NCSU PS201 Exam 1 (Ch 1-5) with complete solution
government
the system for implementing decisions made through the political process
factions
groups of like-minded people who try to influence the government. american
government is set up to avoid domination by any one of these groups
Separation of Powers
the division of government across the judicial, executive, and legislative branches
checks and balances
a system in which each branch of government has some power over the others
federalism
the division of power across the local, state, and national levels of government
public goods
Services or actions (such as protecting the environment) that, once provided to one
person, become available to everyone. Government is typically needed to provide public
goods because they will be under-provided by the free market.
collective action problems
Situations in which the members of a group would benefit by working together to
produce some outcome, but each individual is better off refusing to cooperate and
reaping benefits from those who do the work.
free rider problem
the incentive to benefit from others work without making a contribution, which leads
individuals in a collective action situation to refuse to work together
politics
the process that determines what government does
free market
an economic system based on competition among businesses without government
interference
redistributive tax policies
Politics, generally favored by Democratic politicians, that use taxation to attempt to
create social equality (for example, higher taxation of the rich to provide programs for
the poor).
culture wars
political conflict in the US between "red-state" Americans, who tend to have strong
religious beliefs, and "blue-state" Americans, who tend to be more secular
ideology
a cohesive set of ideas and beliefs used to organize and evaluate the political world
conservative
One side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for lower taxes, a free market,
and a more-limited government; generally associated with Republicans.
liberal
One side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for stronger government
programs and more market regulation; generally associated with Democrats.
libertarians
, Those who prefer very limited government and therefore tend to be conservative on
issues such as welfare policy, environmental policy, and public support for education,
but liberal on issues of personal liberty such as free speech, abortion, and the
legalization of drugs.
democracy
government by the people. in most contexts, this means representative democracy in
which the people elect leaders to enact policies. Democracies must have fair elections
with at least two options
liberty
Political freedom, such as the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. These
and other legal and due process rights protecting individuals from government control
are outlined in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution.
equality
In the context of American politics, equality means equality before the law, political
equality (one person, one vote), and equality of opportunity (the equal chance for
everyone to realize their potential), but not material equality (equal income or wealth).
Articles of Confederation
Sent to the states for ratification in 1777, these were the first attempt at a new American
government. It was later decided that the Articles restricted national government too
much, and they were replaced by the Constitution.
limited government
a political system in which the powers of the government are restricted to prevent
tyranny by protecting property and individual rights
Shay's Rebellion
an uprising of about 4,000 men in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787 to protest
oppressive land laws and gain payment of war debts. the unrest prompted calls for a
new constitution
monarchy
a form of government in which power is held by a single person, or monarch, who
comes to power through inheritance rather than election
republicanism
As understood by James Madison and the framers, the belief that a form of government
in which the interests of the people are represented through elected leaders is the best
form of government. our form of government is known as a republican democracy
consent of the governed
the idea that government gains its legitimacy through regular elections in which the
people living under that government participate to elect their leaders
natural rights
Also known as "unalienable rights," the Declaration of Independence defines them as
"Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." The Founders believed that upholding
these rights should be the government's central purpose.
federalists
Those at the Constitutional Convention who favored a strong national government and a
system of separated powers.
antifederalists
government
the system for implementing decisions made through the political process
factions
groups of like-minded people who try to influence the government. american
government is set up to avoid domination by any one of these groups
Separation of Powers
the division of government across the judicial, executive, and legislative branches
checks and balances
a system in which each branch of government has some power over the others
federalism
the division of power across the local, state, and national levels of government
public goods
Services or actions (such as protecting the environment) that, once provided to one
person, become available to everyone. Government is typically needed to provide public
goods because they will be under-provided by the free market.
collective action problems
Situations in which the members of a group would benefit by working together to
produce some outcome, but each individual is better off refusing to cooperate and
reaping benefits from those who do the work.
free rider problem
the incentive to benefit from others work without making a contribution, which leads
individuals in a collective action situation to refuse to work together
politics
the process that determines what government does
free market
an economic system based on competition among businesses without government
interference
redistributive tax policies
Politics, generally favored by Democratic politicians, that use taxation to attempt to
create social equality (for example, higher taxation of the rich to provide programs for
the poor).
culture wars
political conflict in the US between "red-state" Americans, who tend to have strong
religious beliefs, and "blue-state" Americans, who tend to be more secular
ideology
a cohesive set of ideas and beliefs used to organize and evaluate the political world
conservative
One side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for lower taxes, a free market,
and a more-limited government; generally associated with Republicans.
liberal
One side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for stronger government
programs and more market regulation; generally associated with Democrats.
libertarians
, Those who prefer very limited government and therefore tend to be conservative on
issues such as welfare policy, environmental policy, and public support for education,
but liberal on issues of personal liberty such as free speech, abortion, and the
legalization of drugs.
democracy
government by the people. in most contexts, this means representative democracy in
which the people elect leaders to enact policies. Democracies must have fair elections
with at least two options
liberty
Political freedom, such as the freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. These
and other legal and due process rights protecting individuals from government control
are outlined in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution.
equality
In the context of American politics, equality means equality before the law, political
equality (one person, one vote), and equality of opportunity (the equal chance for
everyone to realize their potential), but not material equality (equal income or wealth).
Articles of Confederation
Sent to the states for ratification in 1777, these were the first attempt at a new American
government. It was later decided that the Articles restricted national government too
much, and they were replaced by the Constitution.
limited government
a political system in which the powers of the government are restricted to prevent
tyranny by protecting property and individual rights
Shay's Rebellion
an uprising of about 4,000 men in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787 to protest
oppressive land laws and gain payment of war debts. the unrest prompted calls for a
new constitution
monarchy
a form of government in which power is held by a single person, or monarch, who
comes to power through inheritance rather than election
republicanism
As understood by James Madison and the framers, the belief that a form of government
in which the interests of the people are represented through elected leaders is the best
form of government. our form of government is known as a republican democracy
consent of the governed
the idea that government gains its legitimacy through regular elections in which the
people living under that government participate to elect their leaders
natural rights
Also known as "unalienable rights," the Declaration of Independence defines them as
"Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." The Founders believed that upholding
these rights should be the government's central purpose.
federalists
Those at the Constitutional Convention who favored a strong national government and a
system of separated powers.
antifederalists
