Week 1 discussion
DQ1 Politics in Our Daily Lives
As we read and discuss the definition of politics, let's
also consider the consequences of political decisions on our everyday lives.
Can you think of examples from your everyday life when you encounter politics?
What makes these experiences "political"?
As you discuss this with one another, let's not forget to
comment on other people's experiences. Have you experienced similar situations?
Can you think of creative ways in which politics plays itself out in your daily
life?
DQ2 The Study of Political Science
The reading this week discusses the role of political
scientists and their attempts to treat the study of politics as a science. In
these efforts, they build scholarship based on reason, balance, and supporting
evidence, although much of this scholarship is based on theory.
Discuss how political scientists attempt to quantify data,
manipulate data statistically, and attempt to validate hypotheses.
Week 2 discussion
DQ1 Understanding the Theories
As your text explains, Plato is considered the father of
political science. Within The Republic, he presents his theories on the
foundations of a perfect government. Rather than a theoretical examination of
government, The Republic is written in story form, as the main character
Socrates explores the ideal way to form a city.
A largely studied portion of The Republic deals with Plato’s
cave allegory. The story goes something like this: You, as a person, find
yourself within a cave, chained to the ground, facing a stone wall. You cannot
stand, and all you know are the images that play out before you, which are the
shadows cast by a light source from behind you. You cannot see behind you, but
you know that there are others in the cave with you. This is the only state you
have ever known. It is your only reality of the world. Plato goes on to explain
that then one day, people come and remove your chains, and take you out of the
cave. As you can imagine, you are scared and frightful, and thus fight these
individuals as they drag you into this new setting. However, over time you
learn to accept the larger image of the world around you and come to understand
life outside of the cave. You then attempt to go back into the cave to free
others.
This story was Plato’s attempt to explain the world around
us. Just picture it: You are chained to the ground and all you can see in front
of you is a cave wall. There is a light source behind you, which casts
reflections on the wall.
What do you think you would think of these reflections?
Could they represent family members? Or friends? What about a god?
DQ2 Liberalism versus Socialism
The term liberalism, when applied to governments, is very
different from the term liberal in America. Where liberalism implies a limited
government, here in the United States a liberal is not usually seen as
supporting a smaller government. This can be very confusing. In an effort to
better understand these various meanings, we need to explore the variations
within liberalism itself.
So who would like to explain how modern liberalism varies
from classical liberalism? In addition, in what ways is classical liberalism
similar to conservatism today?
Week 3 discussion
DQ1 Democracies Compared
Over the past few weeks, we have had the opportunity to
explore the roots of political philosophy. Let’s take a moment to focus in upon
the idea of democracy. What is the true definition of democracy?
DQ2 The Division of Power
As we have seen through our readings, governments differ on
where the power of the state should be held.
Unitary systems concentrate the power within the central
government and little or no authority is granted to the component areas. In
contrast, federal systems allow first-order civil divisions to have some
autonomy, while the central government maintains authority over some areas.
Take a moment to compare and contrast the strengths and
weaknesses of each system.
Week 4 discussion
DQ1 Political Parties and Interest Groups
We continually hear about interest groups in the news.
Understanding this, what is the relationship between interest groups and
government? How does this apply to government-created interest groups? In
addition, what are the effects of bureaucrats as interest groups? Do you
believe this crossover between bureaucrats and interest groups to be right?
Please be sure to provide specific examples in your response.
DQ2 Elections
Compare and contrast single-member districts and
proportional representation (PR). How effective is each electoral system in
representing its people’s interests? How do they support the party systems
around which they arose?
Week 5 discussion
DQ1 Parliamentary and Presidential Systems
As we turn our focus to the international realm, let’s take
a moment to compare the governmental systems of the United Kingdom and the
United States.
Identify a few key differences between a parliamentary and a
presidential system. How is the top leader selected differently? How do you
think this difference impacts the kind of people who are chosen?
DQ2 The U.S. Supreme Court
The lesson this week suggests that the U.S. Supreme Court is
the least democratic branch of government, and yet it serves an important
function in our democracy.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a branch
of government that is not democratically elected? Would you change the way the
court is appointed?
Week 6 discussion
DQ1 Welfare Systems
Examine the efficacy of U.S. welfare programs. What do such
programs intend to accomplish? What are some criticisms against them? Be sure
to cite specific academic examples, not just ones from your opinion.
DQ2 Global Markets
Several countries around the world are transitioning to
market economies; the most significant of these are China and Russia. What do
you think the impact will be on other countries around the world as these two
countries become even more significant in the global economy? What are some
examples of this impact?
Week 7 discussion
DQ1 Ethnic Violence
In discussing the concept of violence this week, let’s take
a moment to consider the following situation.
Imagine a country where religious factions inside a nation
want to have their own separate homeland. The government refuses, claiming that
the territory in question, which commands the nation’s only source of clean
water, is vital to security. Is violence inevitable?
DQ2 International Treaties
In considering the international realm, let’s consider the
concept of economic treaties. Specifically, let's think about an organization
like the European Union (EU).
Why was it formed? In addition, what are some of the
objectives of the nations that are joining the EU?
Week 1 Quiz
Question
(TCO 1) Which best explains the differences between
historians and political scientists?
Historians look for
generalizations, and political scientists are reluctant to generalize.
Historians are
reluctant to generalize, and political scientists look for generalizations.
Historians are more
likely to look for comparisons than political scientists.
Historians tend to
focus on nature-based explanations, and political scientists focus on
nurture-based explanations.
