POLI330 Political Science
Week 1 Discussion
Why Study Political Science?
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 1, 2
Lesson
Additional scholarly sources you identify through your own research
Initial Post Instructions
Identify why students should learn about political science. Use evidence (cite sources) to support your response from assigned readings or online lessons, and at least one outside scholarly source.
POLI330 Political Science
Week 2 Discussion
DQ1 Political Systems
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 3, 4; review Chapter 2 (Section: Ideologies and Politics in the United States)
Lesson
Additional scholarly sources you identify through your own research
Initial Post Instructions
What is the Marxist critique of capitalism? Do you agree or disagree? Explain your reasoning and provide examples to support your argument.
DQ2 Utopian Ideas
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 3, 4; review Chapter 2 (Section: Ideologies and Politics in the United States)
Lesson
Additional scholarly sources you identify through your own research
Initial Post Instructions
Explain one of the perfect political systems of Plato, Bacon, Marx, or Skinner. Use evidence (cite sources) to support your response from assigned readings or online lessons, and at least one outside scholarly source.
POLI330 Political Science
Week 3 Discussion
Stability and Governing
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 7, 8, 9
Lesson
Additional scholarly sources you identify through your own research
Initial Post Instructions
"The US is a stable government." Develop an argument for why you think this is true or false. Use specific historical examples. Use evidence (cite sources) to support your response from assigned readings or online lessons, and at least one outside scholarly source.
POLI330 Political Science
Week 4 Discussion
DQ1 Petition the Government for Redress of Grievances”
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 11, 12, 13
Lesson
Additional scholarly sources you identify through your own research
Initial Post Instructions
Analyze why older, white adults vote in elections more than other groups while describing how each political party cultivates voters and the role an interest group plays in turning people out to the polls.
You can explore political voting data at the United States Census Bureau's website here: https://www.census.gov/topics/public-sector/voting.html (Links to an external site.)
Use evidence (cite sources) to support your response from assigned readings or online lessons, and at least one outside scholarly source.
DQ2 US Supreme Court
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 11, 12, 13
Lesson
Minimum of 1 scholarly source
Initial Post Instructions
Using the Supreme Court's website, research one case that deals with a contentious issue of your choice. (These issues can be racial discrimination, right to bear arms, same-sex marriage, hate speech, suicide, etc.) After finding a case, describe the Constitutional issue at the heart of the case. Summarize the points, the opinion, and at least one dissent used to come up with their conclusions. Did you agree with the majority opinion or the dissent?
US Supreme Course Case Search Job Aid (Links to an external site.)
POLI330 Political Science
Week 5 Discussion
Learning Politics
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 6, 10
Lesson
Additional scholarly sources you identify through your own research
Initial Post Instructions
Think about conversations around politics when you were in primary school (around age 10). What were some of the ways you learned about the political establishment through family members and friends? How were you politically socialized as a child? Use evidence (cite sources) to support your response from assigned readings or online lessons, and at least one outside scholarly source.
POLI330 Political Science
Week 6 Discussion
DQ1 Presidential Advisor
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Review Chapter 2, 3 (pp. 56-59), 13
Lesson
Additional scholarly sources you identify through your own research
Initial Post Instructions
You are an advisor to the President tasked with cutting at least $300 billion from the budget. The president wants your recommendations to cut lines, not large categories. Explain why you chose those cuts.
Note: These are not true US budget numbers.
|
DOMESTIC PROGRAMS AND FOREIGN AID
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Cut some foreign aid to African countries
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?$17 billion
|
|
?
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Eliminate farm subsidies
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?$14 billion
|
|
?
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Cut pay of civilian federal workers by 5 percent
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?$14 billion
|
|
?
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Reduce the overall federal workforce by 10%
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?$12 billion
|
|
?
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Cut aid to states by 5%
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?$29 billion
|
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MILITARY
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Cut the number of nuclear warheads, and end the "Star Wars" missile defense program
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?$19 billion
|
|
?
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Reduce military to pre-Iraq War size and further reduce troops in Asia and Europe
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?$25 billion
|
|
?
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Cancel or delay some weapons programs
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?$19 billion
|
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HEALTHCARE
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Enact medical malpractice reform by reducing the chances of large malpractice verdicts
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?$ 8 billion
|
|
?
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Increase the Medicare eligibility age to 68
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?$ 8 billion
|
|
?
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Raise the Social Security retirement age to 68.
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?$ 13 billion
|
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EXISTING TAXES
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Return the estate tax to Clinton-era levels, passing on an estate worth more than $1 million to their heirs would have portions of those estates taxed.
