We the People: Chapter 1

Equality of outcome

Everyone earns the same thing, but does not have the same access to this thing

Equality of opportunity

Everyone has equal access to opportunities in life

This effort takes place through various frameworks, including rational choice theory, institutional analysis, historical reasoning, behavioral studies, legal reasoning, and cultural analysis.

Political science is descriptive and analytical. In what ways does it attempt to depict and explain politics?

The northeastern and western coastal states are wealthier and more urbanized than most states. Accordingly, young people in these states can better afford the costs of college and are more likely to pursue careers that require a college degree.

Why do the northeastern and western coastal states have a higher percentage of adults with college degrees?

Politicians (and news outlets) put a "spin" on the political information they tell to frame their side in a more positive light

Why should you be wary of the political information given out by politicians?

Pluralism

on most issues, the preference of the special interest largely determines what government does

Elitism

power exercised by well-positioned and highly influential individuals and the wealth that provides a foundation for this

Public policies

the decisions of government to pursue particular courses of action

Politics

the means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs.

Equality

the notion that all individuals are equal in their moral worth and thereby entitled to equal treatment under the law

Authority

the recognized right of officials to exercise power

Political Science

the systematic study of government and politics.

Legal action

the use of the courts as a means of asserting rights and interests—a channel through which ordinary citizens exercise power.

Communism

A political system where the government, ruled by one party, owns most or all major industries and also takes responsibility for overall management of the economy

Representative democracy

A type of democracy where representative are elected to represent the wishes of the people

Direct democracy

A type of democracy where the people make the decisions and rule themselves. This is seen in ancient Athens

Authoritarian government

A type of government that openly represses its political opponents, mostly through intimidation and prohibitions on free expression but sometimes by brutalizing opposition leaders.

Free-market system

An economic system that operates mainly on private transactions

Socialism

An economic system where the government does not attempt to manage the overall economy, but owns a number of major industries and guarantees every individual a minimal standard of living

Political thinking

Critical thinking focused on deciding what can reasonably be believed and then using this information to make political judgments

No, people want the U.S. to be seen as glorious and great, rather than a continuous experiment throughout the years. For example, adults are more likely to want children to be taught about America's achievements rather than its shortcomings.

Do Americans like telling the more negative and shameful aspects of their history?

Yes

Do corporate elites have more political power in America than they do in most Western democracies?

No, Americans are not linked by a shared ancestry. Instead, they are linked by allegiance to a common set of ideals.

Does a shared ancestry link America? If not, what links Americans together?

Farmers, for example, have more influence over agricultural subsidies than do other groups, even though these subsidies have far-reaching effects, including the price that shoppers pay for food.

Give an example of pluralism

People respond to the world as they think it is

How do people respond to the world?

It occurs primarily through the competition between the Republican and Democratic parties

How does majoritarianism occur in America?

The distribution of power in a society affects who wins and who loses when policy decisions are made

How does power affect politics?

Few people have pursued their individual rights—ranging from freedom of expression to fair-trial protections—as relentlessly as have Americans.

How have the principles of liberty and individualism shape American society?

Although democracy provides the opportunity for personal development, the individual bears responsibility for using this opportunity

How is democracy double edged?

The great majority of early immigrants to America came from Europe, which was facilitated by restrictions on immigrants from other parts of the globe. In 1965, legislation was enacted that eased restrictions on Latin American and Asian immigrants and, since then, they have constituted the majority of immigrants.

How might more recent U.S. immigrants differ from those who came to the United States earlier in its history?

Its role is to serve the people, as opposed to a system where people are required to serve it.

In the U.S., government is secondary. With this in mind, what is its role?

Party (partisan) polarization

THis term is used to characterize today's party politics due to partisan divisions have surfaced on nearly every major issue, along with the fights being bitter and prolonged

Americans' national identity

What are American beliefs and ideals the foundation for?

the European heritage of the first settlers and colonists

What are American ideals rooted in?

Authoritarian governments suppress individuality, forcing people to think and act in prescribed ways or risk punishment. Democracy instead liberates the individual

What are authoritarian governments like? How are democracies different?

They are backed by the country's police and armed forces, forego free and fair elections, and exert tight control over the media

What are some characteristics of authoritarian governments?

Liberty, individualism, equality, and self-government

What are the four core American political ideals?

Direct and representative democracy

What are the two types of democracy?

It enables citizens to act responsibly, whether in casting a vote, forming an opinion on a political issue, or contributing to a political cause.

What does critical thinking enable citizens to do?

majority rule through the free and open election of representatives

What has democracy come to mean?

America's cultural beliefs are idealistic

What is a true statement about the four ideals of America?

Education

What is an example of equality of opportunity?

A high school diploma or GED

What is an example of equality of outcome?

Majoritarianism

What is it called when political leaders respond to the policy desires of the majority?

Economic independence

What is liberty inherently tied to?

The U.S. spends much less on programs for the poor than European countries, despite having a higher poverty rate Americans are less inclined to support welfare policies

What is one area where the United States and Europe differ as a result of the emphasis that their citizens place on individual achievement?

It is nearly the only country to use primary elections No country holds as many elections or has nearly as many publicly elected officials

What is one thing that Americans do differently than the rest of the world? (there are multiple answers)

The best predicator is not whether they finished college but whether they have a solid understanding of public affairs.

What is the best predicator of students' later participation in civic in political life?

Settlers did not have to accept the European system of absolute government when greater personal liberty was as close as the next area of unsettled land. Many also fled Europe to escape religious persecution and came to look upon religious freedom as part of a broader set of rights

What is the history behind the political idea of liberty?

The major barrier to political thinking is the unwillingness of citizens to make the effort.

What is the largest barrier to political thinking?

A social science

What type of science is political science?

It was the first successful large-scale rebellion in human history driven largely by the desire to create a radically different form of society.

What was unique about the American Revolution?

Colonial America because Britain gave the colonies a large amount of autonomy.

When did the American belief of self government develop?

Its public education system

Where can Americans' determination to build a more equal society also be seen?

Despite the lofty claim that "all men are created equal," equality has never been an American birthright. One of America's biggest contradication to this ideal was slavery. Historically, there was also the Chinese Exclusion Act, Executive Order 9066, and lynchings of both Latinos and black people. In modern times, it is the continued disenfranchisement of people of color, Muslims, women and LGBT people.

Why has equality been America's most elusive ideal?

Democracy

a form of government in which the people govern, either directly or through elected representatives.

Power

a term that refers to the ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments

Constitutionalism

the idea that there are lawful restrictions on government's power. Officials are obliged to act within the limits of the law, which include the protection of individual rights

Corporate power

the influence of business firms on public policy and has been a defining feature of American politics since the late 1800s

Liberty

the principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose, provided they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well-being of others.

Individualism

the principle that is a commitment to personal initiative and self-sufficiency.

Self government

the principle that the people are the ultimate source of governing authority and should have a voice in their governing

Political Culture

the widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of its people about politics.