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CHAPTER 4
American Political
Culture
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. This author wrote Democracy in America based on his observations of America from his two years of
traveling across the country to research its prison systems.
a.
de Tocqueville
b.
Rosseau
c.
John Locke
d.
Montesquieu
e.
Madison
2. de Tocqueville argued that American democracy endured as the byproduct of
a.
geography.
b.
laws.
c.
customs.
d.
manners.
e.
All of the above.
3. A political culture exists where
a.
there is a distinctive and patterned way of thinking about political and economic life.
b.
the demographics of a nation suggest the presence of a fairly homogeneous group.
c.
a constitution creates an orderly society.
d.
there is a large amount of agreement among the public.
e.
there is elite guidance in matters related to politics.
4. In America, more than 80% of adults identify as
a.
White.
b.
Democrats.
c.
Republicans.
d.
Hispanic.
e.
Christian
5. Which is not a political difference among nations?
a.
Constitutional
b.
Demographic
c.
Cultural
d.
None of the above is true.
e.
All of the above are true.
6. In a classic study of the political beliefs and attitude of children, American children were more likely
to argue that a president who was pulled over for speeding would be
a.
warned.
b.
reprimanded.
c.
let off completely.
d.
fined or ticketed.
e.
impeached.
7. Some have argued that democracy flourished early in America because of
a.
the lack of a national army.
b.
strict immigration laws.
c.
low population levels.
d.
moderate temperatures.
e.
the availability of land.
8. In our society, government officials should be accountable to the people. This principle is known as
a.
liberty.
b.
equality.
c.
civic duty.
d.
democracy.
e.
capitalism.
9. This basic element of U.S. political culture holds that people ought to take community affairs seriously
and help out when they can.
a.
Liberty
b.
Democracy
c.
Individualism
d.
Civic duty
e.
Economic equality
10. All of the following are basic elements of the U.S. political culture EXCEPT
a.
liberty.
b.
democracy.
c.
individualism.
d.
civic duty.
e.
economic equality.
11. What was the Swedish sociologist Gunnar Myrdal referring to when he spoke of “America’s
dilemma”?
a.
Affluence
b.
Race relations
c.
Corporate dominance
d.
Political ignorance
e.
Economic disparities
12. According to the text, the persistence in our political vocabulary of the term __________ is evidence
of Americans’ common hopes and values.
a.
freedom
b.
Americanism
c.
morality
d.
equality
e.
righteousness
13. Americans are more willing to tolerate __________ than __________.
a.
economic inequality; political inequality
b.
freedom of speech; freedom of religion
c.
economic liberty; political liberty
d.
social inequality; economic inequality
e.
civil liberties; civil rights
14. Which of the following statements about economic equality applies most accurately to Americans?
a.
Most Americans believe that all people should be paid on the basis of their economic
needs: “equality of results.”
b.
Most Americans believe that everyone has the right to get ahead: “equality
of opportunity.”
c.
Most Americans believe in the preferential treatment of women and minorities in hiring:
“equality of access.”
d.
Most Americans believe in the idea of having a top limit on what people can earn:
“equality of wealth.”
e.
Most Americans believe that citizens who participate in politics should have guaranteed
income: “equality of participants.”
15. According to Table 4.1 in the text, __________ percent of Americans are proud to be an American,
compared to only _________ percent of Germans who are proud to be Germans.
a.
71; 21
b.
60; 35
c.
66; 21
d.
71; 45
e.
45; 38
16. The citizens of ________ do not agree that success in life is determined by forces outside an
individual’s control.
a.
the United States
b.
Canada
c.
Britain
d.
France
e.
Germany
17. The citizens of ________ are most likely to say that teaching children the value of hard work
is important.
a.
the United States
b.
Canada
c.
Britain
d.
France
e.
Germany
18. The text argues that the democratic political culture of Sweden differs from that of the United States
because the Swedes
a.
integrate religion more successfully into their politics.
b.
insist on greater citizen participation in government.
c.
allow greater economic inequalities to exist.
d.
resist tendencies toward socialism.
e.
are more deferential than participatory in their politics.
19. According to polls, which of the groups below are Americans most willing to help?
a.
People on welfare
b.
Feminist groups seeking preferential hiring programs
c.
The elderly
d.
Recent immigrants
e.