Question 2
(TCO 1) The statement “Man is by nature a political animal”
is attributed to _____.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Seymour Martin
Lipset
Mao Zedong
Aristotle
Question 3
(TCO 1) Which of the following explanations of power might
examine the tolerance of individuals?
Rational
Control
Authority
Culture
Question 4
(TCO 1) A political leaders’ ability to command respect and
exercise power is known as _____.
sovereignty
corruption
authority
legitimacy
Question 5
(TCO 1) Despite a disputed 2000 presidential election, once
President George W. Bush took office, few people doubted his _____.
charisma
control
legitimacy
sovereignty
Question 6
(TCO 1) The term for measuring with numbers is _____.
quantify
hypothesis
qualify
empirical
Question 7
(TCO 1) When scholars consider various approaches to
studying a given topic, they are most concerned with _____.
reason
balance
theory
rationality
Question 8
(TCO 1) Which of the following is the best example of
theory?
People join groups
because of an innate desire to be with others who have similar views.
Democratic
governments last longer than nondemocratic governments.
Republicans are
older than Democrats.
Corruption is
rampant in government.
Question 9
(TCO 1) _____ is a subfield of political science.
Public
administration
Anthropology
Biology
Sociology
Question 10
(TCO 1) Which are both true for most politicians?
They think
practically and are skeptical of power.
They seek popularity
and hold firm views.
They offer single
causes and think abstractly.
They seek accuracy
and offer long-term consequences.
Week 2 Quiz
Question 1
(TCO 6) Which of the following best characterizes Aristotle?
He only explained
what is.
He only explained
what ought to be.
He explained both
what is and what ought to be.
He neither explained
what is nor what ought to be.
Question 2
(TCO 6) Which of the following was of greatest concern to
John Locke?
Freedom of speech
for all
Power residing with
the proletariat
The right to
property
Voting rights
Question 3
(TCO 6) If _____ were alive, he might suggest that poor
academic performance in schools could be attributed to a society that does not
promote education and provides few resources devoted to schools.
John Locke
Jean-Jacques
Rousseau
Thomas Hobbes
Niccolo Machiavelli
Question 4
(TCO 6) Karl Marx used the term _____ to refer to everything
built on top of the economy.
the social contract
institutions
behavioralism
superstructure
Question 5
(TCO 6) Which statement best supports Marxist theories?
The United States
provides ample opportunities for all who work hard.
Similarities exist
between economies in both Europe and the United States.
Tax breaks will
often create jobs, benefiting the working class.
Uneven benefits to
corporations with few benefits for workers led to the economic crises in the
early 2000s.
Question 6
(TCO 6) Adam Smith is most associated with which concept?
Socialism
Modern liberalism
Classic liberalism
Communism
Question 7
(TCO 6) Which of the following propositions would likely be
favored by modern liberals?
Tax cuts for top
income earners
Regulation of the
banking sector
Little government
involvement in economic matters
Free markets
Question 8
(TCO 6) Modern American conservatism would favor government
involvement in what activity?
Religious promotion
Regulating markets
Protecting organized
labor
A progressive tax
system
Question 9
(TCO 6) _____ prefer virtually no government involvement in
anything.
Liberals
Conservatives
Marxists
Libertarians
Question 10
(TCO 6) Which of the following assisted Germany and Italy in
their war efforts?
Disenchantment with
socialism
Appeals to the
citizens based on extreme nationalistic views
Unequal distribution
of resources domestically and abroad
A revolt against the
dominant world powers
Week 3 Quiz
Question 1
(TCO 2) A(n) _____ is a political system without a monarch.
institution
monarchy
state
republic
Question 2
(TCO 2) To Aristotle, the corrupt form of monarchy is _____.
democracy
tyranny
polity
oligarchy
Question 3
(TCO 2) Which of the following might lead you to believe
Great Britain has a quasiunitary system of government?
Scotland has gained
autonomy over some policy areas.
Scotland remains
under British control on all matters.
Great Britain has a
federal system of government.
Great Britain has a
confederal system of government.
Question 4
(TCO 2) In _____, representatives are elected based on their
party’s percentage of the vote.
proportional
representative systems
majoritarian systems
single-member
districts
multimember
districts
Question 5
(TCO 2) If the Green Party receives 15% of the vote in a proportional
system, which of the following is likely to happen?
The Green Party
would receive no seats.
The Green Party
would try to form a coalition with other parties.
The Green Party
would attempt to gerrymander districts to its advantage.
The Green Party
would demand a recount of the votes.
Question 6
(TCO 2) Welfare states tend to have which of the following
combinations of state ownership and welfare benefits?
High levels of state
ownership and high levels of welfare benefits
High levels of state
ownership but low levels of welfare benefits
Low levels of state
ownership and high levels of welfare benefits
Low levels of state
ownership and low levels of welfare benefits
Question 7
(TCO 2) Judicial activism refers to _____.
liberal judges
conservative judges
judicial restraint
by judges
willingness to
override legislatures
Question 8
(TCO 2) Which type of regime has a free media, competitive
elections, and protected civil liberties?
Democratic
Transitional
Authoritarian
Totalitarian
Question 9
(TCO 2) The mass media in totalitarian states _____.
show the system is
functioning well under wise leaders, but practice a mildly critical attitude
toward the official ideology
question the system,
but still push the official ideology
show the system is
functioning well under wise leaders, and sell the official ideology
question the system
only in times of crisis, otherwise selling the official ideology
Question 10
(TCO 2) How do totalitarian regimes eliminate armed
resistance?
They hold a monopoly
on all weapons.
They attempt to
pacify the people by encouraging peaceful protest.
They attempt to
distract the people with entertainment and sports.
