American society

American Society ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shorter answers: 1-2 paragraphs or 225-275 words each. Worth 10 points each 1. Describe the three principal conditions that define capitalism, and then explain how/why the US does not have a purely capitalistic economy. 2. Define and explain clearly the difference between negative and positive freedom, and discuss one way in which capitalism has a contradictory effect on freedom for individuals or companies. 3. Discuss one of the arguments (moral or pragmatic) for (positively advocating) capitalism as an economic system, and then discuss one of the problems generated by capitalism in the realm of social values. 4. Explain what the NIMBY problem is as it pertains to environmental issues. Discuss who this disproportionally effects in society and why. 5. Explain the “consumption bias” of our capitalist economy. Describe 2 of the ways in which this is perpetuated or the actual social outcomes that stem from this bias (2 examples total). 6. Explain what the “financialization” of the US economy means. Then, cite at least one piece of evidence that it has indeed happened or is a valid notion and one of the outcomes of financialization. (this is all in chapter 9). 7. Describe 2-3 of the ways in which our media has become less truthful, free or investigative in recent years. In other words, what sorts of policies or market trends have resulted in less reporting that serves the public good or brings us truths we couldn’t find out without reporter investigation? Long Answers: 2-3 paragraphs or 275-400 words each. Worth 16 pts each. Note: These questions could result in very long answers if you got really in-depth. Please keep the length limit in mind and summarize accordingly, I am not expecting more depth than can be accomplished in less than 400 words. 8. The author discusses the difficulties of collective action (or encouraging collective action) and the free rider problem as they pertain to a few different issues in the first chapters. Explain these problems in your own words, using any of the specific issues in the text as illustration (you don’t need to make the chart though). Offer one possible way to encourage collective action on the issue to conclude. 9. In chapter 4, the text outlines 5 problems in the functioning of capitalist markets. Choose one of those 5 problems, then discuss and explain it, using an example in the realm of the environment, and an example in the realm of consumerism in your discussion. Basically, explain the problem using the 2 examples to clarify or illustrate. 10. In the notes about poverty, I discuss the fact that social class is not just economic, it is also cultural. Explain/define what cultural capital and habitus are and how they might be relevant to one’s ability to move up the social class ladder. Describe one real example of how one’s cultural capital may be different than others and equate to better or worse chances for social mobility. You can use your own example or one from course materials. 11. What is the definition of welfare, according to the text? How does it differ from what we commonly think of as welfare? What are 2 groups of people in society that receive forms of welfare who are not necessarily needy or poor? Explain briefly why these groups receive welfare and/or what justifies giving them welfare payments. Conclude with your thoughts on who get these government subsidies. 12. In chapter 17, the authors discuss the limits to optimal democracy within a capitalistic democracy such as the US. They describe 2 major constraints that limit the ability of individuals to have and communicate their wants to our institutions/government. Describe these constraints, using an example to illustrate how each might work. Bonus Extra Credit Question: 5 points possible, write a minimum of 200 words. So far, what has been the most interesting or eye opening thing you’ve learned or that made you think differently than you had in the class? Why and/or what effect has it had on your thinking about our society?