Deck 1: Making Sense of American Politics

Question 1

What are the primary myths that support American democracy today? Where do they come from? Who is more likely to believe them? Who is less likely?

Answer 1

The primary myths that support American democracy today include the idea of the "American Dream" - the belief that anyone can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination, the myth of American exceptionalism - the belief that the United States is uniquely virtuous and destined to lead the world, and the myth of the "melting pot" - the idea that America is a diverse and inclusive society where people of all backgrounds can come together and thrive.

These myths have their origins in American history, literature, and popular culture. They are often perpetuated through political rhetoric, media portrayals, and educational curricula.

Those who are more likely to believe in these myths are often individuals who have a strong sense of national pride and identity, and who may benefit from the status quo. This can include individuals who are more economically privileged, white, and native-born Americans.

On the other hand, those who are less likely to believe in these myths are often individuals who have experienced systemic barriers and discrimination, such as people of color, immigrants, and those who are economically disadvantaged. They may be more critical of the narratives that uphold American democracy and may be more aware of the gaps between the ideals of democracy and the realities of inequality and injustice.

Question 2

Plato said that rulers must tell lies for the good of the community. These "noble lies" help create communal solidarity. What sort of "noble lies" do Americans believe about their country?

Answer 2

There are a few "noble lies" that many Americans believe about their country. One is the idea of American exceptionalism, which suggests that the United States is uniquely virtuous and has a special mission to spread freedom and democracy around the world. This belief in American exceptionalism can lead to a sense of national pride and unity, but it can also overlook the country's flaws and mistakes.

Another "noble lie" is the myth of the American Dream, which promises that anyone can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. While this idea has inspired many people to pursue their goals, it can also ignore the systemic barriers and inequalities that make it difficult for some individuals to achieve upward mobility.

Additionally, there is the belief in the inherent goodness of the American political system and its leaders. This can lead to a sense of trust and stability, but it can also prevent critical examination of the government's actions and policies.

Overall, these "noble lies" can create a sense of communal solidarity and national identity, but they can also perpetuate myths and overlook the complexities and challenges within American society.

Question 3

Irving Kristol once said: "There are different kinds of truths for different kinds of people. There are truths appropriate for children; truths that are appropriate for students; truths that are appropriate for educated adults; and truths that are appropriate for highly educated adults, and the notion that there should be one set of truths available to everyone is a modern democratic fallacy. It doesn't work." Do you agree?

Answer 3

I can see where Irving Kristol is coming from, but I don't fully agree with his statement. While it is true that different people may have different levels of understanding and different truths may be more relevant to them, I believe that there are universal truths that should be available to everyone. These truths may be basic principles of morality, ethics, and human rights that should apply to all individuals regardless of their level of education or background. It is important to recognize and respect the diversity of perspectives and experiences, but at the same time, there are certain fundamental truths that should be universally acknowledged and upheld.

Question 4

If Aristotle were asked to describe American politics today, how would he categorize it? Would he consider it a democracy? A polity? Something else?

Question 5

The "crazy goat rodeo" refers to:

A) The dysfunction in Congress
B) The collapse of international norms of political behavior
C) The 2016 election cycle
D) The behavior of lobbyists

Question 6

A pluralist view of power would hold that political power should be:

A) Dispersed among many elites who share a common acceptance of the rules of the game
B) Dispersed as equally as possible throughout the whole political system
C) Exercised directly by the people through votes on ballot issues
D) Concentrated in the hands of a small group of leaders who share a common view on fundamental issues

Question 7

Those who believe strongly in direct democracy would most favor:

A) Requiring all laws to be voted on by each citizen before they are enacted
B) Requiring that each citizen be able to exercise the same degree of influence over governmental actions
C) Free speech for everyone, regardless of citizenship
D) The elimination of the rights of the lower class

Question 8

Aristotle believed that the right form of government is one that:

A) Is run by all the people
B) Is run by well-educated people
C) Serves the interests of the rulers
D) Serves the common interests of the people

Question 9

Aristotle feared democracy because he believed it:

A) Could devolve into mob rule
B) Provided too much power to a president
C) Would not be based on the consent of the governed
D) Would not have the interests of "the many" in mind

Question 10

Political beliefs are said to be based on:

A) Assumptions
B) Attitudes that we grow up with in our families and communities
C) Attitudes that we develop over time
D) All of the above

Question 11

Candidate Jane Freedom advocates government intervention in both the national economic decline and the shaping of "moral" behavior. This candidate most likely considers herself a:

A) Liberal
B) Conservative
C) Libertarian
D) Populist

Question 12

Compared to the level of activity of governments in the United States before 1900, our governments today are:

A) More involved in land purchases
B) More involved in most areas of our lives
C) Less involved in social welfare issues
D) Less involved in most areas of our lives

Question 13

Fran believes the government should intervene more to regulate the economy, but she is opposed to government limitations on personal freedom of speech. Her ideas are most in line with:

A) Populism
B) Conservatism
C) Libertarianism
D) Liberalism

Question 14

Conservatism differs from liberalism because conservatives generally support:

A) Limitations on personal freedom
B) Intervention in economic affairs
C) Freedom in personal moral affairs
D) Regulation of business activity

Question 15

George W. Bush invoked stereotypical imagery by characterizing nations that supported terrorism as:

A) An "unacceptable clan of chaos"
B) "Partners in death"
C) "Companions of destruction"
D) An "axis of evil"

Question 16

Government has played an important role in Americans' lives as far back as:

A) Colonial times
B) The Revolution
C) The Civil War
D) The Great Depression

Question 17

Ideological differences in many European democracies can clearly be discerned in the differences between their:

A) Local and national governments
B) Institutions of higher education
C) Traditions and constitutions
D) Political parties

Question 18

If Representative Smith argues that political power should be distributed as equally as possible throughout our political system, he or she would be expressing a ____ view of power.

