After reading Chapter 1, the student should be able to:

1. Define "politics" and explain why it is so important in American society.
2. Explain the significance of power, authority, and political elites.
3. Summarize the reasons why government is necessary and what functions it performs.
4. Understand how democratic politics differs from rival approaches.
5. Distinguish how political science studies compare to other disciplines—history, economics, or psychology.
6. Appreciate the serious and complex nature of the "political game."

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