Deck 1: The More Things Changethe More They Stay the Same

Question 1

A form of government in which one member of a royal family exercises supreme authority is a(n) _________.

A) oligarchy
B) theocracy
C) authoritarian
D) monarchy
E) democracy

Answer 1

D

Question 2

A monarchy is government ruled by the ________________.

A) elites
B) church
C) person
D) people
E) wealthy

Answer 2

C

Question 3

According to Harold Lasswell, the process of determining "who gets what, when and how," is referred to as​ ______.

A) ​politics
B) ​legitimacy
C) ​efficacy
D) ​self-determination
E) ​anarchy

Answer 3

A

Question 4

__________is a collection of public institutions in a nation that establish and enforce the rules by which the members of that nation must live.

A) Congress
B) Bureaucracy
C) Courts
D) Civic academy
E) Government

Question 5

Which of the following terms best describes Hobbes's image of society without government?

A) peaceful
B) stable
C) harmonious
D) brutish
E) All of these choices are correct.

Question 6

The way in which government is influenced in its decision-making, is referred to as​ ___________.

A) ​legitimacy
B) ​sovereignty
C) ​power
D) ​politics
E) ​anarchy

Question 7

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, an eighteenth-century French philosopher, posited that _________________.

A) American democracy would end in failure
B) in fact a social contract exists
C) capitalism was a failed policy
D) France would become a world superpower
E) democracy was antithetical to freedom

Question 8

__________ is a state of lawlessness and discord in the political system caused by lack of government.

A) Anomie
B) Alliance
C) Anarchy
D) Oligarchy
E) Non-compliance

Question 9

In political theory, a social contract is __________________________.

A) an agreement to form government and abide by its rules and laws, in return for governmental protection of rights and welfare
B) a civil agreement binding two parties to a monetary promise in exchange for labor
C) a peace accord between two sovereign nations
D) an alliance of racial and ethnic groups within a society with the goal of keeping social order
E) a mediated peace

Question 10

A(n) ______ is a form of government in which a small exclusive class holds supreme power.

A) republic
B) monarchy
C) oligarchy
D) theocracy
E) civic union

Question 11

According to the authors of the textbook, which of the following is a lesson to be learned from the 2012 presidential election?

A) the power of incumbency
B) presidents can only win re-election during times of high inflation
C) prosperous economic times are required for an incumbent to win
D) an incumbent president always loses reelection when the unemployment rate exceeds 6 percent
E) it is rare for a president to win a second term

Question 12

In considering government, power _____________.

A) always has negative results
B) is not conducive to democracy
C) does not exist in a democracy
D) is necessary in any government in order that it may enforce its rules
E) is necessary in a democracy in order that antigovernment forces may be kept quiet and under control.

Question 13

Which of the following methods of communication did not affect a U.S. presidential election?

A) television
B) online social media
C) radio
D) "penny press"
E) movable type

Question 14

Political philosopher Thomas Hobbes believed that the essence of government is _____________.

A) to make all people happy to the extent that this is possible
B) to manage naturally occurring conflicts
C) to repress any opposition to the legitimate government
D) that it has no moral authority
E) to produce wealth for every human being

Question 15

The United States has been described as a system of governments. This arrangement is referred to as federalism and is important in understanding American democracy. What is the total number of governments (federal, state, local, etc.) currently operating throughout the nation?

A) approximately 50
B) approximately 1,000
C) approximately 3,000
D) approximately 25,000
E) approximately 90,000

Question 16

A government is viewed as legitimate when ___________.

A) there is no opposition to its policies
B) all officials are elected with a majority of the popular vote
C) the affected people recognize the government and allow it to exercise control over them
D) it attempts to make all citizens happy
E) it takes the form of a democracy

Question 17

Which of the following is not true of the framers of the U.S. Constitution?

A) They drafted a blueprint for how the government should go about dealing with problems and conflicts into the future.
B) They were only concerned with problems immediately facing the new nation.
C) They guaranteed the losers of political battles rights and liberties.
D) They included mechanisms to resolve conflicts in a procedural manner.
E) They established rules for settling conflicts based on fairness and proper procedure.

Question 18

A form of government in which a particular religion plays a dominant and controlling role in government, is described as a _____________.

A) democracy
B) theocracy
C) monarchy
D) oligarchy
E) plutocracy

Question 19

Democracy is ____________________.

A) government in which elected officials have control and remove any power or authority from the people
B) a form of government in which a small exclusive class holds supreme power
C) government in which religion plays a significant role
D) government in which the people, either directly or through elected representatives, hold power and authority
E) the only true and legitimate form of government

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of an authoritarian form of government?

A) The government does not provide for the physical needs of its citizens.
B) One person or one political party maintains complete control and suppresses all other political parties and interests.
C) Literacy is nonexistent among the common citizens.
D) Diverse religions are normally tolerated and encouraged.
E) Alliances and interactions among other nations are commonplace.

