Government and Politics
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Questions and Answers

Define politics as power.

The exercise of power to influence the actions of others, shape political agendas and preferences, and decide how resources are distributed.

What are ideas in the context of politics?

The foundational units of politics, the things individuals believe about themselves, society-at-large, the nation, the world, and various political phenomena.

What are interests in the context of politics?

The articulation of political ideas as individual or collective political demand and desires.

What are institutions in the context of politics?

<p>The organizations, norms, and rules that structure government and public action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define government.

<p>An organized system that holds authority over a specific area, making and enforcing laws to govern its people. They possess legal or extralegal political authority. Governments generally hold a monopoly on legitimate violence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a republic?

<p>A government in which citizens rule indirectly and make government decisions through their elected representatives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a democracy?

<p>A government in which citizens rule directly and make government decisions themselves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a democratic republic?

<p>A democratic republic is a government where people elect leaders to represent them and make and enforce laws and policies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name the seven important ideas that influence American politics.

<p>Liberty, Self-Rule, Limited Government, Individualism, The American Dream, Equality, Religion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is liberty?

<p>The ability to pursue one's own desires without interference from others.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by negative liberty?

<p>Freedom from constraints or the interference of others.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is positive liberty?

<p>The freedom and ability to pursue one's goals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define self-rule.

<p>The idea that legitimate government flows from the people.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is direct or pure democracy?

<p>Citizens make collective decisions without relying on elected officials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is representative democracy or a republic?

<p>Citizens elect representatives that make decisions on their behalf.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a mixed-system democracy?

<p>A system where some decisions are made by elected representatives, and others directly by citizens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does limited government imply?

<p>Implies that Americans distrust centralized leadership and have consistently sought to limit the government's power.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define individualism.

<p>The idea that individuals, not the society, are responsible for their own well-being.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the American Dream?

<p>Asserts that any American citizen or immigrant can use talent and hard work to achieve personal success.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is equality?

<p>All citizens enjoy the same privileges, status, and rights before the laws.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define social equality.

<p>All individuals enjoy the same status in society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is political equality?

<p>All citizens have the same political rights and opportunities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define economic equality.

<p>A situation where there are only small differences in wealth between citizens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is equal opportunity?

<p>The idea that every American has an equal chance to win economic success.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is equal outcome?

<p>The idea that citizens should have roughly equal economic circumstances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe religion's presence within American society.

<p>Uniquely omnipresent in American society. 87% of Americans believe in a deity. 54% belong to a religious institution. 46% attend religious services at least monthly. Religious rights are codified in the Constitution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is American exceptionalism?

<p>The idea that the US is uniquely characterized by a distinct set of ideas, including equality, self-rule, and limited government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is rational choice theory?

<p>An approach to political behavior that views individuals as rational, decisive actors who know their political interests and seek to act on them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Politics

The exercise of power to influence actions, agendas, and resource distribution.

Ideas (in Politics)

Fundamental beliefs about individuals, society, and political phenomena.

Interests (in Politics)

Political ideas expressed as individual or collective demands.

Institutions (in Politics)

Organizations, norms, and rules structuring government and public action.

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Government

System holding authority over a specific area, making and enforcing laws, with a monopoly on legitimate violence.

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Republic

Citizens rule indirectly through elected representatives.

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Democracy

Citizens rule directly and make government decisions themselves.

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Democratic-Republic

Government where elected leaders represent citizens and enforce laws.

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7 Influential American Ideas

Liberty, Self-Rule, Limited Government, Individualism, The American Dream, Equality, Religion.

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Liberty

The ability to pursue one's desires without interference.

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Negative Liberty

Freedom from constraints or interference of others.

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Positive Liberty

The freedom and ability to pursue one's goals.

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Self-Rule

Legitimate government flows from the people.

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Direct (Pure) Democracy

Citizens make collective decisions directly.

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Representative Democracy (Republic)

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions.

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Mixed-System Democracy

Some decisions made by representatives, others directly by citizens.