They ensure that the
only weapon the people have access to is manual action.
Week 4 Quiz
Question 1
(TCO 3) What group or groups do interest groups
overrepresent?
The wealthy and
specialized interest groups
Businesses and
nonprofit organizations
The wealthy and
businesses
The larger interest
groups and specialized interest groups
Question 2
(TCO 3) Why did the
2010 healthcare reform bill contain no provision for public insurance options?
The insurance
industry blocked the Democrats' efforts for a public option.
The people had no
desire for a public option.
Democrats were not
interested in a public option.
Farmers, heavily
invested in the insurance industry, blocked them
Question 3
(TCO 3) Many interest groups are brought about by
government, insofar as they are _____.
associated with
government programs
funded largely by
the government
almost exclusively
based in the nation’s capital
usually formed by
former politicians
Question 4
(TCO 3) Some interest groups maintain a low profile by
promoting their objectives without _____ them.
lobbying for
fully funding
advertising
openly debating
Question 5
(TCO 3) Large parties in particular can be analyzed as
_____.
generations of
like-minded voters
coalitions of
interest groups
team-led
organizations based around a theme
trustworthy
representatives of national interest
Question 6
(TCO 3) _____ allow and even encourage parties to split.
Single-member
districts
“First past the
post” systems
Proportional
representation systems
Plurality systems
Question 7
(TCO 3) Which of the following has recently done much to
encourage state and local party organizations to cooperate with national party
platforms?
Door-to-door
canvassing
Cohesive national
platforms
Computerized mailing
lists
Local political
pandering
Question 8
(TCO 3) What do you think might be a side effect of or a
cause of nations with very high voter turnout having that level of turnout?
They may have a kind
of political fever in which partisan politics has become too intense.
They likely play
host to elections in which indistinct personalities and a relatively unified
electorate bring out more voters.
They probably don’t
offer automatic voter registration.
They usually have
mandatory voting.
Question 9
(TCO 3) Describe the impact of education on those who vote.
Education drops the
sense of participation and makes people feel more cynical, which makes people
more likely to take action but not to actually follow political news.
Education lifts the
sense of participation and abstract intellectual curiosity, which makes people
more likely to follow individual politicians.
Education lifts the
sense of political knowledge, which makes people more likely to follow
political news and feel involved.
Education lifts the
sense of participation and abstract intellectual curiosity, which makes people
more likely to follow political news and feel involved.
Question 10
(TCO 3) Why might
factory workers in small towns feel a different sense of the stakes elections
hold than executives and professionals?
Factory workers in
small towns may perceive a great deal of difference between candidates,
noticing considerable change from one administration to another, and executives
and professionals feel generally less involved but still perceive a direct
correlation between who wins and their personal fortunes.
Factory workers in
small towns may perceive little difference between candidates, noticing little
change from one administration to another, and although executives and
professionals share this sense of noticing little change from one
administration to another, they still perceive a direct correlation between who
wins and their personal fortunes.
Factory workers in
small towns may perceive little difference between candidates, noticing little
change from one administration to another, and executives and professionals
feel involved and perceive a direct correlation between who wins and their
personal fortunes.
Executives and
professionals may perceive little difference between candidates, noticing
little change from one administration to another, and factory workers in small
towns feel involved and perceive a direct correlation between who wins and
their personal incomes.
Week 5 Quiz
Question 1
(TCO 5) Which of the following terms is defined as the
post-feudal concentration of power in a monarch?
Absolutism
Totalitarianism
Teetotalism
Monarchy
Question 2
(TCO 5) Why do the responsibilities of legislative and
executive powers often overlap?
Separation of powers
is rarely clear-cut.
Separation of powers
is rare among industrialized nations.
Separation of powers
is absolute.
Separation of powers
grants obtuse levels of power to the executive branch.
Question 3
(TCO 5) In a parliamentary system, voters directly elect
_____.
members of
parliament and the prime minister
members of
parliament and the ministerial cabinet
members of
parliament only
the prime minister
only
Question 4
(TCO 5) Because of the separation of powers inherent in a
presidential system, some scholars think that executive-legislative _____ is
common in systems like that used in the United States.
cooperation
stagnation
deadlock
insolvency
Question 5
(TCO 5) The head of ministry is equivalent to the _____ in
the United States.
chief of government
head of state
departmental
secretary
premier
Question 6
(TCO 5) Distinguish the process that a parliamentary system
uses to oust a chief executive from the one available in the U.S. presidential
system.
Parliamentary
systems rely on impeachment and presidential ones rely on constructive no
confidence.
Parliamentary
systems use constructive no confidence and presidential systems have the option
of impeachment.
The prime minister
can dissolve parliament and the president can resign from office.
Parliamentary
systems can hold a vote of no confidence and presidential ones have the option
of impeachment.
Question 7
(TCO 4) Unlike natural law, positive law uses _____.
the spirit of the
law to make determinations
books to reach
conclusions
judicial sentencing
to determine case outcomes
jury selection to
manipulate judgment
Question 8
(TCO 4) International law consists of _____ and established
customs recognized by most nations.
treaties
ratification
amendments
cease-fires
Question 9
(TCO 4) What legal agency in the United States generates
reputation-based ratings of prospective federal judges?
Judicial Ratings
Bureau
Federal Bureau of
Judicial Review
American Bar
Association
Office of Legal
Assessment
Question 10
(TCO 4) Describe the significance of Marbury v. Madison.
The ruling laid
precedent for judicial review.
The ruling stated
that the president is subject to the court’s decisions.
The ruling decreed
that current administrations must honor the appointments of previous
administrations.
