Chapter One Approaching Democracy Multiple Choice 1. A system of government in which the people rule, either directly or through elected representatives, is called a(n) a. monarchy. b. democracy. c. autocracy. d. theocracy. e. dictatorship Answer: b. democracy. 2. One of the problems with democracy is that it does not a. protect the voting rights of individuals. b. extend constitutional guarantees to citizens. c. always successfully protect the values of freedom and equality. d. represent the average person, rather it favors the rich. e. afford leaders the opportunity to propose policy options. Answer: c. always successfully protect the values of freedom and equality. 3. An authoritarian regime is characterized as a. a government in which the citizens rule. b. a government in which citizens have freedom of speech. c. a government that promotes freedom. d. a government that stands apart from citizens. e. a government that exercise free and fair elections. Answer: d. a government that stands apart from citizens. 4. A direct democracy assumes that a. political intermediaries are a necessity. b. representatives make decisions. c. representatives will meet in a legislative body. d. elites must be in charge of government. e. people can govern themselves. Answer: e. people can govern themselves. 5. The closest American approximation of direct democracy is the New England a. town meeting. b. straw poll. c. primary election. d. majority rule. e. Athenian democracy. Answer: a. town meeting. 6. American democracy, as we recognize it today, is the consequence of a. the tireless efforts of Vaclav Havel. b. a joint session of Congress held on July 21, 1990. c. a long evolutionary process. d. free elections held every 4 years. e. the collapse of the Soviet Union. Answer: c. a long evolutionary process. 7. Which of the following best illustrates the idea of direct democracy? a. The United States. b. Russia. c. India. d. Iraq. e. Ancient Athens. Answer: e. Ancient Athens. 8. Most countries today look upon the United States as a. a terrorist state. b. having a perfect record when it comes to protecting the rights and liberties of people of color. c. a model of the democratic process. d. a nation-state. e. a state that has used its power to coerce others to do what it wants. Answer: c. a model of the democratic process. 9. Proposals submitted by a state legislature to the public for a popular vote are called a. public decrees. b. public prays. c. diets. d. referenda. e. legislative review. Answer: d. referenda. 10. Equality is defined as a. more than half of the voters agree on an issue. b. all participants have the same access to the decision-making process. c. a form of governance dating back to the 1700s. d. a form of government characterizing Athens. e. no one person being under the control of another. Answer: b. all participants have the same access to the decision-making process. 11. A type of government in which people govern themselves, vote on policies and laws, and live by majority rules is called a. indirect democracy. b. trial by fire. c. freedom. d. majority rule. e. direct democracy. Answer: e. direct democracy. 12. A system of government that allows indirect representation of the popular will is a a. true democracy. b. nation. c. republic. d. plebiscite. e. state. Answer: c. republic. 13. Universal suffrage is understood as a. the right of African Americans to vote. b. the right of all adults to vote. c. the right of women to vote. d. the right of eighteen year olds to vote e. the right of males to vote. Answer: b. the right of all adults to vote. 14. According to the 2009 Freedom House study, the number of countries that are “not free” __________ in 2009. a. increased b. remained the same c. decreased d. disappeared completely e. has not yet been determined Answer: c. decreased 15. The principle whereby if more than half of the voters agree on an issue then the entire group will abide by the decision is called a. plurality. b. direct democracy. c. equality of opportunity and results. d. majority rule. e. minority rule. Answer: d. majority rule. 16. Representative democracy a. is inherently tyrannical. b. is antithetical to American democracy. c. works best in very small towns. d. is a system of representation in which a small number of people champion the various interests of the larger community. e. is a decision making process in which over half the voters agree on an issue yet the entire group accepts the decision. Answer: d. is a system of representation in which a small number of people champion the various interests of the larger community. 17. The House of Representatives is an example of a(n) a. republican form of governance. b. direct democracy. c. New England town meeting. d. authoritative regime. e. mob rule. Answer: a. republican form of governance. 18. The two key values that American democracy claims to safeguard are a. freedom and order. b. freedom and stability. c. equality and freedom. d. equality and order. e. equality and stability. Answer: c. equality and freedom. 