Chapter 2: The Ideas That Shape America

Define Liberty and give an example of the American ideal of liberty.

"You should be free to do as you choose." A great example of the ideal of liberty is from the famous line, _"Give me liberty or give me death!"_ This comes from a speech by Patrick Henry urging American colonies to revolt against England.

Self-rule

*We, the people, rule ourselves;* the idea that legitimate government flows from the people

1. Liberty is often described as the most important American idea. Define it. Describe the two different views of liberty. Which do you think is more accurate? 2. Review the seven principal "American ideas" we have identified in this chapter. Are new foundational ideas bubbling up in American politics today? If so, what are they? 3. There are three forms of equality—social, political, and economic. Define each. There are two approaches to economic equality: opportunity and outcome. Describe each and comment on the one America leans toward. 4. Discuss the United States as a mixed system of government. 5. Compare the politics of emphasizing the individual to the politics of emphasizing communities.

1. Liberty Negative Liberty Positive Liberty 2. Liberty Self-Rule Limited Government Individualism American Dream Equality Religion 3. Social Political Economic Opportunity Outcome 4. Include the following: Direct Participation Indirect Participation Elected Officials Unelected Officials 5. Individualism Social Democracy

What is another way of looking at the US Constitution?

A blueprint for the government.

Negative freedom allows citizens to act according to what?

According to their own ideas.

The view that the United States is unique, marked by a distinct set of ideas such as equality, self-rule, and limited government, is known as

American exceptionalism.

Individualism, Summarized:

American politics includes both individualism and solidarity. Different leaders, parties, groups, and individuals weigh the two values in different ways. However, compared to other nations, the United States is very much at the individualist end of the spectrum.

Limited Government, Summarized:

Americans distrust their government far more than people in most other democracies. The Constitution builds that distrust into our governing rules by providing for limited government. The result is a very durable status quo. In many other countries, politicians can usually deliver the programs they promised on the campaign trail. In the United States, winners confront multiple barriers to fulfilling their pledges. That's the anti-government strain in American thinking. However, once programs do go into effect, they often prove popular and difficult to change.

Positive liberty ensures citizens have

Basic Necessities.

Describe how did early America protected limited government, an American ideal still upheld today.

By limiting [the government's] power, we must protect ourselves from tyranny by the Constitution. The government only has power from its written document, the US Constitution. If it is not in this document, the government cannot do it.

Name the top religion in America and show an example.

Christianity (including the top five faiths). There is "more Jesus" in US than any other country due to religion being an American ideal and is shown in the White House. Christian is the dominant religion in government despite how America likes to believe we are all equal. (On the contrary, almost all other countries do not "mix" religion and politics and it is "political death" elsewhere to announce or imply your religious beliefs while politicking.)

Despite America's greatest state of economic inequality since the Great Depression, why is immigration highest in America as compared to other countries?

Due to the American dream painting a land of opportunity, the dream still lives on and is shown as most children today are born or come from an immigrant family.

Why doesn't America have free healthcare or national healthcare?

Due to the romanticization of individualism which is painted as me, and only me, myself and I can take care of myself alone and how America idealizes individualism, free/national healthcare cannot happen since the nation believes you are responsible for yourself, not the government.

Equality, Summarized:

Equality means that every citizen enjoys the same privileges, status, and rights before the law. Equality applies to social status, political rights, and economic conditions. Today, America generally aims for equal opportunity rather than equal outcome, though heated discussions rage over what society must provide to ensure equal opportunity.

Today, we see a divided government. Define what this is and why it is bad.

Governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress. This is unideal as the parties cannot seem to agree on anything due to their ideologies.

Negative liberty limits

Government actions.

What statement best describes the American Dream?

If you are talented and work hard, you will have personal success.

According to Rogers Smith once freedom is won what happens to it?

It is lost and won again.

The belief that the rules and organizations built into the government would shape popular behavior was held by who?

James Madison.

Liberty, Summarized:

Liberty - or the freedom to pursue your goals - is the most often-invoked American value. There are two different views of what liberty means. Negative liberty emphasizes a lack of constraints on individuals, even if those constraints are intended to help others. Positive liberty calls on the community to help everyone satisfy their basic needs. Guarantees of individual liberty have developed over time. Some scholars see the rise of freedom as inevitable, reflecting American ideals; others see it as a constant battle that can always go either way.

What are the seven key American ideas?

Liberty, self-rule, individualism, limited government, the American dream, equality, and religion/faith in God.

Thomas Jefferson was a supporter of doing what with democracy?

Maximizing

Ideas affect the way Americans define:

National Ideals.

How Do Ideas Affect Politics? Summarized:

Political scientists point to three different ways in which foundational ideas influence politics. First, ideas shape American culture, which in turn affects our politics. Second - and the most popular argument among political scientists - ideas operate through political institutions. We have to study those institutions to appreciate how ideas shape politics and policies. Third, ideas may have their own independent power.

