Final Flashcards
(38 cards)
What is the difference between an Authoritarian and Libertarian? Give examples from the thinkers we have read this semester.
-Authoritarians favor more government control over social -Libertarians favor less government control over social issues. Lincoln would be an authoritarian because he believed that the law is the law regardless of the situation. Malcom X would be an example of a libertarian because he favored less government control.
What is the difference between someone who is on the left and someone who is on the right in terms of economic policy? Give examples from the thinkers we have read this semester.
Individuals on the left in terms of economic policy are liberals, which favor more government control of economics. Individuals on the right in terms of economic policy are conservatives, which favor less government control of economics. (Money spent on campaigns)
What is the difference between a democracy, a republic, and a liberal government?
- A democracy is direct involvement from the people
- A republic is the representative of the people
- A liberal government focuses on protecting rights.
In what way did the documentary Please Vote for Me support or critique democracy?
- Democracy is not always fair
- People can be bribed with money and/or gifts
- Teachers selected the three candidates to run
- Money is a huge factor
How has voting changed in American history?
- Voting age lowered from 21 to 18
- White men who owned property (when constitution was written)
- Discriminatory against women
How do Thoreau and Lincoln differ on the idea of how to fix unjust laws in America?
- Thoreau believed in “Civil Disobedience” with ultimate advice of not paying taxes
- Lincoln believed that everybody must follow every law all the time and that breaking laws leads to “Mob Rule.” Vote against a leader or a law if change is desired.
How do Martin L. King, Jr. and Malcolm X differ on the idea of how change should be brought about in a democracy?
- Martin L. King, Jr. believed in nonviolent protests also known as peaceful protests.
- Malcolm X believed that when human rights were violated, you have the right to protest by any means necessary.
What is the income gap? How has it changed over time?
- Income gap is the gap in salary/wages between the richest and the poorest
- The income gap has increased over time
How has the Citizens United v. FEC case changed the role of money in elections?
- Spending Money on campaigns is free speech
- This case placed limits on campaign spending
- Corporations and Unions have a right to free speech
- Limits on how much can be donated to a candidate individually but can donate to the advertising as long as you do not contact them and their name will be made public. (Super Pack)
- $2600 to an individual candidate
How has the cost of elections changed in recent decades?
-The amount of money spent on elections in the past decade has skyrocketed.
What is the difference between a ‘winner take all’ system of voting and a “proportional representation” system of voting?
- Winner Take All System of Voting = 50% +1 more vote (Every State except NE and Maine)
- Proportional Voting = Based on votes per party
Why do some people claim that the Electoral College is undemocratic?
Because the people do not have a direct say in who gets elected to office.
What are some of the problems ‘third parties’ face when trying to get on the ballot in the US?
- Third party candidates cannot participate in Presidential Debates
- Pay a fee to even get on the ballot
- Collect signatures on a petition to get on the ballot
- Difficult to raise money
What are individual rights? What limits are typically placed on them?
- Legal rights to think, speak, or act so long as you harm no on else.
- (Speech, religion, voting, “due process”)
What is the relationship between democratic governments and individual rights? Do all democracies provide protections for such rights? Why or why not?
-Democratic governments sometimes infringe on individual rights. Not all democracies provide protections for all rights because sometimes democracies vote on issues that infringe on the rights of the people.
What is the difference between the ‘free exercise’ and ‘establishment’ clauses in the 1st Amendment?
- The free exercise clause allows you to practice religion, or no religion, so long as you don’t cause harm.
- The establishment clause prohibits a national church and prohibits favoritism of one church over another.
What types of free speech are restricted in America?
- Commercial Speech- ads must contain true information
- Libel/ Slander- cant write or say thing that are false and hurts a person’s reputation
- Fighting Words- any speech
- Obscenity- saying or writing offensive things (okay if it’s artistic, educational, or scientific value
What are the main arguments made by both proponents and opponents of making cyberbullying a crime?
- Incitement through electronic means is no different from incitement by traditional means
- Threatens free speech on college campuses
What are the main reasons some people have claimed websites like WikiLeaks are engaging in free speech and thus should be allowed to continue? What are some reasons people have opposed these websites and said they should not be protected?
- It keeps the government honest and uncovers lies
- Highly classified information that the public does not need to know for safety reasons
- Causes uprisings
What are the arguments for and against the NSA spying program as it relates to privacy rights?
- The supporting reasons are safety and security of the U.S. and citizens
- Opposing reasons are privacy issues, giving the government too much power and information about our private lives.
- It becomes an issues of individual right to privacy vs. national security
True or False: Following Citizens United v. FEC, corporations can donate an unlimited amount of money directly to candidates who are running for office.
False
The __________ ballot was introduced in 1898 and changed the way citizens actually cast their votes in America.
Secret
Which clause in the U.S. Constitution prohibits teachers from requiring students to being the day with a prayer?
Establishment Clause
A person who wants to pass a federal law making cyberbullying a crime is more authoritarian or libertarian?
Authoritarian
