Whatever Happened to Justice Ch 25

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Questions and Answers

What was a significant contradiction in conservative behavior after 1945?

Conservatives supported the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War.

Conservatives opposed any form of international military support.

Conservatives rejected any economic engagement with socialist states.

Conservatives collaborated with the Soviets in helping Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war. (correct)

Which liberal president is noted for actions that contradicted the anti-war stance?

Herbert Hoover

Franklin Roosevelt (correct)

George H.W. Bush

Richard Nixon

What does the content imply about the relationship between beliefs and behavior in politics?

Beliefs always determine political behavior.

Political power often leads to behavior that contradicts stated beliefs. (correct)

Only conservatives exhibit contradictions in their behaviors.

Behavior is irrelevant to political beliefs.

Which statement reflects Thomas Jefferson's view on political power?

Inattention to public affairs can lead to corruption among leaders. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author suggest regarding the political spectrum of liberal and conservative beliefs?

It is an unreliable measure of actual political actions taken. Signup and view all the answers

What notable action did Ronald Reagan take that contradicted his anti-Soviet rhetoric?

He extended financial credit to a socialist country. Signup and view all the answers

How is political power described in relation to human nature?

It uniquely corrupts individuals compared to other power forms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main distinction between liberal and conservative viewpoints as mentioned?

Liberals believe in social freedom and economic control, while conservatives advocate for economic freedom and social control. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author suggest about the effectiveness of conservatives in reducing taxes?

Tax reforms initiated by conservatives often lead to tax increases. Signup and view all the answers

How does the author view the current political discourse in America?

It overly simplifies the complex behaviors of liberals and conservatives. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'social freedom' imply in the context of liberal beliefs?

The ability to express oneself without censorship. Signup and view all the answers

What example does the author provide to illustrate the tax policies under Ronald Reagan?

The tax increases were primarily due to Social Security reform. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the country and government does the author emphasize?

There is a crucial distinction between the country and the government. Signup and view all the answers

What sentiment does the author express about sharing his political views?

He is uncomfortable due to their perceived unpatriotism. Signup and view all the answers

What motto could best summarize conservative action on social issues as described?

Support free markets while curtailing immoral behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Political Ideologies in the US

Two main political viewpoints exist: liberal and conservative
Liberals prioritize social freedom and government control over the economy. They advocate for freedom of speech, information and consumption, but believe government should regulate production and trade. They also favor progressive taxation and oppose foreign wars.
Conservatives believe in economic freedom and minimal government intervention. They prefer free markets, low taxes, and government regulation of "licentious" activities like pornography, drugs and gambling. They generally favor a more interventionist foreign policy.
These viewpoints are simplified and don't necessarily reflect reality.

Discrepancy between Belief and Behavior

The author argues that political beliefs don't accurately predict political actions, even for politicians who claim to promote those beliefs.
Example: Conservatives' stated goal of reduced taxes frequently leads to increased taxes in reality. Ronald Reagan's presidency saw that taxes ended up higher than when he became president, despite being a free market proponent.
Conservative foreign policy appears contradictory - strong anti-Soviet stance but involvement with the Soviet Union in the Iran-Iraq war, and U.S. aid to socialist Romania during the Reagan presidency.
Liberal politicians are also not immune to this discrepancy. Presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt (initiating the US involvement in World War II) and John F. Kennedy/Lyndon B. Johnson (Vietnam War) are examples.

The Corruption of Political Power

The author argues that political power corrupts individuals.
This corruption is not inherent to power itself, but specific to political power.
Thomas Jefferson warned about this, stating that those in positions of power could become tyrannical. This is referenced in the author's letter as a quote.

Limitations of the Political Spectrum

The political spectrum (liberal vs. conservative/left vs. right) doesn't capture a politician's actions. It only indicates their beliefs.
A person's actions in power can be entirely different from their stated beliefs.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamental political ideologies in the United States, focusing on the liberal and conservative viewpoints. It highlights the key principles of each ideology, their approaches to government intervention, and the discrepancy between stated beliefs and actual behavior in politics.