III Government Flashcards
Demonstrate understanding of how political theory, major concepts in government, and organizations, including American government and the Constitution, impact comparative politics and international relations. (55 cards)
1
Q
Define:
ideology
A
- Set of beliefs that one has about the world and how it should operate.
- Thinking structures on the way policies should be run.
2
Q
Identify:
5 political ideologies
A
- Liberalism
- Conservatism
- Fascism
- Communism
- Socialism
3
Q
Explain:
How did Socrates and Aristotle contribute to political philosophy?
A
- Each contributed to modern-day discussions about justice, the organization of society, and what the best form of government is.
- Socrates discussed the concept of a philosopher king, an enlightened man that rules a society with the best intentions of the people in mind.
- Aristotle created the concept of deductive reasoning, which is using basic premises to build up to larger truths - an important tool for both logic and science.
4
Q
Explain:
How did Augustine and Aquinas contribute to political philosophy?
A
- Saw humans as innately political beings
- Sought to define the relationship between human and divine law.
- Central focus was preservation of peace.
- Concept of the just war, or the morally acceptable use of state violence.
- Augustine recognized that an imperfect world sometimes demanded imperfect solutions, while Aquinas defined the conditions that made a war just.
5
Q
Define:
social contract
A
The unspoken agreement between individuals to give up certain natural rights in order to enjoy the benefits of society.
Example: Citizens of a new colony agree to form a democratic government that enacts laws to protect their rights and property. If the government becomes tyrannical, they believe they have the right to revolt and establish a new government.
6
Q
Explain:
What is the Enlightenment Philosophy of social contract?
A
- It holds that human beings in a state of nature, or before they are part of a society, will voluntarily give up some of their rights in order to join a society.
- Society then provides them with safety, prosperity, and more material goods than they would have had otherwise.
7
Q
Explain:
How does Locke see the social contract?
A
- Humans are born neutral (neither good nor bad).
- Humans will agree to give up some of their natural rights in order to enjoy the benefits of a society, as long as government protects the rights that individuals give up.
8
Q
Describe:
Liberalism
A
- Political and moral philosophy that emphasizes individual freedom, equality, and the protection of civil liberties.
- Advocates for a political system that ensures the rights of individuals are respected and that government power is limited and accountable.
9
Q
Describe:
Conservatism
A
- Political and social philosophy that promotes the preservation of traditional institutions, practices, and values.
- It emphasizes stability, continuity, and the importance of maintaining the social order
10
Q
Describe:
Communism
A
- Aims to create a classless, stateless society where the means of production are owned and controlled collectively by the community.
- Seeks to abolish private property and promote equality and social justice.
11
Q
Describe:
Socialism
A
- Advocates for collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.
- Emphasizes social equality, economic fairness, and the reduction or elimination of class distinctions.
12
Q
Define:
Feminism
A
A group of social theories, moral philosophies and related political movements that advocates social, political and economic equality between the sexes.
13
Q
Explain:
3 waves of the feminist movement
A
- First Wave: In the early 1900’s, it focused on the major political, social, and economic rights, including the right to vote.
- Second Wave: In the 1960’s, reproductive rights were added.
- Third Wave: Incorporating concepts such as intersectionality and being more inclusive of race and gender.
14
Q
Describe:
Federalism
A
A system in which the power is constitutionally divided between the national government and the constituent units (in the U.S. called states).
The United States was the first country with a modern federal constitution, adopted in 1789.
15
Q
Explain:
How does Federalism operate?
A
- Clearly define national and states’ powers.
- Empower courts to solve disputes between the federal and state governments.
- Introduce supremacy of federal law over state law.
16
Q
Explain:
How did the principles of dual federalism influence the balance of power between state and federal governments in the United States during the 19th century?
A
- Established a division of powers, with the state and federal governments operating independently within their own spheres of authority.
- Led to significant autonomy for state governments and limiting federal intervention in state matters.
- Reinforced by key Supreme Court decisions, such as McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden.
Both cases delineated the boundaries of federal and state powers and emphasized the sovereignty of each within their respective domains.