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?$ 50 billion
|
|
?
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End tax cuts for income above $250,000 a year
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?$ 54 billion
|
|
?
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End tax cuts for income below $250,000 a year
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?$ 172 billion
|
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?
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Payroll tax increase for people making over $106,000 annually contributing more to Social Security and Medicare.
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?$ 50 billion
|
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NEW TAXES
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Institute a Millionaire's tax on income above $1 million
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?$ 50 billion
|
|
?
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Add a national 5% sales tax
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?$ 41 billion
|
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?
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Add a tax on carbon emissions
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?$ 40 billion
|
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?
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Tax banks based on their sizes and the amount of risk they take.
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?$ 73 billion
|
|
Total gap covered by your budget plan
|
?
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$_________________
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Use evidence (cite sources) to support your response from assigned readings or online lessons, and at least one outside scholarly source.
DQ2 Political Theory and the Budget
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Review Chapter 2, 3 (pp. 56-59), 13
Lesson
Additional scholarly sources you identify through your own research
Initial Post Instructions
Explain how a liberal and conservative would approach developing the US budget. Use evidence (cite sources) to support your response from assigned readings or online lessons, and at least one outside scholarly source.
POLI330 Political Science
Week 7 Discussion
Our Global Neighborhood
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 15, 16, 17
Lesson
Additional scholarly sources you identify through your own research
Initial Post Instructions
Pick one international organization (UN, EU, ICC, etc.). Explain its mission and function. Assess how issues of state sovereignty are dealt with for member countries. Use evidence (cite sources) to support your response from assigned readings or online lessons, and at least one outside scholarly source.
POLI330 Political Science
Week 8 Discussion
Political Compass Results
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Lesson
Political Compass Test Results
Additional scholarly sources you identify through your own research
Initial Post Instructions
Go to the site: https://www.politicalcompass.org. (Links to an external site.)
Scroll to the end of the site where it says "take the test."
Answer all of the questions.
After you answer the questions, there will be a chart with your Economic and Social numbers.
After taking the political compass test, tell the class what your scores are and what they mean. Then, analyze why you believe the results or do not believe the scores. Finally, discuss how this course has been beneficial to your daily life and career choice. Use evidence (cite sources) to support your response from assigned readings or online lessons, and at least one outside scholarly source.
POLI330 Political Science
Week 1 Assignment
Essay – Benefiting the Public Good
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 1, 2
Lesson
Minimum of 1 scholarly source
Instructions
One role of government is to ensure that policies benefit the people within their jurisdiction.
For local governments, it would be the townspeople or city dwellers.
For the state governments, it would be the people living within the state.
For the federal government, it would be everyone within the borders of the country.
Using an ideology discussed in the textbook, construct an argument explaining how this ideology upholds the public good by examining power, order, and justice.
Select an ideology discussed in the textbook. In an essay, examine how power, order, and justice as it relates to the ideology you choose promotes the public good.
POLI330 Political Science
Week 3 Assignment
Essay - Developing a Democracy
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 7, 8, 9
Lesson
Minimum of 2 scholarly sources
Instructions
Many countries have gone through various ways of governing-by one, by a group, or by the people. Pick one developing country. Examine this country's political history and current barriers in developing their democracy. Create a concise argument on the type of democracy they should institute and why.
Use the following list to select your developing country: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1876/310mab.pdf
POLI330 Political Science
Week 5 Assignment
Essay - Ideal Citizen in a Totalitarian Government
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 6, 10
Lesson
Instructions
Aristotle defined tyranny as an illegitimate form of government by one individual that tightly controlled every part of life and government. Adolf Hitler is the most notorious tyrant. Using a totalitarian society from the past or present, discuss how the state and its leader attempt to impede citizens from exercising their rights. In your discussion, explain some components of an "ideal citizen," consequences of voter apathy, and ways the state controls the citizen.
POLI330 Political Science
Week 7 Assignment
Essay - Creating Your Ideal State
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
Textbook: Chapter 15, 16, 17
Lesson
Instructions
Your country just overthrew its dictator, and you are the newly elected President. Unfortunately, due to the divisions in the country and the years of war, economic, military, and political structures are non-existent. A group of loyalists to the old dictator have been detonating bombs, murdering civilians, assassinating leaders, and terrorizing towns with help from a neighboring country's dictator.
Create a comprehensive plan for your new government. While creating this government identify 1) the governing style of your government and the principles that govern your leaders (see rubric); 2) the functions of various branches of government; 3) how to maintain public good in domestic areas through at least two programs; 4) an economic structure that is most beneficial to your citizens; 5) ways to create national unity; 6) ways to combat terrorism and violence; and, 6) international organizations to join.
