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Chapter 1

American Politics

Book Version 13
By Boundless
Boundless Political Science
Political Science
by Boundless
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Section 1
Forms of Government
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Forms of Government

Forms of government are categorized by the power source and power structure of any given state.

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Democratic Governments

Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives.

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Non-Democratic Governments: Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism, and Dictatorship

Unlike democracy, authoritarianism and totalitarianism are forms of government where an individual or a single-party concentrates all power.

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Non-Democratic Governments: Monarchy, Oligarchy, Technocracy, and Theocracy

Some nondemocratic governments can be classified into categories such as monarchies, oligarchies, theocracies and technocracies.

Section 2
Functions of Government
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Why Politics Matters

From the political economy to political philosophy, politics determines "who gets what, when, and how" for all citizens.

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Defending the Nation

One of the most important functions of the U.S. government is to provide common defense and security for its citizens.

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Establishing Justice

As the third branch of government, the judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in order to mete out justice.

Promoting the General Welfare

In many constitutions, the general welfare clause has been used as a basis for promoting the well-being of the governed people.

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Resolving Conflicts

The legal system provides a structure for the resolution of many disputes, including litigation, arbitration, mediation, and conciliation.

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Providing Public Services

A public service is a service that is provided by government to people living within its territory and considered essential to modern life.

Section 3
Who Is American?
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Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the U.S.

The United States is a diverse country, racially and ethnically, with over six races officially recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau.

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Twenty-First-Century Americans

Immigration has been a pivotal source for change in the social, economic and political makeup of the U.S.

Section 4
The Tenets of American Democracy
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Liberty

Liberty, the ability of individuals to have control over their lives, is a central aspect of modern political philosophy.

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Equality

Equality refers to a state of affairs in which all people within a specific society or group have the same status.

Democracy

Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives.

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Popular Consent, Majority Rule, and Popular Sovereignty

Popular consent, majority rule, and popular sovereignty are related concepts that form the basis of democratic government.

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Individualism

Individualism is a philosophy that stresses the value and rights of the individual vis-a-vis society and government.

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Religious Freedom

Freedom of religion is a principle that allows an individual or community to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.

Section 5
Political Ideology
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Conservatism

Conservatism is a social and political philosophy that supports retaining traditional social institutions and has many modern variations.

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Liberalism

Liberalism is a broad political ideology or worldview founded on the ideas of liberty and equality.

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The Traditional Political Spectrum

The traditional political spectrum models different political positions by placing them upon a left-right geometric axis.

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Issues with the Traditional Political Spectrum

Researchers have frequently noted that a single left-right axis is insufficient to describe the existing variation in political beliefs.

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Boundless Political Science by Boundless
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Chapter 1
American Politics
  • Forms of Government
  • Functions of Government
  • Who Is American?
  • The Tenets of American Democracy
  • Political Ideology
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Chapter 2
The Constitution and the Founding of America
  • The First American Government
  • The Constitutional Convention
  • The Constitution
  • Ratification of the Constitution
  • Amending the Constitution
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