19. All of the following are measures taken by the framers to dilute the political influence of the people EXCEPT a. the Senate would be chosen by state legislature rather than by the people. b. the president would be chosen by an electoral college. c. representation in the House of Representatives would be apportioned among the states on the basis of state equality. d. the Supreme Court would be nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. e. the Supreme Court would be chosen for life tenure. Answer: c. representation in the House of Representatives would be apportioned among the states on the basis of state equality. 20. Representative democracy is a system of government in which voters select legislators to protect their interests and rights. This plan a. totally removes the common people from the policy-making process. b. is representative of the Athenian model of government. c. is not consistent with the principles and values of the framers of the American Constitution. d. was designed by the Supreme Court. e. dilutes the influence of the common people. Answer: e. dilutes the influence of the common people. 21. An important characteristic of dictatorships involves a. popular participation. b. free elections. c. protection of individual freedoms. d. government control of the military. e. an independent judiciary. Answer: d. government control of the military. 22. As a result of her refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger, Rosa Parks was a. arrested but eventually cleared of all charges against her in court. b. arrested and given a lengthy prison sentence. c. arrested and required to pay a fine. d. arrested and required to perform numerous hours of community service. e. arrested and died in prison. Answer: c. arrested and required to pay a fine. 23. Among the core values of American democracy are a. freedom, equality, and participation. b. public order and the right to home ownership. c. stability and affirmative action. d. minority rights and capitalism. e. religion and morals. Answer: a. freedom, equality, and participation. 24. What two features of effective democracy were instituted by the town meeting? a. majority rule and an organized opposition b. self-government and constitutionalism c. self-government and an organized opposition d. equality and majority rule e. majority rule and self-government. Answer: d. equality and majority rule 25. The number of democracies worldwide a. is declining. b. is waning. c. has not changed in nearly five decades. d. is beginning to level off from earlier progress. e. is on the rise. Answer: e. is on the rise. 26. In his inaugural address, which president referred to the “sacred principle that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable?” a. George Washington b. John AdamsJeffer c. Thomas Jefferson d. James Madison e. Harry Truman Answer: c. Thomas Jefferson 27. The idea that people should have equal rights and chances to develop their talents is called a. equality of relativity. b. equality of opportunity. c. equality of results. d. equality of establishment. e. equality of outcome. Answer: b. equality of opportunity. 28. The type of equality that would redistribute wealth from the haves to the have-nots is called a. equality of relativity. b. equality of opportunity. c. equality of results. d. equality of establishment. e. equality of outcome. Answer: c. equality of results. 29. Negative freedom implies a. freedom from government intervention. b. freedom to write or speak falsely about others. c. freedoms are insignificant. d. freedom to criticize the government. e. freedom to develop one’s own talents. Answer: a. freedom from government intervention. 30. All of the following are elements of democracy EXCEPT a. popular participation. b. an independent judiciary. c. civilian control of the military and police. d. a chief executive that is appointed for life. e. free elections. Answer: d. a chief executive that is appointed for life. 31. The right to have the government stay out of the personal lives of its citizens is known as a. equal rights. b. minority rights c. free press. d. majority rule. e. the right to privacy. Answer: e. the right to privacy. 32. The problem with government trying to maintain order and stability is that a. order and stability are hard to achieve in the modern era. b. actions directed toward order and stability tend to place limits on freedom and equality. c. order and stability require the expenditure of large portions of government budgets. d. the public places a greater value on individual freedom than on order and stability. e. there is an inherent tension between the two. Answer: b. actions directed toward order and stability tend to place limits on freedom and equality. 33. Majority rule a. is, by definition, antithetical to minority rights. b. works only when all citizens share the same religious beliefs. c. works only when consensus has been achieved through negotiation and compromise, persuasion, and voting. d. is not a defining characteristic of democracy. e. is a system that occurs when those in the minority organize and see to influence policy. Answer: c. works only when consensus has been achieved through negotiation and compromise, persuasion, and voting. 