The ruling claimed
that federal taxes could not be levied on the states.
Week 6 Quiz
Question 1
(TCO 7) Radicals use the term “political economy” instead of
_____ to describe their critique of capitalism and the inequitable distribution
of wealth among nations.
Marxism
laissez-faire
public choice
Keynesian
Question 2
(TCO 7) Early 20th-century European governments subscribed
to _____ doctrines, generally keeping their hands away from the economy.
classic liberal
inflationary
neoclassical
Smithian
Question 3
(TCO 7) President Jimmy Carter attempted to stimulate the
economy, but this made inflation worse. This led him to _____.
lose the 1980
election
slash prices of corn
and soybeans
subsidize major oil
companies
increase the
national deficit
Question 4
(TCO 7) What event is largely considered responsible for
deterring Johnson’s War on Poverty?
Great Society
Vietnam War
Middle-class
entitlements
Tax expenditures
Question 5
(TCO 7) Analyze recent changes to the Food Stamp program.
The distribution of
cash grants allows the program to be easily misused.
The updated debit
card system makes the program more difficult to misuse.
Many recipients sell
Food Stamps for 50 cents on the dollar in order to purchase drugs and alcohol.
The program allocates
surplus government dairy to the poor, ameliorating milk and cheese inflation.
Question 6
(TCO 7) Differentiate between the rising costs of Medicare
and Medicaid.
Medicare anticipates
rising costs due to changing proportions of people over 65.
Medicaid expects
rising costs due to looming financial busts.
Medicare plans to
keep spending down by raising the eligibility age to 69.
Medicaid hopes to
beat rising costs by adjusting the poverty level.
Question 7
(TCO 7) Why are many politicians wary about limiting Social
Security and Medicare expenses?
Many would be left
without enough to support them.
Caps to these
programs would undermine the welfare state.
It can cost them
votes.
Both are primary
social safety nets.
Question 8
(TCO 7) How does the American welfare state compare to those
of other industrialized nations?
Much less is
allocated to welfare in the United States.
Other nations
allocate less to welfare than the United States.
The United States
allocates about the same to welfare.
Few nations besides
the United States maintain funds for welfare.
Question 9
(TCO 7) Most liberals feel that the poverty line is _____.
reasonable
disproportionate
too high
too low
Question 10
(TCO 7) Many conservative economists argue that some banks
are _____, because they would topple the rest of the economy with them.
inherently
successful
too big to fail
destined for profit
practically
invincible
Week 7 Quiz
Question 1
(TCO 9) Rarely the work of small bands and conspirators
alone, _____ are usually the result of system collapse, which permits small but
well-organized groups (often military) to take over.
erosions of
legitimacy
acts of genocide
dictatorships
coups d’état
Question 2
(TCO 9) Describe what can often happen in a changing society
when, during times of prosperity, some people get rich faster than others.
Jealousy is aroused.
Politicians pay more
attention to poverty.
The very poor
revolt.
Economists become
confused.
Question 3
(TCO 9) What is likely to happen if the people are unhappy
and there is no organization to focus their discontent?
They will almost
assuredly turn to violence.
Not much will
happen.
The people will
organize themselves regardless.
They will eventually
find other means of achieving contentedness.
Question 4
(TCO 9) Some states engage in _____, despite officially
denouncing terrorism.
sharing intelligence
with nongovernmental militias
“state-sponsored
terrorism”
targeting specific
groups for violence
democracy
Question 5
(TCO 9) According to Hannah Arendt, the American struggle
was indeed a revolution, perhaps history’s only complete revolution, _____.
because it alone
ended with a democratic institutions.
because it became an
example for other nations.
because it managed
to rout what was then the great world power.
because it alone
ended with a new foundation of liberty instead of the tyranny that came after
other revolutions.
Question 6
(TCO 8) Countries generally sign treaties over which of the
following concerns?
Economic sanctions,
cease-fires, and fiscal cliffs
Tariffs,
infrastructure, and drug trafficking
Global warming, land
mines, and germ warfare
Trade, energy, and
education
Question 7
(TCO 8) The recent global contraction brought a new wave of
_____, as one country after another started to worry about keeping jobs at
home.
isolationism
outsourcing
offshoring
protectionism
Question 8
(TCO 8) According to macro theorists, _____ are the key
factors leading to war.
cultures
leaders
states
citizens
Question 9
(TCO 8) The United Nations’ predecessor, the _____, tried
collective security to ensure peace.
Geneva Convention
Fourteen Points of
Peace
Court of
International Justice
League of Nations
Question 10
(TCO 8) Evaluate the changing role of sovereignty in today’s
international relations.
International
relations have reinforced the notion of sovereignty.
Sovereignty is
dwindling in the face of international law.
Weaker nations are
losing sovereignty to larger, more powerful ones.
United States
sovereignty has weakened due to the threat of terrorism.
Week 1 Assessment
Question 1
(TCO 1) What were your economic left/right results?
Please provide the number given to you on your political
compass results.
Question 2
(TCO 1) What were your social libertarian/authoritarian
results?
Please provide the number given to you on your political
compass results.
Question 3
(TCO 1) If a person believes that market should regulate
itself, and that government should stay out of business, would he or she fall
more to the right or the left side of the political scale?
Right
Left
Question 4
(TCO 1) If a person believes that federal agencies such as
the FDA, EPA, and SEC serve a public good, is he or she moving more to the
right or left of 100% capitalism?
Right
Left
Question 5
(TCO 1) If a person feels that the government is needed to
ensure that all people obtain equality, would he or she fall more on the right
or the left of the economic scale?
