American Politics Today - Essentials (3rd Ed)

Answers: 1.b; 2.a

The rule that the president must receive a majority

of votes in the electoral college (not just the most

votes from citizens) illustrates the idea that

a politics is conflictual.

b political process matters.

c politics is everywhere.

d the government has police powers.

e the government promotes the general welfare.

The fact that virtually no one got exactly what

they wanted in the recent health care law

(the Affordable Care Act) illustrates the idea that

a politics is conflictual.

b political process matters.

c politics is everywhere.

d the government has police powers.

e the government promotes the general welfare.

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THREE KEY IDEAS FOR UNDERSTANDING POLITICS

POLITICS IS CONFLICTUAL

Conflict and compromise are natural

parts of politics.

Political conflict over issues like the

national debt, abortion, and health care

reflect disagreements among the

American people and often require

compromises within government.

POLITICAL PROCESS MATTERS

How political conflicts are resolved

is important.

Elections determine who represents

citizens in government. Rules and

procedures determine who has power

in Congress and other branches

of government.

POLITICS IS EVERYWHERE

What happens in government affects our

lives in countless ways.

Policies related to jobs and the economy,

food safety and nutrition, student loans,

and many other areas shape our everyday

lives. We see political information in the

news and encounter political situations

in many areas of our lives.

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