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Limited Government

Distrust of centralized leadership; limits on government power.

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Individualism

Individuals are responsible for their own well-being, not society.

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Social Democracy

Citizens responsible for each other's well-being; government ensures care.

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The American Dream

Any American can achieve personal success through talent and hard work.

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Equality

All citizens have the same privileges, status, and rights before the law.

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Social Equality

All individuals enjoy the same status in society.

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Political Equality

All citizens have the same political rights and opportunities.

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Economic Equality

Small differences in wealth between citizens.

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Equal Opportunity

Every American has an equal chance to achieve economic success.

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Equal Outcome

Citizens should have roughly equal economic circumstances.

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Religion (in America)

Notably present in American society.

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American Exceptionalism

US is uniquely defined by equality, self-rule, and limited government.

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Rational Choice Theory

Individuals are rational, know interests, and act on them.

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Study Notes

  • Politics involves the exercise of power to influence actions, shape agendas, and allocate resources.
  • Ideas are foundational to politics, reflecting beliefs about individuals, society, the nation, the world, and political events.
  • Interests represent the articulation of political ideas into individual or collective demands.
  • Institutions are the organizations, norms, and rules structuring government and public action.
  • Government is a system wielding authority over a specific area, enforcing laws, and generally holding a monopoly on legitimate violence.
  • A republic is a government where citizens rule indirectly through elected representatives.
  • A democracy is a government where citizens rule directly and make decisions themselves.
  • A democratic republic is a system where elected leaders represent the people, making and enforcing laws.
  • Seven key ideas influence American politics: liberty, self-rule, limited government, individualism, the American Dream, equality, and religion.

Liberty

  • Liberty is the ability to pursue one's desires without interference.
  • Negative liberty is freedom from constraints or interference.
  • Positive liberty is the freedom and ability to pursue goals.

Self-Rule

  • Self-rule is the concept that legitimate government comes from the people.
  • Direct or pure democracy involves citizens making decisions without elected officials.
  • Representative democracy or a republic utilizes elected representatives for decision-making.
  • Mixed-system democracy combines elected representatives with direct citizen involvement through mechanisms like referendums and initiatives, as seen in the US.

Limited Government

  • Limited government reflects a distrust of centralized leadership and seeks to restrict governmental power.
  • Many Americans desire increased government intervention, despite the concept of limited government.
  • Limits power by distributing it to the people.

Individualism

  • Individualism emphasizes individual responsibility for well-being, rather than societal responsibility.
  • Policy outcomes can include weaker social safety nets and reduced public investments.
  • Individualism-based democracies stand in contrast to social democracies.

Social Democracy

  • Social democracy involves citizens being responsible for each other's well-being, utilizing government policy to ensure care for all.

The American Dream

  • The American Dream posits that any American can achieve success through talent and hard work.
  • It is tied to the concept of economic mobility.
  • Considered a myth

Equality

  • Equality means all citizens have the same privileges, status, and rights under the law.
  • Social equality implies all individuals have the same status in society, largely applicable in the US.
  • Political equality means all citizens have the same political rights and opportunities, mostly applicable in the US.
  • Economic equality refers to minimal wealth disparities among citizens.
  • Equal opportunity suggests every American has an equal chance for economic success; applicable in the US.
  • Equal outcome suggests citizens should have roughly equal economic circumstances, which is not applicable in the US.

Religion

  • Religion is uniquely prevalent in American society.

    • 87% of Americans believe in a deity.
    • 54% belong to a religious institution.
    • 46% attend religious services at least monthly.

  • Religious rights are constitutionally protected.

  • American Exceptionalism is the belief that the US is unique due to its distinct ideas like equality, self-rule, and limited government.

  • Rational Choice Theory views individuals as rational actors who understand their political interests and act on them.

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Description

Politics encompasses power dynamics, agenda setting, and resource allocation. Key influences on American politics include liberty, self-rule, and equality. Government is the system of authority, law enforcement, and legitimate violence within a specific area. A republic is where citizens rule indirectly through elected representatives.

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