Question 1

The fact that Americans strongly support minimal governmental interference with individuals' lives and property illustrates their commitment to ________.

Accepted Answer

The principle of minimal governmental interference with individuals' lives and property is a cornerstone of the concept of liberty, which prioritizes individual freedoms and rights over state control. Anarchy implies a lack of any government or social order, which is not necessarily the same as minimal government interference. Democracy is a system of government where power is held by the people, but it does not necessarily guarantee minimal governmental interference. Socialism is a political and economic theory that advocates for collective ownership and control over the means of production, which is in direct opposition to the idea of minimal governmental interference with property.

Question 2

________ is the most important core value of liberalism.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 3

The belief that government is wasteful and should be limited to as few activities as possible is an example of a political ________.

Accepted Answer

The belief that government should be limited to as few activities as possible reflects an ideology, which is a set of beliefs about politics and society. This ideology is often associated with conservatism and libertarianism. Culture, values, and interests may all play a role in shaping political ideology, but they are not synonymous with it.

Question 4

"Affective intelligence" refers to the

Accepted Answer

Affective intelligence theory suggests that emotions play a crucial role in shaping our political attitudes and behaviors, including how we form opinions in response to events.

Question 5

A political ideology is best defined as

Accepted Answer

A political ideology is a set of beliefs and values about the purpose and scope of government, the nature of society and individuals, and the proper roles and responsibilities of government and citizens. It informs a person's views on specific political issues and guides their decisions and actions. It is a general philosophy or worldview, rather than specific issue preferences, interests, or attitudes.

Question 6

________ is the core political value most highly prioritized by American conservatives.

Accepted Answer

American conservatives prioritize liberty as the core political value. They believe in limited government intervention in individual lives and advocate for personal freedom and responsibility. This is seen in their support for free market capitalism, individual rights, and the Second Amendment.

Question 7

George W. Bush called himself a "compassionate conservative" in order to show that he favored

Accepted Answer

Calling himself a "compassionate conservative," George W. Bush positioned himself as a conservative who also cared about programs that assist the poor and needy, which is in line with his policies such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the establishment of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

Question 8

Which of the following statements best describes current controversies about immigration among conservatives?

Accepted Answer

While there is no monolithic conservative position on immigration, there is a significant divide between pro-business conservatives who generally support immigration policies and social conservatives who are more likely to oppose such policies. The division rests on differing interpretations of the social and economic impact of immigration. Pro-business conservatives typically support immigration for pragmatic reasons including filling labor shortages and lowering costs. Social conservatives, in contrast, often view immigration as a source of cultural and societal disruption as well as economic competition.

Question 9

The difference between a political value and a political attitude is that values are

Accepted Answer

Political values are basic principles or beliefs that a person or group holds to be true and fundamental, such as freedom or equality. Political attitudes, on the other hand, are specific preferences or opinions that individuals hold about political issues or events. For example, someone may have the political value of equality, but their political attitude on a specific issue, such as affirmative action, may be different depending on their experiences and perspectives.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the ideological preferences of Americans is true?

Accepted Answer

The percentage of Americans identifying themselves as liberals has increased since the 1990s, although conservatives have generally outnumbered liberals.

Question 11

________ generally support abortion rights and oppose state involvement with religious institutions.

Accepted Answer

Liberals generally support abortion rights and have a tendency to support the separation of church and state, meaning that they oppose state involvement with religious institutions. Conservatives, on the other hand, tend to oppose abortion and may support state involvement with religious institutions. Socialists may have a variety of views on these issues, and internationalists focus more on global cooperation and relations rather than domestic policies.

Question 12

Libertarianism is a political ideology that

Accepted Answer

Libertarianism emphasizes individual freedom and voluntary association, but with limited government intervention. It does not advocate for abolishing government entirely or a single ruler having total control. It also does not support placing limitations on voting rights and civil liberties.

Question 13

Support for freedom of speech, a free Internet, and the press is

Accepted Answer

The United States Constitution explicitly protects freedom of speech, and the country has a long tradition of prioritizing free speech rights. Additionally, the United States has a strong tradition of freedom of the press and a relatively unrestricted Internet compared to other countries. While there are certainly limitations on these freedoms in the U.S., they are generally more robustly protected than in most other nations.

Question 14

Which of the following sets of terms describes America's fundamental political values?

Accepted Answer

America's fundamental political values are often summarized as liberty, equality of opportunity, and democracy. These values are enshrined in the Constitution and form the basis of American political culture. While there are certainly debates over how to interpret and apply these values, they remain central to American political discourse. Choices A, B, and C all describe political ideologies or tendencies, rather than fundamental political values.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about political opinions is correct?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that income and education are strong predictors of political views and that the poor are generally more supportive of government programs to address economic and social issues. A, C, and D are incorrect statements.

Question 16

Opposition to legalized abortion is a position most likely supported by ________, while support for legalized abortion is a position most likely supported by ________.

Accepted Answer

Conservatives are more likely to oppose legalized abortion, while liberals are more likely to support it. This is a commonly recognized position in American politics.

Question 17

________ is one of the most important mechanisms for promoting equality of opportunity.

Accepted Answer

Public education is the most important mechanism for promoting equality of opportunity as it provides all individuals with access to the same basic education, which is necessary for economic and social mobility. Through public education, individuals from all backgrounds can acquire the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today's society, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status. Furthermore, public education promotes diversity and fosters a sense of community, which helps individuals learn to understand and appreciate one another's differences.

Question 18

In international affairs, conservatism has come to mean

Accepted Answer

Conservatism in international affairs often emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong national defense and military capabilities, which includes support for military intervention and the maintenance of American military power as a means to protect national interests and promote global stability.

Question 19

The term public opinion is used to describe

Accepted Answer

Public opinion refers to the beliefs and attitudes held by individuals in a society towards different issues, events, and people. It can be measured through surveys, polls, and other methods of research.

Question 20

Liberalism and conservatism are examples of

Accepted Answer

Liberalism and conservatism are examples of political ideologies, which are systems of beliefs about how society and government should operate. They provide overarching frameworks for understanding and approaching issues and policies in politics. Public opinions, political attitudes, and political preferences are more specific and individualized expressions of political beliefs and values.

Quiz 6: Public Opinion