American Political Culture From Chapter 1 Of Ginsberg

Front 1

What is a libertarian?

Back 1

one who favors minimal government and maximum individual freedom

Front 2

What are three key American political values?

Back 2

liberty, equality, and democracy

Front 3

What is political efficacy?

Back 3

the ability to influence government and politics; the belief that citizens can affect what government does

Front 4

What is citizenship?

Back 4

informed and active membership in a political community

Front 5

Can we have democratic government without knowledgeable and aware citizens?

Back 5

No; for citizens in a democracy to participate intelligently in politics and act on their interests, they need political knowledge.

Front 6

What is government?

Back 6

institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled

Front 7

What is an autocracy?

Back 7

form of government in which a single individual rules

Front 8

What is oligarchy?

Back 8

a form of government in which a small group controls most of governing decisions

Front 9

What is democracy?

Back 9

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

Front 10

What is a constitutional government?

Back 10

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

Front 11

What is authoritarian government?

Back 11

a system of rule in which the government recognizes no format limits but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions

Front 12

What is totalitarian government?

Back 12

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

Front 13

What is politics?

Back 13

conflict over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments

Front 14

What is power?

Back 14

influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies

Front 15

What is representative democracy/republic?

Back 15

a system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making (e.g. America at national level)

Front 16

What is a direct democracy?

Back 16

a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies (e.g. California recall of governor)

Front 17

What is pluralism?

Back 17

group politics or the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government.

Front 18

What is direct action politics?

Back 18

a form of politics, e.g. civil disobedience or protest, that takes place outside formal channels, which attempt to shock rulers into behaving more responsibly

Front 19

What is political culture?

Back 19

shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should function. (e.g. American political culture emphasizes liberty, equality, democracy)

Front 20

What is liberty?

Back 20

freedom from governmental control

Front 21

What is limited government?

Back 21

a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution

Front 22

What is laissez-faire capitalism?

Back 22

"leave alone" - economic system in which means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with little or no government interference

Front 23

What is equality of opportunity?

Back 23

American ideal that each person should be given a fair chance to go as far as his or her talents can go to reach their potential

Front 24

What is political equality?

Back 24

right to participate in politics equally, based on principle of "one person, one vote"

Front 25

What is popular sovereignty?

Back 25

a principle of democracy - the idea of placing power in the hands of the people

Front 26

What is majority rule/minority rights?

Back 26

the wishes of the majority determine what government does but also protects interests of the minority

Front 27

What's an example of when civil liberties have been restricted to help people?

Back 27

Americans have accepted restrictions on liberty (e.g. arresting people without evidence) to fight terrorism after 9/11.

Front 28

Should America export democracy?

Back 28

A democratic world might be better for humanity, more stable, and more peaceful; but democracy may not succeed if there is not a civil society and stable economy; also the process of democratization can be dangerous.

Front 29

What can you do to become politically involved?

Back 29

read or watch the news and find out what issues seem important to you, start a discussion with family members or friends about an issue that interests you, write a letter to the editor of a newspaper, call in to a radio talk show