Question 1

Which of the following statements concerning attitudes and opinions expressed by Americans in surveys is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements concerning attitudes...

Question 2

The text suggests that Americans have a "preoccupation" with

Accepted Answer

The text states that Americans have a "preoccupation with rights" and discusses how this obsession has led to numerous lawsuits and legal battles. While the text also mentions other concepts such as law and order, it specifically highlights the focus on individual rights as a defining aspect of American culture.

Question 3

Religious diversity flourished in the United States due to the absence of a(n)

Accepted Answer

The absence of an established religion meant that individuals were free to practice whatever religion they wanted without fear of persecution or discrimination by the government. This led to a proliferation of different religious beliefs and practices in the United States.

Question 4

There is, in fact, less income inequality in Sweden than in America because

Accepted Answer

The Swedish political culture strongly believes in the idea of egalitarianism - that everyone should have equal access to resources and basic standards of living. This belief is reflected in the country's social welfare policies, which provide extensive benefits to its citizens, including free education, healthcare, and generous social security programs. This helps to reduce income inequality by ensuring that everyone has a minimum standard of living, regardless of their income. In contrast, the US political culture places a greater emphasis on individual responsibility and limited government intervention, which results in a more unequal distribution of wealth and income.

Question 5

Early competition between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans ended by establishing the principle that

Accepted Answer

The early competition between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans established the principle that democracy could survive a change of ruling parties. This was demonstrated through the peaceful transfer of power from Federalist administrations to Democratic-Republican administrations and vice versa, without threats to the stability of the government or the nation as a whole. This principle has remained a fundamental aspect of American democracy to this day.

Question 6

A classic study of American and Swedish trade-union and political-party leaders found that Americans were

Accepted Answer

The study found that American leaders were less likely to favor equal pay for workers compared to their Swedish counterparts.

Question 7

Churches in the United States were important in the development of a sense of civic duty and civic competence because they

Accepted Answer

The answer of Churches in the United States were important...

Question 8

In the 1830s, de Tocqueville was amazed how _________ Americans were in comparison to his fellow Europeans.

Accepted Answer

De Tocqueville noted the strong religious character of Americans in the 1830s, which was more pronounced compared to Europeans at the time.

Question 9

Which religious group or leader advocated constitutional amendments that would require prayer in public schools and ban abortion?

Accepted Answer

The Moral Majority, led by Jerry Falwell, was a political organization that advocated for conservative Christian values in American politics. They specifically pushed for constitutional amendments that would require prayer in public schools and ban abortion.

Question 10

During the 1730s and 1740s, the political life of the American colonies were transformed by

Accepted Answer

The First Great Awakening was a religious revivalist movement that swept through the American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s. It transformed the political and social landscape of the colonies, leading to the emergence of new denominations and increased religious tolerance. It also sparked a renewed interest in education, with the establishment of new colleges and universities that would later become some of the most prestigious in the country. The Great Awakening played a significant role in paving the way for the American Revolution, as it fostered a sense of individualism and a questioning of authority that would become central to the revolutionary movement.

Question 11

The dominant religious tradition in the early United States was

Accepted Answer

The dominant religious tradition in the early United States was Protestantism, especially Puritanism. The Puritans were a group of English Protestants who wanted to reform the Church of England. They came to the North American colonies in the early 17th century and established communities based on their beliefs. Other Protestant denominations, such as Anglicanism and Quakerism, were also present, but Puritanism was the most dominant. Catholicism was not as prominent due to the history of religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Europe.

Question 12

Compared with the average European, the average American is more likely to

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that compared to the average European, the average American is more likely to believe in God, pray on a daily basis, and acknowledge clear standards of right and wrong. Therefore, all of the above are true.

Question 13

In this 1952 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that a New York City policy permitting public school students to be released during the school day to receive religious instruction off school grounds was constitutional.

Accepted Answer

Zorach v. Clauson upheld a New York City policy allowing public schools to release students during the day to receive religious instruction off school grounds as long as the instruction was not taught on school property and public funds were not used.

Question 14

The relevance and potential impact of religion in American politics were evident in 2002 when a federal court issued a controversial ruling regarding

Accepted Answer

In 2002, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional because it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment which prohibits the government from establishing a state religion. This ruling sparked a heated debate about the role of religion in American politics and raised questions about the appropriate role of religion in public life. The ruling was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court in 2004, but it remains a significant example of the impact of religion on American politics.

Question 15

The text argues that the U.S. Constitution had to reconcile

Accepted Answer

The text specifically mentions the need for the U.S. Constitution to reconcile personal liberty with the need for social control. While the other options may also have been considerations, they are not explicitly mentioned in the text.

Question 16

In American political culture, the __________ view of social policy is by far the most popular.

Accepted Answer

In American political culture, the individualist view of social policy is by far the most popular. This view emphasizes personal responsibility, self-reliance, and limited government intervention in individuals' lives. It is deeply ingrained in the country's frontier and immigration history and is embraced by both conservatives and liberals to varying degrees.

Question 17

The distrust of political authority so evident in American political culture has its basis in

Accepted Answer

The distrust of political authority in American political culture has its basis in religious beliefs. This can be traced back to the Puritan settlers who believed in individual responsibility, self-governance, and the idea that political power corrupts. This belief in limited government and individual freedom has influenced American political culture ever since.

Question 18

A classic study of America, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Mexico found that citizens of __________ had the highest sense of civic duty and civic competence.

Accepted Answer

The classic study referred to found that citizens of the United States had the highest sense of civic duty and civic competence among the countries listed. This reflects the strong emphasis on civic education and participation in the democratic process in the United States.

Question 19

Research finds that religious persons are more likely than secular persons to

Accepted Answer

Research consistently shows that religious individuals are more likely than non-religious individuals to donate money to charity, volunteer their time, and give money and time to non-religious organizations. These patterns persist across different religious groups and have been observed in various countries around the world.

Question 20

Compared with Americans, Japanese are more likely to

Accepted Answer

Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on social harmony and group cohesion, often prioritizing the needs of the group over the needs of the individual. This is in contrast to American culture, which tends to emphasize individualism and competition.

Quiz 4: American Political Culture