Question 21

Natural law is _____________________.

A) an agreement people make with one another to form a government and abide by its rules and laws
B) a form of government in which one political party, group, or person maintains complete control over the nation
C) the extent to which the people afford the government the authority to exercise power
D) that the essence of government is to manage naturally occurring conflicts
E) the rules of conduct inherent in the relationship among human beings

Question 22

Representative democracy is often referred to as which of the following synonymous terms?

A) monarchy
B) capitalism
C) federalism
D) republic
E) congress

Question 23

The formal Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in _______.

A) 1787
B) 1776
C) 1783
D) 1789
E) 1791

Question 24

Who determines public policies in an indirect democracy?

A) the people
B) the courts
C) the bureaucracy
D) religious leaders
E) representatives

Question 25

The values and beliefs toward government and its operations and institutions, widely held among its citizens in a society, are often referred to as _______________.

A) political culture
B) political leaning
C) partisanship
D) collective ideology
E) politics

Question 26

How does a direct democracy work?

A) The economic elite are the decision makers.
B) All members of the public meet to discuss policy and make decisions.
C) Elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the public.
D) The public can give input, but the decisions are made by elected officials.
E) The people elect representatives who are responsible for policymaking.

Question 27

Which of the following is not true of immigrants coming to America?

A) They were seeking a better life and improved economic conditions.
B) They were fleeing from religious or political persecution.
C) They were almost all forced here against their will.
D) They found the land first occupied by Native Americans.
E) Their arrival had a profound influence on the core values of American political culture.

Question 28

Political philosopher John Locke proposed that government must be based on ____________.

A) heredity rule
B) divine-right theory
C) a theocratic form
D) authoritarian principles
E) consent of the governed

Question 29

According to John Locke, people are born with certain ______, such as life, liberty, and property.

A) natural rights
B) civil rights
C) statutory rights
D) criminal rights
E) All of these choices are correct.

Question 30

Sovereignty in the United States rests with​ the ________________.

A) president
B) ​Congress
C) ​people
D) ​states
E) ​Supreme Court

Question 31

Which of the following accurately describes an indirect democracy?

A) Regular elections allow voters to choose representatives.
B) Economic elites make decisions for the country as a whole.
C) Social elites make decisions for the country as a whole.
D) The people come together to discuss and decide on policy.
E) The judicial system creates legislation.

Question 32

That "the will of people" ought to guide public policy is a concept that is defined as ___________.

A) liberty
B) pluralism
C) plurality
D) majority rule
E) politics

Question 33

Which of the following amendments to the U.S. Constitution does not deal with voting rights?

A) Twelfth Amendment.
B) Fifteenth Amendment.
C) Nineteenth Amendment.
D) Twenty-Fourth Amendment.
E) Twenty-Sixth Amendment.

Question 34

One of the most important reasons for the strength and endurance of the U.S. Constitution is _________________.

A) its flexibility
B) its rigidity
C) the ability of ordinary citizens to change it
D) its declaration that the power of government is supreme
E) that it is steadfast and cannot change

Question 35

Which of the following is an example of how the concept of natural law could be applied in governed society?

A) The city government prevents a developer from destroying a wooded area.
B) A totalitarian ruler exercises power over citizens by eliminating private ownership of property.
C) Nearly all citizens realize that every child has a right to live free from abuse, and the governing body enacts a law to protect that right.
D) Laws are abolished and each person is free to determine his or her own moral compass and destiny.
E) Capitalism is abolished.

Question 36

The District of Columbia had no electoral votes until ________.

A) 1776
B) 1800
C) 1865
D) 1961
E) 2006

Question 37

In its history of more than 225 years, the U.S. Constitution has never been amended to restrict anyone's right to vote, but it has been amended __________ to extend voting rights.

A) one time
B) two times
C) six times
D) ten times
E) twenty-seven times

Question 38

How does representative democracy differ from direct democracy?

A) In a direct democracy the citizens are taxed directly, whereas in representative democracy taxes are less obvious.
B) In a direct democracy the individual citizens play an active and direct role in government, whereas in representative democracy they elect officials to act on their behalf.
C) Unlike direct democracy, representative democracy eliminates the power of the citizens to have any say in government.
D) The only difference between the two is the way in which representatives are elected.
E) Direct democracy is synonymous with a monarchy, whereas representative democracy allows more citizen involvement in government.

Question 39

According to John Locke, a primary function of government is to ______________.

A) protect natural rights
B) sustain anarchy
C) produce employment opportunities
D) prevent poverty
E) provide economic equality of results

Question 40

The Seventeenth Amendment was ratified in 1913. What did it change?

A) Prior to 1913, the president was elected by the state legislatures.
B) It provided for direct election of U.S. senators by the people.
C) It created the sales tax.
D) It created the electoral college.
E) It lowered the voting age to 18 years of age.