Civil rights groups seeking preferential hiring programs
20. Social policy in the United States is dominated by a common belief among Americans in the
a.
ethic of self-reliance.
b.
value of group harmony.
c.
need to protect all citizens.
d.
value of preferential hiring.
e.
sense of community.
21. In American political culture, the __________ view of social policy is by far the most popular.
a.
individualist
b.
collectivist
c.
accountability
d.
conservative
e.
traditionalist
22. Compared with Americans, Japanese are more likely to
a.
stress social harmony and group cohesion in their social relations.
b.
emphasize the virtues of individualism and competition in social relations.
c.
emphasize the virtue of treating others fairly but impersonally, with due regard for
their rights.
d.
rely on individual decision making rather than decisions made by groups.
e.
believe in a divine being.
23. A classic study of America, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Mexico found that citizens of
__________ had the highest sense of civic duty and civic competence.
a.
Italy
b.
Germany
c.
Mexico
d.
Great Britain
e.
the United States
24. Which of the following statements concerning attitudes and opinions expressed by Americans in
surveys is incorrect?
a.
They have greater faith in political institutions than citizens of other nations.
b.
They are more likely to be patriotic than citizens of other nations.
c.
They have greater faith in private institutions than citizens of other nations.
d.
Their trust in government has declined in recent years.
e.
None of the above is true.
25. A classic study of American and Swedish trade-union and political-party leaders found that
Americans were
a.
less likely to favor equal pay for workers.
b.
more likely to support liberal political candidates.
c.
more likely to support higher spending on welfare programs.
d.
more likely to favor limits on pay.
e.
All of the above are true.
26. There is, in fact, less income inequality in Sweden than in America because
a.
workers there are more similar in their talents.
b.
employers have different notions of economic fairness.
c.
Swedish political cultural strongly believes that government should guarantee citizens a
basic standard of living.
d.
education levels are much lower in Sweden.
e.
political parties are stronger in the United States.
27. In the 1830s, de Tocqueville was amazed how _________ Americans were in comparison to his fellow
Europeans.
a.
religious
b.
tolerant
c.
educated
d.
None of the above is true.
e.
All of the above are true.
28. Research finds that religious persons are more likely than secular persons to
a.
donate money to charity.
b.
volunteer their time.
c.
give money and time to nonreligious organizations.
d.
All of the above are true.
e.
None of the above is true.
29. During the 1730s and 1740s, the political life of the American colonies were transformed by
a.
an economic depression.
b.
war with France.
c.
a religious revivalist movement, called the First Great Awakening.
d.
a fight over trade between the north and south.
e.
a call for political independence.
30. Which religious group or leader advocated constitutional amendments that would require prayer in
public schools and ban abortion?
a.
the Great Awakening
b.
the Moral Majority
c.
Prohibitionists
d.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
e.
Rev. Jesse Jackson
31. Compared with the average European, the average American is more likely to
a.
believe in God.
b.
pray on a daily basis.
c.
acknowledge clear standards of right and wrong.
d.
All of the above are true.
e.
None of the above is true.
32. The relevance and potential impact of religion in American politics were evident in 2002 when a
federal court issued a controversial ruling regarding
a.
prayer in schools.
b.
the use of the Bible in high school literature classes.
c.
the Pledge of Allegiance.
d.
the singing of “God Bless America.”
e.
religious-based student clubs.
33. In this 1952 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that a New York City policy permitting public school
students to be released during the school day to receive religious instruction off school grounds was
constitutional.
a.
McCulloch v. Maryland
b.
Engel v. Vitale
c.
Zorach v. Clauson
d.
Baker v. Carr
e.
Reynolds v. Sims
34. The text argues that the U.S. Constitution had to reconcile
a.
the work ethic with the existence of a leisure class.
b.
a religious establishment with the quest for religious freedom.
c.
personal liberty with the need for social control.
d.
European traditions with westward expansion.
e.
the work ethic with the religious establishment.
35. The text suggests that Americans have a “preoccupation” with
a.
law.
b.
rights.
c.
order.
d.
conflict.
e.
commerce.
36. The distrust of political authority so evident in American political culture has its basis in
a.
English literature.
b.
middle-class values.
c.
imperialism.
d.
religious beliefs.
e.
private property.
