Question 1

What is the definition of a direct democracy?

Accepted Answer

A) Eligible voters vote for individuals to represent them in a legislative body. 
B) All eligible voters are involved in the governing process. 
C) Eligible voters decide upon one ruler to govern them. 
D) The aristocracy votes for a leader. 
E) A singular leader distributes power among all citizens who vote. 
A) Eligible voters vote for individuals to represent them in a legislative body. 
B) All eligible voters are involved in the governing process. 
C) Eligible voters decide upon one ruler to govern them. 
D) The aristocracy votes for a leader. 
E) A singular leader distributes power among all citizens who vote. B

Question 2

What impact did the idea of brokered democracy have on the nullification crisis in the early nineteenth century?

Accepted Answer

The idea of brokered democracy had a significant impact on the nullification crisis in the early nineteenth century. Brokered democracy refers to the practice of political leaders and parties negotiating and compromising to reach consensus and govern effectively. In the context of the nullification crisis, which revolved around the issue of states' rights and the power of the federal government, the concept of brokered democracy played a crucial role.

During the nullification crisis, the idea of brokered democracy led to intense debates and negotiations between different factions and political leaders. It allowed for the exploration of potential compromises and solutions to the crisis, as opposed to resorting to outright conflict or secession. Political leaders sought to find a middle ground that would address the concerns of states' rights advocates while upholding the authority of the federal government.

Ultimately, the idea of brokered democracy helped to defuse the nullification crisis by facilitating the passage of the Compromise Tariff of 1833, which aimed to address the grievances of South Carolina and other states that had threatened to nullify federal tariffs. This compromise, brokered through negotiations and concessions, helped to prevent a larger conflict and preserve the Union.

In summary, the idea of brokered democracy had a significant impact on the nullification crisis by promoting negotiation and compromise as a means to address the underlying issues and prevent the escalation of tensions between states and the federal government.

Question 3

Why is the Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution controversial?

Accepted Answer

A) There have been instances of apparent federal overreach into what was considered to be a power of the states, such as the issue of slavery and taxation . 
B) The states believe the Tenth Amendment limits the federal government's power to protect them . 
C) The federal government is burdened with too much responsibility and uses the Tenth Amendment to give more responsibility to states . 
D) The states use the Tenth Amendment to rely on the federal government intervening in interstate conflicts . 
E) The Tenth Amendment has not been particularly controversial in the United States . 
A) There have been instances of apparent federal overreach into what was considered to be a power of the states, such as the issue of slavery and taxation . 
B) The states believe the Tenth Amendment limits the federal government's power to protect them . 
C) The federal government is burdened with too much responsibility and uses the Tenth Amendment to give more responsibility to states . 
D) The states use the Tenth Amendment to rely on the federal government intervening in interstate conflicts . 
E) The Tenth Amendment has not been particularly controversial in the United States . A

Question 4

How is the structure of the US Constitution designed to mitigate the threat of tyranny of the majority?

Accepted Answer

The structure of the US Constitution is

Question 5

What is the primary goal of anti-federalism?

Accepted Answer

A) To provide a strong central government for states to rally behind 
B) To allow state and local governments the ability to tailor legislation and regulations to their needs 
C) To have the federal government directly oversee the actions of the states 
D) To allow the states the ability to govern international trade 
E) To maintain a strong federal government with a loose collection of state governments creating a federation 
A) To provide a strong central government for states to rally behind 
B) To allow state and local governments the ability to tailor legislation and regulations to their needs 
C) To have the federal government directly oversee the actions of the states 
D) To allow the states the ability to govern international trade 
E) To maintain a strong federal government with a loose collection of state governments creating a federation

Question 6

Why does the multiparty system of parliamentary democracies lead to less gridlock than the American model?

Accepted Answer

A) The multiparty system allows for multiple parties to form coalitions. These coalitions incentivize the parties to cooperate more than the divisiveness of a two-party system because each individual party must compete for votes, lending platforms more tailored to the needs of the people. 
B) The multiparty approach does not lend itself to gridlock because it addresses smaller issues than the American model. 
C) The multiparty system allows for a more diverse approach to issues than the two-party system present in the American model. 
D) The parliamentary model has more voter access through primarily single-issue parties in comparison to the American model with two opposing broad-based parties. 
E) The multiparty model leads to coalitions of minority groups that eventually lead to a two-party system, whereas the American model has two opposing parties that check the other's power. 
A) The multiparty system allows for multiple parties to form coalitions. These coalitions incentivize the parties to cooperate more than the divisiveness of a two-party system because each individual party must compete for votes, lending platforms more tailored to the needs of the people. 
B) The multiparty approach does not lend itself to gridlock because it addresses smaller issues than the American model. 
C) The multiparty system allows for a more diverse approach to issues than the two-party system present in the American model. 
D) The parliamentary model has more voter access through primarily single-issue parties in comparison to the American model with two opposing broad-based parties. 
E) The multiparty model leads to coalitions of minority groups that eventually lead to a two-party system, whereas the American model has two opposing parties that check the other's power.

Question 7

What is a participatory democracy as outlined by William Hudson?

Accepted Answer

A) A form of democracy in which the government ensures the overall health and well-being of its citizens 
B) A form of democracy in which the government contributes to the political and civic literacy of the citizens 
C) A form of democracy that regulates the free market in order to benefit small businesses 
D) A form of democracy in which businesses are invited to participate in politics along with citizens 
E) A form of democracy in which the political participation of as many citizens as possible is emphasized 
A) A form of democracy in which the government ensures the overall health and well-being of its citizens 
B) A form of democracy in which the government contributes to the political and civic literacy of the citizens 
C) A form of democracy that regulates the free market in order to benefit small businesses 
D) A form of democracy in which businesses are invited to participate in politics along with citizens 
E) A form of democracy in which the political participation of as many citizens as possible is emphasized

Question 8

Why is it difficult for democracies such as the United States to address or pass comprehensive legislation on critical issues?

Accepted Answer

A) There are myriad issues facing democratic nations such as the United States, and each special interest group wants to focus on their own at the expense of other special interest groups or major issues . 
B) Democracies such as the United States do not possess enough resources for them to focus on generating policies or legislation to address more than one major issue at a time . 
C) Citizens are apathetic about the issues the government wants to focus on, which in turn means government will not move to address these issues . 
D) Democracies such as the United States do not often achieve the unanimity required in their respective legislative chambers to significantly address any major issue, relegating the legislative chambers to addressing smaller issues . 
E) The United States and democracies like it are not often faced with any major issues that would require near-unanimous decisions . 
A) There are myriad issues facing democratic nations such as the United States, and each special interest group wants to focus on their own at the expense of other special interest groups or major issues . 
B) Democracies such as the United States do not possess enough resources for them to focus on generating policies or legislation to address more than one major issue at a time . 
C) Citizens are apathetic about the issues the government wants to focus on, which in turn means government will not move to address these issues . 
D) Democracies such as the United States do not often achieve the unanimity required in their respective legislative chambers to significantly address any major issue, relegating the legislative chambers to addressing smaller issues . 
E) The United States and democracies like it are not often faced with any major issues that would require near-unanimous decisions .

Question 9

What challenges has American democracy faced as a result of an increasingly globalized worldview?

Accepted Answer

A) Globalization has led to an increase in hostile nation-states attempting to subvert the US government, leading to encroachment upon individual rights and liberties . 
B) An increase in globalization has drastically changed the economic focus of the United States, as well as cause a shift in individual values reflected in recent elections . 
C) Increased interactions with other sovereign nations have drastically changed the American population, leading to internal challenges around population controls . 
D) The ease of modern immigration has challenged the American democracy because there has been a large exodus of people out of the United States, collapsing the national industrial sector . 
E) The global economy has changed the American economy from a data/service economy into an industrial economy, causing a shortage of skilled laborers . 
A) Globalization has led to an increase in hostile nation-states attempting to subvert the US government, leading to encroachment upon individual rights and liberties . 
B) An increase in globalization has drastically changed the economic focus of the United States, as well as cause a shift in individual values reflected in recent elections . 
C) Increased interactions with other sovereign nations have drastically changed the American population, leading to internal challenges around population controls . 
D) The ease of modern immigration has challenged the American democracy because there has been a large exodus of people out of the United States, collapsing the national industrial sector . 
E) The global economy has changed the American economy from a data/service economy into an industrial economy, causing a shortage of skilled laborers .

Question 10

Why is gridlock, or the lack of any major legislation passing through a government split between the two major political parties, so prevalent in the modern American government?

Accepted Answer

A) Gridlock is not a major issue with any branch of the US government, judicial, executive, or legislative . 
B) Gridlock is so prevalent because the two major political parties have no significant legislation to pass . 
C) Gridlock in the US government is caused by the two major political parties having near equal influence, with each having the ability to block legislation from the other party . 
D) Gridlock in the US government is prevalent because the two major political parties are unsure which legislation would most benefit the American people . 
E) Gridlock has been the result of a fracturing of the two major political parties, preventing either party from having enough power in Congress to pass legislation . 
A) Gridlock is not a major issue with any branch of the US government, judicial, executive, or legislative . 
B) Gridlock is so prevalent because the two major political parties have no significant legislation to pass . 
C) Gridlock in the US government is caused by the two major political parties having near equal influence, with each having the ability to block legislation from the other party . 
D) Gridlock in the US government is prevalent because the two major political parties are unsure which legislation would most benefit the American people . 
E) Gridlock has been the result of a fracturing of the two major political parties, preventing either party from having enough power in Congress to pass legislation .

Question 11

Explain why you feel the American democracy is or is not broken. In your response, consider the definition of democracy and a democratic republic, the expressed intentions of the Founding Fathers when creating the American democracy, the shifts and uses of federal power throughout the course of the American government, voter participation and enfranchisement over time, and increased political polarization.

Accepted Answer

I believe that the American democracy is

Question 12

Why were the Founding Fathers of the American government so concerned with building a government that could hold itself and majority factions in check?

Accepted Answer

A) The Founding Fathers were concerned with the ability of a powerful government to ignore the wishes of the citizens. Conversely, the Founding Fathers were concerned with a majority of the population that, if it became too powerful, would ignore the government. 
B) The common people were not educated enough at the time to understand how the government worked, so the Founding Fathers wanted it to be as clear as possible to avoid an uneducated mass from making irrational laws and regulations. On the other side, if the government was not educated enough, it would not be able to function efficiently or properly. 
C) The Founding Fathers felt that human nature was inherently flawed, which would require both the government and the majority to be held in check in order to prevent tyranny from either the government or the mass of citizens. 
D) The government was set up in a manner in which it was not necessary to change it throughout the course of the nation, which necessitated preventing either the majority or the government from being able to achieve any major change. 
E) The Founding Fathers felt that it was their duty to create a government that would govern well without any interference from the citizens, which necessitated preventing the majority from having the power to change the government. 
A) The Founding Fathers were concerned with the ability of a powerful government to ignore the wishes of the citizens. Conversely, the Founding Fathers were concerned with a majority of the population that, if it became too powerful, would ignore the government. 
B) The common people were not educated enough at the time to understand how the government worked, so the Founding Fathers wanted it to be as clear as possible to avoid an uneducated mass from making irrational laws and regulations. On the other side, if the government was not educated enough, it would not be able to function efficiently or properly. 
C) The Founding Fathers felt that human nature was inherently flawed, which would require both the government and the majority to be held in check in order to prevent tyranny from either the government or the mass of citizens. 
D) The government was set up in a manner in which it was not necessary to change it throughout the course of the nation, which necessitated preventing either the majority or the government from being able to achieve any major change. 
E) The Founding Fathers felt that it was their duty to create a government that would govern well without any interference from the citizens, which necessitated preventing the majority from having the power to change the government.

Question 13

Why were some of the delegates at the Philadelphia Convention supporters of the anti-federalist style of government?

Accepted Answer

A) The delegates were worried about the tyranny of the masses. 
B) The delegates were worried that without a federalist government, there would be no central government to hold the nation together. 
C) The delegates felt that only a federalist government would be able to control a population as large as that of the United States . 
D) The delegates were worried that too strong of a centralized government would undermine the will of the people. 
E) The delegates were worried that individual states would have too much power without a strong central government. 
A) The delegates were worried about the tyranny of the masses. 
B) The delegates were worried that without a federalist government, there would be no central government to hold the nation together. 
C) The delegates felt that only a federalist government would be able to control a population as large as that of the United States . 
D) The delegates were worried that too strong of a centralized government would undermine the will of the people. 
E) The delegates were worried that individual states would have too much power without a strong central government.

Question 14

What is the primary qualification for a constitutional democracy or a democratic republic?

Accepted Answer

A) Free and fair elections for all citizens 
B) Elections where the aristocracy votes 
C) Elections between religious officials 
D) Elections every four years 
E) Elections for all government positions 
A) Free and fair elections for all citizens 
B) Elections where the aristocracy votes 
C) Elections between religious officials 
D) Elections every four years 
E) Elections for all government positions

Question 15

What is the purpose of the power of the purse?

