Question 1

What is a unitary system of constitutional democracy?

Accepted Answer

A) A united government that can overcome gridlock more easily than a national and states model 
B) A single government structure, as opposed to the national and states model 
C) A single-party government without the opportunity for other political parties to exist 
D) A government where the national government has more power than the states 
E) A government where every level of government has the same amount of power over every other 
A) A united government that can overcome gridlock more easily than a national and states model 
B) A single government structure, as opposed to the national and states model 
C) A single-party government without the opportunity for other political parties to exist 
D) A government where the national government has more power than the states 
E) A government where every level of government has the same amount of power over every other

Question 2

Why is it important for a democracy to adhere to the rule of law ?

Accepted Answer

A) The rule of law is not an important value for a democracy to adhere to. 
B) The rule of law in a democracy protects individual rights, a necessity for all voices to be heard in elections. 
C) The rule of law is not an important policy for a democracy to adhere to because different forms of democracy rely upon different systems. 
D) The rule of law is solely focused upon maintaining and regulating international trade within a democracy. 
E) The rule of law is necessary to prevent foreign encroachment upon the rights of individual voters. 
A) The rule of law is not an important value for a democracy to adhere to. 
B) The rule of law in a democracy protects individual rights, a necessity for all voices to be heard in elections. 
C) The rule of law is not an important policy for a democracy to adhere to because different forms of democracy rely upon different systems. 
D) The rule of law is solely focused upon maintaining and regulating international trade within a democracy. 
E) The rule of law is necessary to prevent foreign encroachment upon the rights of individual voters.

Question 3

Why would a direct democracy be unlikely to succeed in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A) The lower political participation by citizens would skew legislation too far away from the good of the majority. 
B) The large population of the United States would likely make any direct democracy too unwieldy and inefficient to accomplish much. 
C) The population of the United States changes too often in terms of diversity to make the direct democracy approach feasible. 
D) The United States currently utilizes a direct democracy approach to all elections and legislation at various levels of government. 
E) The political culture of the representative democracy is too ingrained in the United States for a shift to direct democracy to be possible. 
A) The lower political participation by citizens would skew legislation too far away from the good of the majority. 
B) The large population of the United States would likely make any direct democracy too unwieldy and inefficient to accomplish much. 
C) The population of the United States changes too often in terms of diversity to make the direct democracy approach feasible. 
D) The United States currently utilizes a direct democracy approach to all elections and legislation at various levels of government. 
E) The political culture of the representative democracy is too ingrained in the United States for a shift to direct democracy to be possible.

Question 4

What is brokered democracy as outlined by John C. Calhoun?

Accepted Answer

A) A government with the primary purpose of protecting minority rights through affirmative action policies 
B) A government with the opportunity for all citizens to have input on legislation and governmental regulation 
C) A government that should have the ideas of the minority groups in mind, not just the majority of the population 
D) A form of democracy that required legislation to be acceptable to all groups of people through community interaction and input 
E) A form of democracy with an increased emphasis on international trade and cooperation, particularly through the stock exchange 
A) A government with the primary purpose of protecting minority rights through affirmative action policies 
B) A government with the opportunity for all citizens to have input on legislation and governmental regulation 
C) A government that should have the ideas of the minority groups in mind, not just the majority of the population 
D) A form of democracy that required legislation to be acceptable to all groups of people through community interaction and input 
E) A form of democracy with an increased emphasis on international trade and cooperation, particularly through the stock exchange

Question 5

What is the role of government in a developmental democracy as outlined by William Hudson?

Accepted Answer

A) To develop the national infrastructure and trade routes 
B) To further research and development of new technologies to boost production 
C) To foster and develop international relationships and agreements 
D) To contribute to the political and civic literacy of the citizens 
E) To develop the national infrastructure and economy 
A) To develop the national infrastructure and trade routes 
B) To further research and development of new technologies to boost production 
C) To foster and develop international relationships and agreements 
D) To contribute to the political and civic literacy of the citizens 
E) To develop the national infrastructure and economy

Question 6

What is a republic?

Accepted Answer

A) A form of government where representatives are elected to represent groups of people in a central government 
B) A form of government where there is one ruler who holds absolute power over any government structure 
C) A form of government where the power to rule resides within a small group of wealthy individuals 
D) A form of government where the people form collectives to govern themselves 
E) A form of government where the ruling party is from a religious sect and enforces religiously based laws 
A) A form of government where representatives are elected to represent groups of people in a central government 
B) A form of government where there is one ruler who holds absolute power over any government structure 
C) A form of government where the power to rule resides within a small group of wealthy individuals 
D) A form of government where the people form collectives to govern themselves 
E) A form of government where the ruling party is from a religious sect and enforces religiously based laws

Question 7

Why is it considered important for a constitutional democracy to protect the rights of minority groups?