37. Early competition between the Federalists and the Democratic–Republicans ended by establishing the
principle that
a.
freedom of speech did not include political slander.
b.
political participation was restricted to males.
c.
slavery was not an issue for national legislation.
d.
democracy could survive a change of ruling parties.
e.
the First Amendment applied to the states.
38. Religious diversity flourished in the United States due to the absence of a(n)
a.
established religion.
b.
strong state governments
c.
strong central government.
d.
established aristocracy.
e.
charismatic religious leaders.
39. The dominant religious tradition in the early United States was
a.
Catholicism.
b.
Protestantism, especially Presbyterianism.
c.
Protestantism, especially Puritanism.
d.
Protestantism, especially Lutheranism.
e.
nonexistent; the United States had no dominant religious tradition.
40. Churches in the United States were important in the development of a sense of civic duty and civic
competence because they
a.
indoctrinated citizens to favor the status quo.
b.
were in a continuous struggle for survival.
c.
provided the major opportunity for citizens to express their political views.
d.
were independent of most political pressures.
e.
were organized much like a political system.
41. The most important source of political values in the United States is probably
a.
the mass media.
b.
the family.
c.
religion.
d.
public schools.
e.
local newspapers.
42. Who explained the rise of capitalism in terms of religious beliefs and the community involvement
of individuals?
a.
Mills
b.
Weber
c.
Madison
d.
Mydral
e.
Durkheim
43. The notion that individuals should work hard, save their money, and avoid dependence on the state is
sometimes referred to as the
a.
Protestant (work) ethic.
b.
blue-collar ethic.
c.
doctrine of social Darwinism.
d.
evolutionary principle.
e.
labor theory of value.
44. Americans have a comparatively low degree of
a.
material acquisitiveness.
b.
social conformity.
c.
class consciousness.
d.
geographic mobility.
e.
capitalist instinct.
45. In the culture wars, a progressive is more likely to
a.
value personal freedom as much as traditional rules.
b.
hold that morality is independent of individual preferences.
c.
believe that moral rules derive from the commands of God.
d.
believe that notions about right and wrong are clear and unchanging.
e.
believe that moral rules are more important than self-expression.
46. Most conspicuous among the orthodox are
a.
conservative persons from the Midwest.
b.
Catholics.
c.
fundamentalist Protestants.
d.
labor leaders.
e.
members of the Hollywood elite.
47. In the culture war, the progressive side often includes
a.
Catholics and people from the South.
b.
Southern Baptists.
c.
liberal Protestant denominations and people with no strong religious beliefs.
d.
Republicans.
e.
Prohibitionists.
48. This sociologist, who was the first to formulate our current understanding of the culture war, defined
the United States has having two culture classes: orthodox and progressive.
a.
James D. Hunter
b.
Max Weber
c.
Karl Marx
d.
Bill O’Reilly
e.
Samuel Huntington
49. The culture war differs from other political disputes in that
a.
money is not always at stake.
b.
compromises are almost impossible to arrange.
c.
conflict is more profound.
d.
None of the above is true.
e.
All of the above are true.
50. The culture war is about
a.
which ethnic group governs.
b.
what kind of country we ought to live in.
c.
how much money should be spent on social programs.
d.
the ethics of foreign policy.
e.
which groups deserve to influence policy.
51. Based on research, Morris Fiorina argues that the culture war is more of a myth and is only a reflection
of the fact that
a.
the media publicize the polarization that exists among political leaders and not that most
Americans occupy the middle position of many issues.
b.
the media do not cover politics in a thorough fashion.
c.
the public is merely not expressing its polarization.
d.
the major issues have been decided.
e.
the middle class is increasingly alienated from political processes.
52. Alan Abramowitz suggests that the culture war might be more real than imagined because people are
increasingly choosing their party affiliation on the basis of
a.
issues.
b.
income.
c.
competition.
d.
social background characteristics.
e.
advertising.
53. Although the proportion of people who say they trust the government in Washington to do the right
thing has steadily declined since the 1950s, it should be remembered that
a.
surveys on this particularly topic are notoriously unreliable.
b.
the numbers were even lower in the 1920s.
c.
more was expected of the government in the 1950s.
d.
they are talking about government officials, not the system of government.
e.
the proportion of people who trusted the government was never very high.
54. In thinking about trends in popular trust of government, it is important to consider that
a.
levels of trust may have been abnormally high in the 1950s.
b.
little was expected of government in the 1990s.
c.
polling techniques were not perfected until the 1970s.
d.
few Americans understand government or pay attention to it.
e.
people are more trusting of other institutions today.
