POL 101 Exam 2 Study Guide || with Complete Solutions.
What institutions are and why they matter?
esp. in democracy. correct answers translates political vision (theories and ideologies) into actual
working government and societies
3 principles of politics correct answers 1. Justice
2. Power
3. Order
Government structures correct answers the basic things that governments need to do in order to
govern
Three structures all governments need correct answers 1. Legislative: rules/ laws
2. Executive: implement and enforce laws (biggest branch)
3. Judicial: interpret law, mediate disputes
U.S. Congress vs. British House of Commons correct answers U.S. Congress:
-legislature is separate from the executive
-we often vote in opposite parties
-frustrates President's ability to push his agenda.
British House of Commons:
-one party at a time has all the power
-party in power and prime minister are the same
-can push through changes quickly
Human nature and political institutions correct answers a society's basic view of human nature
affects how their institutions are set
James Madison correct answers Madison pessimistic view of human nature, people are self-
interested, competition for power keeps anyone from getting too much power
Divided power correct answers -harder to get things done but prevents too much power in one
branch
-power also divided between national and subnational units
Aristotle's categories of government correct answers Aristotle's fundamental distinction in al
societies: the few vs. the many
-the few are the rich
-the many are the poor
-large middle class makes most stable society
-increasing gap between rich and poor contributes to instability
Decision: making where is the power? correct answers National --> subnational/ local (unitary)
National <--> subnational/ local (federal)
National <-- subnational/ local (confederal)
, -"States" in U.S. or provinces elsewhere
role of "outsider" like Smith in Washington (movie) correct answers Jefferson Smith: outsider,
brings America back to its values, U.S. is supposed to be government for the people
What do Mr. Smith and other characters represent about American values and attitudes towards
politics? correct answers -Jefferson Smith: an idealist, represents American ideals, ordinary
people, and the idealistic vision that our government is for the people
-Saunders: secretary of Smith, very sinicle, nothing is as good as it seems, questions if
government is good, represents a good dose of Sinicism (sour attitude of government)
-Payne: government sellout, fear that government corrupts
Taylor (character in film) correct answers big business guy, represents Aristotle's idea the basic
struggle of few rich and many poor, that money plays too big of a part in politics
history of separation of functions and the historical development of the executive correct answers
ancient governments: executive, legislative, judicial
-all one: king makes, enforces, and prosecutes laws
sources of king's legitimacy correct answers God:
origins:
-ancient Egypt: king is divine
-problem in doctrine: man is imperfect, God is perfect
1. elites need ideology to persuade masses to obey Kings
Political Theorist: St. Augustine- 5th Century correct answers political theorist: City of God
Divine Right of Kings
-God rules heavenly city (perfect)
-Man rules earthy city (imperfect)
Leads to
-God gives king authority to rule
role of liberalism in challenging authoritarian rule correct answers Britain: Locke argues for
equality/ rights
-parliament gradually gains power
Presidential vs Parliamentary Systems: how executive is chosen in each correct answers
Presidential- executive elected and removed by voters
Parliamentary- executive chosen and removed by MP's
Presidential vs Parliamentary Systems: curb power of executive correct answers Presidential:
creates strong, independent executive
-danger: executive becomes too strong (the impenal presidency)
-by appealing directly to the people
-by appointing political judges
-legislatures try to avoid controversy
What institutions are and why they matter?
esp. in democracy. correct answers translates political vision (theories and ideologies) into actual
working government and societies
3 principles of politics correct answers 1. Justice
2. Power
3. Order
Government structures correct answers the basic things that governments need to do in order to
govern
Three structures all governments need correct answers 1. Legislative: rules/ laws
2. Executive: implement and enforce laws (biggest branch)
3. Judicial: interpret law, mediate disputes
U.S. Congress vs. British House of Commons correct answers U.S. Congress:
-legislature is separate from the executive
-we often vote in opposite parties
-frustrates President's ability to push his agenda.
British House of Commons:
-one party at a time has all the power
-party in power and prime minister are the same
-can push through changes quickly
Human nature and political institutions correct answers a society's basic view of human nature
affects how their institutions are set
James Madison correct answers Madison pessimistic view of human nature, people are self-
interested, competition for power keeps anyone from getting too much power
Divided power correct answers -harder to get things done but prevents too much power in one
branch
-power also divided between national and subnational units
Aristotle's categories of government correct answers Aristotle's fundamental distinction in al
societies: the few vs. the many
-the few are the rich
-the many are the poor
-large middle class makes most stable society
-increasing gap between rich and poor contributes to instability
Decision: making where is the power? correct answers National --> subnational/ local (unitary)
National <--> subnational/ local (federal)
National <-- subnational/ local (confederal)
, -"States" in U.S. or provinces elsewhere
role of "outsider" like Smith in Washington (movie) correct answers Jefferson Smith: outsider,
brings America back to its values, U.S. is supposed to be government for the people
What do Mr. Smith and other characters represent about American values and attitudes towards
politics? correct answers -Jefferson Smith: an idealist, represents American ideals, ordinary
people, and the idealistic vision that our government is for the people
-Saunders: secretary of Smith, very sinicle, nothing is as good as it seems, questions if
government is good, represents a good dose of Sinicism (sour attitude of government)
-Payne: government sellout, fear that government corrupts
Taylor (character in film) correct answers big business guy, represents Aristotle's idea the basic
struggle of few rich and many poor, that money plays too big of a part in politics
history of separation of functions and the historical development of the executive correct answers
ancient governments: executive, legislative, judicial
-all one: king makes, enforces, and prosecutes laws
sources of king's legitimacy correct answers God:
origins:
-ancient Egypt: king is divine
-problem in doctrine: man is imperfect, God is perfect
1. elites need ideology to persuade masses to obey Kings
Political Theorist: St. Augustine- 5th Century correct answers political theorist: City of God
Divine Right of Kings
-God rules heavenly city (perfect)
-Man rules earthy city (imperfect)
Leads to
-God gives king authority to rule
role of liberalism in challenging authoritarian rule correct answers Britain: Locke argues for
equality/ rights
-parliament gradually gains power
Presidential vs Parliamentary Systems: how executive is chosen in each correct answers
Presidential- executive elected and removed by voters
Parliamentary- executive chosen and removed by MP's
Presidential vs Parliamentary Systems: curb power of executive correct answers Presidential:
creates strong, independent executive
-danger: executive becomes too strong (the impenal presidency)
-by appealing directly to the people
-by appointing political judges
-legislatures try to avoid controversy