A) libertarian
B) pluralist
C) coalition
D) majoritarian

Question 19

Believing that all Democrats are "tax-and-spend" liberals is an example of:

A) Reasoned analysis
B) A proverbial saying
C) A stereotype
D) A mythological narrative

Question 20

According to the text, the two central issues in U.S. political ideology regarding how much government should do are intervention in:

A) Cultural and private affairs
B) Private and international affairs
C) Economic and private affairs
D) Economic and international affairs

Question 21

In some states, citizens can vote directly on matters of public policy through:

A) Primary elections
B) Representative democracy
C) Initiatives and referenda
D) Special district governments

Question 22

In politics, an ideology can BEST be described as a:

A) means of applying ideals to one's own life
B) form of democracy in which everyone has an equal voice
C) tool used by citizens to prioritize what government could or should do
D) way of understanding political realities

Question 23

During the Great Recession of 2007-2009, ____ served as one of the scapegoats for the economic downturn felt throughout the United States.

A) Japan
B) Wall Street greed
C) The collapse of the Soviet Union
D) Terrorism

Question 24

In the United States today, democracy is defined as a belief in government in which authority is based on:

A) The wisdom of people with political experience
B) The principles of efficiency and economy
C) The consent and will of the majority
D) The intersection of law and policy

Question 25

In the early history of the United States, governments:

A) Had no important economic or social functions
B) Played no role in the expansion of the nation
C) Performed a number of functions, such as economic development
D) Influenced almost every aspect of life except economic arrangements

Question 26

Most complex societies have found that to ensure effective governance, they need:

A) To allow a few elites to govern
B) Intermediate levels of government
C) More ethnically diverse candidates
D) To require elected officials to interact with their constituents directly

Question 27

Myths can take the form of:

A) Stories
B) Stereotypes
C) Proverbial sayings
D) All of the above

Question 28

Objectivism is an ideology that stresses:

A) That all citizens should be put into classes according to their contributions to society
B) That governmental activity should be entirely separated from religious entities
C) The worth of an individual within a democratic society
D) The values of individualism and minimal government intervention in the economy

Question 29

One of the goals of government in the United States is to:

A) Promote equality among members of society
B) Maintain the status quo in society
C) Rule with an iron fist
D) Change only those laws that are not supported by the majority of the voters

Question 30

Senator Ayn argues that the government has no business limiting the absolute freedom of Americans in either economic or personal affairs. Based on this, you could reasonably conclude the candidate's ideas are those of a:

A) Conservative
B) Libertarian
C) Liberal
D) Populist

Question 31

Particularly for our most significant institutions, such as the presidency and the Supreme Court, myths also serve to:

A) Eliminate undesirable civic behaviors
B) Reduce stereotypical images of our enemies
C) Reflect views of the past and future
D) Decrease voter apathy

Question 32

People who encourage the use of the initiative and referendum process would favor:

A) Restricting the influence of myths
B) Extending public knowledge of ideologies
C) Increasing public input into policy decisions
D) Limiting the influence of direct democracy

Question 33

Political beliefs emerge from an ongoing process called political ______________.

A) assessment
B) socialization
C) acculturation
D) maturation

Question 34

Popular culture does NOT appear to play a major role in:

A) Reflecting public opinion
B) Shaping people's thoughts about political figures
C) Expressing patriotism
D) Dissuading support for conspiracy theories

Question 35

Shortly after the establishment of the Republic, Congress developed a set of rules for establishing territorial governments and selling land referred to as:

A) The Washington Plan
B) The Mississippi Purchase
C) The Northwest Ordinance
D) The Adams Doctrine

Question 36

The U.S. government, unlike that of communist nations:

A) Promotes formal ideologies that seek to shape private moral character
B) Represents the will of the people
C) Has no official national ideology
D) Supports a planned economy

Question 37

The ancient Greeks saw ____ as a kind of understanding obtained through listening to stories and other forms of narrative that seemed to reflect the world.