Right
Left
Question 6
(TCO 1) If a person believes that mandatory gun safety
classes should be required to buy a gun, would he or she move up or down the social
scale?
Up
Down
Question 7
(TCO 1) If a person believes that Christianity is or should
be the national religion of the United States, would he or she move up or down
the social scale?
Up
Down
Question 8
(TCO 1) If a person believes that he or she knows more about
his or her own life than the government, and thus should have the authority to
make his or her own decisions, would he or she move more up or down the social
scale?
Up
Down
Week 2 Assessment
Question 1
(TCO 6) In a 100% capitalist structure, the owners are
offered what advantages?
The owners
understand that their efforts are not just for them, but for society as a
whole.
They can make as
much profit as they like, as long as they work hard and the market allows it.
They do not face the
risk associated with large business ventures.
They don’t have to
concern themselves with the welfare of their workers.
A and C
B and D
All of the above
None of the above
Question 2
(TCO 6) In a 100% capitalist structure, the owners face what
challenges?
Their overuse of the
raw resources can drive them out of business.
Overworking
employees may lead to low productivity, and thus lower profits.
They are seen as
equal to workers.
Understanding the
demands of the market can be overwhelming.
A, B, and D
B and C
Al of the above
None of the above
Question 3
(TCO 6) In a 100% socialist structure, the owners would be
offered what advantages?
They would never
lose everything, because the government would provide for their needs.
Even if they fail,
they have the opportunity to rise again by starting new companies if they only
put their minds to it.
They can use up as
many raw resources they can get their hands on, allowing for more profit
potential, as long as the market allows it.
They are placed in
positions that suit them, so if being owners is too hard, or if they would not
be successful in it, they would not be forced into positions in which to fail.
A and B
A and D
All of the above
None of the above
Question 4
(TCO 6) In a 100% socialist structure, the owners would be
faced with what challenges?
They lose the
opportunity to make and hold onto extreme profits.
They assume all the
financial risk if their businesses fail.
They no longer can
change careers because they “feel” like it.
They lose the
ability to start new companies of their own.
A and C
B and D
A, C, and D
None of the above
Question 5
(TCO 6) In a 100% capitalist structure, the workers are
offered what advantages?
They can seek
employment at any companies they like.
They have the
opportunity to rise above their positions to become owners if they can.
The harder they
work, the more they can earn.
They always have
positions waiting for them.
A and B
A, B, and D
C and D
A, B, and C
Question 6
(TCO 6) In a 100% capitalist structure, the workers face
what challenges?
Material perks are
not readily available options.
They cannot always
provide for their families.
They cannot rise
above and become elites.
They receive no
benefits to help with paying for the cost of their injuries.
A and C
B and D
All of the above
None of the above
Question 7
(TCO 6) In a 100% socialist structure, the worker would be offered
what advantages?
Their needs are
always met, whether they can work or not.
The sky is the limit
for them if they try.
They can rest easy,
knowing that their work provides for the welfare of the people, not a “fat cat”
owner.
Medical costs are no
longer a concern.
A and C
B and D
A, B, and C
A, C, and D
Question 8
(TCO 6) In a 100% socialist structure, the worker would be
faced with what challenges?
They may not always
like the jobs that they do.
When injured, they
earn no income.
They continually
face the risk of unemployment.
There is not great
opportunity to start over or do something new, because they must contribute to
the cause.
A and D
B and C
All of the above
None of the above
Week 3
Assessment
Question 1
(TCO 2) As we have been discussing, throughout history, many
people were not fans of pure democracy. One of the reasons for this was the
idea of factions, as addressed in Madison’s Federalist No. 10. So what is the
definition of a faction?
Question 2
(TCO 2) Why are factions a threat to a democratic
government?
Question 3
(TCO 2) According to Madison, what are the two ways to
remove the cause of a faction?
Question 4
(TCO 2) From your reading, please distinguish why the two ways
to remove a faction are not effective.
Question 5
(TCO 2) What is it about human nature that causes factions
to form?
Question 6
(TCO 2) Differentiate the characteristics of a pure
democracy from a republic.
Question 7
(TCO 2) In referencing Madison, provide at least two reasons
explaining why a republic can do a better job of controlling the effects of
faction than a pure democracy.
Question 8
(TCO 2) Assess Madison’s argument. Do you find that a
republican form of government is the best way to control factions, in contrast
to pure democracy? And how do you think this system has worked in controlling
the factions over time?
Week 4
Assessment
Question 1
(TCO 3) From your own research, what interest group did you
find? Please list its name and website information.
Question 2
(TCO 3) From your own research, list three important pieces
of information that give us a picture of what your interest group believes.
Question 3
(TCO 3) From your own research, describe a specific policy
action your group desires.
Question 4
(TCO 3) From your own research, whom does this group lobby
most, or most effectively? For example, is there a political party or certain
congressional representatives who seem to get more of its attention, money, or
information? Which committees and subcommittees would it particularly lobby?
Question 5
(TCO 3) From your congress.gov research, what is the title
of the legislation (include its origination or appropriate numbers)?
Question 6
(TCO 3) From your congress.gov research, who are its key
sponsors and their party affiliation?
Question 7
(TCO 3) From your congress.gov research, what is its current
status within Congress?
Question 8 (TCO 3)
From your congress.gov research, describe briefly your personal reaction to
this legislation. Do you think it will pass and do you think it should pass?
Why? (Two to three sentences are required.)
