Question 1

According to the text, which core value defines American political culture?

Accepted Answer

Majority rule is a central pillar of American political culture, as it is the basis of democracy and provides for equality among citizens. Christianity, common ancestry, and collective responsibility may be important values to some Americans, but they are not universally held as defining aspects of American political culture.

Question 2

What is the relationship between natural law and majority rule?

Accepted Answer

Natural law and majority rule are related in that natural law preserves the rights and liberties of those in the minority, which checks abuses of majority rule. This means that natural law serves as a limit on the power of the majority and ensures that the minority is not oppressed or excluded from political participation.

Question 3

How is popular sovereignty reflected in the representative democracy form of government?

Accepted Answer

Popular sovereignty is the idea that the power in a government comes from the people themselves. In a representative democracy, the people have the power to select their leaders through elections, giving them the ability to choose who governs them. This reflects the principle of popular sovereignty as the power ultimately resides with the people, even though they are represented by their elected officials.

Question 4

Why is majority rule considered one of the foundational values of American political culture?

Accepted Answer

Majority rule is the basis for popular sovereignty, which is a core principle of the United States. This means that the people hold ultimate power and authority in government, and this power is exercised through elections and the formation of a majority opinion. This value is reflected in the structure of American government, including the Constitution, which was designed to empower the people as a whole, rather than any one individual or group.

Question 5

Why is political culture in the United States different than that in other nations?

Accepted Answer

The United States is a nation of immigrants with diverse backgrounds and cultures, leading to a political culture that is not based on a common ancestry, unlike many other nations.

Question 6

The preamble of the U.S. Constitution begins with the phrase "We the People," which acknowledges that the people are the ultimate source of power for a government. This idea is consistent with which theory?

Accepted Answer

The concept of "We the People" recognizing the people as the ultimate source of power for a government is based on the theory of popular sovereignty, which holds that the people have the right to govern themselves. Anarchy is the absence of government, authoritarianism is a form of government characterized by strong centralized power and limited individual freedoms, and nationalism is a belief in the importance of national identity and loyalty.

Question 7

What motive did the Founders have to create a system of government that encouraged conflict and competition among citizens?

Accepted Answer

The Founders believed that a government that suppressed naturally occurring conflicts would become too powerful and could easily become tyrannical. They therefore chose a system that encouraged conflict and competition among citizens, which would prevent an accumulation of power in the government and ultimately prevent tyranny.

Question 8

Which part of the Constitution does the best job of summarizing the goals of the American government?

Accepted Answer

The preamble of the Constitution states the purpose and goals of the American government, including establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. Other parts of the Constitution, such as Article I which establishes the legislative branch, and the Bill of Rights which outlines individual rights, are important in defining the functions and limitations of government, but do not provide as comprehensive a summary of the government's overall goals as the preamble. The First Amendment also addresses individual rights rather than the government's overarching objectives.

Question 9

Which system of government would be considered a direct democracy?

Accepted Answer

Ancient Greece is considered to have a direct democracy because citizens had direct control over policies, laws, and the court system. They would gather in the Assembly and vote on issues themselves rather than electing representatives to do so on their behalf.

Question 10

How is the United States' republican form of government reflected in its political institutions?

Accepted Answer

The United States' republican form of government is reflected in its political institutions through the midterm elections, where citizens elect their representatives for the House and Senate. This reflects the idea of representative democracy, where citizens elect officials to represent their interests and make decisions on their behalf. The presidential election and the amendment process also reflect aspects of republican government, but they are not as direct as the election of representatives in the House and Senate. Referendum votes, while they give citizens a direct say in policy decisions, do not necessarily reflect the representative aspect of a republican government.

Question 11

Which statement accurately distinguishes between representative and direct forms of democracy?

Accepted Answer

In a direct democracy, citizens themselves directly participate in the making of policies and regulations, whereas in a representative democracy, citizens elect officials to make those decisions on their behalf. Therefore, citizens have an unmediated role in policymaking in a direct democracy, but not in a representative democracy.

Question 12

The experiences that colonists had under the rule of the tyrannical King George III led to the emergence of which core value that forms American political culture?

Accepted Answer

The experiences of colonists under the rule of King George III, who was seen as a tyrant by many, led to a strong desire for limited government among the American colonists. This is reflected in the US Constitution, which establishes a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful, and includes the Bill of Rights to protect individual rights and freedoms from government infringement.

Question 13

The functioning of many early New England colonies relied on local town hall meetings where citizens would make governmental decisions after discussions and votes were held. Which core value of American political culture do these early instances speak to?

Accepted Answer

The town hall meetings in early New England colonies utilized majority rule, as decisions were made based on discussions followed by votes by the citizens. This value is a core principle of American political culture, emphasizing the idea that the will of the majority should be respected and implemented.

Question 14

Which option best describes political culture?

Accepted Answer

Political culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, attitudes, and expectations about the role and purpose of government held by its citizens. It is a reflection of the historical, social, and cultural factors that have shaped a nation and its political system. Option A is the only choice that accurately reflects this definition.

Question 15

Which is a factor that often contributes to a nation's political culture?

Accepted Answer

A nation's political culture is often influenced by its citizens' common ancestry, shared history, and cultural traditions. This can shape their values, beliefs, and attitudes towards government and politics. Other factors such as economic development and cultural expressions like art, music, and celebrities may play a role but are not as significant as shared ancestry and history.

Question 16

Which philosopher's ideas have contributed significantly to American political culture?

Accepted Answer

Thomas Hobbes' ideas of social contract theory and the need for a strong central government have greatly influenced American political culture, particularly in the formation of the Constitution and the concept of separation of powers.

Question 17

Which nation is the most likely to have a political culture based on a common ancestry?

Accepted Answer

Russia's political culture is significantly influenced by its history of communist regimes, which provides a shared experience across generations. This shared history contributes to a political culture that is more likely to be based on common ancestry compared to the multicultural or colonially influenced backgrounds of the other options.

Question 18

Which core value of American political culture is the result of America's lack of a common ancestry?

Accepted Answer

Diversity is a core value of American political culture that is a result of America's lack of a common ancestry. With the country being founded by immigrants from different parts of the world, there is a wide range of cultures, religions, and ethnicities present, leading to a celebration of diversity in American politics and society.

Question 19

In Canada, regular elections are held for the people to select public officials who will represent and advocate for their interests in the national parliament. Which type of government is this known as?

Accepted Answer

This is known as a representative democracy, as the people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf in the national parliament.

Question 20

Which feature of the American system of government reflects the value of limited government?

Accepted Answer

The system of checks and balances between the three branches of government reflects the value of limited government because it ensures that no single branch has too much power and can abuse it. Each branch serves as a check on the power of the others, which helps to protect individual liberties and prevent tyranny.

Quiz 1: Introduction to the Enduring-Democracy