Question 1

Today,a single member of the House of Representatives may represent as many as ________ citizens.

Accepted Answer

As of recent estimates, a single member of the House of Representatives can represent nearly 1 million citizens due to population growth and the fixed number of House seats at 435.

Question 2

Which of the following public policies would social conservatives be most likely to support?

Accepted Answer

Social conservatives tend to support traditional values and beliefs, often based on religious principles. Therefore, they are likely to support policies that restrict abortion and ban same-sex marriage, as those go against their values.

Note: It is important to note that social conservatism is just one aspect of a person's political beliefs and does not necessarily dictate their views on all policy issues.

Question 3

The Constitution initially mandated that each member of the House of Representatives should represent ________ citizens.

Accepted Answer

The Constitution initially mandated that each member of the House of Representatives should represent 30,000 citizens. This is stated in Article I, Section 2. However, this number has since been changed due to population growth and the need for effective representation. Currently, each member represents an average of about 700,000 citizens.

Question 4

The Framers agreed that the new nation had to be founded on notions of

Accepted Answer

The Framers believed in religious freedom and wanted to establish a country where people could practice their own religion without fear of persecution. This idea is enshrined in the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion. While racial tolerance and freedom are also important values, religious freedom was explicitly referenced by the Framers.

Question 5

The idea that governments draw legitimacy and power from the governed is referred to as

Accepted Answer

The concept of governments deriving their power and legitimacy from the consent of the governed is known as popular consent. This principle is a cornerstone of democratic theory and is the foundation for the idea of representative government. Majority rule refers to the idea that decisions are made based on the preferences of the majority of the population, while direct democracy is a system of government in which citizens directly participate in decision-making. Capitalism refers to an economic system based on private ownership and the exchange of goods and services for profit, while popular control suggests that citizens have a direct role in shaping and directing government policy.

Question 6

The idea of popular sovereignty can first be found in the

Accepted Answer

The Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." This is the first time that the idea of popular sovereignty is explicitly stated in a founding document of the United States.

Question 7

According to Isaiah Berlin,a noted historian and philosopher,two factors,above all,have shaped human history in the twentieth century.They are

Accepted Answer

Isaiah Berlin believed that science and technology, along with ideology, were the two factors that shaped human history in the twentieth century. This is because scientific and technological advancements have transformed human society, while ideologies such as communism and fascism have exerted a tremendous influence on political movements and global events. Religion and trade were not as significant in shaping history during this time period.

Question 8

According to Aristotle's classifications of government,rule by a few whose interests are served by the public is

Accepted Answer

Aristotle classified rule by a few as an oligarchy, and specified that for it to be a just form of government, the interests of the few should be aligned with the common good, otherwise it becomes an unjust form of government.

Question 9

Social conservatives,who now form a large part of the base of the Republican Party,often are also members of

Accepted Answer

Social conservatives often prioritize religious values and are frequently affiliated with religious organizations, making this the most likely choice. B, D, and E go against traditional social conservative values, and while C may be true, it is not the most defining characteristic of social conservatives.

Question 10

The percentage of households in the United States consisting of a single person is nearly ____ percent.

Accepted Answer

According to the US Census Bureau, as of 2019, the percentage of households in the United States consisting of a single person is 28%. This is closest to option C) 30.

Question 11

The creation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is an example of the national government attempting to
I.establish justice.
II.secure the blessings of liberty.
III.promote the general welfare.
IV.insure domestic tranquility.

Accepted Answer

The creation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was an attempt by the national government to insure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare, and establish justice. The FBI was established in 1908 to investigate federal crimes and to maintain law and order in the United States. Therefore, options I, III, and IV are correct. Option II (securing the blessings of liberty) does not directly apply to the creation of the FBI.

Question 12

American political culture embodies many key concepts including
I.absolute personal liberty.
II.political equality.
III.majority rule.
IV.individualism.

Accepted Answer

American political culture emphasizes political equality, majority rule, and individualism, but not absolute personal liberty, as laws and social norms limit personal freedoms for the common good and societal order.

Question 13

According to the definition in the text,political ideologies are sets of beliefs that
I.shape the thinking of individuals and how they view the world.
II.are affected only by historical forces.
III.affect how people deal with relations between men and women.
IV.have little to do with feelings of nationalism.

Accepted Answer

Political ideologies are sets of beliefs that shape the thinking of individuals and how they view the world (statement I). They also affect how people deal with relations between men and women (statement III). Historical forces may play a role in shaping ideologies, but they are not the only determining factor (statement II), and ideologies can certainly have an impact on nationalism (statement IV).

Question 14

According to the text,a powerful national government is likely to meet opposition in which of the following regions of the United States?
I.South
II.Northeast
III.Midwest
IV.West

Accepted Answer

Historically, the South and the West have been regions where the idea of a powerful national government has met with more opposition, often due to a preference for states' rights and local control.

Question 15

The Fourteenth Amendment can be considered a counter to which of the following tenets of American political culture?

Accepted Answer

The Fourteenth Amendment counters the tenet of majority rule by protecting the individual rights of minority groups and ensuring that their rights cannot be infringed upon simply because they are in the numerical minority.

Question 16

Which of the following does NOT describe democracy?

Accepted Answer

Democracy in its direct form has never existed in the federal government of the United States. The US government is a representative democracy or a republic where citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

Question 17

The reason that some pro-choice conservative voters may choose pro-choice liberal candidates over other conservatives is most closely related to which of the following functions of ideology?

Accepted Answer

The orientation function of ideology relates to how individuals use their political beliefs to navigate and understand the political world around them. In this case, pro-choice conservative voters may prioritize their stance on reproductive rights over other conservative ideals and may find that liberal candidates align better with their values and priorities in that area.

Question 18

The American emphasis on the importance of the individual is rooted in the principle of

Accepted Answer

The American emphasis on the importance of the individual is rooted in the principle of political equality. This principle holds that each person has an equal say in the political process and that each person's interests and rights should be protected by the government. This focus on individual rights and equality is a defining aspect of American political culture.

Question 19

The ________ expanded Americans' conceptions of personal liberty to include some forms of freedom from discrimination.

Accepted Answer

The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution expanded individual liberty to include equal protection of the laws and due process, which helped to end legal discrimination on the basis of race, gender, and other factors.

Question 20

In general,the U.S.population is
I.mostly under the age of thirty.
II.getting older.
III.becoming less diverse.
IV.less affected by immigration than in earlier years.

Accepted Answer

Option I is incorrect as according to the US Census Bureau, the median age of the US population is 38.5 years. Option III is incorrect as the US population has been becoming more diverse in recent years. Option IV is not entirely correct as immigration is still affecting the US population although the immigration policy is becoming stricter. Therefore, the only correct option is II.

Quiz 1: The Political Landscape