Deck 5: Constitutions and Rights

Question 1

The Constitution of the United States is __________.

A)relatively new
B)relatively long
C)relatively short
D)absent of ambiguity

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The facts that the President of the United States is Commander in Chief of the Military and that the judicial branch interprets laws are indicative of __________.

A)basic Laws
B)judicial activism
C)judicial restraint
D)separation of powers

Answer 2

D

Question 3

A constituent assembly is __________.

A)a legislature convened to draft a new constitution
B)a term for the legislative branch in most countries
C)a judicial body
D)a meeting of potential voters

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following might you infer from a constitution that is relatively long and detailed?

A)The constitution is probably relatively new.
B)The constitution is probably relatively old.
C)The constitution is probably relatively vague.
D)The constitution is probably relatively restrictive on rights.

Question 5

Japan's Constitution was drafted by the United States in __________.

A)1940
B)1946
C)1956
D)1960

Question 6

Which of the following might be said about the Brazilian Constitution?

A)It conferred too few rights to protect the people.
B)It conferred too many rights for the government to guarantee.
C)It is outdated.
D)It is too new to evaluate.

Question 7

Which statement best depicts how Japan's constitution varies from the Unites States'?

A)Japan's constitution is shorter.
B)Japan's constitution is more detailed but provides fewer rights to the people.
C)Japan's constitution is more detailed and provides more rights to the people.
D)Japan's constitution is older.

Question 8

Based on your text, which provision might be in Germany's constitution?

A)Guaranteed support for private schools
B)Limitations on government involvement in economic matters
C)Limitations on government involvement in social matters
D)Provisions that provide support for the unemployed

Question 9

The State Duma is the legislature in what country?

A)Ireland
B)Sweden
C)Russia
D)Germany

Question 10

Judicial activism refers to __________.

A)liberal judges
B)conservative judges
C)judicial restraint by judges
D)willingness to override legislatures

Question 11

A written document outlining the structure of a political system is a __________.

A)statute
B)constitution
C)state duma
D)basic law

Question 12

Which statement best describes Britain in terms of providing codified rights to the people?

A)Britain has had codified rights dating back to the 10th century.
B)Britain has had codified rights dating back to the 15th century.
C)Britain has had codified rights dating back to the 1940s.
D)Britain has had codified rights since 2000.

Question 13

The ability of courts to decide if laws are constitutional is referred to as __________.

A)judicial review
B)judicial activism
C)judicial restraint
D)basic law

Question 14

Muslims in the United States, who make up a relatively small percentage of the population, would be classified as __________.

A)minorities
B)majorities
C)conservatives
D)liberals

Question 15

Yugoslavia demonstrates what potential problem when it comes to constitutions?

A)The danger of providing too many rights
B)The danger of providing too few rights
C)The danger of constitutional experimentation
D)The danger of failing to update their constitution

Question 16

The concept of Basic Law originated in which country?

A)Britain
B)France
C)Germany
D)United States

Question 17

The Magna Carta did which of the following?

A)Granted democracy to the citizens
B)Limited the King's power
C)Extended the King's power
D)Eliminated the monarchy

Question 18

Which of the following is a potential problem with judicial review?

A)Conservative or liberal judges may rule based on their beliefs.
B)Constitutions are always clear.
C)Lawmakers make laws that comply with constitutions.
D)Judicial review is spelled out in all constitutions.

Question 19

Which of the following, if True, would make implementing a constitution more difficult?

A)A democratic system of government
B)A multi-party system of government
C)A dictatorial system of government
D)A laissez-faire system of government

Question 20

Japan and the United States have which of the following in common when it comes to amending their respective constitutions?

A)Neither country has ever done it.
B)Both countries do it frequently.
C)It is difficult to do in both countries.
D)The people of both countries must vote on constitutional amendments.

Question 21

Which can be said of minority groups?

A)They exist in most countries
B)They generally have greater protections of civil liberties than majorities
C)Few countries have significant minority populations
D)Most minority groups live in the Northern hemisphere

Question 22

The issue of what role government should take in preserving cultural uniqueness is the basis for __________.

A)immigration
B)multiculturalism
C)cultural pluralism
D)ethnicism

Question 23

What can we conclude from the phrase "ensure domestic tranquility" in the U.S.Constitution?

