Unit 1 Lecture Questions

Question 1

Of the following four categories of federal spending, which does the federal government spend the most money on considering the total budget (all spending, discretionary and nondiscretionary combined)?

Answer 1

Healthcare

Question 2

Early in the semester, we covered the classical liberal, enlightenment roots of America’s founding documents. Classical liberalism prioritizes protecting individuals against which of the following:

Answer 2

Government use of coercive for or violence

Question 3

James Madison famously described the system of representative government in the Constitution as a Republic and contrasted it with a form of unlimited, majoritarian government which he labeled democracy. Which of the following characteristics of modern liberal democracy are shared with Madison’s Republic? (Choose all that apply)

Answer 3

All of the above;
a) Opposition to one party rule
b)Protection of property rights
c) Protection of basic civil liberties
d)Representative government
e) Protection of political minorities

Question 4

The Constitution includes a system of dividing the authority for specific government functions among different branches of government and two chambers of Congress. This method of division of authority is commonly called:

Answer 4

Separation of Powers

Question 5

Limiting government is often considered important for many reasons, but one very important reason is that limiting government is by the definition of government:

Answer 5

Limiting organized violence

Question 6

The Constitution divides power in a number of ways. One of these is the division of power between State and Federal levels of government. This is called:

Answer 6

Federalism

Question 7

Which of the following is a tool unique to the government?

Answer 7

Legitimate use of violence

Question 8

When we see a problem and decide to ask government to solve it rather than use voluntary action through groups like community associations, charities, or volunteer groups, what tool is government likely to use that the other groups do not have at their disposal?

Answer 8

The police and prison system

Question 9

What can government legitimately do that private charities, corporations, small businesses, churches, families, community groups, and volunteer organizations can not do?

Answer 9

Use violence to coerce people

Question 10

The Constitutional provisions for Presidential vetos, overrides of vetoes by Congress, and impeachment are all examples of:

Answer 10

Checks and balances