A) philos
B) anthropos
C) logos
D) mythos

Question 38

The BEST description of the formal government of the United States as envisioned by the Framers is a(n):

A) Republic
B) Elite democracy
C) Direct democracy
D) Oligarchy

Question 39

The collective myth of American vulnerability to foreign threat was first felt during:

A) Colonial times
B) After September 11th
C) World War II
D) The Cold War

Question 40

The elitist and pluralist views of power differ on whether:

A) All the people should have equal power in government
B) One or many elites should influence government
C) The government should intervene in economic affairs
D) The legislative or judicial branch should dominate

Question 41

The source of authority of individuals who make and enforce public policies is derived from constitutions and:

A) Long-standing traditions
B) Republicanism
C) Federalism
D) Noblesse oblige

Question 42

The Framers believed that governmental authority should be:

A) Based on the consent and will of the majority
B) A modified form of direct democracy
C) Indirectly achieved by electing officials to make decisions on behalf of the people
D) Oligarchical at times

Question 43

Today, just as in ancient times, myths are primarily:

A) Innocent falsehoods about gods and heroes
B) Purposeful propaganda and untruths about the nation's values
C) Stories that help shape the public's views of the political world
D) The creation of state political culture

Question 44

Two significant parts of President Roosevelt's "New Deal" policy were:

A) Help for the unemployed and price controls
B) Educational improvements and nationwide health care
C) Education for the unemployed and decreased foreign trade
D) Unemployment insurance and home health care

Question 45

Understanding gained through reasoned analysis and rational argument was termed ____ by the ancient Greeks.

A) philos
B) anthropos
C) logos
D) mythos

Question 46

When George H. W. Bush sent U.S. troops to Kuwait, how did the "Vietnam myth" influence his decision-making?

A) He gave military commanders considerable freedom.
B) He micromanaged most of the troop movements.
C) He insisted that civilian leaders play a key role in setting strategy.
D) He required the military to consult with White House staff.

Question 47

When elected officials enact laws in federal or state legislatures to provide goods and services for citizens, this is BEST described as:

A) Creating political mythology
B) The normal role of government
C) Discouraging political ideology
D) Using executive privilege

Question 48

When our beliefs are challenged by strong evidence or are in direct conflict with the strongly held beliefs of others, we are experiencing what social psychologists refer to as:

A) Cognitive dissonance
B) Cognitive ideation
C) Conceivable detraction
D) Denial

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT a way that political myths make a valuable contribution to modern government?

A) They discourage people from participating in the political process.
B) They provide people with a common political identity.
C) They help people simplify the complex world of politics.
D) They provide people with a common social identity.

Question 50

Which of the following statements BEST describes the relationship of government and politics?

A) Government and politics are like oil and water.
B) Politics and government are one and the same thing.
C) Politics is the effort to influence what government will do.
D) Government and politics are rarely related in any significant way.

Question 51

Which myth had a significant influence on President George Bush's decisions concerning the use of military force against Iraq?

A) The myth of special interest government
B) The myth that powerful decisions are made by a democratic vote
C) The Vietnam War myth
D) The World War II myth

Question 52

Which president declared "the era of big government is over"?

A) Nixon
B) Reagan
C) G. W. Bush
D) Clinton

Question 53

Which president famously described the former Soviet Union as an "evil empire"?

A) Nixon
B) Reagan
C) Carter
D) Obama

Question 54

"Honest Abe" Lincoln is an example of:

A) A myth
B) A proverbial saying
C) Cognitive dissonance
D) A pervasive attitude

Question 55

In Aristotle's view, "bad" government is government that:

A) Does not represent the will of the people
B) Serves the interests of the rulers rather than that of the people
C) Allows too much power to be concentrated in a small group of elites
D) Is prone to declare war on other nations

Question 56

Define authority and explain the role of this concept in government.

Question 57

Define the concept of a political belief and provide an example.

Question 58

What role does cognitive dissonance play in ideology?

Question 59

Define conservatism and use that definition to give an example of how a conservative would stand on a law increasing restrictions on gun ownership.

Question 60

Compare and contrast direct democracy with representative democracy.

Question 61

Explain how the elitist view of power sees the role of the public in politics.

Question 62

What elements are needed to make a government function.

Question 63

Explain the role ideologies play in political cognition.

Question 64

Define liberalism and use that definition to give an example of how a liberal would stand on a law banning pornography.

Question 65

Define libertarianism and use that definition to give an example of how a libertarian would stand on a law limiting access to abortion.

Question 66

Explain how the majoritarian view of power sees the role of the public in politics.

Question 67

Define the concept of the political myth and give an example from the most recent presidential election.

Question 68

Explain how the pluralist view of power sees the role of the public in politics.

Question 69

Define the concept of politics and explain the role it plays in the concept of government.

Question 70

Define populism and use that definition to give an example of how a populist would stand on a law limiting how much corporations can pay their top executives.

Question 71

Define the concept of power and explain the role it plays in the concept of government.

Question 72

What are public goods, and why do they matter in politics?

Question 73

What role does public policy play in the system of politics?

Question 74

Explain the difference between reasoned analysis and myth.

Question 75

Define a republic and explain the differences between a republic and a representative democracy.

Question 76

Provide one example of a political stereotype that is generally accurate and one example that is generally inaccurate.

Question 77

Explain the differences between beliefs, myths, and reasoned analysis.

Question 78

What features should you look for to distinguish a democracy from a republic?

Question 79

Explain what political ideology includes and describe the role of political ideology in the United States.

Question 80

Explain the purposes political myths serve and provide concrete examples that illustrate the forms that myths can take.