Religion, Summarized:

Religion plays an enduring role in American politics and society. This is unusual - almost unique - among wealthy countries. Americans have an unusually large number of faiths to choose from, although younger people are less likely than their elders to affiliate with an organized religion. Religious politics raise questions about the role and extent of religion in our national public life. They inspire political participation on a host of issues - from civil rights to abortion. And they foster a missionary sense in American foreign policy.

According to the Declaration of Independence what is the role of government?

Secure rights.

Self-Rule, Summarized:

Self-rule is a powerful and enduring idea guiding American government. Lincoln put it best: "Government of the people, by the people, for the people." There are two chief pathways to government by the people: a democracy and a republic. Americans have always sought to balance these two ideals.

Libertarians are proponents of

Small government.

The American Dream, Summarized:

The American dream is the belief that anyone who works hard can get ahead and grow wealthy. Critics argue that hard work is no longer enough. They offer two criticisms: first, the poor and the middle class are falling farther behind the wealthy because of bias in the political economy; and second, other values are more important than wealth. Despite the critics, the dream remains a powerful American idea.

Who rules in the United States?

The People.

What best describes ideologies (a set of consistent beliefs) are the same, parties change?

The Republican party used to be more of "Democrats" back in the day and the Democratic party used to be more "Republican" as well.

Describe America's current situation to show how prevalent economic inequality is today.

The upper one percent has as much money as the whole bottom 50% combined, which is 160 million people. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. Due to the rich dominating the top 1%, they tend to have better laws catered towards them that they can influence with their wealth.

What is something to keep in mind about the seven key American ideas that guide US politics?

There are two sides to each idea, and since Americans rarely agree on each idea there is ongoing discourse about all of the ideas.

When people rule indirectly, what is this type of government named?

This type of government is named a republic.

The issue of how to achieve self-rule was settled by the

US Constitution.

The word "rights" appears how many times in the Constitution?

Zero.

Social democracy

a government in which citizens are responsible for one another's well-being & use government policy to ensure that all are comfortably cared for

Republic

a government in which citizens rule indirectly and make government decisions through their elected representatives.

Initiative

a process in which citizens propose new laws or amendments to the state constitution

Economic equality

a situation in which there are only small differences in wealth among citizens

Median

a statistical term for the number in the middle or the case that has an equal number of examples above and below it

Equality

all citizens enjoy the same privileges, status, & rights before the laws (We like to believe everyone is equal, however seeing discrimination even government-based, shows that it is not as true as we would like.)

Political equality

all citizens have the same political rights & opportunities

Social equality

all individuals enjoy the same status in society

Conservatives (right or right-wing)

americans who believe in reduced government spending, personal responsibility, traditional moral values, & a strong national defense

Liberals (left or left-wing)

americans who value cultural diversity, government programs for the needy, public intervention in the economy, & individuals' right to a lifestyle based on their own social & moral positions

Referendum

an election in which citizens vote directly on an issue

A person who believes the military should be built up to maximum strength is probably a

conservative.

When every American has the same chance at economic success then the nation has achieved

equal opportunity.

Political equality is a situation in which

every citizen has the same political rights and opportunities.

When citizens pursue their goals without interference from others they are experiencing:

freedom

Negative liberty

freedom from constraints or the interference of others

When people take care of themselves and do not rely on the government they are practicing

individualism.

When a citizen recommends a new law it will take the form of a(n)

initiative.

Sunshine laws

laws that permit the public to watch policymakers in action & to access the records of the proceedings

A person who believes in less military and more social welfare is most likely a

liberal.

Someone who wants less government, including less military and less social welfare is likely a

libertarian.

Libertarians

people who believe in minimal government, specifically that public officials' only role should be defending borders, prosecuting crime, & protecting private property

When citizens pursue their goals without interference from others what type of liberty are they experiencing?

positive liberty

Americans _____ agree on the meaning of American ideas.

rarely

A government in which citizens vote for others to make governmental decisions is a

republic.

Citizens who take care of one another and feel a responsibility to one another are practicing

social democracy.

A person who requests the minutes of the city council meeting is taking advantage of

sunshine laws.

Positive liberty

the ability & provision of basic necessities to pursue one's goals

Freedom

the ability to pursue one's own desires w/o interference from others

Individualism does not include:

the belief that social democracies that are based on solidarity.

Equal outcome

the idea that citizens should have roughly equal economic circumstances

Equal opportunity (similar to the American dream)

the idea that every American has the same chance to influence politics & achieve economic success

Individualism

the idea that individuals, not the society, are responsible for their own well-being

Political culture

the orientation of citizens of a state toward politics

American exceptionalism

the view that the U.S. is uniquely characterized by a distinct set of ideas such as equality, self-rule, & limited government

Economic inequality

this is rising in america & shows the major differences in the income/wealth of different households (rich, middle class and poor)