34. The final interpreter of the Constitution is a. The House of Representatives b. The Senate c. The President d. The Supreme Court e. The Court of Appeals Answer: d. The Supreme Court 35. Athenian democracy was based on two conditions: a. face-to-face political discussion and exclusivity in political participation. b. equality of all citizens and due process under the law. c. minority rights and full access to political participation. d. universal suffrage and free speech. e. representative democracy and full participation in politics. Answer: a. face-to-face political discussion and exclusivity in political participation. 36. Interest group politics supports which of following systems? a. elitism b. pluralism c. populism d. separatism e. secularism Answer: b. pluralism 37. Universal suffrage a. is more important for political candidates than for voters. b. means that all adult citizens should be forced to vote. c. means that all adult citizens should have the opportunity to vote. d. has always been a core value of American democracy. e. means that only a relatively small group of people are allowed to vote. Answer: c. means that all adult citizens should have the opportunity to vote. 38. The Fifteenth Amendment a. gave all blacks the right to vote. b. gave African American males the right to vote. c. denied former Confederate soldiers the right to vote. d. freed the slaves. e. prohibited African Americans from voting. Answer: b. gave African American males the right to vote. 39. The Nineteenth Amendment a. only applied to married women. b. subjected senatorial candidates to a popular vote. c. lowered the minimum age. d. gave women the right to vote. e. gave African American men the right to vote. Answer: d. gave women the right to vote. 40. The Twenty-sixth Amendment a. gave residents of the District of Columbia residential electoral college votes. b. gave African Americans the right to vote. c. gave women the right to vote. d. gave Puerto Ricans the right to vote in Presidential elections. e. lowered the minimum voting age from 21 to 18. Answer: e. lowered the minimum voting age from 21 to 18. 41. The four ideals of democracy include freedom and equality, order and stability, majority rule and protection of minority rights, and a. an independent judiciary. b. cultural commitment to democratic values. c. civilian control of police. d. universal suffrage. e. participation. Answer: e. participation. 42. The right to vote, the right to legal counsel and the right to equal protection under the law are examples of a. positive freedom. b. negative freedom. c. universal suffrage. d. equality. e. civil rights. Answer: a. positive freedom. 43. Democratic protests that emerged in the Middle East are often referred to as the a. Tiananmen Square. b. The Arab Spring. c. The Tunisian Struggles. d. Egyptian Uprisings, e. Solidarity Movement. Answer: b. The Arab Spring. 44. The United States military is controlled by a. The House of Representatives. b. The Senate. c. interest groups. d. lobbies. e. civilian government. Answer: e. civilian government. 45. The Commander in Chief of the U.S. military is the a. President. b. Speaker of the House. c. Vice- President. d. Minority leader of the House. e. Secretary of Defense, Answer: a. President. 46. Judicial review a. is a legal journal. b. allows state courts to strike down unpopular national laws. c. makes the United States Supreme Court the final arbiter of the national constitution. d. cannot be applied to presidential actions. e. means the judiciary is insulated from political bodies. Answer: c. makes the United States Supreme Court the final arbiter of the national constitution. 47. Dictators a. must remain on good terms with industrial leaders. b. rule largely with the consent of the military. c. can always be trusted to defer to the preferences of the common people. d. have frequently appeared in American politics. e. are committed to preserve equality for all. Answer: b. rule largely with the consent of the military. 48. A defining characteristic of the American polity is a. its commitment to preserve freedom and equality for all. b. its belief in the infallibility of the chief executive. c. its reverence for the military. d. its mistrust in the election process. e. government control of the military. Answer: a. its commitment to preserve freedom and equality for all. 49. In the text, interest group is defined as a. a formal organization of people who share a common outlook and who band together in the hope of influencing policy. b. a consistent pattern of public opinion on a particular issue. c. a coalition joined together in an effort to get their candidate elected to public office. d. individuals who influence policy making by manipulating public opinion. e. a group that is insulated from political bodies in order to preserve their ability to act as final arbiters. Answer: a. a formal organization of people who share a common outlook and who band together in the hope of influencing policy. 