Question 1

The campaign for the Democratic nomination for the 2020 presidential election has attracted a large number of diverse candidates. Why is this increase in diversity important for the American political system?

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Question 2

How are the concepts of authority, power, and legitimacy related with regards to the function of a government?

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Question 3

Political culture refers to the core beliefs a citizenry has about the role of the government and how it should operate.

Accepted Answer

Political culture is indeed defined as the shared beliefs, values, attitudes, and expectations about the role of government and how it should operate held by the members of a society.

Question 4

The phrase "We the People" within the Constitution acknowledges the idea of direct democracy.

Accepted Answer

"We the People" in the Constitution signifies the concept of popular sovereignty, where the government's power comes from the people, rather than direct democracy where citizens vote on laws directly.

Question 5

What are the four main arguments mentioned in the text that point to a decline in American democracy? List at least one additional factor that was not mentioned in the text. Why do you believe this factor indicates a decline?

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Question 6

One value that helps shape American political culture is the idea that the majority cannot trample upon the rights and liberties of the minority.

Accepted Answer

This value is often referred to as "majority rule, minority rights" and is rooted in the principle of individual rights and protections enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. It helps to ensure that the rights of vulnerable or marginalized groups are not violated by the political and legal systems, and is a key aspect of American political culture.

Question 7

Briefly define political culture and explain why it is important for a society to have a political culture. How is American political culture unique compared to other nations?

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Question 8

One indicator of the decline of American democracy that many point to is the idea that hyper-partisan politics lead to hasty, ineffective policies.

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Question 9

As the textbook points out, concerns about the decline in the health of American democracy are likely the result of historical patterns that have re-emerged in recent years and are not actually indicators of a declining democracy. Do you agree with this argument? If so, why? If not, elaborate upon the points made in the text as to why the political and socioeconomic conditions in recent years signal a true decline in American democracy.

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Question 10

The text mentions several values that make up American political culture. Choose at least two of those values and explain how they influence American politics. Of the values you have discussed, which one do you believe has the greatest overall impact on American political culture? Why?

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Question 11

Similar to how Richard Nixon successfully used television during his campaign, Barack Obama effectively utilized social media to win the presidency.

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Question 12

What is the primary difference between a representative democracy and a direct democracy? Do you believe that the United States should maintain its system of representative democracy, or do you believe that a direct democracy would be more beneficial to the functioning of the United States? Explain why.

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Question 13

Many Americans have a growing concern about the health of the American political system due to the heightened partisan divisions between Democrats and Republicans, especially during the 2020 presidential campaign. How does the 2020 presidential campaign compare to past campaigns in American history? In your opinion, is the growing partisan divide anything to be concerned about? Why or why not?

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Question 14

Despite concerns about the influence of money on American politics, such influence is not an indicator of the decline of American democracy.

Accepted Answer

The influence of money on American politics, while a concern, does not directly indicate a decline of American democracy. It reflects challenges within the system but does not solely determine the health or decline of democratic practices, which are multifaceted and include aspects like electoral participation, rule of law, and checks and balances.

Question 15

A social contract is an agreement between citizens to make a government and abide by its rules, but only if the government protects the basic rights and welfare of the people.

Accepted Answer

This is a commonly accepted definition of a social contract, dating back to philosophers such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Question 16

The U.S. Constitution established a system of representative democracy.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Constitution established a form of government known as a democratic republic, which combines elements of democracy and representative government. This system of government is based on the idea that power comes from the people, who elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Question 17

Briefly explain what government is and why it is necessary. According to the philosophy of Jean Jacques-Rousseau, what is the role of government in society? Be sure to mention the concept of the social contract in your response.

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Question 18

Calls for impeachment, expanding the Supreme Court, and abolishing the Electoral College are characteristics unique to the 2020 presidential election.

Accepted Answer

The calls for impeachment, expanding the Supreme Court, and abolishing the Electoral College are not unique to the 2020 presidential election. These issues have been discussed and debated for years.

Question 19

What is popular sovereignty, and how did it help shape the formation of the U.S. Constitution? Given what you know about popular sovereignty, why did the Founders opt for a representative democracy instead of a direct democracy?

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Question 20

In order for a government to be effective, it must be viewed as legitimate by those it governs.

Accepted Answer

If a government is not viewed as legitimate, it will face challenges to its authority and struggles to implement policies and enforce laws. Legitimacy can come from a variety of sources, such as free and fair elections, respect for human rights, and responsiveness to the needs of citizens. Without legitimacy, a government's power and influence will be severely weakened.

Quiz 1: Introduction to the Enduring-Democracy