Exam 1

Question 1

What’s the difference between the democratic approach to government and a republican approach?

Answer 1

Democrats are more based on community and social responsibility, while Republicans favor individual rights and justice

Question 2

What is Plato’s belief on government?

Answer 2

Plato’s ideal and just state is an aristocracy, the rule of the best. He believed leaders needed to be wise and trained in how to run a state, just as captains of ships are trained in how to run a ship.

Question 3

What is Aristotle’s belief on government?

Answer 3

Aristotle believed democracy meant that every free-born man had the right and duty to help rule the city. Thus, both rich and poor, educated and ignorant, intelligent and dull-witted could attend the Assembly meetings, vote and hold public office.

Question 4

What does Thomas Hobbes believe about human nature?

Answer 4

Hobbes believed that in man’s natural state, moral ideas do not exist. Thus, in speaking of human nature, he defines good simply as that which people desire and evil as that which they avoid, at least in the state of nature.

Question 5

Who was considered the father of the constitution?

Answer 5

James Madison

Question 6

What is the story of the magic invisibility ring called?

Answer 6

The Myth of Gyges

Question 7

Who were the three authors of the Federalist Papers?

Answer 7

Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison

Question 8

What did Tocqueville believe in about America?

Answer 8

Tocqueville believed that equality was the great political and social idea of his era, and he thought that the United States offered the most advanced example of equality in action.

Question 9

What did Tocqueville believe about self-interest?

Answer 9

He believed that “self-interest rightly understood” benefited society, because it would eventually turn to a desire to help those around them.

Question 10

Between Plato and Aristotle, who taught who?

Answer 10

Plato taught Aristotle

Question 11

In Plato’s eyes, what determines someone’s ability to run a government?

Answer 11

Merit. Plato wanted the most able to rule (ideally Philosopher Kings, because philosopher kings would always seek out higher policies)

Question 12

What did John Winthrop compare America to?

Answer 12

A city on a hill. A “city on a hill” is a phrase used to refer to America’s supposed standing in the world, as a “beacon of hope” which other nations can look to for moral guidance

Question 13

What are implied powers?

Answer 13

Implied powers are political powers granted to the United States government that aren’t explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Question 14

Who is the current Speaker for the House of Representatives?

Answer 14

Nancy Pelosi

Question 15

List 3 things about Sam Houston

Answer 15

He ran away when he was 16 to live with the Cherokee Indians, he later became the Senator of Texas, and then a Governor of Tennessee.

Question 16

What happened in the Wickard v Filburn case?

Answer 16

This was a case regarding the government’s ability to regulate how much wheat people could grow, in the case that it impacted the economy too much. Farmer Filburn produced over the allotted amount, but he claimed it was for private consumption. Filburn later lost the case.

Question 17

What group was worried that the senate would be too powerful, and was consequently against giving the government more power?

Answer 17

The Anti-Federalists (Brutus beliefs)

Question 18

Which group believed that it was the responsibility of the government to promote the general welfare?

Answer 18

The Federalists (Publius beliefs)

Question 19

Which group brought about the Bill of Rights?

Answer 19

The Anti-Federalists

Question 20

How long are the senate’s terms, how old do you have to be, and how long did you have to be an American citizen?

Answer 20

6 year term, must be at least 30 years old, and must have been an American citizen for 14 years.

Question 21

How long are the house’s terms, how old do you have to be, and how long did you have to be an American citizen?

Answer 21

2 year term, must be at least 25 years old, and must have been an American citizen for 7 years

Question 22

What did Hobbes believe about how government should treat its people?

Answer 22

Hobbes believed that because people are naturally untrustworthy, that the government should not heed the will of the people.

Question 23

What is the story of the Myth of Gyges?

Answer 23

Guy finds invisibility ring in a cave, he decided he can do whatever he wants while wearing it, so he commits the sex D: with the queen and is a meanie-face while wearing the ring, but needs to be nice when not wearing it.

Question 24

What did Plato believe about absolute power?

Answer 24

“Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Question 25

What happened in the Lopez v State case?

Answer 25

Alfonzo Lopes (a 12th-grade student) had brought a gun onto school premises to sell to another student. This was against the Gun-Free School Zones Act, but when it was taken to court, the State lost (5 to 4) because the gun was brought for the purpose of commerce.

Question 26

What happened in the Heart of Atlanta Motel v State case?

Answer 26

A black man was trying to sell his product in the public sales area within the Heart of Atlanta Motel, but the hotel said no because he’s black. Then the state overturned that and said you can’t stop him from running his business just because he’s black. Note that it won under a commerce clause and not a civil rights clause.

Question 27

Name 2 facts about Daniel Webster

Answer 27

He was the governor of Massachusetts, and he supported the fugitive slave act

Question 28

What is covered in Article 1 of the Constitution?

Answer 28

Legislative

Question 29

What is covered in Article 2 of the Constitution?

Answer 29

Executive

Question 30

What is covered in Article 3 of the Constitution?

Answer 30

Judicial