Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

From Flashcardlet > Political Science Ch. 1 > Flashcards

Political Science Ch. 1 Flashcards

(73 cards)

Start Studying
0
Q

Political efficacy is the belief that

A

One can influence what government does

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
1
Q

Americans’ trust in their government

A

Has declined significantly since the 1960’s.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

According to the author, good citizenship requires

A

Political knowledge and political engagement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is digital citizenship?

A

The ability to participate in society online.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the difference between a totalitarian government and an authoritarian one?

A

In an authoritarian government, certain social institutions may restrain the power of the government.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

In a constitutional government

A

Formal and effective limits are placed on the power of government.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Although not present at the national level, a number of states and cities permit citizens to vote directly on law and policies. What is this form of rule called?

A

Direct democracy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

The percentage of foreign born individuals living in the United States

A

Has increased significantly since reaching its low point in 1970.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Since 1900, which of the following groups has increased as a. Percentage of the overall population in the United States?

A

Black, Hispanic and Asian.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

As a percentage of the total population in the United States, which age group has increased most dramatically from 1900 to 2010?

A

The elderly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What percentage of Americans live in urban areas today?

A

About 80 percent.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Which of the following is not related to the American conception of Liberty?

A

All of the above are related to liberty.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Which of the following is not part of the core value of the American political system?

A

Belief in equality of results.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

The principle of political equality can be best summed up as

A

“One person, one vote.”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Authoritarian government

A

A system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limit but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Citizenship

A

Informed and active membership in a political community.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Constitutional government

A

A system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Democracy

A

A system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Direct democracy

A

A system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Equality of opportunity

A

A widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Government

A

Institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Laissez-faire capitalism

A

An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Liberty

A

Freedom from government control.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Limited government

A

A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Majority rule/minority rights
The democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority.
25
Political equality
The right to participate in politics equally asked on the principle of "one person, one vote."
26
Popular sovereignty
A principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people.
27
Political efficacy
The ability to influence government and politics.
28
Totalitarian government
A system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it.
29
Representative democracy (republic)
A system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making.
30
CLASS NOTES
CLASS NOTES
31
Politics
- Politics - Is the process and method of decision making for groups of human beings. Although it generally applied to governments, politics is also observed in all human group interactions including corporate, academic, and religious. - Involves change, resources, common life, and power.
32
Political science
Is the study of political behavior and examines the acquisition and applications of power, i.e. The ability to impose one's will on another. One theorist, Harold Larswell, has defined politics as "who get what, when, and how."
33
Power
Influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies.
34
Power | Characteristics of power
- Ability to influence an outcome to achieve an objective; or the ability to influence someone to act in a way contrary to the way he/she would act. - Involves the exercise of volition - Latent or manifest - Power is usually diversified when it is manifested.
35
Type of power:
- Force: physical means - Persuasive: non-physical power makes its use of power clear and known to the agent over which power is exercised/ - Manipulation: non-physical power in which the agent using power conceals the use of power. - Exchange: Involves incentives
36
Government affects our lives everyday
Americans expect a lot from their government. - Keep us safe and yet protected individual liberty and privacy. - Support the weakest and yet taxes low. - Sustain a healthy environment and still promote business growth. - Keep government small, yet handle each crisis quickly and effectively.
37
CEO pay to average worker pay
Japan 11:1 South Africa 21:1 Germany 12:1 Britain 22:1 France 15:1 Mexico 47:1 Italy 20:1 Venezuela 50:1 Canada 20:1 United States 475:1
38
Digital citizenship:
The ability to participate in society online, and it is increasingly important in politics.
39
_________% of Americans read the new online and more than ____ in _____ look up political information onlin
75% | 6 in 10
40
________% visit a local, state or federal government website.
67%
41
Digital divide
Exclusion from participation online. Lower-income and less-educated Americans, racial and ethnic minorities, those living in rural areas, and the elderly are all less likely to have Internet access.
42
Digital citizens
More likely to engage in political discussions, vote and participate in alternative ways.
43
Government
Is made up of the institution and procedures by which people are ruled.
44
Forms of government
Autocracy, oligarchy, democracy.
45
Autocracy
A government by a single, non-elected leader (e.g. A king, queen or dictator).
46
Oligarchy
Government by a small group that is not accountable to the citizens (e.g. Military officers or church)
47
Democracy
A system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials.
48
Citizenship
Is based on knowledge and participation, political engagement.
49
Citizenship:
Derived from the Greek ideal, refers to "enlightened political engagement."
50
Citizenship
Entails public discussion, debate, and activity designed to improve the community.
51
Citizens
Must be aware of the facts and what can e done about a situation, and they must be willing to take action to solve community problems.
52
Citizenship
Based on knowledge and participation.
53
Necessity of political knowledge
- Citizens must understand how politics works if they art to shape outcomes. - Knowledge of the process must extend far beyond names and dates. - To understand what they can expect of their government. - Knowledge counters political efficacy.
54
Power
Totalitarian, authoritarian, and constitutional.
55
Totalitarian governments
Recognize no limits on their authority.
56
Authoritarian government
Recognize no limits on their authority, but they are constrained by other institutions, such as business or a church.
57
Constitutional government
Are limited both in what they can do (substantive limits) and the methods they can employ (procedural limits).
58
The goals of politics:
Is to have a say in what happens.
59
Politics
Conflict over the leadership, structure, and policies of government.
60
Representative democracy (republic)
Governments are run by elected officials who represent the interests of their constituents.
61
Direct democracy
- Citizens themselves vote on all legislation. | - Town meetings, referenda
62
The United States has grown in population from _______ million in ________, the year of the first official census, to ________ million in ______.
3.9 million in 1790 | 318 million in 2014.
63
The government sets policy to determine whom it allows in and who is eligible for citizenship.
True. | This decision is highly political and has changed many times over the course of American history.
64
Has the identity of Americans changed over time?
Yes
65
U.S. Citizenship
- The first census didn't count Native Americans. Not until1924 Native Americans could become citizens. - Most African descent were not officially citizens until 1860's when the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution conferred citizenship on the freed slaves.
66
Immigration policy:
- Has been historically biased against nonwhites. - Until 1870, only free whites could become naturalized citizens. - The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 outlawed the entry of Chinese laborer so into the United States, until WWII.
67
Twenty-first Century Americans
- By 1965, Congress lifted strict immigration limits set in place in the 1920's. - This resulted in new waves of immigration from Asia and Latin America.
68
2012 Population (U.S. Census)
White: 63% Latino: 17% Black: 13% Asian: 5%
69
Age distribution:
- Age distribution of the population can have a profound impact on politics. - Different age groups have very different needs for public services. - Different age groups vote differently.
70
Nations | Characteristics of a Nation
- Share common language, culture, history, ethnicity, and/or religion. - May not have their own state - One or more nations may exist within a states boundaries.
71
If Americans do not share a common blood line or religious or ethnic heritage, what unites the nation?
Political culture
72
American political culture emphasizes the values of:
- Liberty - Equality - Democracy

From Flashcardlet (45 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions