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American Goverment > Chapter 1: Questions > Flashcards

Chapter 1: Questions Flashcards

1
Q

The struggle over power or influence within organizations that can grant benefits or privileges best defines which of the following?
a. National government
b. A state government
c. Elections
d. Politics
e. Political science

A

Politics

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2
Q

Which of the following is the best description of capitalism?
a. An economic system in which the means of production are owned by the state
b. A system in which a small group of people owns the majority of the wealth
c. A system in which the use of property is controlled by majority will
d. An economic system in which production and property are privately owned, with a minimum of government interference
e. A good idea in theory but not practically applicable

A

An economic system in which production and property are privately owned, with a minimum of government interference

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3
Q

Which of the following best describes the government of the United States?
a. A direct democracy
b. A republic
c. A confederation
d. A constitutional monarchy
e. An anarchy

A

A republic

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4
Q

. Which of the following is the oldest purpose of government?
a. To maintain order by protecting members of society from violence and criminal activity
b. To print money and control the economy
c. To guarantee freedom and liberty for all people
d. To act to protect the rights of the minority
e. To establish benefits for the most wealthy individuals in society

A

To maintain order by protecting members of society from violence and criminal activity

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5
Q

Which of the following is an example of direct democracy?
a. Louisiana’s use of the parish
b. New England town meetings
c. The Soviet Union in the 1980s
d. Voting in party primaries
e. The electoral college system

A

New England town meetings

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6
Q

The framers of the Constitution chose to form what type of government?
a. Republic
b. Limited constitutional monarchy
c. Totalitarian regime
d. Authoritarian regime
e. Oligarchical regime

A

Republic

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7
Q

Which of the following is one of the most enduring shared American political values?
a. A belief in wealth distribution
b. A belief in the right to privacy
c. A belief in the appropriate size and scope of government
d. A belief in the rule of law
e. A belief in monarchical rule

A

A belief in the rule of law

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8
Q

The theory that individuals form communities by mutual consent, giving up some of their individual liberty in order to gain the protection of government, is known as which of the following?
a. Divine right
b. Social contract
c. A Leviathan
d. Communitarianism
e. Elitism

A

Social contract

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9
Q

What is the basis for power and legitimacy in American government?
a. Consent of the governed
b. Universal suffrage
c. One man, one vote
d. Rights to life and liberty
e. Majority rule

A

Consent of the governed

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10
Q

The set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics that are shared by all citizens is known as which of the following?
a. Politics
b. Political culture
c. Political socialization
d. Socialism
e. A social contract

A

Political culture

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11
Q

Why didn’t the framers of the Constitution create a direct democracy?
a. It wasn’t the best way to resist manipulative politicians.
b. Direct democracy had never been used before.
c. The people had expressed support for a government similar to a monarchy.
d. They were worried about the efficiency of ballot-counting mechanisms.
e. They believed the rights of the minority would be suppressed by the dominating majority.

A

They believed the rights of the minority would be suppressed by the dominating majority.

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12
Q

If top political jobs for both political parties are filled only from an inner circle of top corporate leaders, this would be evidence for which of the following?
a. Elite theory
b. Substantive democracy
c. Pluralist theory
d. The interest group model
e. Authoritarianism

A

Elite theory

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12
Q

If top political jobs for both political parties are filled only from an inner circle of top corporate leaders, this would be evidence for which of the following?
a. Elite theory
b. Substantive democracy
c. Pluralist theory
d. The interest group model
e. Authoritarianism

A

Elite theory

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13
Q

Which of the following is the type of government found in the original U.S. Constitution?
a. Republic
b. Limited constitutional monarchy
c. Totalitarian regime
d. Authoritarian regime
e. Oligarchy

A

Republic

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14
Q

Why didn’t the Framers of the Constitution create a direct democracy?
a. It wasn’t the best way to deal with manipulative politicians.
b. Direct democracy had never been tried before.
c. The people had expressed support for a government similar to a monarchy.
d. They were worried about the accuracy of ballot-counting mechanisms.
e. They believed that the rights of the minority would be suppressed by the majority.

A

They believed that the rights of the minority would be suppressed by the majority.