55. The percentage of Americans who say that they have a lot of confidence in Congress is typically
a.
quite large.
b.
around sixty-five.
c.
around fifty.
d.
almost forty.
e.
fairly low.
56. Over the last three decades, public trust has declined for all of the following EXCEPT
a.
newspapers.
b.
public schools.
c.
the military.
d.
churches.
e.
labor unions.
57. Civil society is used to describe
a.
commercial groups.
b.
government agencies.
c.
quasi-public corporations.
d.
private, voluntary groups.
e.
None of the above is true.
58. Putnam worried that Americans might be losing social capital because
a.
they are increasingly likely to complain about government.
b.
they are less likely to participate in major elections.
c.
they have high levels of external political efficacy.
d.
they are less and less likely to join voluntary associations.
e.
they are a nation of “joiners.”
59. According to the text, a degree of tolerance toward political discussion without too much oppression is
a.
what the U.S. Constitution called for.
b.
what the Bill of Rights mandated.
c.
rare in a unitary system.
d.
what characterizes all free nations.
e.
the minimum requirement of a democracy.
60. Studies show that Americans support constitutional freedoms under what conditions?
a.
Only for people who agree with them
b.
During times of peace, but not necessarily during war
c.
In the abstract, but not always in the concrete
d.
For all groups at all times
e.
In the aftermath of war
64 Chapter 4: American Political Culture
TRUE/FALSE
1. de Tocqueville visited the United States in 1835 in order to research its prison systems.
2. James Madison wrote Democracy in America.
3. The citizens of Britain and France are more likely than Americans to think it is the responsibility of the
government to take care of the poor.
4. Most Americans believe that people should not be allowed to vote if they cannot read or write or
vote intelligently.
5. Americans are more willing to tolerate economic inequality than political inequality.
6. Americans are more likely to believe in equality of results than in equality of opportunity.
7. Today, the nation’s 53 million African Americans represent about 17 percent of the U.S. population.
8. Americans are willing to support education and training programs to help disadvantaged people get
ahead, but they are generally opposed to preferential treatment, such as hiring quotas.
9. Americans are more likely than citizens of other counties to think that a belief in God is an important
aspect of moral life.
10. Swedes are less likely than Americans to challenge governmental decisions.
11. Donald Kinder and David Sears view Americans strong belief in economic individualism as “symbolic
racism” –a kind of plausible camouflage for antiblack attitudes.
12. Britons tend to have a higher sense of civic duty, compared to Americans.
13. Today, popular confidence in political institutions remains higher in America than in many
places abroad.
14. Today, Americans have less trust in government than they once did.
15. Religious individuals donate three times more money to charity compared to secular individuals in the
same income groupings.
16. Secular persons are more likely to do volunteer work than religious persons.
17. In the 2000 presidential election, George Bush was the only candidate who extolled the virtues of
religion and advocated the right of religious organizations that deliver social services to receive
government funding.
18. How Americans think about the world, including how they think about politics, is largely acquired
within the family.
19. The sociologist Max Weber explained the rise of American capitalism as being due to the nation’s
commitment to civic duty.
20. The progressive side of the culture war takes the position that moral rules have to be evaluated in light
of circumstances.
66 Chapter 4: American Political Culture
ESSAY
1. Identify and discuss the importance of the five elements of American political culture.
2. Analyze how Americans view their nation’s economic system. Be sure to discuss their views on
equality of results and equality of opportunity.
3. Compare American political culture to the political culture of other democracies discussed in the text.
4. Compare and contrast political culture in America and in Japan.
5. Discuss how religion has been an important factor in the history of American politics and its continued
relevance to the political behavior of individuals and candidates.
6. Discuss the four sources of American political culture mentioned in the text.
7. Discuss Max Weber’s “Protestant ethic” and its influence on American political culture.
8. Identify and define the two sides in the so-called “culture war.” Then, explains Morris Fiorina’s
viewpoint on red states and blue states in this nation.
9 Summarize the long-term trends in public confidence in government and what the authors say about
how such data should be interpreted.
10. Americans have generally become more tolerant, yet most believe there should be limits to tolerance.
What, then, explains the tremendous amount of liberty enjoyed by groups sometimes feared by
the majority?
