Political Beliefs and Behaviors Flashcards
Define:
political culture
Political culture is a set of commonly held beliefs, values, and norms concerning the manner in which economic and political life should be carried out.
As an example, political culture in the United States recognizes that a president who has not been re-elected will step aside.
How do conflicting political culture and consensual political culture differ?
A conflicting political culture is one in which groups with opposing beliefs and viewpoints clash, sometimes violently. On the other hand, the disagreements in consensual political cultures are much less strident, because as a whole the cultures share many common values.
Which factors did Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America cite as reasons for America’s successful democracy?
De Tocqueville believed that America’s success was due to:
- The lack of a fuedal aristocracy to block the populace’s ambitions
- Abundant amounts of land that was easily acquired
- The myriad opportunities available to make a living
- An independent spirit honed by the ever expanding frontier
Most Americans believe that all citizens should have _________ of opportunity and should be treated the same before the law.
equality
The vast majority of Americans believe that equality of opportunity and equal treatment by the law are hallmarks of the American system.
Define:
individualism
Individualism is the belief that the government should leave the citizen alone.
It is the predominance of this belief that has kept the government small and unobtrusive.
What does the term “rule of law” mean?
Rule of law means that the government is required to apply the law equally to all people pursuant to written standards and cannot be arbitrary or capriciously favor one person over another.
Define:
civic duty
Civic duty refers to the commonly held belief that individuals have an obligation to take local affairs seriously and become involved where possible. Civil duty can take the form of attending parent teacher association meetings, educating oneself on local issues, voting, or volunteering.
Define
free enterprise
Free enterprise is economic competition without government involvement or interference.The free enterprise system is a long cherished American political belief.
Define:
capitalism
Capitalism refers to the private ownership of the means of production, such as factories and land.
Capitalism is marked by private property, competition, and minimal government involvement in the production and pricing of goods and services.
What makes the development of American political parties unique?
Unlike much of the world, American political parties developed not based on issues of class, but on issues regarding the role of government. The earliest poltiical parties, the federalists and the democratic republicans, debated about the size and influence of the federal government, a debate which continues today.
Beginning in the 1960s and 1970s, Americans’ distrust of the government began to increase. Why?
During the period, the Vietnam War and the anti-war demonstrations began to signal a shift in Americans’ attitude toward the government, which was exacerbated by the Watergate Crisis and the resignation of Richard Nixon.
More modern political scandals, such as Iran-Contra, Monica Lewinsky, and the War in Iraq, have only heightened Americans’ distrust of government.
Political efficacy refers to a citizen’s belief that he or she can accomplish what task?
Political efficacy refers to a citizen’s belief that he or she can influence political affairs.
Define:
internal efficacy
Internal efficacy is the belief that one can understand political events sufficient to participate in them.
Define:
external efficacy
External efficacy is the belief that one can make a difference by participating in politics and that one’s government will respond to demands by its citizens.
What trend have political scientists noted in efficacy in recent years?
Political scientists believe that both internal and external efficacy are on the decline; citizens no longer believe that they can neither understand nor meaningfully participate in the government.