50. The American ideal of equality a. promotes the notion that all people should have equal standards of living. b. is consistent with the value of individualism. c. does not address the idea of fair treatment under the law. d. has helped minority groups in the United States achieve their goals. e. is based upon the idea of ekklesia found in Athenian direct democracy. Answer: d. has helped minority groups in the United States achieve their goals. 51. Athenian democracy was based on two conditions: a. face-to-face political discussion and exclusivity in political participation. b. equality of all citizens and due process under the law. c. minority rights and full access to political participation. d. universal suffrage and free speech. e. none of the above Answer: a. face-to-face political discussion and exclusivity in political participation. 52. Which of the following is not a characteristic of Athenian Democracy? a. governed a population comprised of a majority b. included women, slaves and immoigrants c. women were not allowed to participate in the democratic assembly d. immigrants were not allowed to participate in the democratic assembly. e. citizens are often punished for participating in politics. Answer: e. citizens are often punished for participating in politics. 53. Framer’s of the Constitution were afraid that direct rule by the people would result in a. authoritarian governance. b. civilian control over the military. c. power resting in the hands of delegates of the people. d. representative democracy. e. mob rule. Answer: e. mob rule. 54. A republic is a governmental system that a. places political decision makers one step away from citizens. b. places direct control of government in the hands of the people. c. allows citizens to vote directly for president. d. allows more diverse group of people to govern themselves. e. allows larger groups of people to govern themselves. Answer: a. places political decision makers one step away from citizens. 55. When Thomas Jefferson took power after being in the minority, a. he stressed the importance of majority restraint. b. he had to convince the military to follow him as commander in chief. c. he took revenge on the outgoing majority. d. he sought to limit the role of the citizens in the electoral process. e. he encouraged the establishment of a two party electoral system. Answer: a. he stressed the importance of majority restraint. 56. Alexis de Tocqueville came to America in order to a. meet with John Stuart Mill. b. search out democracy. c. examine authoritarianism. d. experience a town hall meeting. e. see how elections work. Answer: b. search out democracy. 57. The United States commitment to democracy rests on which of the following values? a. freedom b. equality c. order d. stability e. all of the above Answer: e. all of the above 58. Which of the following democratic ideals is indispensable in preserving democracy? a. free elections b. competitive political parties c. a free press d. interest groups e. all of the above Answer: e. all of the above 59. Democracies must strike a balance between majority rule and a. the protection of minority rights. b. the electoral college. c. political parties. d. interest groups. e. free elections. Answer: a. the protection of minority rights. 60. Decisions in a democracy should be made through a. the Senate. b. the House of Representatives. c. majority rule. d. minority rule. e. the electoral college. Answer: c. majority rule. True or False 61. In a democracy, key political powers are placed in the hands of the people. Answer: True 62. Representative democracy assumes that people can govern themselves. Answer: False 63. The more freedom citizens have, the less equality they are likely to achieve. Answer: True 64. In a direct democracy, voters designate a relatively small number of people to represent their interests. Answer: False 65. The framers clearly opted for an indirect and representative form of democratic governance, however over the years the system they devised moved much closer to the Athenian ideal of direct democracy. Answer: True 66. Freedom is a value that suggests that no individual should be within the power or under the control of another. Answer: True 67. The idea that all forms of inequality, including economic disparities, should be completely eradicated is called equality of result. Answer: True 68. The system that occurs when a group seeks to influence public policy by allying with other groups is called tyranny. Answer: False 69. Universal suffrage is the requirement that every adult must have the right to vote. Answer: True 70. Majority rule is the decision-making process in which, when more than half of the voters agree on an issue, the entire group accepts the decision, even those in the minority who voted against it. Answer: True 71. Democracy has evolved over time in America, and it is still evolving today. Answer: True 72. An independent judiciary is one of the five elements of democracy. Answer: True 73. In a direct democracy, voters designate a small number of people to represent their interests. Those representatives then meet in a legislative body and make decisions on