17
Q
Explain:
How does the concept of popular sovereignty differ from legal or territorial sovereignty?
A
- Popular sovereignty: principle that the authority of a government is derived from the consent of the governed.
- Legal or territorial sovereignty: recognized authority of a state over a defined geographic area and its legal framework regardless of the people’s consent.
18
Q
Explain:
How does the principle of popular sovereignty underpin the framework of the U.S. Constitution, and in what ways is it reflected in the structure of American government and the rights of citizens?
A
- Establishes that the government derives its authority from the consent of the governed, reflected in the preamble’s affirmation of “We the People.”
- Seen through democratic processes such as elections, the protection of individual rights, and the system of checks and balances, ensuring that government power remains accountable to the citizens it serves.
19
Q
Identify:
How does the Declaration of Independence represent popular sovereignty?
A
It supports a government “by the people, for the people.”
As a legal doctrine, it emphasizes the importance of citizens having the ultimate power, in contrast to the British monarchy, which vested power in a queen or king.
20
Q
Identify:
4 examples of federal powers
A
- The authority to declare war.
- Raise and maintain an army and navy.
- Regulate interstate and foreign commerce.
- Coin money.
21
Q
Identify:
4 examples of state powers
A
- Education
- Transportation
- Law Enforcement
- Health and Safety Regulations
The powers delegated to state governments are referred to as reserve powers. These powers are granted to the states by the Tenth Amendment.
22
Q
Define:
devolution
A
The transfer of power from higher to lower levels of government.
23
Q
Describe:
Role of local governments
A
To run the local city, town, or county. This includes managing the following:
- Police departments
- Fire departments
- Libraries
- Local schools
- Utilities
24
Q
Explain:
Legislative Branch and its powers.
A
- The main power of it is to pass laws.
- The powers of it are listed in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. These include the power to declare war, borrow money, establish post offices and regulate commerce.
25
# Explain:
**Judicial Branch** and its powers.
* **Interprets** the U.S. Constitution.
* Includes **criminal** and **civil** courts.
* **Supreme Court** is the highest court, final say on constitutional matters.
* Uses **judicial review**, where it determines which laws and policies are constitutional and which are not.
26
# Explain:
**Executive Branch** and its powers.
1. Responsible for **implementing and enforcing federal laws** passed by Congress, ensuring that they are carried out effectively.
2. Oversees various government agencies and departments, **managing the day-to-day operations of the federal government** and ensuring that services are delivered to the public.
3. **Manages foreign relations**, negotiates treaties (with Senate approval), and directs national defense and military operations, serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
27
# Explain:
What are the most significant **challenges** and **responsibilities** faced by a **U.S. President** in the modern era?
* Address complex **domestic issues** such as healthcare, economic inequality, education, and infrastructure.
* **Navigate** an increasingly interconnected and volatile **global landscape**.
* **Manage relationships** with allies and adversaries.
* Address **global threats** like terrorism and climate change.
* Maintain **U.S. leadership** in international organizations.
28
# Explain:
What are **civil liberties** and why are they important?
* Fundamental **rights** and freedoms that are **protected by law from governmental interference**.
* **Safeguard personal freedoms** such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and the right to privacy.
29
# Explain:
What are **civil rights** and why are they significant?
* Rights of individuals to receive equal treatment and **be free from** **discrimination** in various spheres of life, including education, employment, housing, and access to public facilities.
* Designed to **ensure** that **all individuals** have **equal protection** under the law and are often enforced through legislation and court decisions.
30
# Explain:
How has the interpretation and application of the **14th Amendment** evolved over time, particularly in relation to its impact on **civil rights** and equal protection under the law?
* Evolved to significantly **expand civil rights and equal protection** under the law, influencing landmark Supreme Court decisions on issues such as **racial segregation, gender discrimination, and same-sex marriage**.
* Initially focused on protecting the rights of formerly enslaved people, the 14th Amendment's scope has broadened over time to address a wide range of civil rights issues, reflecting changing **societal values and legal principles**.
31
# Explain:
How do the core values and beliefs that define **American political culture** influence the functioning of the democratic system and shape public policy?