Accepted Answer

A) To exist as a check that Congress has upon the executive branch through controlling the funding for any legislation or executive orders 
B) To enable the federal government to regulate the flow of international trade in the United States in order to prevent excessive foreign influence on the government 
C) To allow the Supreme Court to intervene in disagreements between the legislative and executive branches 
D) To allow the executive branch to fund the federal government 
E) To allow the legislative branch to regulate and control the economy 
A) To exist as a check that Congress has upon the executive branch through controlling the funding for any legislation or executive orders 
B) To enable the federal government to regulate the flow of international trade in the United States in order to prevent excessive foreign influence on the government 
C) To allow the Supreme Court to intervene in disagreements between the legislative and executive branches 
D) To allow the executive branch to fund the federal government 
E) To allow the legislative branch to regulate and control the economy

Question 16

What impact does artificial intelligence (AI)have on modern American democracy?

Accepted Answer

A) AI has allowed for the sowing of discord and mistrust among the American population with the potential for skewing elections. 
B) AI has not had any significant effect on the modern American democracy and is limited to industrial and economic applications . 
C) AI has replaced many bureaucratic positions, including that of many politicians and public officials, previously held by humans, causing resentment between voters and the government . 
D) AI is being used as a tool by several public officials to suppress the will of the people by actively changing the votes that are submitted to suit their needs . 
E) AI has been used to take control over research and education through replacing teachers and researchers . 
A) AI has allowed for the sowing of discord and mistrust among the American population with the potential for skewing elections. 
B) AI has not had any significant effect on the modern American democracy and is limited to industrial and economic applications . 
C) AI has replaced many bureaucratic positions, including that of many politicians and public officials, previously held by humans, causing resentment between voters and the government . 
D) AI is being used as a tool by several public officials to suppress the will of the people by actively changing the votes that are submitted to suit their needs . 
E) AI has been used to take control over research and education through replacing teachers and researchers .

Question 17

Why is it beneficial that any proposed legislation in the legislative branch faces numerous hurdles to becoming a law?

Accepted Answer

A) To prevent any one group of people from having too much power or say in legislation 
B) To keep the government as simple as possible with a much lower overall number of laws 
C) To help maintain the status quo and prevent social pressure from having any influence on the legislative process 
D) To fully vet and examine the purpose and execution of any proposed legislation 
E) There are no benefits for a lengthy and deliberative process of creating laws 
A) To prevent any one group of people from having too much power or say in legislation 
B) To keep the government as simple as possible with a much lower overall number of laws 
C) To help maintain the status quo and prevent social pressure from having any influence on the legislative process 
D) To fully vet and examine the purpose and execution of any proposed legislation 
E) There are no benefits for a lengthy and deliberative process of creating laws

Question 18

What was the purpose of the "reserved powers" Amendment, or Tenth Amendment, to the American Constitution?

Accepted Answer

A) All powers not explicitly granted to the federal government in the Constitution were intended to remain with the states . 
B) All powers not explicitly granted to the states in the Constitution were to remain with the federal government . 
C) The states and the federal government must decide upon each individual power and determine where it should lay . 
D) The federal government would decide what level of government was granted any new powers . 
E) The federal government would reserve the right to revoke any powers from the states at any time . 
A) All powers not explicitly granted to the federal government in the Constitution were intended to remain with the states . 
B) All powers not explicitly granted to the states in the Constitution were to remain with the federal government . 
C) The states and the federal government must decide upon each individual power and determine where it should lay . 
D) The federal government would decide what level of government was granted any new powers . 
E) The federal government would reserve the right to revoke any powers from the states at any time .

Question 19

What was the justification the American Founding Fathers used to focus on counteracting vice rather than working toward nurturing virtue?

Accepted Answer

A) Virtue was not seen as an American ideal and therefore not worth focusing on. 
B) It is impossible for a modern government to achieve virtue. 
C) Vice was seen as the larger threat to the American people. 
D) Combating vice is a more achievable goal than nurturing virtue. 
E) The Founding Fathers wanted to leave virtue up to the states. 
A) Virtue was not seen as an American ideal and therefore not worth focusing on. 
B) It is impossible for a modern government to achieve virtue. 
C) Vice was seen as the larger threat to the American people. 
D) Combating vice is a more achievable goal than nurturing virtue. 
E) The Founding Fathers wanted to leave virtue up to the states.

Question 20

What is the birthplace of the modern representative democracy?