See rubric for specific ways to meet the requirements of the paper.
Paper headings: (Use of APA paper format with headings required!)
Introduction (1 paragraph)
Introduce your country
Briefly outline all of the parts of the paper
Domestic Concerns (1-2 pages)
Identify governing style and principles that correlate to this style
Identify the branches of government and its functions
Development of two public good domestic programs and how they will meet the public good
Economic structure and reason why this should be used
Socializing citizens is noted with rationale for how it creates national unity
Foreign Concerns (1-2 pages)
Two international organizations are noted, one for economics and one for security
Descriptions of both organizations
Rationales for joining these organizations
Steps to joining
Two ways your country will combat the neighboring country's terrorist threat and the domestic threat
Two ways these will be effective
Conclusion (1 paragraph)
Summarize information
POLI330 Political Science
Week 2 Quiz
Question 1(TCO 6) What is essential to the success of any government?
History
Democratic principles
Symbolism and ritual
Tradition and strong leadership
Continuity and stability
Question 2(TCO 6) In establishing the American democratic republic, the Founding Fathers borrowed from the works of all of the following earlier thinkers EXCEPT
Thomas Hobbes
Alexis de Tocqueville
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Niccolò Machiavelli
Baron de Montesquieu
Question 3(TCO 6) What did Marx believe would happen once private property was eliminated?
Proletariat upheaval
The beginning of revolution in the form of armed conflict
The emergence of a technologically-driven society
The end of social inequality
New models for human behavior
Question 4(TCO 6) Which of the following best represents the ideas of John Locke?
Meaningful freedom could not exist without written laws.
The rule of law was unacceptable because it suppressed individual freedoms.
Government must be free to function without restrictions.
The seventeenth century saw limited advances in the rule of law.
Reason is always influenced by passion.
Question 5(TCO 6) What tool enables branches of government to resist any illegitimate expansion of power by other branches?
Dual federalism
Checks and balances
Supremacy Clause
Bicameralism
Brokered democracy
Question 6(TCO 6) With its emphasis on science, education and toleration, what word would best describe Bacon’s society?
Moderate
Libertarian
Restrictive.
Serendipitous
Progressive
Question 7(TCO 6) Which of the following terms best describes the U.S. government today?
Participatory democracy
Pluralist democracy
Presidential democracy
Developmental democracy
Protective democracy
Question 8(TCO 6) What was the legislative body of the United States was designed to be?
Tyranny of the majority
Parliamentary
Bicameral
Cosmopolitan Democracy
Unicameral
Question 9(TCO 6) Which of the following is an idea inherent in a constitutional democracy?
The majority always gets its way.
Government should be responsive, limited, and effective.
Ineffective government is an unavoidable side-effect.
There should be a popularly elected head of state.
The majority is never morally correct.
Question 10(TCO 6) Which writer's utopianism was based on the notion: "From each according to his abilities; to each according to his needs"?
Plato
Francis Bacon
Karl Marx
B.F. Skinner
George Orwell
POLI330 Political Science
Week 4 Quiz
Question 1(TCO 3) What term is used to describe the system of voting where the seats of the legislature are assigned to parties based on the percentage of the popular vote that each party receives?
Plurality
Proportional
Mechanized
Subjective
Repetitional
Question 2(TCO 4) When can government outlaw religious practices?
If the religion is not approved beforehand
If the religion is too small
If the religion moves overseas
If the religion poses a threat to society
If the religion obscures or misinterprets the words of God
Question 3(TCO 3) Which statement about health care in the United States is FALSE?
Health care facilities in the U.S. are among the best in the world.
U.S. citizens spend more on medical expenses than people in other countries.
The federal government spends less on medical research than other modern nations.
The Affordable Care Act was upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Federal government expenses for Medicare and Medicaid exceed those related to defense.
Question 4(TCO 4) Which of the following have American courts allowed under the First Amendment?
Speech that constitutes a direct personal provocation
Clergy to offer nondenominational prayers at public high school graduations
Polygamy, as long as it is part of traditional religious practice
Schools to require children who are Jehovah’s Witnesses to salute the flag
Schools to exempt Amish children from public education requirements
Question 5(TCO 3) Unlike associational and non-associational interest groups, how are institutional interest groups different?
They exist within the government.
They develop spontaneously when many individuals feel strongly about particular policies.
They have a distinctive name, national headquarters, and professional staff.
They seek to promote causes that benefit society as a whole.
They exist within the private sector.
