Introduction to U.S. Government Part I Short Answer Questions

1.4.3 Test (TST): Introduction to U.S. Government: Part I: Short-answer Questions 1. Read this excerpt from a political speech. Then complete the chart by identifying some of the most important characteristics of the speech. 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 difÏcult 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 Author Time/place of creation. Intended audience. Main idea. Context. Bias. Accuracy. How the characteristic applies to the passage. Senator. After 9/11 Fellow senators, designed to become a law if passed. To pass a law that will help fight terrorism despite, undertones of civil rights. Seems like he is giving this speech just before they vote on the bill. He is bias because he wants the bill to pass. The speech is slanted to het other senators to vote yes. Not a lot of facts in the speech, so it’s 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. 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. 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. Autocracy -People have no say in what the dictator or monarch does -Barely any rights Democracy -People have many rights and much say -Citizens many rights In Common -Both have a type of leader (demo.=Pres. auto.=dictator or monarch) -Have two different types of it (demo.= direct and representative auto=dictatorship and monarchy) Part II: Application and Critical Thinking. 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 fierce 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 ofÏcials, and conducting trials. People will choose what is going to make the world better and what is 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 ofÏcials, and conducting trials then there will not be as much separation because majority will rule and obviously people are going to want what benefits them the most. Overall, 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 ofÏce when it's their choice of how things go.