Accepted Answer

A) Without protections, majority groups such as large states would trample over smaller states' needs, creating an unjust government. 
B) Without protections, minority groups would leave the nation, causing serious damage to the economic system. 
C) Minority groups do not need protection in a democracy because they will be absorbed into larger groups and become a majority group. 
D) Protecting minority rights degrades the voice of majority groups and should not be protected any differently than those of the majority . 
E) Protecting minority groups is essential to maintaining a fair and legitimate government through the impartial rule of law . 
A) Without protections, majority groups such as large states would trample over smaller states' needs, creating an unjust government. 
B) Without protections, minority groups would leave the nation, causing serious damage to the economic system. 
C) Minority groups do not need protection in a democracy because they will be absorbed into larger groups and become a majority group. 
D) Protecting minority rights degrades the voice of majority groups and should not be protected any differently than those of the majority . 
E) Protecting minority groups is essential to maintaining a fair and legitimate government through the impartial rule of law .

Question 8

According to William Hudson, why is apathy of the voting population such a danger to democracy?

Accepted Answer

A) It allows for the more vocal radical minorities to push their agendas and leads to more extreme governments. 
B) It allows for the government, under the pretext of the common good, to ignore the small number of citizens still voting. 
C) Apathy is not a danger to democracy because it indicates a belief of citizens that the government is working in their favor, thus not requiring any input. 
D) Apathy is not a problem for democracies because the voters often defer to the expertise of political experts and have no desire to participate. 
E) Apathy leads to lowered oversight on politicians by citizens allowing for a higher likelihood of corruption. 
A) It allows for the more vocal radical minorities to push their agendas and leads to more extreme governments. 
B) It allows for the government, under the pretext of the common good, to ignore the small number of citizens still voting. 
C) Apathy is not a danger to democracy because it indicates a belief of citizens that the government is working in their favor, thus not requiring any input. 
D) Apathy is not a problem for democracies because the voters often defer to the expertise of political experts and have no desire to participate. 
E) Apathy leads to lowered oversight on politicians by citizens allowing for a higher likelihood of corruption.

Question 9

Which of the following models did the Founding Fathers rely upon most when drawing up the American Constitution and creating the new American government?

Accepted Answer

A) John Locke's social contract 
B) James Madison's balanced government 
C) Thomas Jefferson's majority rule 
D) John C. Calhoun's brokered government 
E) Alexander Hamilton's strong central government 
A) John Locke's social contract 
B) James Madison's balanced government 
C) Thomas Jefferson's majority rule 
D) John C. Calhoun's brokered government 
E) Alexander Hamilton's strong central government

Question 10

What role did the Magna Carta play in the creation of the US Constitution?

Accepted Answer

A) The Magna Carta was held up as an example by the Founding Fathers as a failed British experiment and a structure to stay away from in the creation of a new government. 
B) The Magna Carta was used to help create a bicameral legislative structure to help alleviate any bias one chamber may possess. 
C) The Magna Carta was used as an example of how to protect individual liberties and create separate powers for different branches of government. 
D) The Magna Carta was used as an example of how to franchise the common citizen and incentivize their participation in government and politics. 
E) The Magna Carta was directly used as part of the US Constitution by creating a standard of British common law in the colonies. 
A) The Magna Carta was held up as an example by the Founding Fathers as a failed British experiment and a structure to stay away from in the creation of a new government. 
B) The Magna Carta was used to help create a bicameral legislative structure to help alleviate any bias one chamber may possess. 
C) The Magna Carta was used as an example of how to protect individual liberties and create separate powers for different branches of government. 
D) The Magna Carta was used as an example of how to franchise the common citizen and incentivize their participation in government and politics. 
E) The Magna Carta was directly used as part of the US Constitution by creating a standard of British common law in the colonies.

Question 11

Why is it significant that the war powers of the United States are divided between Congress and the president?

Accepted Answer

A) The separation of war powers creates an unnecessary delay of any action taken, reducing the effectiveness of any action . 
B) The separation of war powers enables Congress to check the president for abuse of power by preventing the concentration of all power into one individual or tyrant . 
C) The separation of war powers allows for more ideas to be heard, thus leading to more deliberative action taken . 
D) The separation of war powers does not have any significant impact on military action . 
E) Without separation of war powers, there would be a significant risk of a military coup . 
A) The separation of war powers creates an unnecessary delay of any action taken, reducing the effectiveness of any action . 
B) The separation of war powers enables Congress to check the president for abuse of power by preventing the concentration of all power into one individual or tyrant . 
C) The separation of war powers allows for more ideas to be heard, thus leading to more deliberative action taken . 
D) The separation of war powers does not have any significant impact on military action . 
E) Without separation of war powers, there would be a significant risk of a military coup .

