Document 189 - Lecture notes 1 PDF

Preview

Summary

homework...

Description

1.4.3 Test (TST): Introduction to U.S. Government U.S. Government and Politics Points Possible:40

Test Name: Jeremy Joke Date:

Part I: Short-Answer Questions (20 points) 1. Read this excerpt from a political speech. Then complete the chart by identifying some of the most important characteristics of the speech. (8 points)

The greatest problem facing the United States today is the threat of terrorism. As members of Congress, we must do everything possible to ensure the safety of the citizens we represent. That is why I strongly urge my fellow senators to support this new antiterrorism bill. It will increase funding for vital security programs and allow law enforcement to more easily access the phone and Internet records of suspected terrorists. The bill will also make it more difficult for immigrants to enter this country if they're from areas with significant terrorist activity. This will help us stop terrorists before they have the chance to attack. Some organizations claiming to support civil liberties and immigrants' rights have criticized me for sponsoring this bill, but nobody should listen to anything they say. They apparently support terrorists having free access to our country! If you side with Americans and not terrorists, you will vote for my bill. Characteristic

How the characteristic applies to the passage Senator

Author

Time/place of creation

Intended audience

Not sure when it was drafted

Fellow senators, designed to become a law if passed

Main idea

To pass a law that will help fight terrorism despite, undertones of civil rights

Context

Seems like he is giving this speech just before they vote on the bill.

Bias

Of course he is bias because he wants the bill to pass. The speech is slanted to get other senators to vote yes.

Accuracy

Not a lot of facts in the speech, so it is hard to tell what is true and what is not.

2. Describe a situation in which a government has a great deal of power but does not have political authority. Then explain whether you think the rule of law would likely be respected under such a government. (4 points)

The president has the power to do a lot of things but does not have the power to declare war on any country. The president also has the power to write Executive Orders, but he doesn’t have the authority to band anybody from the country

3. Summarize the most important reasons why governments are formed. Your summary should include descriptions of how societies are improved by the existence of governments. (4 points)

Governments are formed to provide support, protection, guidance and management oversight for, programs, policies, and procedures that improve the well being of the citizens of their country. In some countries there are dictatorships, disguised as socialist societies like Russia. The wealth is supposed to be shared by all but in fact the people at the top are rich and the rest are scraping to get by in many cases.

4. Compare and contrast two of the following types of government: •

Autocracy

•

Oligarchy

•

Democracy

Be sure to describe both the similarities and the differences between the types you select. (4 points)

Autocracy - a government in which somebody holds unlimited power (North Korea, China, Russia), a dictatorship. o Like being in a one sided affair where one person controls everything and the other just goes with the flow even if it means being denied luxuries in life and in some cases bare necessities. o Socialism can be good if you have a leader with the people’s best interest at heart. Everyone shares the profits from success, o A dictatorship can be bad if the leader is hard hearted, cruel, selfish and willing to do anything to the people to get what he/she wants. In these situations people die for no real reason or suffer to make sure the leader gets his way

Advantages – separation of powers, legislative, Executive, and Judicial.: Open election of leaders, the people have the power to replace a leader who is not performing by voting him/her out. o Disadvantages - slow process to make change, Not perfect, the best person doesn’t always win; Money is a major factor in who wins the elections.

Part II: Application and Critical Thinking (20 points) 5. Write a three-paragraph argumentative essay answering this question:

Would the U.S. government be better if it were a more direct democracy? Your argument should include a clear claim supported by evidence and should address possible objections to your argument.

I strongly believe that the US government would be better in a direct democracy. It is a hard debate however, letting the people choose what happens is a great way to go about settling a deciding factor. For instance when it comes to things like laws executive decisions, the use of sortition, making laws, directly electing or dismissing officials, and conducting trials. People will choose what’s going to make the world better and whats best for their future. Regarding my stance I strongly believe in this type of democracy because it is a democracy catering to the people. I have a good feeling that if the people under the democracy are happy then it will make the world easier and a better place. When people choose things like laws, executive decisions, the use of sortition, making laws, directly electing or dismissing officials, and conducting trials then there won’t be as much separation because majority will rule and obviously people are going to want what benefits them the most. All in all a direct democracy would be great for the US in my opinion. As I stated above it will let the people choose their best interest and cater to them. People are going to disagree less with the people in office when its their choice of how things go.

Copyright © 2018 Apex Learning Inc. Use of this material is subject to Apex Learning's Terms of Use. Any unauthorized copying, reuse, or redistribution is prohibited. Apex Learning ® and the Apex Learning Logo are registered trademarks of Apex Learning Inc....