behalf of the entire citizenry. Answer: False 74. The closest American approximation of direct democracy is the New England town meeting. Answer: True 75. All adults were eligible to participate in elections in ancient Athens. Answer: False 76. Vaclav Havel has argued that American democracy is fundamentally corrupt. Answer: False 77. In an authoritarian regime, citizens exercise greater freedoms than do citizens in a democracy. Answer: False 78. Today, many countries in the Middle East and Africa operate as democracies. Answer: False 79. In 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville described America as the picture of democracy, although he did not believe America was a perfect society. Answer: True 80. In a democracy, citizens choose their leaders from among competing groups and individuals. Answer: True 81. A referendum is a proposal submitted by common citizens to the state representatives for consideration. Answer: False 82. An authoritarian regime is a form of government in which people are denied many basic liberties. Answer: True 83. Direct democracy works best in large diverse communities like Chicago, Illinois; or Los Angeles, California. Answer: False 84. In an indirect democracy, voters elect a small number of delegates to represent their interests in a legislative assembly. Answer: True 85. The principle of equality holds that every citizen should be guaranteed his or her own home. Answer: False 86. Majority rule is an inescapable feature of a democratic state. Answer: True 87. In a society in which public policy is determined by majority rule, minority groups have no rights. Answer: False 88. Direct democracies are only feasible in cities with large populations. Answer: False 89. Representative democracy frees citizens from the everyday demands of policy making. Answer: True 90. The framers of the Constitution equated direct democracy with “rule by the mob” Answer: True 91. None of the American democracy ideals are derived from the Athenian model. Answer: False 92. Democratic governments have always guaranteed full political rights to all citizens. Answer: False 93. The concepts of freedom and equality are perfectly compatible. Answer: False 94. Negative freedom implies freedom from government interference. Answer: True 95. The right to equal protection under the law is an example of a positive freedom. Answer: True 96. The idea that government must not interfere with a citizen’s right to exercise certain freedoms does not mean that it has no obligation to actively ensure that those freedoms can be exercised. Answer: True 97. Equality of result is the idea that all forms of inequality should be eradicated. Answer: True 98. Equality of result and equality of opportunity are the same concept. Answer: False 99. Every political system must maintain social order and provide stability. Answer: True 100. Even in democracies there have to be some limits on personal freedoms. Answer: True 101. The majority remains the majority only as long as it can keep persuading all its members that God is on their (the majority’s) side. Answer: False 102. Continuous competition among groups in a democracy ensures that power moves around in shifting alliances of interests. Answer: True 103. In a democracy, coalitions are fairly well fixed. Answer: False 104. Political parties are the same as interest groups. Answer: False 105. Only Congress can exercise the power of judicial review. Answer: False 106. Our current system contains elements of both representative and direct democracy Answer: True 107. Political parties enable voters to make more meaningful choices during elections. Answer: True Essay Questions 108. What institutions are necessary to support and uphold democracy? Answer: Supporting and upholding democracy requires a variety of institutions, each playing a crucial role in ensuring the functioning and integrity of democratic processes. Key institutions include: 1. Free and Fair Elections: Institutions that organize, oversee, and ensure transparent, free, and fair elections are fundamental. This includes independent electoral commissions and mechanisms for voter registration and monitoring. 2. Rule of Law: A robust legal system, including independent courts and judicial bodies, that ensures laws are applied equally and fairly to all citizens and protects individual rights. 3. Legislature: A representative legislative body that enacts laws, represents the will of the people, and holds the executive accountable. 4. Executive: An accountable executive branch that implements laws and policies. Its powers should be balanced and checked by other branches of government. 5. Free Press and Media: Independent media organizations that provide accurate information, hold leaders accountable, and facilitate informed public debate. 6. Civil Society Organizations: Groups that represent diverse interests and provide a check on government power, including non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, and community associations. 7. Political Parties: Diverse and competitive political parties that provide choices to voters and facilitate the organization and expression of political interests. 