Accepted Answer

A) The United Kingdom 
B) France 
C) The United States 
D) Germany 
E) China 
A) The United Kingdom 
B) France 
C) The United States 
D) Germany 
E) China

What is the definition of a direct democracy?

What impact did the idea of brokered democracy have on the nullification crisis in the early nineteenth century?

Why is the Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution controversial?

How is the structure of the US Constitution designed to mitigate the threat of tyranny of the majority?

What is the primary goal of anti-federalism?

Why does the multiparty system of parliamentary democracies lead to less gridlock than the American model?

What is a participatory democracy as outlined by William Hudson?

Why is it difficult for democracies such as the United States to address or pass comprehensive legislation on critical issues?

What challenges has American democracy faced as a result of an increasingly globalized worldview?

Why is gridlock, or the lack of any major legislation passing through a government split between the two major political parties, so prevalent in the modern American government?

Why were the Founding Fathers of the American government so concerned with building a government that could hold itself and majority factions in check?

Why were some of the delegates at the Philadelphia Convention supporters of the anti-federalist style of government?

What is the primary qualification for a constitutional democracy or a democratic republic?

What is the purpose of the power of the purse?

What impact does artificial intelligence (AI)have on modern American democracy?

Why is it beneficial that any proposed legislation in the legislative branch faces numerous hurdles to becoming a law?

What was the purpose of the "reserved powers" Amendment, or Tenth Amendment, to the American Constitution?

What was the justification the American Founding Fathers used to focus on counteracting vice rather than working toward nurturing virtue?

What is the birthplace of the modern representative democracy?

Introduction: the Study of Politics

The Idea of the Public Good: Ideologies and Isms

Utopias: Model States

The Authoritarian Model: Myth and Reality

The Totalitarian Model: a False Utopia

Parliamentary Democracy: Pros and Cons of Perishable Governments

Transition Systems: Yesterday and Today

Problems of Development: Progress and Poverty in a Global Age

Political Socialization: the Making of a Citizen

Political Participation: the Limits of Democracy

Political Leadership: the Many Faces of Power

Issues in Public Policy: Politics, Principles, Priorities, and Practices

Revolution: in the Name of Justice

War: Politics by Other Means

Terrorism: War, Crimes, or War Crimes

World Politics: the Struggle for Power

International Law and Organizations: the Quest for Order

Filters

Exam 4: Constitutional Democracy: Models of Representation

What is the definition of a direct democracy?

What impact did the idea of brokered democracy have on the nullification crisis in the early nineteenth century?

Why is the Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution controversial?

How is the structure of the US Constitution designed to mitigate the threat of tyranny of the majority?

What is the primary goal of anti-federalism?

Why does the multiparty system of parliamentary democracies lead to less gridlock than the American model?

What is a participatory democracy as outlined by William Hudson?

Why is it difficult for democracies such as the United States to address or pass comprehensive legislation on critical issues?

What challenges has American democracy faced as a result of an increasingly globalized worldview?

Why is gridlock, or the lack of any major legislation passing through a government split between the two major political parties, so prevalent in the modern American government?

Why were the Founding Fathers of the American government so concerned with building a government that could hold itself and majority factions in check?

Why were some of the delegates at the Philadelphia Convention supporters of the anti-federalist style of government?

What is the primary qualification for a constitutional democracy or a democratic republic?

What is the purpose of the power of the purse?

What impact does artificial intelligence (AI)have on modern American democracy?

Why is it beneficial that any proposed legislation in the legislative branch faces numerous hurdles to becoming a law?

What was the purpose of the "reserved powers" Amendment, or Tenth Amendment, to the American Constitution?

What was the justification the American Founding Fathers used to focus on counteracting vice rather than working toward nurturing virtue?

What is the birthplace of the modern representative democracy?

Introduction: the Study of Politics

The Idea of the Public Good: Ideologies and Isms

Utopias: Model States

The Authoritarian Model: Myth and Reality

The Totalitarian Model: a False Utopia

Parliamentary Democracy: Pros and Cons of Perishable Governments

Transition Systems: Yesterday and Today

Problems of Development: Progress and Poverty in a Global Age

Political Socialization: the Making of a Citizen

Political Participation: the Limits of Democracy

Political Leadership: the Many Faces of Power

Issues in Public Policy: Politics, Principles, Priorities, and Practices

Revolution: in the Name of Justice

War: Politics by Other Means

Terrorism: War, Crimes, or War Crimes

World Politics: the Struggle for Power

International Law and Organizations: the Quest for Order

Filters