Compare and contrast the thoughts of Alexis de Tocqueville and James Madison regarding collective action and the role of groups in democracy. How do views of the American public reflect either or both of these views?
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Explain that de Tocqueville viewed Americans as being more committed to collective action than Europeans and viewed collective action as central to democracy.
2. Explain that Madison was concerned about the potential influence of factions, particularly majority factions, and believed that safeguards against group influence were necessary.
3. Explain some ambivalence evident in the American public. Interest groups are typically perceived negatively and people are concerned about the influence of groups on government. But individuals are supportive of protections for freedom of speech and association such as those offered by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and by the Texas Constitution.
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Which of the following is an example of the free rider problem?
a. a political action committee contributing to candidates from both major political parties b. an elected official relying on information from lobbyists c. an environmentalist deciding not to join an environmental group but appreciating the group's environmental stewardship d. an environmental group disagreeing on what policy goals to pursue
What is foreign aid, and why does the United States provide it? Give some examples of foreign aid programs, and discuss whether such aid is popular with Americans
What will be an ideal response?
Which of the following of Ralph Nader's public interest groups enlists students in a variety of public interest and consumer projects?
A) Public Citizen B) the Health Research Group C) the Center for Study of Responsive Law D) the Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) E) Congress Watch
The 2015 terrorist attacks on the offices of Charlie Hebdo in France sparked a worldwide debate about the importance of
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