8. Educational Institutions: Schools and universities that promote civic education, critical thinking, and an informed citizenry. 9. Human Rights Institutions: Bodies that protect and promote human rights, ensuring that all citizens can participate in the democratic process without discrimination or repression. 10. Anti-corruption Agencies: Institutions that combat corruption and ensure accountability and transparency in government operations. 11. Security Forces: Police and military forces that operate under civilian control and respect democratic norms and human rights. These institutions, when functioning effectively and independently, create a system of checks and balances that upholds democratic principles and ensures the stability and integrity of a democratic society. 109. Discuss why a referendum would not be a mode of policy making within an authoritarian regime. Answer: A referendum would not be a mode of policymaking within an authoritarian regime because: 1. Limited Public Participation: Authoritarian regimes restrict genuine public involvement. 2. Centralized Control: Leaders prefer to make policy decisions without external input. 3. Manipulation: Referendums can be easily manipulated, undermining legitimacy. 4. Opposition Suppression: Referendums can provide a platform for dissent, which is typically suppressed. 5. Risk of Unwanted Outcomes: Outcomes might not align with the regime’s interests. 6. Controlled Information: An informed electorate is incompatible with the regime’s propaganda and misinformation. 110. Define direct and representative democracy. How are they alike? How do they differ? Answer: Direct Democracy: • Citizens vote directly on laws and policies. • Example: Referendums and town hall meetings. Representative Democracy: • Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. • Example: Parliamentary or congressional systems. Alike: 1. Citizen Participation: Both involve citizens in the political process. 2. Goal: Both aim to reflect the people’s will in governance. 3. Legitimacy: Both derive legitimacy from the consent of the governed. Differ: 1. Decision-Making: • Direct: Citizens vote on issues themselves. • Representative: Elected officials vote on issues. 2. Practicality: • Direct: More feasible in small communities. • Representative: Suited for larger societies. 3. Frequency: • Direct: Frequent citizen involvement. • Representative: Involvement mainly during elections. 4. Efficiency: • Direct: Slower, less efficient. • Representative: More efficient, quicker decision-making. 5. Expertise: • Direct: General populace makes decisions. • Representative: Elected officials with expected expertise. 111. Why is majority rule an indispensable feature of a democratic political system? Answer: • Decision-Making Efficiency: Provides a clear method for making decisions. • Representation of the Majority: Reflects the will of the greater number of people. • Equality and Fairness: Ensures each vote has equal weight. • Conflict Resolution: Offers a peaceful way to resolve disagreements. • Legitimacy and Stability: Decisions are seen as legitimate and accepted by the public. • Accountability and Responsiveness: Keeps elected representatives responsive to the electorate. Balancing majority rule with minority rights through constitutional safeguards, checks and balances, and the rule of law is essential to protect all individuals in a democratic society. 112. Discuss the roots of American democracy. Answer: The roots of American democracy include: 1. Ancient Greece and Rome: Introduced direct democracy and republicanism. 2. Magna Carta (1215): Limited monarchy power and established the rule of law. 3. English Common Law: Influenced the American legal system with precedents and judicial decisions. 4. Enlightenment Thinkers: • John Locke: Natural rights and social contract. • Montesquieu: Separation of powers. • Rousseau: Popular sovereignty. 5. British Parliamentary System: Influenced representative government and bicameral legislature. 6. Colonial Self-Government: Early forms of self-governance in American colonies. 7. Iroquois Confederacy: Federalism and collective decision-making. 8. Declaration of Independence (1776): Principles of individual rights and government by consent. 9. Articles of Confederation (1781): Highlighted the need for a stronger federal government. 10. U.S. Constitution (1787): Established a federal system with checks and balances. 11. Federalist Papers: Explained and promoted the principles of the new government structure. These influences collectively shaped the principles of liberty, equality, justice, and representative governance in American democracy. 113. Why was the protection of minority rights so important to the framers of the Constitution? Answer: The protection of minority rights was important to the framers of the Constitution because: 1. Preventing Tyranny of the Majority: To ensure that the majority doesn’t oppress minority groups. 2. Philosophical Foundations: Upholding principles of justice and equality influenced by Enlightenment thinkers. 