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15
Q

The concept in which the Constitution provides the fundamental structure of government and describes what the national government can and cannot do is called which of the following?
a. Limited government
b. Popular sovereignty
c. Representative democracy
d. Majority rule
e. Majoritarianism

A

Limited government

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16
Q

North Korea is known for its lack of freedom of speech, press, and assembly. The needs of the ruler and regime are paramount, and dissent often means imprisonment or death. These are the characteristics of which of the following?
a. Democratic republic
b. Majoritarian democracy
c. Totalitarian
d. Republic
e. Direct democracy

A

Totalitarian

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17
Q

If the people hold the power over the government through elections, but policy decisions are made by the people’s elected representatives, we can say that the government is which of the following?
a. Autocracy
b. Communist utopia
c. Representational oligarchy
d. Socialist monarchy
e. Democratic republic

A

Democratic republic

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18
Q

Pluralist theory proposes that people’s interests are protected by which of the following?
a. Interest groups
b. Political parties
c. The majority
d. Elected representatives
e. Elites

A

Interest groups

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19
Q

Which of the following is a characteristic of elite theory?
a. It implies that the president must come from the party that holds the majority in Congress.
b. It emphasizes governmental control over economic policy, but not social institutions.
c. It is viewed by political scientists as a theory that works well as a description of both how democracies should function and how democracies actually do function.
d. It indicates that a single ruler controls all aspects of the government, but not economic and social institutions.
e. It is the perspective that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interests.

A

It is the perspective that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interests.

20
Q

The comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and the role of government is known as which of the following?
a. Ideology
b. Value system
c. Political science
d. Political socialization
e. Political culture

A

Ideology

21
Q

Which of the following political philosophies holds the belief that individuals are responsible for their well-being, proposes a limited role of government, and supports policies favoring traditional values?
a. Libertarianism
b. Conservatism
c. Liberalism
d. Totalitarianism
e. Socialism

A

Libertarianism

22
Q

Which of the following political groups strongly supports property rights and opposes attempts to regulate personal behavior and moral values?
a. Liberals
b. Conservatives
c. Traditionalists
d. Anarchists
e. Libertarians

A

Libertarians

23
Q

Which of the following perspectives holds that society is really ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interest?
a. Majoritarian theory
b. Personality theory
c. Elite theory
d. Pluralistic theory
e. Interest group theory

A

Elite theory

24
Q

When people have a fairly consistent view over a range of policy choices, they are said to have which of the following?
a. An alliance
b. A faction
c. A political party
d. A political ideology
e. A democratic ideal

A

A political ideology

25
Q

Which of the following groups would favor government efforts to increase equality, including higher taxes on the wealthy and more support for those in need?
a. Moderates
b. Populists
c. Libertarians
d. Conservatives
e. Liberals

A

Liberals

26
Q

Which of the following groups believes that lower taxes will prompt greater economic growth that will ultimately benefit everyone, including the poor?
a. Liberals
b. Conservatives
c. Democrats
d. Anarchists
e. Moderates

A

Conservatives

27
Q

Which of the following groups believes that the government should not interfere in economic or social matters?
a. Conservatives
b. Moderates
c. Libertarians
d. Populists
e. Liberals

A

Libertarians

28
Q

An American who supports the creation of election districts that are likely to vote for minority candidates for public office and wants more restrictions on business is likely to be of what political ideology?
a. Libertarianism
b. Conservatism
c. Liberalism
d. Majoritarianism
e. Socialism

A

Liberalism

29
Q

The idea that most important government decisions are made by an identifiable and stable minority that shares certain characteristics—especially wealth and business connections—is known as which of the following?
a. Oligarchy
b. Elite theory
c. Pluralist theory
d. The interest group model
e. Aristocracy

A

Elite theory

30
Q

Which of the following pairs of terms best completes the statement? _________ theorists have a narrower view of social and economic rights that should be guaranteed by a democratic government than do __________ theorists.
a. Liberal, conservative
b. Conservative, liberal
c. Majoritarian, pluralist
d. Progressive, pluralist
e. Socialist, conservative

A

Conservative, liberal

31
Q

What is the political theory that holds that government should do what most of the people want it to do?
a. Pluralism
b. Majoritarianism
c. Elite theory
d. Proportionalism
e. Democratic centralism

A

Majoritarianism

32
Q

“The government should act to create jobs during an economic crisis.” Which of the following ideologies is most compatible with this quote?
a. Liberal
b. Anarchist
c. Conservative
d. Libertarian
e. Extreme conservative

A

Liberal

33
Q

Which of the following is the comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and the role of government?
a. Political socialization
b. Political participation
c. Value system
d. Ideology
e. Political science

A

Ideology

34
Q

Which of the following is a flaw with majoritarianism that can be harmful?
a. The majority can make decisions that are harmful to the minority.
b. The decisions are difficult to enforce.
c. A group of elites can end up with all the decision-making power.
d. Interest groups can become the decision makers.
e. It doesn’t take into account the beliefs of ordinary citizens.

A

The majority can make decisions that are harmful to the minority.

35
Q

The belief in individuals being responsible for their well-being, a limited role of government, and a support for policies favoring traditional values are characteristics of which of the following?
a. Liberals
b. Conservatives
c. Traditionalists
d. Activists
e. Libertarians

A

Conservatives

36
Q

Which of the following is the belief that government should take an active role in reducing poverty and regulating the economy, support civil rights, and have a tolerance for social change?
a. Liberalism
b. Conservatism
c. Authoritarianism
d. Libertarianism
e. Traditionalism

A

Liberalism

37
Q

A socialist would likely be in favor of which of the following?
a. Prohibition of workers’ organizations and trade unions
b. Elimination of Social Security and Medicare programs
c. Government taking over the oil industry in order to control oil and gas prices
d. Privatization of the national park system
e. Elimination of the federal national minimum wage

A

Government taking over the oil industry in order to control oil and gas prices

38
Q

The concept that in a democracy the government should listen to what most people want is known as which of the following?
a. Limited government
b. Majoritarianism
c. Elitism
d. Pluralism
e. Totalitarianism

A

Majoritarianism

39
Q

Demographically, the United States is becoming which of the following?
a. An elderly nation with the bulk of its citizens over age 65
b. A middle-aged nation with a growing population of elderly
c. A middle-aged nation with a stagnant population
d. A youth-oriented nation with rapidly rising birth rates
e. A youth-oriented nation with the bulk of its citizens under age 30

A

A middle-aged nation with a growing population of elderly

40
Q

An increased demand on Social Security and Medicare in the United States can be linked to which of the following?
a. A declining birth rate
b. An increasing number of immigrants
c. An increasing number of senior citizens
d. The declining income of workers 20 to 35 years old
e. An increased number of apathetic voters

A

An increasing number of senior citizens

41
Q

A Hispanic is someone who claims heritage from which of the following?
a. Both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking ancestors
b. The island of Hispaniola
c. Nations of the North American continent
d. Spanish conquistadors
e. A Spanish-speaking country other than Spain

A

A Spanish-speaking country other than Spain

42
Q

Why is the growing Hispanic population politically important?
a. Hispanics are more likely to vote on issues, rather than affiliate with a political party.
b. Hispanics are more likely to affiliate with a political party than to vote on particular issues.
c. Hispanics have the highest rate of new voter registration of any ethnic group.
d. Hispanics have the highest rate of voter participation of any ethnic group.
e. Hispanics give the majority of their support to Democratic candidates.

A

Hispanics give the majority of their support to Democratic candidates.

43
Q

The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution articulates six reasons for establishing a government. These translate well to the essential functions of government. According to the text, which of the following answers is not among those?
a. Provide security and protection
b. Ensure literacy throughout the population
c. Provide public goods that might not be available otherwise
d. The blessings of liberty
e. Manage and resolve conflicts

A

Ensure literacy throughout the population

44
Q

Harold Lasswell wrote the famous phrase, Who Gets What, When, and How in 1936. His comments were addressed to what group?
a. Political parties
b. Elites
c. Politics
d. Congress
e. Presidency

A

Politics

45
Q

Hobbes believed that without government and the rule of law, people would revert to a state of nature, and individuals would be left to fight over basic necessities, rendering life “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” In which work did he make such bold statements?
a. The Seven Cities of Cibola
b. The Seven Gables
c. Gilgamesh
d. Leviathan
e. Thus Spoke Zarathustra

A

Leviathan

46
Q

In a book entitled Why Nations Fail, economist Daron Acemoglu argues that “when economic inequality increases, the people who have become economically more powerful will often attempt to use that power in order to . . .” do what?
a. Give power back to the poor
b. Gain even more political power
c. Give raises to the poor to ensure stability
d. Support Democratic candidates
e. Defer to Congress

A

Gain even more political power

47
Q

What does eminent domain allow the government to do?
a. Give public land for homesteads
b. Resettle immigrants on public land
c. Take private land for public use
d. Prosecute private citizens for tax evasion
e. Engage in military operations without a declaration of war

A

Prosecute private citizens for tax evasion

48
Q

As early as 1831, French commentator Alexis de Tocqueville noted about Americans, “As soon as the inhabitants of the United States have taken up an opinion or a feeling which they wish to promote in the world, they look out for mutual assistance; and as soon as they have found one another out, they combine. From that moment, they are no longer isolated men, but a power seen from afar.” Of what phenomenon was he speaking?
a. Running for office
b. Seeking financial support
c. Withdrawal, followed by isolation
d. Independence and individualism
e. Joining groups

A

Joining groups

American Goverment (6 decks)

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