* Individualism, liberty, equality, and democracy, profoundly influence the functioning of the democratic system by **shaping citizens' expectations of government** and guiding political behavior and civic engagement.
* Values also impact public policy, **driving debates** on issues like civil rights, economic regulation, and social welfare, and reflecting the evolving priorities and ideologies of the American populace.
32
# Explain:
What is **public opinion** and what **affects** it?
* Expression of the general **population's thoughts** on a particular issue.
* Most often determined through public opinion **polls**.
* Many different factors **affect** public opinion, such as politicians, news media, socioeconomic status, major world events, and opinion leaders.
33
# Explain:
What is **political socialization** and what **affects** it?
It is the process by which **people form their ideas about politics**. Factors that affect it are:
1. Personal
2. Economic
3. Mass Media
4. World Events
34
# Explain:
What are the primary **factors** that **influence voter turnout** in elections, and how do these factors vary across different demographics and regions?
* **Factors**: Socioeconomic status, education level, age, race, and political engagement.
* **Higher turnout** typically seen among individuals with greater resources and civic involvement.
* **Regional differences**, such as state voting laws, access to polling places, and cultural attitudes toward voting, can significantly affect turnout rates across different demographics.
35
# Explain:
What are the key differences between **plurality** and **majority** voting systems, and how do these differences impact electoral outcomes and representation?
* **Plurality** **voting** occurs when the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they achieve a majority of votes, which can lead to outcomes where a **candidate wins without broad support**.
* **Majority** **voting** requires a candidate to receive more than 50% of the votes to win, often leading to runoff elections if no candidate meets this threshold, thereby **promoting broader consensus among voters**.
36
# Explain:
Difference between **direct** and **indirect** elections.
* A **direct election** means that the **popular vote** directly determines the outcome of an election. The popular vote refers to the actual votes of the people. The U.S. uses this for electing **representatives**.
* An **indirect election**, on the other hand, is one in which an **intermediary body**, elected by the people, is responsible for the outcome of an election. The **Electoral College** that determines the president is an example of a process in an indirect election. The U.S. uses this for the presidency.
37
# Explain:
runoff election
* Many elections require the winner to receive a majority or other percentage of the votes cast. If **no candidate receives enough votes** to be declared the winner in the original election, a **runoff election** will be held.
* Runoff is an election held when no single candidate receives enough votes to reach the threshold required by law. This circumstance is accomplished by **eliminating candidates that received the fewest votes**.
38
# Explain:
Significance of **political parties**.
* Evolved to make it easier to **select qualified candidates** to help make policy decisions.
* The members work together to develop a set of **ideals and positions** called the party's **political platform**.
* Act as the **organized opposition** to the party in power.
39
# Identify:
3 types of **political parties**
1. **Mass Parties**: The most recognizable, catch-all parties, which seek to gain as many members as possible even if that degrades their platform.
2. **Niche Parties**: Form around a specific issue, such as environmentalism.
3. **Cadre Parties**: Seek to allow elites to retain power.
40
# Explain:
What role do **interest groups** play in the American political system, and how do they influence public policy and the electoral process?
* Serve as **advocates for specific causes or issues**, mobilizing resources and public support to influence policymakers and shape legislation in alignment with their objectives.
* Through strategies such as lobbying, campaign contributions, and grassroots mobilization, they **play a significant role in the electoral process** by endorsing candidates, funding campaigns, and raising awareness about their causes.
41
# Identify:
4 types of **interest groups**
1. Buisness
2. Trade Associations
3. Citizen Groups
4. Professional Associations
42
# Explain:
What are the key distinctions between **political pluralism** and **cultural pluralism**?
* **Political pluralism**: system where **multiple political parties** and interest groups **coexist** and **compete for power**, allowing for diverse representation and the incorporation of various viewpoints in governance.
* **Cultural pluralism**: emphasizes the coexistence of **diverse cultural groups** within a society, advocating for the recognition and respect of different cultural identities and practices while promoting social harmony and inclusion.
43
# Explain:
How do interest groups use **lobbying strategies**?
