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                                   AP American Government

Chapter 1 Reading Guide: The Study of American Government

 

Part 1: After you have read pages 3-8 answer the following questions:

 

1. What are the two great questions about politics?

2. Define authority, and legitimacy as it is used by your test.

3. Define “political power” and how it differs from generic “power”.

4. Explain the three different forms of democracy. Give an example of each.

5. What are the two criticisms of representative democracy?

6. What opportunity must be present in order for a representative democracy to work?

7. Is a direct democracy still possible in the U.S.? Explain.

 

Part II: After you have read pages 8-12, answer the following questions:

 

1. Define majoritarian politics.

2. Define elite.

3. Your text explains the 4 theories of who governs. List the four theories and the author that provided the foundation writings for these theories.

4. What argument does your text use to dissuade you from taking the negative position that

American politics is simply a system based on self‑interests?

5. Who was Alexis de Tocqueville? What book did he write?

6. Critical Thinking Reading Do We Want Push-Button Democracy?:  Define demagogic and exacerbate.

7. Using arguments presented in this article write a paragraph stating whether you favor direct or

representative democracy and the reasons for your choice.

8. Of Government and Baseball Reading: Review the 12 issues listed and, check those with which you agree. Are you in the majority or the minority?

9. How does this article use baseball as an analogy for government?

 

Part III: After you have read pages 12-15, answer the following questions:

 

1. Why is it necessary to refer to history when studying government today'? Is government today stagnant?

2. Describe the role of the federal government in the following time periods:

a. 19210s

b. 1930s‑ 1970s

c. 1981‑1988

3. How has the U.S. dealt with foreign affair issues since our nation was founded?

4. What must one understand in order to understand power? Why is this?

5. Why would trying to infer the distribution of power from examining laws be difficult?

6. Where does the text conclude is the best and most logical place to begin to study how power is distributed in national politics?

7. What Would You Do Reading: After reading the article, write a brief paragraph discussing whether you would encourage or discourage a ban on ballot initiatives. Explain your reasoning.

8. Critical Thinking Reading: After reading the article on Raising Taxes, write a brief paragraph discussing which of the three tax alternatives you favor. Explain your reasoning.

 

Part IV: Lanahan Reading #9

1. How does Hofstadter believe the founding fathers saw man’s nature?

2. Why did the founders acc4pt rule by the people? (Hint: four reasons)

3. What aspect of liberty was most emphasized by the founding fathers?

4. How does Hoftadter view Charles Beard’s interpretation of the founders’ motives in writing the Constitution?

5. Why does Hofstadter believe the founders gave political power to those who owned property?

 

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