US Politics: Ideas, Interests, and Institutions
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Questions and Answers

Define Politics as it relates to 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.

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

What is a 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 defines 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

Define 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 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

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

What is 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 decision on their behalf</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is 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 is individualism?

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

Define 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

Define 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 is 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

How is religion uniquely omnipresent in American society?

<p>87% of Americans believe in a deity, 54% belong to a religious institution, and 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 as Power

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 articulated as individual or collective demands and desires.

Institutions (in Politics)

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

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Government

A system with authority over a specific area, enforcing laws and governing people.

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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

Elected leaders represent citizens, making and enforcing 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 by 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 Democracy

Citizens make collective decisions directly.

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Representative Democracy

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; limiting government's power.

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Individualism

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

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Social Democracy

Citizens responsible for each other's well-being.

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The American Dream

Any American can achieve 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 social standing 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)

Belief in a deity, religious institution affiliation, and service attendance

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American Exceptionalism

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

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Rational Choice Theory

Individuals are rational, decisive actors who seek to act on their political interests.

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Study Notes

  • Politics involves the exercise of power to influence actions, shape agendas, and decide resource distribution.
  • Ideas are foundational to politics, encompassing beliefs about individuals, society, the nation, the world, and political phenomena.
  • Interests are articulated political ideas expressed as individual or collective demands and desires.
  • Institutions structure government and public action through organizations, norms, and rules.
  • Government is an organized system with authority over an area, enforcing laws and 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 combines representative and direct rule.
  • 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 desires without interference.
  • Negative liberty is freedom from constraints.
  • Positive liberty is the freedom and ability to pursue goals.

Self-Rule

  • Self-rule is the idea that legitimate government comes from the people.
  • Pure democracy involves citizens making decisions directly.
  • Representative democracy involves citizens electing representatives to make decisions.
  • The US has a mixed-system democracy, with some decisions made by representatives and others directly by citizens through referendums and initiatives.

Limited Government

  • Limited government reflects a distrust of centralized leadership and seeks to restrict government power.
  • Many Americans desire more government intervention, despite this.
  • Limiting power allows individuals to exert it themselves.

Individualism

  • Individualism emphasizes individual responsibility for well-being over societal responsibility.
  • Individualism can lead to weakened social safety nets and less public investment.
  • Individual democracies are the opposite of social democracies.

Social Democracy

  • Social democracy involves citizens being responsible for one another's well-being, using government policy to ensure care for all.

The American Dream

  • The American Dream holds that success is attainable through talent and hard work.
  • It is related to economic mobility.
  • However, it is often considered a myth.

Equality

  • Equality means that all citizens have the same privileges, status, and rights under the law.
  • Social equality indicates everyone enjoys the same status in society.
  • Political equality means all citizens have the same political rights and opportunities.
  • Economic equality is a situation with only small differences in wealth between citizens.
  • Equal opportunity means every American has an equal chance to achieve economic success.
  • Equal outcome is the idea citizens should have roughly equal economic circumstances.

Religion

  • Religion maintains a unique omnipresence in American society.
  • 87% of Americans believe in a deity.
  • 54% belong to a religious institution.
  • 46% attend religious services monthly.
  • Religious rights are protected in the Constitution.

American Exceptionalism

  • American exceptionalism is the belief the U.S. is unique due to its distinct ideals, like equality, self-rule, and limited government.

Rational Choice Theory

  • Rational choice theory views individuals as rational actors who seek to act on their political interests.

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Explore the foundations of politics including the role of power, ideas, interests, and institutions. Learn about forms of government such as republics, democracies, and democratic republics. Discover key ideas that influence American politics like liberty and self-rule.

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