* **Direct strategies** include lobbying techniques, rating government officials, building alliances, and offering campaign assistance.
* **Indirect strategies** include generating public pressure, using constituents as lobbyists, and public protest demonstrations.
44
What are the impacts of **media involvement** in elections?
* Can significantly **enhance voter engagement** by providing information about candidates, policies, and electoral processes, thereby shaping public opinion and facilitating informed decision-making.
* Can also **introduce bias and misinformation**, which can undermine the integrity of the democratic process by distorting perceptions and polarizing public sentiment.
45
# Define:
government
* System or **group** of individuals with the **authority** to **make and enforce laws** and policies for a specific political entity, such as a state or nation.
* Encompasses various institutions and structures that **manage** public affairs, **maintain order**, provide services, and **protect** the rights and freedoms of citizens.
46
# Describe:
**3 types** of government
1. **Autocracy**: It has 1 leader who controls all decision making. There is no Constitution to limit their power, and they are often called a dictator.
2. **Aristocracy**: It is ruled by leaders who inherit through their family's bloodline. They can function with or without a Constitution.
3. **Democracy**: Citizens are involved in either voting for leaders to represent them or directly participating in decision making themselves.
47
What role do **international organizations** play in promoting cooperation and addressing global challenges?
International organizations, such as the **United Nations** and the **World Trade Organization**, play a crucial role in promoting cooperation, facilitating dialogue, and addressing global challenges, including security threats, climate change, and humanitarian crises.
48
# Explain:
How do **shifting geopolitical alliances** impact global economic stability and international security?
* Altered trade routes, investment flows, and economic policies can lead to **uncertainties in markets**.
* Changes can also impact **international security**, as new alliances may shift power balances, potentially increasing the risk of conflicts or fostering new areas of cooperation.
49
# Define:
globalization
* Process of **increased interconnectedness and interdependence** among countries, economies, and cultures, driven by advancements in technology, trade, communication, and transportation.
* Involves the **movement of goods, services, information, and people across borders**, leading to a more integrated global economy and facilitating cultural exchanges and the spread of ideas.
50
# Explain:
How does **globalization** influence **cultural identity** and the preservation of local traditions in various societies?
* **Local** traditions and **identities** may be **overshadowed** by dominant global influences, potentially resulting in the loss of unique cultural practices.
* Can **foster cultural exchange and awareness**, allowing societies to preserve and even rejuvenate their traditions by sharing them on a global stage.
51
# Define:
power
Ability or **capacity to influence, control, or direct the behavior of others**, events, or outcomes.
## Footnote
It can manifest in various forms, such as political, economic, military, social, or personal.
Often exercised through authority, coercion, persuasion, or resources.
52
# Define:
What are the **elements** of power in international relations?
1. **Tangible factors**: such as the size, population, technology and wealth of a state.
2. **Intangible factors**: such as nationalism, political culture and ideology.
53
# Identify:
**3 polarities** of power
1. Unipolar system
2. Bipolar System
3. Multipolar system
## Footnote
**Unipolar system**: There is only one center of power where one state pretty much can influence and dominate all other international actors.
**Bipolar System**: There are two centers of power and all states align with either one or the other center of power, like in the Cold War with the Soviet Union and the United States.
**Multipolar system**: Power is diffused among many different states where all players have fairly equal influence and can act independently.
54
# Explain:
What are the key **differences** between **colonialism** and **imperialism** in terms of their methods and objectives?
* **Colonialism**: involves **acquiring and maintaining colonies** with direct control and settlement, aiming to exploit resources and spread the colonizer's culture.
* **Imperialism**: extends a nation's power and influence through various means, including economic pressure, diplomacy, or military force, **without necessarily establishing direct territorial control**.
55
How has the **Universal Declaration of Human Rights** influenced international law and the promotion of human rights globally since its adoption in 1948?
* Established a **foundational framework for international human rights law**, guiding the development of treaties, conventions, and national legislation aimed at protecting individual rights.
* Inspired **global movements for justice and equality**, encouraging countries to uphold human rights standards and hold violators accountable.