Question 12

What is a pluralist democracy as outlined by William Hudson?

Accepted Answer

A) A form of democracy that develops into a semi-oligarchic model around free enterprise 
B) A form of democracy in which the common citizens hold most of the political power 
C) A form of democracy that emphasizes coalitions between different political parties 
D) A form of democracy in which the government ensures the overall health and well-being of its citizens 
E) A form of democracy that focuses on creating international alliances or coalitions to address issues 
A) A form of democracy that develops into a semi-oligarchic model around free enterprise 
B) A form of democracy in which the common citizens hold most of the political power 
C) A form of democracy that emphasizes coalitions between different political parties 
D) A form of democracy in which the government ensures the overall health and well-being of its citizens 
E) A form of democracy that focuses on creating international alliances or coalitions to address issues

Question 13

Looking at the models of democracy set out by William Hudson, which model does not fit the United States?

Accepted Answer

A) Participatory democracy 
B) Developmental democracy 
C) Pluralist democracy 
D) Protective democracy 
E) Expansive democracy 
A) Participatory democracy 
B) Developmental democracy 
C) Pluralist democracy 
D) Protective democracy 
E) Expansive democracy

Question 14

Why did both President Richard Nixon and President George W. Bush struggle to reverse the trend of, as they saw it, increased federal overreach into powers traditionally held by states?

Accepted Answer

A) Neither president had the goal of reducing the size of the federal government. 
B) Both presidents felt that the states had enough power to govern themselves. 
C) Both presidents found it far more difficult to extract federal interference in states than it was to introduce new federal powers. 
D) Both presidents were forced to abandon their plans for a return to federalism due to complications of war and terrorism. 
E) Both presidents were forced to admit defeat after numerous pieces of legislation were defeated by a coalition of states that did not see federal power as overreaching. 
A) Neither president had the goal of reducing the size of the federal government. 
B) Both presidents felt that the states had enough power to govern themselves. 
C) Both presidents found it far more difficult to extract federal interference in states than it was to introduce new federal powers. 
D) Both presidents were forced to abandon their plans for a return to federalism due to complications of war and terrorism. 
E) Both presidents were forced to admit defeat after numerous pieces of legislation were defeated by a coalition of states that did not see federal power as overreaching.

Question 15

What did proponents cite as the intended purpose of nullification in American government?

Accepted Answer

A) To give states the rights to fully govern themselves as they saw fit 
B) To allow the federal government to make null and void any state law they wished 
C) To allow for the states to work together to repeal any federal law that was deemed unnecessary 
D) To allow a majority of states to make null and void laws of states that are deemed oppressive 
E) To give the states the ability to ignore any federal law that went against their wishes 
A) To give states the rights to fully govern themselves as they saw fit 
B) To allow the federal government to make null and void any state law they wished 
C) To allow for the states to work together to repeal any federal law that was deemed unnecessary 
D) To allow a majority of states to make null and void laws of states that are deemed oppressive 
E) To give the states the ability to ignore any federal law that went against their wishes

Question 16

Why is it difficult for democracies and republics to find balance between centralized power and liberty?

Accepted Answer

It is difficult for democracies and repu

Question 17

Why are term limits for executive and legislative officials important in democracies?

Accepted Answer

A) Term limits allow for new ideas to be presented and tested in the governmental process . 
B) Term limits allow for more diversity to be represented by ensuring each election has a diverse field of candidates . 
C) Term limits keep the federal government from obtaining too much power by preventing officials from holding more than one different public office in their lifetime . 
D) Term limits prevent any one individual from serving in multiple public offices simultaneously . 
E) Term limits prevent the creation of familial political dynasties . 
A) Term limits allow for new ideas to be presented and tested in the governmental process . 
B) Term limits allow for more diversity to be represented by ensuring each election has a diverse field of candidates . 
C) Term limits keep the federal government from obtaining too much power by preventing officials from holding more than one different public office in their lifetime . 
D) Term limits prevent any one individual from serving in multiple public offices simultaneously . 
E) Term limits prevent the creation of familial political dynasties .

Question 18

What is one major assumption of the concurrent majority attempting to adapt to a brokered democracy?

Accepted Answer

A) It is assumed that differing groups of people will easily work well together to pass large amounts of legislation . 
B) It is assumed that minority groups will have too little say in the legislative process. 
C) It is assumed that majority groups will have too little say in the legislative process. 
D) It is assumed that majority groups will have too much power to enforce the status quo. 
E) It is assumed that coalitions of minorities that band together will eventually become a majority themselves. 
A) It is assumed that differing groups of people will easily work well together to pass large amounts of legislation . 
B) It is assumed that minority groups will have too little say in the legislative process. 
C) It is assumed that majority groups will have too little say in the legislative process. 
D) It is assumed that majority groups will have too much power to enforce the status quo. 
E) It is assumed that coalitions of minorities that band together will eventually become a majority themselves.

