Question 1

A republic is a form of government in which power derives from which of the following?

Accepted Answer

In a republic, power comes from the citizens, but they elect representatives to make policy and govern on their behalf. This is the opposite of a direct democracy where citizens make policy decisions themselves.

Question 2

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following political philosophies holds...

Question 3

Unlike Athens, the early United States had a population of nearly 4 million people, which made direct democracy impractical. Instead, the Framers created which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Framers of the early United States created a representative democracy, also known as a republic, where people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. This was necessary due to the large population size and the impracticality of direct democracy.

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

Elite theory suggests that a small group of wealthy individuals or business leaders hold the most power in government decision-making. This group is identifiable and typically shares similar characteristics, such as their socioeconomic status.

Question 5

Which of the following groups believes that the government should not interfere in economic or social matters?

Accepted Answer

Libertarians believe in minimal government intervention in both economic and social matters. Conservatives may support limited government involvement in the economy, but tend to have more traditional social views. Moderates, Populists, and Liberals generally believe in some degree of government intervention in both economic and social matters, varying in degrees depending on the specific issue.

Question 6

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?

Accepted Answer

Liberals generally believe in government efforts to increase equality and promote social welfare programs to support those in need. They also support progressive taxation, which includes higher taxes on the wealthy.

Question 7

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?

Accepted Answer

Elite theory focuses on the idea that power is concentrated in the hands of a small, elite group of individuals who hold top positions in society, such as corporate leaders. If top political jobs are only filled from this inner circle, it would support the idea that power is held by a select group of elites rather than spread out among the population, which is a central tenet of elite theory.

Question 8

The United States tends to favor an economic system in which business enterprises and key industries are privately owned. This is known as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Capitalism is an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit. This is consistent with the United States' economic system, in which businesses and industries are largely privatized.

Question 9

Which of the following groups believes that lower taxes will prompt greater economic growth that will ultimately benefit everyone, including the poor?

Accepted Answer

Conservatives generally believe in supply-side economics, which argues that lower taxes will stimulate economic growth and ultimately benefit all members of society.

Question 10

Pluralist theory proposes that people's interests are protected by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Pluralist theory proposes that people's interests are...

Question 11

When people have a fairly consistent view over a range of policy choices, they are said to have which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A political ideology is a set of beliefs or values about how society should be organized and how government should function. When people consistently hold a particular set of views on a range of policy choices, it typically reflects the influence of a certain political ideology. While alliances, factions, and political parties may also involve some level of consistency in views, they are not solely focused on policy choices and may have other reasons for their formation. Democratic ideals are general principles related to democracy, but do not necessarily reflect specific policy preferences.

Question 12

Which of the following is a characteristic of elite theory?

Accepted Answer

Elite theory is the perspective that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interests. It holds that power is primarily held by a small and privileged group, rather than being widely distributed among the population.

Question 13

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?

Accepted Answer

The American who supports the creation of election districts that are likely to vote for minority candidates for public office is likely to be a supporter of liberalism, which believes in promoting individual liberty, social justice, racial and gender equality, and government intervention to address economic and social inequalities. Additionally, wanting more restrictions on business may suggest a belief in regulating the economy for social and environmental justice.

Question 14

According to the U.S. Constitution, power is channeled into what three branches of the government?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Constitution provides for a separation of powers between the legislative branch (Congress), the judicial branch (Supreme Court and lower federal courts), and the executive branch (President and his administration).

Question 15

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?

Accepted Answer

Elite theory argues that society is ruled by a small group of individuals who hold the majority of power and influence. This elite group, which can come from various backgrounds including economic, political, and social, is said to further their self-interest through their control of key institutions and decision-making processes.

Question 16

Which of the following political groups strongly supports property rights and opposes attempts to regulate personal behavior and moral values?

Accepted Answer

Libertarians strongly believe in individual liberty and limited government intervention, particularly in economic and personal affairs. As a result, they support property rights and oppose regulations on personal behavior and moral values.

Question 17

Which of the following is the best description of capitalism?

Accepted Answer

Capitalism is an economic system in which private individuals or businesses own and control the means of production and property, with minimal government interference. This allows for competition and individual initiative to drive the economy, with prices and wages being determined by market forces rather than by a centralized authority. This is different from socialism, in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state or society as a whole.

Question 18

The struggle over power or influence within organizations that can grant benefits or privileges best defines which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Politics is specifically about the struggle for power and influence within organizations or societies. The other options are either too broad (national government and state government) or too narrow (elections and political science) to fully capture the meaning of this struggle.

Question 19

The comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and the role of government is known as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and the role of government is known as ideology. Value system refers to a person's individual beliefs and principles, while political science is the academic study of politics. Political socialization is the process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and attitudes, and political culture refers to the shared values, attitudes, and beliefs about politics held by a society.

Question 20

Madison and the other Framers realized that the role of the new Constitution was to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Framers saw the Constitution as a way to serve as a gatekeeper to power, ensuring that those who held positions of authority were accountable and responsible in their actions. The Constitution outlines a system of checks and balances that makes it difficult for any one person or group to become too powerful. While protecting citizens' natural rights was a guiding principle, it was not the primary purpose of the Constitution.

Quiz 1: Gateways to American Democracy