American Social Problems Ch 5: Problems of Government

Chapter Overview I.Objectives II.Introductory Quiz III.What about next week’s lesson?

I. Objectives A.Understand how and why American Politics have changed. B. Identify and discuss major problems with Democracy as it is now practiced. C. Discuss the sociological perspectives of governmental problems and their solutions.

I. Objectives A.Understand how and why the economy has changed B. Identify and discuss major problems with the world and national economics C. Discuss the sociological perspectives of economic problems and their solutions.

II. Introductory Quiz

1. The U.S. spends a greater percentage of its national income on government than any other nation. False

2. Those who need the government’s help the most are the most politically active. False

3. The media decides what the political issues, problems, and crises are, and which must be acted on. Probably True

4. A lobbyist’s promise of political support from a powerful special interest often determines an elected official’s decisions. True

5. The biggest problem with democracy is preventing scandals and corruption. False

6. The U.S. has one of the five most corrupt governments in the world. False

7. America spends more on its military than any other country in the world. True

8. Political Action Committees are allowed to spend as much as they want to elect a candidate. True

9. Covert operations (secret operations carried out by government agencies such as the CIA) are the biggest threat to civil liberties. According to the book, true.

10. If families were stronger, the government would be more functional. True

11. Children learn most of their political attitudes at school and from peers. False

III. What About Next Week?