Vocab
What is the definition of political values?
Beliefs about which goals, principles, and policies are important in a political community
What do we mean by popular or mass values?
The popular beliefs of individual citizens about desirable goals, acceptable principles, and preferred policies.
What is political culture?
The distinguishing values and behavior of a political community. It is the political ethos of a political community. It can be affected by ideology, history, religion, social, morality, literature and art, etc.
What are the main institutions of government?
Legislatures
Executives
Bureaucracies
The Courts
What are the two types of cases that courts adjudicate?
Cases that involve contracts
Cases that involve torts
What is a constitution?
A blueprint of government that has the rules that determine what a government can or cannot do.
Which are the four main values political elites claim to uphold?
(2) human rights, democracy, and liberty
(3) justice and fairness
(4) welfare and well-being
Explain the representative government or direct democracy dilemma.
Typically, citizens are exercising power through elected representatives (this is representative government).
But direct democracy can also be permitted through constitutions. In direct democracies, referendums occur that are about big constitutional questions and important local affairs.
Whom do legislatures represent?
Geographic areas
Political parties
Ideologies
Values and interests
Name two examples of types of interest groups.
Labor unions
Professional associations
Environmental groups
Religious groups
What is the definition of emotional intelligence?
The ability to manage emotions and turn them into constructive purposes.
Political elites
Individual citizens
Social classes and interest groups
What is the British parliamentary model of connection of powers?
Members of the executive are also members of the legislature. There are not separate elections for the legislature and the executive.
Why do bureaucracies sometimes have a bad reputation?
They are slow and inefficient.
Also there are instances of power abuse.
What are two examples of decisions where more than just a "simple majority" is required in the US?
Two-thirds majority for changing the US constitution
Presidential veto
What is connectedness?
Rallying diverse interests behind a new policy.
(Part of what makes planning a policy successful)
Why did the shift in popular values after WWII happen, according to Inglehart?
Name the main five political dilemmas that are resolved in a constitution.
(2) representative democracy or direct democracy
(3) separation or connection of powers
(4) federalism or unitary government
(5) use of majority rule
What are the responsibilities of the courts?
Safeguarding rights and liberties
Upholding valid law and administration (judicial review)
Adjudicate disputes under law
What do cases that involve torts entail?
Liability for injuries and damages
Laws make individuals or organizations liable for causing harm or injury to some other individual or organization.
What is devolution?
An interesting feature of unitary government. The national government delegates some decisions and powers to state/local governments.
What is the "level of analysis problem"?
The challenge of choosing the appropriate level to study and analyze political phenomena (in this context, specifically elites). Insights at one level may not directly explain or apply to other levels.
What are three examples of political cultures in countries? (yes, this was in the lecture)
US: emphasis on individual freedom
China: obligations to the community
Russia: emphasis on a strong state
What are the six qualities that shape the performance of US presidents, according to Greenstein?
Public communicator
Organizational capacity
Political skill
Policy vision
Cognitive style
Emotional intelligence
What resources are important for executives for planning successful new policies?
Comprehensiveness
Foresight
Accessibility
Connectedness
Efficiency