3. Diverse Society: Maintaining social harmony in a diverse society with various religious, political, and cultural groups. 4. Federalism and Checks and Balances: Creating a balanced system of governance where no single group gains too much power. 5. Long-Term Stability: Ensuring the long-term stability and success of the republic. 6. Historical Context: Avoiding abuses of power experienced under British rule. These protections aimed to create a just and equitable society for all citizens. 114. A key element of democracy is citizen participation. Discuss. Answer: Citizen participation is a key element of democracy because it: 1. Legitimizes Government: Active involvement of citizens in political processes legitimizes the government, ensuring it reflects the will of the people. 2. Enhances Representation: Participation ensures diverse viewpoints are considered, leading to more comprehensive and representative decision-making. 3. Promotes Accountability: Citizens can hold elected officials accountable through voting, advocacy, and public discourse, ensuring they act in the public’s best interest. 4. Fosters Civic Responsibility: Engaging in democratic processes fosters a sense of civic duty and responsibility, strengthening community bonds and societal cohesion. 5. Informs Policy: Citizen input can inform and improve policy decisions, making them more effective and responsive to public needs. 6. Empowers Individuals: Participation empowers individuals, giving them a voice in shaping their government and society. 7. Ensures Transparency: Active citizen involvement demands transparency and openness from the government, reducing corruption and increasing trust. 8. Supports Democratic Institutions: Participation helps maintain and strengthen democratic institutions by ensuring they remain responsive and relevant to the people they serve. In summary, citizen participation is essential for a functioning democracy as it legitimizes government, enhances representation, promotes accountability, fosters civic responsibility, informs policy, empowers individuals, ensures transparency, and supports democratic institutions. 115. Discuss the ways in which Americans participate in the political process. Answer: Americans participate in the political process by: 1. Voting: Electing representatives and influencing policy. 2. Running for Office: Directly shaping government policies. 3. Campaigning: Supporting candidates or causes. 4. Joining Political Parties: Influencing party platforms and candidate selection. 5. Participating in Civic Groups: Working collectively on issues. 6. Attending Town Hall Meetings: Engaging with elected officials. 7. Petitioning: Proposing and supporting new laws. 8. Protesting: Publicly advocating for change. 9. Contacting Representatives: Voicing concerns and opinions. 10. Engaging in Social Media: Organizing and mobilizing support online. 11. Serving on Juries: Participating in the judicial process. 12. Public Consultations: Providing input on policies and decisions. These activities ensure citizens can influence government and have their voices heard. 116. Why is an independent judiciary so important to an effective democracy? Answer: An independent judiciary is important because it: 1. Upholds the Rule of Law: Ensures fair and consistent application of laws. 2. Checks Government Power: Prevents abuses and ensures each branch stays within its limits. 3. Protects Minority Rights: Safeguards against the tyranny of the majority. 4. Ensures Fairness: Judges make impartial decisions, free from political influence. 5. Builds Trust: Fosters confidence in the legal system. 6. Interprets the Constitution: Ensures laws comply with constitutional principles. 7. Protects Human Rights: Defends fundamental freedoms against infringement. 8. Promotes Stability: Contributes to social and political stability. An independent judiciary is crucial for maintaining democracy and protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens. 117. Why is it so important that the military be under civilian control? Answer: Civilian control of the military is important because it: 1. Preserves Democracy: Ensures the military serves the elected government. 2. Protects Civil Liberties: Prevents military infringement on civil rights. 3. Prevents Coups: Reduces the risk of military takeovers. 4. Maintains Professionalism: Allows civilians to make strategic decisions while military focuses on operations. 5. Controls Budget: Ensures military spending aligns with national priorities. 6. Builds Public Trust: Ensures military actions are transparent and accountable. 7. Upholds International Law: Ensures adherence to international laws and treaties. 118. How do direct and representative democracy differ from one another? Which of these two types of democracy did the framers believe would be best for the United States? Answer: Direct democracy and representative democracy differ in how they involve citizens in decision-making: 1. Direct Democracy: In a direct democracy, citizens participate directly in making decisions. This can occur through town hall meetings, referendums, or initiatives where citizens vote on specific laws or policies. 