Ideas, Interests, and Institutions in American Politics
28 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does 'politics as power' refer to?

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.

How are 'interests' defined in a political context?

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

What role do 'institutions' play in government and public action?

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

What is the role of 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.</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

How would you define 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

What are the seven important ideas that influence American Politics?

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

Define 'liberty'.

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

What is 'negative liberty'?

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

Describe '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

What does 'individualism' mean in the context of American politics?

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

Describe 'social democracy'.

<p>A government in which citizens are responsible for one another's well-being and use government policy to ensure that all are comfortably cared for.</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

What is 'social equality'?

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

What does 'economic equality' imply?

<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

How is 'religion' uniquely present in American society?

<p>Religion is uniquely omnipresent in American society as religious rights are codified in the Constitution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define '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 use of power to influence actions, agendas, preferences, and resource distribution.

Ideas

Fundamental beliefs about self, society, the nation, the world, and political events.

Interests

Political ideas expressed as individual or collective demands and desires.

Institutions

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

Signup and view all the flashcards

Government

A system with authority over an area, enforcing laws and holding a monopoly on violence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Republic

Citizens rule through elected representatives.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Democracy

Citizens rule directly, making decisions themselves.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Democratic-Republic

A government where elected leaders represent citizens and enforce laws.

Signup and view all the flashcards

7 Influential Ideas

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

Signup and view all the flashcards

Liberty

The ability to pursue desires without external hindrance.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Negative Liberty

Freedom from interference by others.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Positive Liberty

The freedom and capacity to achieve one's goals.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Self-Rule

Legitimate government originates from the people.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Direct Democracy

Citizens make decisions directly without elected officials.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mixed-System Democracy

A system blending direct and representative decision-making.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Limited Government

Distrust of strong central leadership and desire to restrict government power.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Individualism

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

Signup and view all the flashcards

Social Democracy

Citizens are responsible for each other's well-being, using policy to ensure care.

Signup and view all the flashcards

The American Dream

The idea that Americans can achieve success through talent and hard work.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Equality

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

Signup and view all the flashcards

Social Equality

All individuals have same status in society.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Political Equality

All citizens have identical political rights and opportunities.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Economic Equality

Small wealth gap between citizens.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Equal Opportunity

Each American having an equal chance at economic success.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Equal Outcome

Citizens should have roughly equal economic circumstances.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Religion

Belief in a deity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

American Exceptionalism

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

Signup and view all the flashcards

Rational Choice Theory

Individuals are rational actors who pursue their political interests.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

  • Politics is the exercise of power to influence actions, shape agendas, and distribute resources.
  • Ideas are foundational units in politics, reflecting beliefs about individuals, society, and political phenomena.
  • Interests are political ideas articulated as individual or collective demands and desires.
  • Institutions are organizations, norms, and rules structuring government and public action.
  • Government is a system holding authority over an area, making and 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 features elected leaders representing citizens, making and enforcing laws.
  • Seven key ideas influence American politics, each with varying interpretations: Liberty, Self-Rule, Limited Government, Individualism, The American Dream, Equality, and Religion.
  • Liberty is the ability to pursue one's own desires without interference.

Liberty Types

  • Negative liberty means freedom from constraints or interference by others.
  • Positive liberty means the freedom and ability to pursue goals.

Self-Rule Variations

  • Self-rule dictates that legitimate government stems from the people.
  • Direct or pure democracy involves citizens making collective decisions without elected officials.
  • Representative democracy/republic involves citizens electing representatives to make decisions.
  • Mixed-system democracy involves both elected representatives and direct citizen decision-making, exemplified by US referendums and initiatives.
  • Limited government reflects American distrust of centralized leadership aiming to restrict government power.

Individualism

  • Individualism is the belief that individuals are responsible for their own well-being, not society.
  • Policy outcomes include weakened social safety nets and reduced public investments.
  • Individualism-based democracies stand opposite to social democracies.

Social Democracy

  • Social democracy describes a government where citizens are responsible for each other's well-being, using policies to ensure care for all.

The American Dream

  • The American Dream suggests any American or immigrant can achieve success through talent and hard work.
  • It relies on economic mobility.

Equality

  • Equality dictates that all citizens share the same privileges, status, and rights under the law.

Types of Equality

  • Social equality means all individuals share the same societal status.
  • Political equality means all citizens have equal political rights and opportunities. Economic equality means small differences in wealth among citizens.
  • Equal opportunity means every American has an equal chance at economic success.
  • Equal outcome suggests citizens should have roughly equal economic circumstances.

Religion

  • Religion is 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. American exceptionalism is the idea that the US is uniquely defined by ideas like equality, self-rule, and limited government.

Rational Choice Theory

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

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Description

Explore the fundamental ideas, interests, and institutions that shape American politics. Understand the concepts of government, republics, democracies, and democratic republics. Learn about the key ideas influencing American politics, including liberty, self-rule, and equality.

More Like This

Political Parties Quiz Flashcards
20 questions

Political Parties Quiz Flashcards

StylishPeach4517 avatar
StylishPeach4517
राजनीति विज्ञान का परिचय
18 questions

राजनीति विज्ञान का परिचय

PersonalizedAutomatism2664 avatar
PersonalizedAutomatism2664
Political Decay in Democracies
23 questions

Political Decay in Democracies

MasterfulPyrite826 avatar
MasterfulPyrite826
US Politics: Ideas, Interests, and Institutions
27 questions

US Politics: Ideas, Interests, and Institutions

FreshestDialogue3897 avatar
FreshestDialogue3897
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser