Professional Documents
Culture Documents
KEY TERMS
authority
liberty
conservatism
limited government
democracy
pluralism
direct democracy
political socialization
elite theory
politics
equality
government
property
republic
ideology
liberalism
OTHER RESOURCES
A number of valuable supplements are available to students using the Schmidt, Shelley, and Bardes text. The
full list of the supplements is in the preface to this study guide. Ask your instructor how to obtain these
resources. One supplement is highlighted here, the INFOTRAC Online Library.
INFOTRAC EXERCISES
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Political Socialization
Service Learning and Political Socialization
This article discusses the concept of Service Learning, as a major tool in creating better-informed and more
active citizens for the future.
Study Questions
1. Have you participated in a service-learning program?
2. Do you think this program should be part of a higher education?
PRACTICE EXAM
(Answers appear at the end of this chapter.)
Fill-In-The-Blank
3.
All major definitions of politics try to explain how human beings regulate ___________ in their society.
4.
The features of a leader or an institution that compel obedience are called ___________.
5.
The ancient Greek city-state of Athens is often considered to be the historical model for
__________________.
6.
7.
From the elite theory perspective, new members of the elite are recruited through the __________________.
8.
In the pluralists view, politics is the struggle among ____________ to gain benefits for their members.
9.
10. Democracy, liberty, equality, and property lie at the core of American
___________________________________.
11. Hispanic immigration as a percentage of total U.S. population growth since 1970 has
_____________________.
12. Within the American electorate, the two ideological viewpoints that are most commonly held are
_____________________ and ________________.
1.
Political scientists are able to agree that politics involves the resolution of social conflict.
2.
In democratic nations, most citizens comply with the law because they accept the
authority of the government and its officials.
3.
Direct democracy in ancient Athens allowed all people to participate in the governing
process.
4.
James Madison was a strong advocate of a pure democracy for the American political
system.
5.
In a democratic republic, the people hold the ultimate power over the government through
the election process.
6.
The elite perspective sees the mass population as active and involved in the decisions of
government.
7.
8.
The Supreme Court ruled in the Kelo v. New London case that government could not take
private property for the public good.
9.
2.
A form of government in which every aspect of political, social, and economic life is controlled by the
government is called
a. a democratic regime.
b. a socialist regime.
c. a totalitarian regime.
d. an authoritarian regime.
e. dominant culture.
3.
4.
6.
7.
8.
To ensure that majority rule does not become oppressive, modern democracies
a. provide guarantees of minority rights.
b. have constitutions that are difficult to amend.
c. use plurality voting for most decisions.
d. use affirmative action programs.
e. hold free, competitive elections.
9.
10. According to the elite perspective, the government should be run by the smartest people because
a. they will make the best decisions.
b. they cannot be corrupted because they have so much wealth already.
c. they know what is best for the poor.
d. they are better able to negotiate with the elites of other nations.
e. they are always part of the government.
11. Pluralist theory believes that decisions are made in American politics by
a. the mass population.
b. the governing elites.
c. the wealthy.
d. the competition between groups trying to gain benefits for their members.
e. the political parties.
2.
3.
4.
conflict
authority
direct democracy
democratic republic
educational system
groups
family
political culture
increased
liberalism, conservatism
True/False
1.
2.
T
T
3.
4.
F
F
5.
6.
T
F
7.
8.
T
F
9. T
10. T
d
c
a
a
c
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
c
d
a
d
a
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
d
c
c
c
d
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
e
c
c
e
c
Short Essay
An adequate short answer consists of several paragraphs that relate to concepts addressed by the question.
Always demonstrate your knowledge of the ideas by giving examples. The following represent major ideas that
should be included in the short essay answer.
1.
2.
Athenian model of direct democracy: every citizen has a responsibility to participate through
initiative, referendum, and recall.
Democratic Republic: a republic in which the people vote for representatives to make laws and
other decisions for the people.
Principles of western representative democracy: the emphasis on elected officials making all
policy decisions.
Constitutional democracy: limited government, the idea that the power of government is
limited by a written document or constitution.
3.
4.
Liberty: The greatest freedom of individuals that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in
society. Freedom of speech, and freedom of religion are good examples. Freedom can be restricted in a
time of national emergency.
Equality: A concept that all people are of equal worth. This concept is often debated as to its meaning.
Does it mean equal political status or equal opportunity? Perhaps the Internet will provide persons with
a forum in which all are equal.
Property: This can be seen as giving its owner political power and the liberty to do whatever he or she
wants.
These are the three core values often linked with majority rule.
Compare and contrast the concepts of liberalism and conservatism.