ideological Spectrum

    • Conservatism, liberalism, and libertarianism are types of political ideology that shape individual beliefs.

    Madison and Factions

    • Madison expressed concerns regarding factions, defined as groups pursuing their own interests, potentially at the expense of common good.

    Melting Pot Concept

    • The "melting pot" view suggests newcomers to the U.S. should predominantly abandon their native customs and languages.

    Political Engagement Examples

    • Political presence can be noted in various actions like engaging with campaign trends, responses to tuition increases, or identifying as an independent voter.

    Value of Equality

    • In the U.S., the concept of equality does not equate to the equal distribution of resources and wealth.

    U.S. Government Structure

    • The U.S. is characterized as a presidential system, dividing national power between executive and legislative branches, and as a federal system, distributing power across different government levels.

    Political Factions Examples

    • Political factions include organizations like AARP, the Democratic Party, the National Rifle Association, and the National Organization for Women.

    Forms of Government by Aristotle

    • Aristotle categorized governments as follows: Polity (governance by all), Aristocracy (governance by a few), and Monarchy (governance by one).

    Compromise and Democracy

    • The necessity for compromise in the U.S. arises from its foundational commitment to democracy.

    Health Insurance and Equality

    • President Obama’s health insurance proposal emphasized the value of equality by expanding coverage to all Americans.

    Libertarian Support Positions

    • A libertarian ideology typically supports legalizing drugs, deregulating environmental protections, defunding education, and reducing taxes.

    Collective Action and Government Role

    • The government addresses collective action challenges, such as defense and environmental protection, by supplying essential public goods that the free market wouldn't provide.

    Core American Values

    • Core values central to American political thought include democracy, liberty, and equality.

    Significance of Political Processes

    • Changes in procedural rules, such as voting requirements, demonstrate the critical importance of the political process.

    Checks and Balances Mechanism

    • The ability of Congress to impeach the president and the president's veto power exemplify checks and balances in the U.S. political system.

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    Description

    These flashcards cover essential concepts from Unit 1 of American Government, focusing on key principles such as the separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism. Great for students looking to reinforce their understanding of foundational government theories and practices.

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