Question 6(TCO 3) Which of the following would be considered a public interest group?
Italian-American Foundation
American Association of Retired Persons
Disabled American Veterans
National Association of Manufacturers
Sierra Club
Question 7(TCO 3) Which statement about political parties in the United States is true?
George Washington was the original advocate of the two-party system.
Political parties are included the U.S. Constitution.
Political parties in the states are identitical to their national chapters.
Opportunities to participate in political parties and their activities are at an all-time low.
Thomas Jefferson and other early thinkers thought parties fostered narrow self-interest over the common good.
Question 8(TCO 3) A good leader should have all of the following traits EXCEPT
an emphasis on the public good.
common sense.
the ability to delegate.
lust for power and a willingness to use it to remove all obstacles or challengers.
the ability to face the historical circumstances of the times.
Question 9(TCO 4) What protects citizens in the U.S. against the abuse of police power?
The First Amendment
The Second Amendment
The Fifth Amendment
The Fourth Amendment
The Sixth Amendment
Question 10(TCO 3) Which postindustrial modern state does NOT consider health care a basic human right?
Canada
France
England
United States
Sweden
POLI330 Political Science
Week 6 Quiz
Question 1(TCO 7) What do conservatives argue about the middle class in America?
That it is disappearing
That it remains large and essential to the U.S. economy
That government needs to enact new legislation to protect and assist the middle class
That the tax burden falls disproportionately on the middle class
That the middle class's share of the nation's prosperity has fallen since the 1970s
Question 2(TCO 7) Which theorist argued that the main purpose of government was to protect private property?
John Locke
Adam Smith
Milton Friedman
Baron de Montesquieu
Karl Marx
Question 3(TCO 7) Who developed the idea of laissez-faire capitalism?
John Locke
Adam Smith
Baron de Montesquieu
Friedrich Engels
François Noël Babeuf
Question 4(TCO 7) Which of the following would favor a public assistance program, cuts in military spending, more regulation of business and industry, and a progressive tax system?
Capitalists
Liberals
Libertarians
Marxists
Conservatives
Question 5(TCO 7) According to Baron de Montesquieu, what are the advantages associated with business and commerce?
Nations that trade extensively with other nations are predisposed toward peace.
Commerce would provide an antidote to individual morality.
Focus on wealth creation that would stimulate religious organizations.
A commercial democracy would eliminate certain modest bourgeois attitudes.
Successful commerce would stimulate spending and end frugality.
POLI330 Political Science
Week 8 Quiz
Question 1(TCO 1) What is the first exercise in democracy for students in the U.S.?
Playing sports
Studying the nation's history
Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance
Electing or becoming class officers
Speaking out against school policies that seem unfair
Question 2(TCO 1) Which of the following would favor a public assistance program, cuts in military spending, more regulation of business and industry, and a progressive tax system?
Capitalists
Liberals
Libertarians
Marxists
Conservatives
Question 3(TCO 1) The principle reason to study politics is
national interest.
self-interest.
public interest.
both national interest and self-interest.
both self-interest and public interest.
Question 4(TCO 1) In the changing world of television media, what has suffered most?
Freedom to criticize the government
The entertainment value of news shows
The range of dramatic television shows
The quality of in-depth news and analysis
The state of tabloid journalism
Question 5(TCO 1) The question of whether people can exercise power yet remain true to their principles is referred to as
Social Contract Theory.
the dilemma of political economy.
the problem of state sovereignty.
the crisis of normativism.
the problem of dirty hands.
Question 6(TCO 1) During the consolidation stage of totalitarian development, what do revolutionary leaders attempt to do?
Reach a consensus with rival factions and form a broad-based coalition.
Begin the immediate transformation of society.
Eliminate real or imagined rivals for power and place loyal associates in key posts.
Calm the public by ending the violence that marked the revolutionary stage.
Reinterpret the past and attribute any failures to a clearly identifiable enemy.
Question 7(TCO 2) Least developed countries have all of the following problems in common EXCEPT
illiteracy.
political instability.
ethnic conflict.
anarchy.
inequality.
Question 8(TCO 2) What is the most basic -- but often most challenging -- aspect of nation-building?
Expanding agricultural output
Ending illiteracy
Forming a common or group identity
Ending internal rebellions and upheavals
Establishing a democracy
Question 9(TCO 5) What is the main difference between the U.S. and U.K. judicial systems?
The power of U.S. judges to uphold or strike down legislative or executive actions
The power of British judges to uphold or strike down Parliament's decisions
The role of British judges to safeguard civil liberties
The focus in the U.S. on a common law system
None of these choices is correct.