Week 5
Assessment
Question 1
(TCO 4) What are your initial, nonlegal, thoughts on this
case? How would you decide it based on your own belief structures? For example,
if you were the judge in this case, would you would allow Mr. Trident to leave
the hospital, thus bringing about his death? Or would you feel for Mr. Trident
but side with the hospital because he clearly is not in the right mind to make
such decisions for himself? Or would you perhaps side with the hospital because
people should not be allowed to refuse medical treatment or go to the extreme
of ordering the hospital to aid in the shortening of his life so that he did
not have to suffer a painful death? What would you do? Please put some thought
into your answer and provide at least 4–5 sentences as you explain it.
Question 2
(TCO 4) What is the difference between moral and legal
reasoning?
Moral reasoning is
based upon personal views rather than legal considerations.
Legal reasoning
focuses on what the law states only.
Moral reasoning can
vary with cultural beliefs, whereas legal reasoning is more static within a
nation.
Legal reasoning is
concerned with precedent.
All of the above
A and C only
Question 3
(TCO 4) In a true legal argument, should legal reasoning or
moral reasoning be used?
Legal
Moral
Both
Neither
Question 4
(TCO 4) Mr. Trident is arguing that the hospital has
violated his 14th Amendment right to due process. What part of the 14th
Amendment is he referring to in his argument?
All persons born or
naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are
citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.
No state shall make
or enforce any law that shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens
of the United States.
Nor shall any state
deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
Nor deny to any
person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws
All of the above
None of the above
Question 5
(TCO 4) Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health is
a case studied in the right-to-die debate. What precedent did it help to
establish?
Americans have a
constitutional right to die.
Americans can refuse
medical treatment.
Americans must be
clear in stating their wishes regarding medical treatment.
A and B
B and C
All of the above
Question 6
(TCO 4) How does the Cruzan case factor into Mr. Trident’s
argument?
It grants the right
to refuse medical treatment.
It supports the
hospital in its claim that Mr. Trident cannot refuse its help.
It forces the
doctors to assist in Mr. Trident’s death by providing him medication to bring
about his death.
A and B
A and C
None of the above
Question 7
(TCO 4) Given the precedent established in the Cruzan case,
how would you now have to decide the case if you were the judge?
I would allow Mr.
Trident to leave the hospital, thus bringing about his death.
I would feel for Mr.
Trident but side with the hospital, because he clearly is not in the right mind
to make such decisions for himself.
I would side with
the hospital, because people should not be allowed to refuse medical treatment.
I would require that
the hospital aid Mr. Trident in shortening his life due to his constitution
right to die.
Question 8
(TCO 4) What other U.S. Supreme Court cases deal with the
right-to-die issue?
Plessy v. Ferguson
Marbury v. Madison
Vacco v. Quill
All of the above
None of the above
Week 6
Assessment
Question 1
(TCO 7) What is your final plan to present to the president?
What changes did you decide to implement?
Question 2
(TCO 7) Please explain why you chose the options that you
did.
Question 3
(TCO 7) How will your decisions affect the elderly, the
poor, the rich, and national security if implemented?
Question 4
(TCO 7) Was covering the hypothetical budget gap more or
less difficult than you expected? Please explain.
Question 5
(TCO 7) Which of your decisions might be perceived as
politically motivated? Why?
Question 6
(TCO 7) What are the trade-offs of preserving some programs
while protecting others?
Question 7
(TCO 7) How do your decisions result in a marginal benefit
to society so that they can outweigh the marginal cost to society?
Question 8
(TCO 7) Did doing this exercise change your feelings about
the budget debate in Washington? If so, how? If not, why not?
Week 7
Assessment
Question 1
(TCO 9) As the simulation shows, Muhammed’s father was
killed by the Israelis in their war of independence, as they attempted to
defend their state and enforce the boundaries established by the UN. Although
this was an international decree, all Muhammed witnessed was his father’s death
and the loss of his family home as the land of his forefathers was taken to
make room for what many Palestinians viewed as the “occupiers.” If you were
him, how would you react? For example, would you blame the Israelis for hurting
your father and taking your land, and then pass on this hatred to your children
so they would know never to trust the Israelis? Would you seek revenge for your
family and people? Or is there a chance that you would accept the new
conditions of the UN resolution because it was in the best interest of the
people of the world? What about simply seeking strength in your religion and
guiding your children away from the hatreds of the past in an effort to protect
them? Please put some thought into your answer and provide at least 4–5
sentences as you explain it.
Question 2
(TCO 9) Within the Israeli home, Ben knows from the horrors
faced by his parents what can happen when there is not a state of Israel in the
world. He thus supports his state and will do anything to defend its claim to
this region. How does this differ from Muhammed’s stance?
It doesn’t differ;
they both suffered death and loss, and they both simply want to protect their
families.
Ben has more of a
claim to hardship because his parents suffered in the Holocaust.
Muhammed has been
wronged the most because he lost his land and his father to the cause.
A and B
C and D
All of the above
Question 3
(TCO 9) What do Muhammed and Ben have in common?
They are both
religious.
They are both
fathers.
They both love the
land in which they were born.
A and B
B and C
All of the above
Question 4
(TCO 9) Serapin and Sarah _____.
support their
husbands
hate the other side
for causing all the bloodshed
love their families
and only wish to protect them from the violence
have trouble
understanding the need for violence
A and C
All but B
Question 5
(TCO 9) Judith and Ahmed are the youngest members of their
respective families. What do they have in common?
They both side with
the Palestinian cause.
They both idolize
their older siblings.
They think the
fighting is pointless.
A and A
B and C
None of the above
Question 6
(TCO 9) Given what you have read and what you know about the
conflicts between Israel and Palestine, what is the likelihood that the
children will continue the cycle of violence in this land if nothing radically
changes?