2. Representative Democracy: In a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. These representatives are accountable to the electorate and make decisions based on the will of the people. The framers of the United States believed that a representative democracy would be best for the country. They established a system where citizens elect representatives to Congress and the presidency, as well as state and local governments. This system allows for efficient decision-making while ensuring that the voices of the people are heard through their elected representatives. 119. What basic democratic ideals characterize the American political system? What trade-offs exist among these values? Answer: The American political system is characterized by several basic democratic ideals: 1. Equality: The belief that all individuals are equal and should have equal rights and opportunities under the law. 2. Liberty: The protection of individual freedoms, including freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, as well as the right to due process and a fair trial. 3. Justice: The idea that all individuals should be treated fairly and that there should be accountability for wrongdoing. 4. Representation: The principle that citizens should have a voice in government through elected representatives who act on their behalf. 5. Rule of Law: The concept that laws should apply equally to all individuals, including government officials, and that no one is above the law. Trade-offs exist among these values, as achieving one may sometimes come at the expense of another. For example: • Equality vs. Liberty: Striking a balance between ensuring equality for all citizens and preserving individual liberties can be challenging. Measures taken to promote equality, such as affirmative action, may be seen as infringing on individual liberties. • Representation vs. Efficiency: While representation is essential for democracy, having too many representatives or requiring constant input from citizens can lead to inefficiency and gridlock in decision-making processes. • Liberty vs. Security: Protecting individual liberties, such as privacy rights, may conflict with efforts to enhance security, such as through surveillance measures. • Justice vs. Fairness: Ensuring justice for all individuals may sometimes conflict with what is perceived as fair, particularly in cases where enforcing the law strictly may result in harsh outcomes. Balancing these democratic ideals is an ongoing challenge in the American political system, requiring careful consideration and sometimes necessitating difficult trade-offs. 120. The values of freedom and equality, central to a democracy, often stand in tension with the state’s power to control its citizens. Please discuss these tensions. Answer: Freedom and equality, while central to democracy, can indeed create tensions with the state’s power to control its citizens. Here’s how: 1. Freedom vs. State Control: • Freedom: Democracy upholds individual freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. Citizens are free to express their opinions and pursue their interests without undue interference from the state. • State Control: However, the state needs a degree of control to maintain order and protect citizens. This control can sometimes limit individual freedoms, such as imposing restrictions on speech to prevent hate speech or violence. 2. Equality vs. State Control: • Equality: Democracy promotes equality, ensuring that all individuals have equal rights and opportunities. This includes protections against discrimination based on race, gender, or other factors. • State Control: However, achieving equality may require the state to intervene in certain aspects of society, such as implementing affirmative action programs or regulating economic activity. This intervention can be seen as limiting individual freedom in favor of equality. 3. Balance of Power: • Freedom and Equality: Both values are upheld by limiting the power of the state through mechanisms such as checks and balances, separation of powers, and constitutional protections for individual rights. • State Control: At the same time, the state needs a certain level of control to ensure that individual freedoms are not used to infringe upon the rights of others or undermine the democratic system itself. 4. Democratic Principles: • Freedom: Democratic principles prioritize individual freedom as a fundamental value, limiting the state’s power to interfere with citizens lives. • Equality: Democracy also emphasizes equality, requiring the state to intervene to ensure that all citizens have equal rights and opportunities. In summary, while freedom and equality are central to democracy, they can create tensions with the state’s power to control its citizens. Finding the right balance between individual freedoms, equality, and the state’s role is crucial for maintaining a healthy democratic system. Test Bank for Approaching Democracy Larry A Berman, Bruce Allen Murphy 9780205903825
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