Def. pt. 1
Government
The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.
What is a “state?” What are its four characteristics?
A body of people. 1) Population 2) Territory 3) Sovereignty 4) Government
This color was actually named after the fruit, rather than the fruit being named after the color.
Orange
How are democracy and the internet connected to each other? Is it good or bad to have the internet in a democracy? Be sure to explain.
Democracy is all about people being informed about what’s going on in gov’t. Internet is all about getting people information quickly and easily. Problems: Reliability of information, Any person can get online and preach something that many people take to be true, It perpetuates many assumptions and promotes ignorance.
Political Parties
Group of persons looking to control the gov’t by winning elections and holding office.
Party who controls the executive branch.
There are four major theories of the origin of the state. List and explain each.
1) The Force Theory
Person or group decided they would control an area and forced people to obey them
2) The Evolutionary Theory
Developed naturally out of the family – head of a family, head of a tribe, then a government when nomads stopped moving
3) The Divine Right Theory
God created the state and chose those of royal birth to rule
It was people’s task to obey otherwise disobey God
4) The Social Contract Theory
People agreed to create the state and give it as much power as was needed to promote safety and well-being
This quarterback holds the NFL record for the most Super Bowl wins as a player, with seven titles.
Tom Brady
What influences party membership? How do you decide which party to belong to?
Family (what were your parents?), Major events (Civil War & Great Depression), Economics (income levels, but not guaranteed), Age, education, geography, etc. Examine what views you hold. Look at the difference in the various parties (especially the two major ones) and see which you most agree with. Know where you get your sources. No, you cannot trust everything the media and internet say. Know what influences your political thoughts. Religion? Parents? A experience that you had? Someone you really respect? Your political affiliation should be based on your beliefs of the role of gov’t and the responsibility of citizens to other citizens.
Public Policy
Anything the government decides to do.
Allegory of the Cave
Describes prisoners chained in a cave who mistake shadows on a wall for reality, representing the human condition of accepting illusions as truth. Illustrates the journey from ignorance (the cave) to enlightenment (the outside world).
What are the 3 basic forms of distribution of gov’t power? Explain each.
1) Unitary - Centralized gov’t; this gov’t creates local units of gov’t for convenience.
2) Federal - Powers are divided between central and local gov’ts (division of power).
3) Confederate - “Confederation (alliance of independent states); Central organization only handle matters given to it by the states (defense and trade). Does not make laws for individuals – reserved for the states.
These two legendary franchises share the record for the most NBA titles in history.
Boston Celtics & L.A. Lakers
Why do some people favor a multiparty system in the United States? Why do others oppose it?
Pros:
Better represent the American people
More accurate candidate choice
Cons:
No party can win by itself – forms coalition with other parties
Coalitions change often (every party is out for themselves)
Americans see it as unstable
Multiparty System
Several parties all seriously compete for and win offices.
Mixed Economy
Free enterprise with gov’t regulation and promotion
There are 3 main classifications of gov’t for political scientists. What are they?
1) Who can participate in government 2) Geographic distribution of gov’t power 3) Relationship between legislative and executive branches
This is the only continent without deserts.
Europe
Name and explain each of the political parties main functions.
1) Nominate candidates - Parties have their own primaries (our best vs. their best).
2) Inform and activate supporters - Campaign for their guy…criticize the other guy.
3) The bonding agent function - Parties try to pick qualified and good candidates, or they lose. Get someone you like / will win.
4) Governing - Gov’t business is based on partisanship. President and Congress have to work together – parties are the channels that allow communication.
5) Act as watchdog - Party out of power watches the party in power (party who controls the executive branch). Party in power is responsive to wishes and concerns of the people – to try and stay in power.
Federalism
Division of power within the gov't between national (federal), state, and local gov'ts.
Baron de Montesquieu
Studied governments in Europe, decided the best way to protect liberty is to divide functions and powers ("branches"), and that each should check each other ("checks and balances").
What is the Allegory of the Cave? How does social media play into this idea of the “cave” and “shadows?” How does the gov’t play into this same idea? Be sure to explain.
Describes prisoners chained in a cave who mistake shadows on a wall for reality, representing the human condition of accepting illusions as truth. Illustrates the journey from ignorance (the cave) to enlightenment (the outside world). Social Media and the Gov't can act as "shadows," not always portraying reality.
The Titanic sank in this year.
1912
List and explain the 4 reasons we have the two-party system
1) The Historical Basis - Formed at the very beginning: Federalist vs. Anti-Federalists.
2) The Force of Tradition - Formed at the beginning…and just kept going.
3) The Electoral System - Single member districts encourages voting for major party candidate (minor party vote is wasted). Hard for other parties to get on the ballot.
4) The American Ideological Consensus - Americans are on the whole, ideologically homogeneous (we hold much of the same basic principle and ideals). The two that we have are fairly similar – they both shoot for the middle of the road and compromise.
John Locke
English philosopher that believed people are reasonable and moral. People have certain inalienable right ("natural rights") that the gov't needs to protect. People create government to protect these rights. Best government is 1)limited in power and 2)accepted by all citizens. If the government fails to do its role, people have the right to overthrow the government.