A)Little, because the Preamble is vague and has questionable legal force
B)That the government must provide a peaceful society
C)That the government must provide for the general welfare
D)A great deal because of the clarity of the language

Question 24

Which is an example of a socially constructed concept?

A)Something that is God's will according to early thinkers.
B)The right to life shall not be deprived without good cause.
C)The right to liberty shall not be deprived without good cause.
D)The right to unemployment insurance is guaranteed by some governments.

Question 25

The right to vote is usually viewed as a(n) __________ right.

A)human
B)civil
C)economic
D)natural

Question 26

Proposition 227 in California dealt with which one of the following issues?

A)Immigration
B)Same-sex marriage
C)Taxes
D)Bilingual education

Question 27

Some people view the right of having a job as a(n) __________ right.

A)natural
B)human
C)economic
D)civil

Question 28

How many votes are needed to overcome the filibuster in the U.S.Senate?

A)50
B)60
C)67
D)75

Question 29

The Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II demonstrates which of the following?

A)The dangers of communism
B)The dangers of the red scare
C)That even democracies can do away with civil liberties during war time
D)That even ordinary people can be a threat to society

Question 30

Which of the following, if True, best explains why Constitutions are difficult to amend?

A)Lawmakers may change their views relatively quickly.
B)Constitutions often include a great deal of detail.
C)Constitutions are often vague.
D)Constitutions are often very long.

Question 31

The Universal Declaration on Human Rights includes the rights to __________.

A)a job
B)a car
C)assembly
D)declare war

Question 32

In reaction to Nazi and Japanese actions during World War II, the UN General Assembly did which of the following?

A)Revoked Germany and Japan's charters
B)Adopted the Universal Declaration on Human Rights
C)Sent the UN armies into Germany and Japan
D)Authorized a relocation program for refugees

Question 33

Examples of __________ rights include life and liberty.

A)constructed
B)civil
C)economic
D)natural

Question 34

The District of Columbia v.Heller case dealt with which one of the following U.S.Constitutional Amendments?

A)First
B)Second
C)Fifth
D)Tenth

Question 35

What does the lawgiver, Hammurabi, contribute to our current discussion of constitutions?

A)Statutes are meant to adjust to the times.
B)Laws are not necessary because of people's good will.
C)Constitutions should be easy to revise.
D)Codified laws are necessary, as is a clear supreme law of the land.

Question 36

Algerians in France and Pakistanis in Great Britain have what in common?

A)They have both been placed in internment camps.
B)They generally have greater protections of civil liberties than majorities.
C)They are pressured to conform with their dominant cultures.
D)They speak the same native languages.

Question 37

Which ordering places rights from most basic to highest?

A)Natural, economic, civil
B)Natural, civil, economic
C)Economic, civil, natural
D)Civil, economic, natural

Question 38

The District of Columbia v.Heller case dealt with which one of the following issues?

A)Immigration
B)Bilingual education
C)Taxes
D)Gun rights

Question 39

Which of the following might Jeremy Bentham have agreed with?

A)Rights are natural in origin.
B)Higher level rights should be protected.
C)Rights are a social construction.
D)Economic rights are natural rights.

Question 40

The "red scare" involved fear of __________.

A)the Supreme Court
B)judicial activism
C)Socialism
D)Communism

Question 41

A 40-hour work week is specified in the Brazilian Constitution.

Question 42

Which conclusion comports with the current rights of prisoners held captive as part of the United States' war on terrorism?
E)Suspected terrorists do not have any constitutional protections.
F)Suspected terrorists have all constitutional protections of ordinary citizens.
G)Suspected terrorists have some access to the court system, but there is still a lack of clarity on the matter. H)Suspected terrorists must be deported within 60 days of their detention.

Question 43

Gitlow v.New York and Scales v.the United States have which of the following in common?

A)These cases demonstrated the limits of government in dealing with terrorism.
B)These cases demonstrated the limits of governments in dealing with sedition.
C)These cases demonstrated that civil liberties and rights are curtailed when the government is under threat.
D)These cases established unrestricted freedom of speech rights for citizens.

Question 44

Which of the following, if True, best supports arguments in favor of comparing campaign contributions to speech rights?