Question 41

According to the text, which of the following is not considered a possible reason for the decline in our political system?

A) the decline of the United States as an economic superpower
B) partisan gridlock that holds up policies moving through it
C) weak candidates for high office
D) the death of capitalism
E) the rights of certain racial and ethnic groups being slowly taken away

Question 42

The authors of your textbook present arguments for and against the decline of American democracy. Discuss the most compelling arguments on each side of the debate. What is your position on this debate?

Question 43

Which of the following is not an example of the domination of elections in the United States by individuals with immense power and influence?

A) Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall in New York City
B) the Thomas Prendergast Machine in Missouri
C) Carnegie Hall in New York
D) the Daley Political Machine in Chicago
E) All of these choices are correct.

Question 44

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of democracy over other forms of government. To what extent is the United States a democracy? To what extent does the United States embody other forms of government?

Question 45

According to the authors of the textbook, history has shown that ethnic and racial diversity in our nation has _______.

A) weakened our social fabric
B) eliminated racial tensions
C) actually enhanced the quality of our culture and helped to guarantee the fairness of the government
D) led to a society in which it is necessary to have multiple layers of government, each serving a different racial constituency
E) weakened religious purity

Question 46

Which of the following is not true in considering the influence of money and power on the political system?

A) American elections have always been dominated by individuals with power and influence.
B) Political machines all but controlled the nomination process for much of the nation's history.
C) The shift has moved from the influence of political machines to the wealthy.
D) It has been proven that every elected official is disproportionately influenced to vote in favor of wealthy and powerful corporations.
E) The shift from the political machines to the wealthy may be a positive change.

Question 47

The idea of limited government is not reflected by _________________.

A) the idea that "the government that governs least governs best"
B) the idea that government should regulate industries to ensure consumer protection
C) the notion that communities and the private sector should take a role in helping fellow citizens
D) problems that may be solved without government should be solved that way
E) the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances

Question 48

The idea that individuals should have the same opportunity for success, is referred to as ________________.

A) equality of opportunity
B) social equality
C) economic equality of results
D) religious equality
E) political equality

Question 49

Compare and contrast partisan gridlock in the U.S. Congress during the period 2010-2012 with that of other periods in history. Is this a time of heightened tension between the two parties, or is this reflective of similar trends that we have witnessed throughout the history of Congress?

Question 50

Describe the new communication mediums that played a role in the 2008 presidential election. Trace the history of how communication mediums have played a major role in political campaigns.

Question 51

Define "government." What is the purpose of government? What role does a social contract play in the establishment of government? Describe governmental authority and the bases of governmental legitimacy.

Question 52

Define "political culture." Describe the political culture of the United States, including individualism, majority rule, and limited government. Explain the role each plays in our government and its operations.

Question 53

A core value in American political culture is the concept of majority rule; however, another core value is minority rights. Describe how the American constitutional form of government can protect both core values.

Question 54

Legitimacy is the extent to which the people (or the "governed") afford the government the authority and right to exercise power. Contrast the current government in the United States with that of North Korea. Do the two differ significantly in their level of legitimacy? If so, why do you feel that there is a difference, and what could be done to make the two countries more similar in regard to legitimacy?

Question 55

According to the text, partisan gridlock ________________.

A) reached an all-time high in 2011
B) is the decreased relations between parties
C) has loomed over budget bills
D) may give way to party polarization
E) All of these choices are correct.

Question 56

Thomas Jefferson described the concept of limited government as "_____________________."

A) The state government is limited in its ability to tax its citizens
B) No federal government can circumvent the power of the states
C) The government that governs least governs best
D) The state government is subservient to the federal government
E) There are limits to the powers that the state can exercise

Question 57

Explain how the theories of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes affected the American system of government.

Question 58

The concept of individualism is a collective American value meaning that __________________.

A) citizens are primarily responsible for their lot in life
B) court rulings are custom made to suit the individual
C) the rights of the individual outweigh the rights and powers of the government
D) in essence, the individual is expected to look after his or her own interests and is not responsible for others
E) "my rights are more important than your rights"

Question 59

Which of the following was cited as evidence of the failure of the capitalist system?

A) the passage of Medicare
B) the sharp drop in the price per share of Facebook immediately after its initial public offering
C) the passage of the Homestead Act
D) the collapse of some of the largest U.S. financial institutions and the real estate market in 2008
E) the launch of Sputnik I

Question 60

In policy development, the majority rule is very much dependent upon __________.

A) historical facts
B) support from other countries
C) funding
D) public opinion
E) belief in fairness

Question 61

Compare and contrast the percentage of votes cast by eligible voters ages 18-29 in the 2008 elections and in prior elections in terms of the effectiveness of efforts targeting young voters to increase voter turnout.