Questions and Answers
What is the belief that you can influence how your government acts called?
What is the first prerequisite to increasing political efficacy?
Increasing political knowledge
To the Ancient Greeks, citizenship meant?
Talking and debating about how to improve the welfare of the community
Democracy functions best when citizens are informed.
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Why is it important for Americans to have political knowledge?
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How can government be defined?
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What is a government that is not constrained by legal limits known as?
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What is a service that a person needs but is usually unable to provide for themselves called?
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Which of the following is not an example of a public good?
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The hallmark of an ____________ regime is the willingness to be restrained by the power of social institutions.
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What is a government that is formally limited by laws and rules called?
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What major changes in Western government led to the establishment of constitutional government?
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What is the goal of politics?
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What is direct democracy best defined as?
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How can politics be defined?
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Which of the following is an instrument of direct democracy?
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What is a representative democracy?
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What is pluralism?
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The __________ is the most important concept for the theory of pluralism.
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What does political culture refer to?
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What are the three core values in American politics?
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Political rights are a protection against?
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What is the belief that political authority should rest with the people themselves called?
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The right of each citizen to vote is an example of?
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When did the United States become a fully democratic nation?
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Which of the following was not discussed as a purpose of government in the Constitution's preamble?
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What was the Stamp Act?
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Why was the Declaration of Independence a remarkable political statement for its time?
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Why was the Declaration of Independence a remarkable philosophical statement for its time?
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A _____________ is a system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for powers expressly delegated to a national government.
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Under the Articles of Confederation, it was left to the _______________ to execute the laws passed by Congress.
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Study Notes
Political Efficacy and Involvement
- Political efficacy refers to the belief in the ability to influence government actions.
- Increasing political knowledge is essential for enhancing political efficacy.
- Citizenship in Ancient Greece centered around community discourse and welfare improvement.
Democracy and Political Knowledge
- An informed citizenry is crucial for the effective functioning of democracy.
- Political knowledge empowers individuals to assess personal interests and make informed political decisions.
Governance Concepts
- Government is defined as the institutions and procedures that rule a territory and its people.
- Totalitarian governments operate without legal constraints and seek to eliminate oppositional organized social groups.
- Constitutional governments are bound by laws and regulations.
Historical Context of Governance
- The establishment of constitutional governments came from legal constraints on authority and expanded voting rights.
- The overarching goal of politics is to influence governmental leadership, organization, and policies.
Democracy Types
- Direct democracy allows citizens to vote on laws and policies directly.
- Representative democracy involves regular elections for top government officials.
- Initiatives are tools of direct democracy that enable citizens to propose legislation.
Political Dynamics
- Pluralism describes the competition of various interest groups for governmental influence.
- Group identity is central to the pluralism theory.
- Political culture encompasses the shared values and beliefs that unify a nation.
Core American Values
- The three foundational values in American politics are liberty, equality, and democracy.
- Political rights serve as protections against majority tyranny.
Sovereignty and Equality
- Popular sovereignty is the belief that authority should reside with the people.
- Political equality is exemplified by the universal right to vote.
Historical Milestones in Democracy
- Full realization of democracy in the U.S. occurred in the 1960s when voting rights for African Americans were legally enforced.
- The Constitution preamble outlines government purposes, excluding wealth distribution guarantees.
Key Historical Acts
- The Stamp Act imposed a tax on commerce, prompting significant political reactions.
Declaration of Independence
- The Declaration was a significant political document that unified diverse colonial factions by addressing common grievances and principles.
- Philosophically, it asserted the existence of "unalienable rights," emphasizing limitations on governmental power.
Government Structure
- A confederation is a system where states maintain sovereign authority except for powers expressly assigned to a national government.
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