Chapter 1 Study Guide Introduction to American Government
NAME ___________________________________
Pages 9 - 27
Objective 1: Describe what government is and what governments do.
1. Define the term “government”.
2. What are the two fundamental questions abut governing that serve as themes
Throughout the textbook?
3.List the five functions that all national government perform
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Additional Notes
Chapter 1 Study Guide Introduction to American Government
Objective 2: Politics
Additional Notes
The Obligations of Citizenship
 Justice
 Equality
 Authority
 Participation
 Truth
 Patriotism
The Rights of Citizenship
 Freedom
 Diversity
 Privacy
 Due Process Guarantees
that people cannot be
deprived of life, liberty or
property!
 Property
 Human Rights
1. What values do you believe are the most important for our government
to uphold? You can use the chart above
2. What values are the most important for you to personally uphold as
an American Citizen?
3. Briefly describe the term politics in your own words.
Chapter 1 Study Guide Introduction to American Government
Objective 3. Policymaking System
1. Draw a diagram of how a policy system works
2. List and describe four key linkage institutions in a democratic society
1.
2.
3.
4.
3. Define the term “policy agenda”
4. How does a government’s policy agenda change?
Other Notes
Chapter 1 Study Guide Introduction to American Government
5. List the four major policymaking institution in the United States
6. Define the term “policy impacts”
Objective 4. Democracy
1. Define the term “democracy” as used in the text
2. List and explain the five cornerstones of traditional democratic theory
3. Explain what is meant by majority rule and minority rights
Chapter 1 Study Guide Introduction to American Government
4.Complete the following table
Theory
Pluralist
Who Holds the Power
How Policy is Made
Elite and Class
Hyperpluralist
5. According to the textbook, describe the 4 major challenges facing American Democracy
Chapter 1 Study Guide Introduction to American Government
Objective 5. The Scope of Government
1. Make a list of items that illustrate the scope of American government
2. How does the scope of American government compare to the scope
government in other countries?
3. How has American individualism affected the scope of government?
Additional Notes
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