Because the
Palestinian children fight the government and the Israeli children back the
military that puts down these rebellions, the conflict is likely to continue.
The death of some
will drive the call for more death, as seen in Miriam’s loss of her fiancée and
Mariam’s loss of her parents.
Eventually, peace
will be found, because the children will see the errors of their ways.
A and B
B and C
None of the above
Question 7
(TCO 9) What impact has the violence in this land had on the
legitimacy of the Israeli government?
Those who support
the Israeli perspective, such as Ben, highly support the government.
Those who feel like
Abdullah claim that Israeli is not a valid state and deserves to be destroyed.
Violence and unrest
have no influence on legitimacy within governments.
A and B
None of the above
Question 8
(TCO 9) Abdullah has admittedly committed terrorist acts
against Israel. According to your text, does terrorism work?
Rarely, and seldom
without political and/or economic pressure
Rarely, but
primarily when brought against democratic nations
Often, and without
much need for political pressure to aid it
Often, but only with
the assistance of economic and/or political pressure
A and B
None of the above
Week 8 Final Exam
Question 1
(TCO 1) Which best explains the differences between
historians and political scientists?
Historians
look for generalizations, and political scientists are reluctant to generalize.
Historians
are reluctant to generalize, and political scientists look for generalizations.
Historians
are more likely to look for comparisons than political scientists.
Historians
tend to focus on nature-based explanations, and political scientists focus on
nurture-based explanations.
Question 2
(TCO 1) The notion that politicians think practically and
political scientists think abstractly is indicative of which of the following?
Political
scientists often train politicians.
Politicians
often train political scientists.
Political
scientists and politicians are different in that the former studies the latter.
Political
scientists and politicians are often indistinguishable.
Question 3
(TCO 1) Voting for someone who is charismatic but whose
policies might not benefit you would be considered _____ behavior.
irrational
rational
legitimate
selfish
Question 4
(TCO 1) A political leader’s ability to command respect and
exercise power is known as _____.
sovereignty
corruption
authority
legitimacy
Question 5
(TCO 1) The notion that we acknowledge the rightful roles of
our leaders or our laws is known as _____.
sovereignty
authority
legitimacy
monarchy
Question 6
(TCO 1) Descriptions of political phenomena often lack
_____.
rationality
reasoning
theory
balance
Question 7
(TCO 1) A(n) _____ is an initial theory a researcher starts
with to be proved with evidence.
quantification
hypothesis
qualification
empirical
Question 8
(TCO 4) What type of law—which was developed by medieval
Catholic theologians—argues that observing nature reveals God’s will?
Natural
law
Divine
law
God’s
law
Higher
law
Question 9
(TCO 4) Under which of the following circumstances might a
case be pursued as both a criminal and a civil case?
The
federal government accuses investment houses of wrongdoing and investors who
lost money sue them.
Drug
traffickers violate property and federal law by moving drugs across state
borders.
Burglars
violate federal property and the state sues them for damages.
A state
accuses banks of mortgage fraud in mortgages sold to investors elsewhere in the
nation.
Question 10
(TCO 4) The concept of judicial review falls under which
article of the U.S. Constitution?
Article
I: The Legislative Branch
Article
III: The Judicial Branch
Article
VI: Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
Judicial
review is not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution.
Question 11
(TCO 4) Who nominates and approves federal judges in the
U.S. court system?
The
president and the Senate
The
Senate and the House
The
president and Speaker of the House
The
Senate and the Secretary of State
Question 12
(TCO 4) Which of the following was an argument against
granting the U.S. Supreme Court the power of judicial review?
Many
feared that such a power would give the court a double check and compromise its
neutrality.
Some
thought that such power would create untrustworthy judges.
The
founders argued that judicial review would lead to undue indictments by the
court.
Drafters
of the Constitution feared that few laws would ever be set in stone.
Question 13
(TCO 4) Which of the following best articulates the stance
of judicial restraint advocates?
Judicial
review is the best and only true method of checking legislative power.
The
court should practice restraint in cases in which legislative acts are
presented for interpretation.
Only
the executive branch can restrain the court, keeping the power of judicial
review in balance with the other governing branches.
Only
Congress should make public policy and, unless a legislative act clearly
violates the Constitution, the law should stand.
Question 14
(TCO 4) Compare the Warren Court to those immediately
succeeding it.
The Warren
Court was generally considered conservative, but subsequent courts were seen as
more liberal.
Subsequent
courts were conservative, but not nearly as conservative as the Warren Court.
Succeeding
Courts failed to represent the conservative agenda of the Warren Court.
While
the Warren Court was rather progressive, subsequent courts were viewed as
conservative.
Question 15
(TCO 5) Which systems demonstrate the clearest separation of
power between the executive and legislative branches?
Parliamentary
Presidential
Monarchies
Ministerial
Question 16
(TCO 5) How often does the cabinet change in a parliamentary
system?
Every 4
years
Every 6
years
Every 8
years
When
the cabinet is voted out or resigns
Question 17
(TCO 5) What is the effect of divided government, such as
that used in the United States, on spending and policy formation?
It
encourages unhealthy spending and foolish policies.
It
holds down spending and foolish policies.
It
encourages irresponsible spending because representatives are held accountable
for only a short amount of time.
It
encourages responsible spending, but is slow to implement policy.
Question 18
(TCO 5) The head of ministry is equivalent to the _____ in
the United States.
chief
of government
head of
state
departmental
secretary
premier
Question 19
(TCO 5) The only political system that could guarantee the
cooperation between the legislative and executive branches is _____.
a
monarchy
a
dictatorship
a
democracy
an
oligarchy
Question 20
(TCO 5) In the case of both parliamentary and presidential
systems, examine the reason democracies will not vanish, even though the
executive seems to be receiving more and more power.