Question 19

What is a protective democracy as outlined by William Hudson?

Accepted Answer

A) A form of democracy where the sole role of the government is to protect the lives and livelihoods of its citizens 
B) A form of democracy in which the duty of the government is to ensure the well-being and overall health of its citizens 
C) A form of democracy in which the role of the government is to protect the civil and individual liberties of its citizens 
D) A form of democracy in which the role of the government is to regulate the free market in order to benefit small businesses 
E) A form of democracy in which the sole role of the government is to protect itself 
A) A form of democracy where the sole role of the government is to protect the lives and livelihoods of its citizens 
B) A form of democracy in which the duty of the government is to ensure the well-being and overall health of its citizens 
C) A form of democracy in which the role of the government is to protect the civil and individual liberties of its citizens 
D) A form of democracy in which the role of the government is to regulate the free market in order to benefit small businesses 
E) A form of democracy in which the sole role of the government is to protect itself

Question 20

What has been the impact on the distribution of power in the United States of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's implementation of cooperative federalism?

Accepted Answer

A) A restoration of power to the states that had been in decline since the end of the Civil War 
B) A continuous increase of federal power since the 1930s that has taken more power away from the states 
C) Cooperation between the federal government and the states leading to a more equal distribution of power 
D) The creation of intermediary government agencies that would help the federal and state governments work together 
E) The creation of more government work programs, resulting in a lowered unemployment rate 
A) A restoration of power to the states that had been in decline since the end of the Civil War 
B) A continuous increase of federal power since the 1930s that has taken more power away from the states 
C) Cooperation between the federal government and the states leading to a more equal distribution of power 
D) The creation of intermediary government agencies that would help the federal and state governments work together 
E) The creation of more government work programs, resulting in a lowered unemployment rate

What is a unitary system of constitutional democracy?

Why is it important for a democracy to adhere to the rule of law ?

Why would a direct democracy be unlikely to succeed in the United States?

What is brokered democracy as outlined by John C. Calhoun?

What is the role of government in a developmental democracy as outlined by William Hudson?

What is a republic?

Why is it considered important for a constitutional democracy to protect the rights of minority groups?

According to William Hudson, why is apathy of the voting population such a danger to democracy?

Which of the following models did the Founding Fathers rely upon most when drawing up the American Constitution and creating the new American government?

What role did the Magna Carta play in the creation of the US Constitution?

Why is it significant that the war powers of the United States are divided between Congress and the president?

What is a pluralist democracy as outlined by William Hudson?

Looking at the models of democracy set out by William Hudson, which model does not fit the United States?

Why did both President Richard Nixon and President George W. Bush struggle to reverse the trend of, as they saw it, increased federal overreach into powers traditionally held by states?

What did proponents cite as the intended purpose of nullification in American government?

Why is it difficult for democracies and republics to find balance between centralized power and liberty?

Why are term limits for executive and legislative officials important in democracies?

What is one major assumption of the concurrent majority attempting to adapt to a brokered democracy?

What is a protective democracy as outlined by William Hudson?

What has been the impact on the distribution of power in the United States of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's implementation of cooperative federalism?

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 a unitary system of constitutional democracy?

Why is it important for a democracy to adhere to the rule of law ?

Why would a direct democracy be unlikely to succeed in the United States?

What is brokered democracy as outlined by John C. Calhoun?

What is the role of government in a developmental democracy as outlined by William Hudson?

What is a republic?

Why is it considered important for a constitutional democracy to protect the rights of minority groups?

According to William Hudson, why is apathy of the voting population such a danger to democracy?

Which of the following models did the Founding Fathers rely upon most when drawing up the American Constitution and creating the new American government?

What role did the Magna Carta play in the creation of the US Constitution?

Why is it significant that the war powers of the United States are divided between Congress and the president?

What is a pluralist democracy as outlined by William Hudson?

Looking at the models of democracy set out by William Hudson, which model does not fit the United States?

Why did both President Richard Nixon and President George W. Bush struggle to reverse the trend of, as they saw it, increased federal overreach into powers traditionally held by states?

What did proponents cite as the intended purpose of nullification in American government?

Why is it difficult for democracies and republics to find balance between centralized power and liberty?

Why are term limits for executive and legislative officials important in democracies?

What is one major assumption of the concurrent majority attempting to adapt to a brokered democracy?

What is a protective democracy as outlined by William Hudson?

What has been the impact on the distribution of power in the United States of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's implementation of cooperative federalism?

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