PSC 101 Exam 1 Questions and Answers
100% pass
Cultural Ideals
Political Culture:
DEFINITION: shared set of values, beliefs, and attitudes of a particular people
3 Core values: make up the American Culture
Liberty
Equality
Democracy
Political Efficacy
Political efficacy is the belief that one has the ability to influence what government does.
Citizenship
Citizenship: derived from the Greek ideal, refers to "enlightened political engagement."
Nature of Political Conflict- 2 sources
Conflict rooted in two general conditions of society:
Scarcity of Resources
Difference in values
Government defined
institutions, processes, and rules designed to facilitate control over a particular geographic area
Autocracy/Oligarchy/Democracy
Autocracy: government by a single, nonelected leader (e.g., a king, queen, or dictator).
Oligarchy: government by a small group that is not accountable to the citizens (e.g., military officers
or landowners).
Democracy: a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental
process, usually through the election of key public officials.
Constitutional/Authoritarian/Totalitarian governments
Totalitarian governments recognize no limits on their authority.
Authoritarian governments recognize no limits on their authority, but they are constrained by other
institutions, such as business or a church.
Constitutional governments are limited both in what they can do (substantive limits) and the methods
they can employ (procedural limits).
Representative Democracy (Republic) v. Direct (pure) democracy
Pure: people directly make policy
Forms of direct democracy in Nevada:
Initiative
Example: recreational marijuana
Gun control background checks
Referendum: uphold or reveal existing laws
Recall: remove officials prior to the expiration of their term (only state officials)
Representative: people vote for representatives who serve their interests
, Power/Authority
Power
Ability to influence governmental decisions
Authority
Recognized right to make binding decisions
Politics-Lasswell and text definition
Harold Lasswell (famous political scientist)
defines politics as: the process of deciding "who gets what, when & how"
Pluralism
Groups and organized interests also participate in politics.
Groups and organized interests provide funds for candidates, lobby, and try to influence public
opinion.
The pattern of struggles among interests is called group politics, or pluralism.
Equality of opportunity v. Political equality
Political Equality
"One man, One Vote"
We're all equal in the political process
Popular Sovereignty, Majority Rule, Minority Rights
When ultimate power rests with the citizenry, this is called popular sovereignty.
In America, the people are sovereign and majority rules, but the individual rights of the minority are
still protected.
Tyranny of the Majority
Federalists saw the need for a strong central government, and divided its powers to prevent tyranny
of the majority.
Rules of American Politics ('the game')
People must know the rules of the game in order to engage or influence the outcome.
Separation of Powers-Montseiu and features of checks and balances
3 branches all with their own powers granted to each.
4 Goals of Framers
A central government strong enough to promote commerce and protect property against
infringement by the states
Not threaten existence of separate states
Government not threatening liberty
Government based on popular consent
100% pass
Cultural Ideals
Political Culture:
DEFINITION: shared set of values, beliefs, and attitudes of a particular people
3 Core values: make up the American Culture
Liberty
Equality
Democracy
Political Efficacy
Political efficacy is the belief that one has the ability to influence what government does.
Citizenship
Citizenship: derived from the Greek ideal, refers to "enlightened political engagement."
Nature of Political Conflict- 2 sources
Conflict rooted in two general conditions of society:
Scarcity of Resources
Difference in values
Government defined
institutions, processes, and rules designed to facilitate control over a particular geographic area
Autocracy/Oligarchy/Democracy
Autocracy: government by a single, nonelected leader (e.g., a king, queen, or dictator).
Oligarchy: government by a small group that is not accountable to the citizens (e.g., military officers
or landowners).
Democracy: a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental
process, usually through the election of key public officials.
Constitutional/Authoritarian/Totalitarian governments
Totalitarian governments recognize no limits on their authority.
Authoritarian governments recognize no limits on their authority, but they are constrained by other
institutions, such as business or a church.
Constitutional governments are limited both in what they can do (substantive limits) and the methods
they can employ (procedural limits).
Representative Democracy (Republic) v. Direct (pure) democracy
Pure: people directly make policy
Forms of direct democracy in Nevada:
Initiative
Example: recreational marijuana
Gun control background checks
Referendum: uphold or reveal existing laws
Recall: remove officials prior to the expiration of their term (only state officials)
Representative: people vote for representatives who serve their interests
, Power/Authority
Power
Ability to influence governmental decisions
Authority
Recognized right to make binding decisions
Politics-Lasswell and text definition
Harold Lasswell (famous political scientist)
defines politics as: the process of deciding "who gets what, when & how"
Pluralism
Groups and organized interests also participate in politics.
Groups and organized interests provide funds for candidates, lobby, and try to influence public
opinion.
The pattern of struggles among interests is called group politics, or pluralism.
Equality of opportunity v. Political equality
Political Equality
"One man, One Vote"
We're all equal in the political process
Popular Sovereignty, Majority Rule, Minority Rights
When ultimate power rests with the citizenry, this is called popular sovereignty.
In America, the people are sovereign and majority rules, but the individual rights of the minority are
still protected.
Tyranny of the Majority
Federalists saw the need for a strong central government, and divided its powers to prevent tyranny
of the majority.
Rules of American Politics ('the game')
People must know the rules of the game in order to engage or influence the outcome.
Separation of Powers-Montseiu and features of checks and balances
3 branches all with their own powers granted to each.
4 Goals of Framers
A central government strong enough to promote commerce and protect property against
infringement by the states
Not threaten existence of separate states
Government not threatening liberty
Government based on popular consent