A)Corporations and Super-PACs express themselves through contributions.
B)Corporations and Super PACs have extensive influence through their campaign contributions.
C)Corporations and Super-PACs do not represent the will of the people.
D)Corporations and Super-PACs can contribute more than other interests.

Question 45

Britain was the first nation to guarantee individual rights and freedoms in its Constitution.

Question 46

The Clear and Present danger doctrine deals with what issue?

A)Sedition
B)Gun rights
C)Communism
D)Economic rights

Question 47

__________ rights protect detainees from guilt without a trial.

A)Economic
B)Habeas corpus
C)Sedition
D)Imprisonment

Question 48

Your book demonstrates that civil rights and liberties, even today, are still violated by both the developing world and western democracies.

Question 49

In District of Columbia v.Heller (2008), the Supreme Court ruled that the District of Columbia's gun restrictions did not violate the Second Amendment of the Constitution.

Question 50

Which U.S.Constitutional Amendment protects free speech rights?

A)First
B)Second
C)Third
D)Fourth

Question 51

In the United States, the separation of powers gives Congress lawmaking authority, while the presidency administers the law.

Question 52

The Pentagon Papers dealt with freedom of religion.

Question 53

The Pentagon Papers case would generally be seen as __________.

A)a victory for those concerned with sedition against the government
B)a victory for those concerned about the threat of communism
C)a victory for those concerned with abuses by President Nixon's opponents
D)a victory for those concerned with rights of the press

Question 54

Which scenario would most likely result in restrictions of free speech?

A)Joining the American Communist Party
B)Criticizing the president when the nation goes to war
C)Attempting to discourage people from enlisting in the military during a draft
D)Expressing unpopular opinions in the newspaper

Question 55

Sedition is heavy criticism of the government or officials aimed at producing discontent or rebellion.

Question 56

Which of the following is generally the case for restrictions of free speech in America?

A)Speech has never been restricted in America.
B)Speech rights are usually restricted in America.
C)Speech rights are more restricted during war times or when the nation is under threat.
D)Speech rights are less restricted during war times or when the nation is under threat.

Question 57

During World War II, the United States government deprived Japanese Americans of due process rights and interned them.

Question 58

The term "constructed" refers to something that is recent and artificial, often wrongly assumed to be old and hallowed.

Question 59

Proposition 227 ended bilingual education in California in 1998.

Question 60

How do American free speech rights compare to European nations?

A)In America, free speech rights are more extensive than in Europe.
B)In America, free speech rights are less extensive than in Europe.
C)In America, free speech rights are about the same than in Europe.
D)In America, free speech is prohibited unless it presents a "Clear and Present Danger."

Question 61

Distinguish between constitutions and statutes.

Question 62

Evaluate the controversy over whether or not terrorists have rights in the United States.

Question 63

__________ is the unwillingness of judges to overturn statutes passed by the legislature.

Question 64

Where do rights come from? Evaluate the arguments for whether or not they are artificial.

Question 65

Trace the right of free speech as it relates to sedition in the United States.How has interpretation of the Constitution changed over time?

Question 66

Exaggerated fear of Communist subversion was known as a __________.

Question 67

People in the American South may prefer a limited role of government in the economy, while those in the Northeast may favor greater government involvement.These two areas have very different __________.

Question 68

Evaluate the Constitutional claims on the issue of gun rights in the United States.

Question 69

To the Founders of the United States, life and liberty are examples of __________, which should be automatically granted.

Question 70

How can a "red scare" limit speech?

Question 71

Explain the purposes of constitutions.Why are they necessary?

Question 72

The fact that in the United State there are a variety of ethnic groups and some speak languages other than English deals with the issue of __________.

Question 73

The Constitution's militia clause is found in the __________.

Question 74

Voting is typically viewed as a __________ right.

Question 75

The Bush Administration denied "unlawful enemy combatants" __________ rights prior to the 2004 Supreme Court decision dealing with the matter.

Question 76

Explain the debate over multiculturalism.

Question 77

A(n) __________ is a written document outlining the structure of a political system.

Question 78

What are the dangers of changing Constitutions frequently? Give an example where this has been a problem.

Question 79

How are powers separated in the United States? How might this separation change over time?

Question 80

If a legislature passes a law that violates the Constitution, a judge might practice __________ and strike the law down.