Question 1

Pro-life activists have focused almost exclusively on the cultural change pathway.

Accepted Answer

Pro-life activists have employed a variety of strategies including legislative efforts, judicial challenges, and cultural change initiatives, not exclusively focusing on any single pathway.

Question 2

Democratic governments like the United States are inherently stable.

Accepted Answer

Democratic governments, including the United States, can face instability due to political polarization, economic crises, social unrest, and external threats, among other challenges. Stability is not guaranteed by the democratic system itself and requires constant effort and adaptation.

Question 3

The American system of checks and balances undermines political stability in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The system of checks and balances is designed to prevent any one branch of the U.S. government from becoming too powerful, thereby promoting political stability by ensuring that power is balanced and shared among the branches.

Question 4

Political stability is based on three factors: a broadly accepted political and economic framework, a stable and powerful political culture, and a variety of ways for citizens to seek and affect policy changes.

Accepted Answer

Political stability indeed hinges on a widely accepted political and economic framework, a robust and cohesive political culture, and diverse mechanisms for citizens to influence and enact policy changes, as these elements together foster a stable and predictable political environment.

Question 5

For the founders, the Constitution represented a sacred and unchanging set of political principles and institutional arrangements to guide the nation.

Accepted Answer

The founders viewed the Constitution as a living document that could be amended and adapted over time to meet the changing needs and circumstances of the country.

Question 6

The court-centered pathway played an important role in the political transformation of the country.

Accepted Answer

The court-centered pathway refers to the use of judicial processes and legal strategies to effect political change, which can significantly influence the political landscape of a country by setting legal precedents, interpreting the constitution, and ensuring the protection of rights and freedoms.

Question 7

Nations with a strong, clearly defined political culture are generally less stable.

Accepted Answer

Nations with a strong, clearly defined political culture tend to be more stable because a shared understanding of political norms and values contributes to societal cohesion and reduces the likelihood of conflict.

Question 8

The "American dream" rests on the belief that intelligence and hard work are sufficient for economic success.

Accepted Answer

The "American dream" is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society where upward mobility is possible for everyone. This dream is achieved through hard work, determination, and intelligence.

Question 9

Most Americans believe that capitalism is a key component of a free society.

Accepted Answer

Surveys and studies have consistently shown that a majority of Americans view capitalism positively and consider it an essential aspect of their freedom and the country's economic system.

Question 10

Socialism refers to an economic and political system in which the government owns and controls large parts of the economy.

Accepted Answer

Socialism is characterized by the government or public ownership of the means of production and the distribution of goods and services, aiming for a more equitable distribution of wealth and power within society.

Question 11

The stability of a political culture is generally higher in countries with a strong sense of national identity.

Accepted Answer

Countries with a strong sense of national identity often have a more cohesive and stable political culture because the shared identity and values help in uniting the population, reducing internal conflicts, and fostering a collective commitment to the nation's political system and governance.

Question 12

Political culture incorporates both citizens' personal values and their shared ideas about how to be governed.

Accepted Answer

Political culture encompasses the attitudes, beliefs, and values that underpin the political system, including both the personal values of citizens and their collective ideas about governance, policy, and the role of institutions.

Question 13

De Tocqueville believed that the powerful political identity of the United States facilitated diversity and freedom of discussion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of De Tocqueville believed that the powerful political...

Question 14

The portrayal of individuals or issues in the popular media can lead to changes in a country's political culture.

Accepted Answer

The portrayal of individuals or issues in popular media can influence public opinion, shape perceptions, and ultimately lead to changes in a country's political culture by affecting attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards those individuals or issues.

Question 15

List at least four ways in which you have been affected by government and politics so far today.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List at least four ways in which...

Question 16

What characteristics distinguish democracies from other forms of government?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What characteristics distinguish democracies from other forms...

Question 17

List three reasons why citizen participation is important in a democracy.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List three reasons why citizen participation is...

Question 18

Should we be concerned about low voter turnout? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Should we be concerned about low voter...

Question 19

List and explain three factors that might influence the level of voter turnout in a country.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List and explain three factors that might...

Question 20

Are all of the pathways to action open equally to all persons who attempt to influence public policy? Can they all be open to all? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Are all of the pathways to action...

Quiz 1: American Government: Democracy in Action