AP Gov Chapter 4 Questions

What is the culture war? Define the term and explain the two sides of the culture war. List five areas of disagreement between cultures. Why is money not an issue?

A culture war is when culture classes are locked in a war about values. The two sides are orthodox and progressive. Orthodox is a belief that morality and commandments of God should be unchanging and independent. Progressive is a belief that personal freedom is more important than traditional moral rules. The five areas of disagreement are one side wants drugs and the other doesn't, one wants school prayer, teaching about homosexuality, moral standards and religious justification, and right to abortion. Money isn't an issue because they're competing beliefs so a compromise can't be made and conflict is more profound.

How are political culture and political ideology different? Give an example.

Political culture is shared views within a community overtime while political ideology is the views of a single person. An example is political culture in America is equality among its citizens, but the ideology would be gay marriage should be nationally legalized, which comes from a culture of equality.

Define the following terms: Political culture, Political subculture & Political ideology

Political culture: A patterned and sustained way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out. Political subculture: Fundamental assumptions about how the political process should operate that recognizes people by religion, region, and other characteristics. Political ideology: A set of views as to the policies the government should establish.

Explain the term political efficacy. What is internal efficacy? What is external efficacy?

Political efficacy is citizens' belief that they understand and influence political affairs. Internal efficacy is confidence in a citizen's own abilities to understand and contribute to political affairs. External efficacy is a belief that the system responds to demands of society.

Explain political tolerance and how can one enhance their tolerance?

Political tolerance is tolerance of the opinions and actions of others, like seeing atheists protest God and not get irrationally angry. To enhance tolerance, one must believe that equality is crucial in the political realm so that you don't believe your beliefs are greater than another person.

Explain how Americans differ from other democratic nations in the following areas: Politics, Economy & Religion

Politics: Americans emphasize individualism, competition, and equality in political, social and economic affairs while other nations value maintaining good relations, having groups make decisions, maintaining peace, and respecting hierarchy. Americans have a stronger sense of civic duty and civil competence. Americans are behind compared to other nations in voter participation while they are way ahead of other nations in campaigning, going to political meetings, being active in the community, and contacting government officials. Americans are more expressive of their confidence for public institutions than most other nations. Americans are more likely to say they're patriotic. Economy: Other nations are more likely to believe in equal pay and income limits than Americans. Americans are more likely to think freedom is more important than equality. Americans are less likely to think hard work goes uncompensated or the government should guarantee the people a basic standard of living. Americans value equality of results more than equality of opportunity. Religion: America is one of the most religious countries in the world. Religious people, groups, etc give more time and money to charity.

What are the five most common beliefs of the American political system?

The five most common beliefs of the American political system are: Liberty: Americans are preoccupied with their rights. They believe they should be free to do what they want, with some exceptions that they don't hurt others. Equality: Americans believe everybody should have an equal vote and equal chance to participate and succeed. Individual Responsibility: A characteristically American view that, barring some disability, individuals are responsible for their own actions and well-being. Civic Duty: Americans generally feel people ought to take community affairs seriously and help out when they can. Democracy: Americans think government officials should be accountable to the people.

What is the primary way culture is preserved over time and transmitted to a new generation?

The primary way culture is preserved over time and transmitted to a new generation is through family.

Since when and why has there been a gradual decline in the trust of our government?

There has been a gradual decline in the trust of our government since the late 1950's because of events that occur during the set time. If a leader pulls through during tough times, people trust them; but then it declines as nothing else good or bad happens while they're in office because they don't give the same hope anymore.

How would you conclude this chapter?

To conclude this chapter, I would say political culture in America is different from other countries in topics such as politics, economy, and religion. The five most common beliefs of our political system are liberty, equality, individual responsibility, civic duty, and democracy. Regardless of these common beliefs, there is still a culture war in America between the concepts of orthodox, religious based, and progressive, personal freedom over moral rules.