Checks
and balances keep the chief executive from gaining too much power.
Chief
executives will eventually have to face reelection, which depends greatly on
the approval of voting citizens.
Both
systems have methods by which to oust chief executives.
Subordinates
carry out some of the workload of the chief executive.
Question 21
(TCO 5) Explain which type of candidate parliamentary
systems seek out to become ministers.
Those
who have experience winning elections and serving on a parliamentary committee
Newcomers
who can bring in a fresh perspective to the ministry
Individuals
who possess a great knowledge of the specific ministry’s area
Those
who have political experience regardless of whether or not they have been
elected in the past
Question 22
(TCO 7) Radicals use the term political economy instead of
_____ to describe their critique of capitalism and the inequitable distribution
of wealth among nations.
Marxism
laissez-faire
public
choice
Keynesian
Question 23
(TCO 7) Early 20th-century European governments subscribed
to _____ doctrines, generally keeping their hands away from the economy.
classic
liberal
inflationary
neoclassical
Smithian
Question 24
(TCO 7) Between 1965 and 1973, the percentage of Americans
living below the poverty line _____.
doubled
greatly
decreased
slightly
increased
rapidly
increased
Question 25
(TCO 7) Medical costs consume nearly _____ % of the U.S.
gross domestic product, most of it paid through government and private health
insurance.
11
18
22
26
Question 26
(TCO 7) Many Americans think the federal budget goes
primarily toward welfare, which is _____.
absolutely
true
somewhat
exaggerated
not at
all the case
slightly
offensive
Question 27
(TCO 7) Compare American and Canadian views on the size of
government.
Americans
believe the government is too small, and Canadians feel that government
intrudes on individual privacy.
As
citizens of similar nations located in North America, both Americans and
Canadians feel that government is too large.
Americans
and Canadians generally agree that government should be larger, funding welfare
programs such as Medicaid and food stamps.
Many
Americans believe government is too large, and Canadians recognize that
government has a pivotal role to play and accept higher taxes.
Question 28
(TCO 7) Many conservative economists argue that some banks
are _____, because they would topple the rest of the economy with them.
inherently
successful
too big
to fail
destined
for profit
practically
invincible
Question 29
(TCO 9) _____ is a small or moderate change that essentially
leaves the system intact.
Mass
discontent
Reform
Dramatic
system change
A coup
d’etat
Question 30
(TCO 9) Riots triggered by police beating youths, protests
against globalization, and labor strikes against austerity are all examples of
_____.
purely
traditional violence
issue-oriented
violence
violence
carried out by civilian institutions of government
coups
Question 31
(TCO 9) How is high unemployment relevant to civil conflict?
Unemployed
young men incline naturally to unrest.
The
unemployed tend to be passive, keeping civil conflict at bay.
Unemployed
mothers, desperate for their children, tend to take to the streets.
The
unemployed tend to be uninformed about politics, and therefore rarely take part
in civil conflict.
Question 32
(TCO 9) What are the aims of terrorists via their calculated
acts of terrorism?
To
panic their enemies, to gain publicity and recruits, and to get the foe to
overreact and drive more people to side with the terrorists
To
destroy as much of the economic strength of a nation as possible
To kill
national leaders
To kill
their enemies, to gain recruits, and to get the UN to overreact and cause more
people to side with the terrorists
Question 33
(TCO 9) According to Hannah Arendt, the American struggle
was indeed a revolution, perhaps history’s only complete revolution, _____.
because
it alone ended with democratic institutions.
because
it became an example for other nations.
because
it managed to route what was then the great world power.
because
it alone ended with a new foundation of liberty instead of the tyranny that
came after other revolutions.
Question 34
(TCO 9) Does terrorism work?
Rarely,
and seldom without political and/or economic pressure
Rarely,
but primarily when brought against democratic nations
Often,
and without much need for political pressure to aid it
Often,
but only with the assistance of economic and/or political pressure
Question 35
(TCO 9) Why do some scholars say velvet revolutions are not
revolutions at all?
They
are not ideologically driven.
They
fail to bring about genuine democracy.
They
lack the ferocious qualities of violent revolutions.
They
don’t bring about real regime change.
Question 36
(TCO 2) Democracy has changed dramatically since its
original application in ancient Athens. Describe the evolution of democracy by
comparing and contrasting direct democracy with representative democracy. In
completing this comparison, be sure to incorporate Aristotle’s concerns about
democracy and assess the stability offered by these variations within
democracy.
Question 37
(TCO 3) Compare and contrast interest groups and political
parties. In your response, be sure to provide examples their similarities and
differences. In addition, please assess what advantages interest groups offer
that political parties don’t and then what advantages d political parties offer
that interest groups don’t.
Question 38
(TCO 6) The United States has utilized multiple forms of
liberalism throughout its history. Please distinguish the specific
characteristics of classical and modern liberalism and outline the evolution of
these forms of liberalism within the United States. Please be sure to include
specific historic examples to support your points.
Question 39
(TCO 8) The International Criminal Court (ICC) was
established to bring justice to those committing crimes against humanity, war
crimes, or genocide. It was established as an extension of the Rome Statute,
and only has jurisdiction over countries that signed this treaty. At this time,
the United States is not part of this agreement, and thus does not fall under
its jurisdiction. Construct an argument for joining such a treaty, detailing
the benefits that international treaties may offer their members and which also
addresses the possible public concerns over the loss of national sovereignty.
