American Politics Today - Essentials (3rd Ed)

STUDY GUIDE|^19

STUDY GUIDE

WHY DO WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT?

E Describe the basic functions of government. Pages 6–9

SUMMARY

Forms of governments can be characterized by the number
of people who hold power (many vs. few) and by the num-
ber of levels over which power is distributed (national vs.
state  vs. local). Government exists primarily to provide
order, although it must do so while avoiding oppression by
the rulers. Government also needs to provide public goods
because they will be underprovided by the free market.

KEY TERMS

government (p. 6)

factions (p. 7)

separation of powers (p. 7)

checks and balances (p. 7)

federalism (p. 8)

public goods (p. 8)

collective action problems (p. 8)

free rider problem (p. 8)

PRACTICE QUIZ QUESTIONS

1. What did Aristotle call “a government ruled by the
   many”?
   a) monarchy
   b) aristocracy

c) polity

d) unitary system

e) democracy

2. Which term describes giving each branch of govern-
   ment power over the other two branches?
   a) separation of powers
   b) checks and balances
   c) federalism
   d) plutocracy
   e) unitary system


3. Which term describes the inability to get individuals to
   cooperate to achieve a common goal?
   a) positive externality
   b) the Samaritan’s dilemma
   c) collective action problem
   d) principal-agent problem
   e) public goods

S PRACTICE ONLINE

“Big Think” video exercise: Self-Government for a

Modern Age

WHAT IS POLITICS?

E Defi ne politics and identify three key ideas that help explain politics. Pages 9–13

SUMMARY

Confl ict cannot be avoided in politics: the American people
disagree on nearly every issue on which politicians make
policy decisions. Compromise and bargaining are essential
to enacting policy, but this means that it is almost impos-

sible to get exactly what you want from the political pro-

cess. Policy outcomes are also infl uenced by the policy

process itself—diff erent procedures of making policy can

lead to diff erent outcomes. Whether it is on the news or

PRACTICE ONLINE with WWNORTON.COM/STUDYSPACE

Diagnostic Quiz & Key Term Flashcards for This Chapter