Question 10(TCO 5) What element of the Israeli and British parliamentary systems distinguishes them from most other parliamentary democracies?
A dual executive
The lack of a written constitution
A mixed regime
The existence of a loyal opposition
The enforcement of strict party discipline
Question 11(TCO 2) Where are most of the least developed countries located?
East Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa
Central Europe
The Pacific Islands
South America and the Caribbean
Question 12(TCO 3) According to the delegate theory of representation,
officials should act according to the views of the electorate.
focus groups are of little use.
politicians should let their conscience guide them in making decisions.
only the most intelligent members of society should serve in leadership roles.
opinion is only a barometer, to be used as the legislator sees fit.
Question 13(TCO 4) The Supreme Court would likely view all of these actions as violating the constitutional right to free speech EXCEPT
organizing a terror strike against our government.
burning a replica of the American flag.
asking for a list of names of all organizers and participants of an anti-government rally and then investigating them.
wiretaps of individuals without their knowledge and without a warrant.
Ku Klux Klan rally designed to start a riot against the minorities.
Question 14(TCO 4) When can government outlaw religious practices?
If the religion is not approved beforehand
If the religion is too small
If the religion moves overseas
If the religion poses a threat to society
If the religion obscures or misinterprets the words of God
Question 15(TCO 3) What did eighteenth-century British writer and legislator Edmund Burke believe?
That elected officials should act as trustees for their constituents
That while representatives must pay careful attention to public opinion, they must also maintain their independence of thought and action
That a natural aristocracy, made up of the best and brightest, should govern
That the trustee theory of representation worked
All of the above
Question 16(TCO 3) What is a major criticism of the winner-take-all electoral system?
It emphasizes political parties at the expense of individual candidates.
It limits voter choice and makes it impossible for minor parties to compete in elections.
It causes a pronounced tendency toward party decentralization.
It makes forming a national consensus more difficult.
It encourages the emergence of single-issue splinter parties.
Question 17(TCO 3) What event ended -- albeit briefly -- the long-term trend of political apathy in the U.S.?
The 2008-2009 recession
The terrorist attacks of 9/11
The war in Iraq
The invasion of Afghanistan
The 2012 reelection of Barack Obama
Question 18(TCO 6) In the Western tradition, what does the broad meaning of “justice” involve?
Questions of proper punishment for violations of the law
Questions of who should be elected
Questions of distribution
Questions of power
Questions of protection
Question 19(TCO 6) What term does Walden Two use to describe good health, a minimum of unpleasant labor, and a chance to exercise your talents and true leisure?
Political equality
The good life
Behavioral freedom
Scientific society
Personal nirvana
Question 20(TCO 9) State-sponsored terrorism is defined as terrorism that
occurs within a country by people who are not connected to the government.
is international in focus and helped by an established government.
involves groups from different countries cooperating with each other.
involves the governments, interests and people of more than one country.
is defined by a government's use of its security forces to subdue or intimidate its own people.
Question 21(TCO 9) What did Locke think would bring an end to human conflict and war in society?
Religious or spiritual commitment
Economic development and security
Elimination of private property
Communal marriage
Eradication of national boundaries and identities
Question 22(TCO 9) By definition, terrorism includes all of the following attributes EXCEPT
the use of threats and violence.
a desire for publicity.
a political motive.
a goal of shoring up existing regimes.
intimidation aimed at civilians.
Question 23(TCO 8) What do we call the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures?
Marshall Plan
Monroe Doctrine
Cold War Doctrine
Truman Doctrine
Chamberlain Plan
Question 24(TCO 9) What tool does the U. S. government use to broaden the definition of who is a terrorist and grant broad powers to the Attorney General?
USA Patriot Act
United Nations
NATO Coalition
Kyoto Accords
Department of Homeland Security
Question 25(TCO 9) Many politicians partly blame ____for the rapid rise of terrorism.
the media
the availability of cheap weapons
Muslims
President Bush
the increasing involvement of women
Question 26(TCO 9) What is a characteristic of most terrorist groups?
They exist for long periods of time.
They have large membership bases.
They operate locally.
They receive a great deal of publicity.
They are ethnically and politically diverse.
Question 27(TCO 8) According to theory, states acquire nuclear weapons to not to use them, but to prevent other states from using theirs.
rational actor
containment
zero-sum game
keeper of the balance
deterrence
Question 28(TCO 5) Compare and contrast the US and UK systems of representing their people.
Question 29(TCO 7) Describe what economic factors distinguish a conservative, liberal, and socialist in the United States.
