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What are the core values of the American political culture?
liberty, self-government, individualism, diversity, and unity
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Politics
process that determines whose values will prevail in society
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Political Culture
characteristics and deep-seeded beliefs of a particular ppl about govt and politics
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What period of time did the settlers arrive?
Enlightenment period
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When were the first African slaves brought to America?
1619
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When was the Jim Crow era of segregation?
19th century
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When was the Declaration of Independence written and established?
1176
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When was the US founded?
1776
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When was the Great Depression
1930s
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What is the cornerstone of society?
Individualism; gov't exists to serve the people
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Liberty
individuals should be free to act and think as they choose, so as long as they do not infringe unreasonably upon the well-being and freedom of others.
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equality
all are equal in their moral worth, in their treatment under law, and in their political voice
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self-government
the ppl are the ultimate source and proper beneficiary of governing authority and must have a voice in how they are governed
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individualism
commitment to personal initiative, self-sufficiency, and material accumulation
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unity
Americans are one people and form an indivisible nation
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diversity
indiv and group differences should be respected and these differences are themselves a source of strength
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E pluribus enum
out of many
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T or F core political ideas are general principles, not fixed rules of conduct.
True
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2 primary sources of politics
- scarcity (conflict over distribution of resources)
- differences in values
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Thomas Hobbes
- Leviathan social contract
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social contract
ordinary ppl surrender the freedom they would naturally have in return for protection that a sovereign ruler can provide
(give up freedom for protection)
Hobbes
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John Locke
- Second Treatise on Civil Government
- inalienable rights (life, liberty, and property)
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Democracy
form of govt in which the ppl govern, either directly or through elected representatives
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Oligarchy
control rests with a small group (wealthy families, officers of military)
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autocracy
control rests with a single individual (king/queen, dictator)
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Constitutionalism
set of rules that restricts the lawful uses of power
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Capitalism
govt should interfere as little as possible with distributing economic costs and benefits.
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Socialism
govt has a large role in regulating economic decisions and providing economic security for all indivs.
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Communism
gov't owns most or all major industries and also takes responsibility for overall management.
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public policy
decision by govt to follow a course of action designed to produce a particular outcome.
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power
ability of persons or institutions to control public policy
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totalitarian govts
assert complete dominance over indivs and institutions of soc
absolute power
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authoritarian govts
- leaders, though they admit to no limits on their powers, are effectively limited by other centers of
- power in soc (churches, corporations, or wealthy families)
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democratic govts
ongoing competition for power among a range of interests
bc US is so diverse, no one group can gain full power and control; groups are forced to work together to exercise power
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authority
recognized right of an indiv, organization, or institution to make binding decisions
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What are 4 theories of power?
- Majoritarianism
- Pluralism
- Elitism
- Bureaucratic Policy
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Majoritarianism
the majority determines issues of policy
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Pluralism
numerically stronger special interest groups prevail
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elitism
policy is controlled by a small number of well-positioned, highly-influential individuals
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bureaucratic rule
policy is controlled by well-placed administrators w/in govt bureaucracy
Max Weber
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The political system includes...
inputs (demands), political institutions (govt), and outputs (responses to/expressions of demands)
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