Deck 1: The More Things Changethe More They Stay the Same

Question 1

Political philosopher John Locke proposed that people are born with natural rights and that government cannot violate these rights. Locke argued that the basis for government, or human laws, is

A) that Congress has a moral obligation to protect green space.
B) (in his view) that government has full powers to control the people.
C) that religious thought is greater than human thought.
D) the right and privilege of the elected officials.
E) consent of the governed.

Answer 1

E

Question 2

Which of the following election battles did NOT precede a general U. S. presidential election?

A) Romney-Gingrich-Santorum-Paul
B) Goldwater-Rockefeller-Romney
C) Adams-Jefferson
D) Options A, B, and C are true.
E) None of the above is true.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, an eighteenth-century French philosopher, posited

A) that American democracy would end in failure.
B) that in fact a social contract exists.
C) that capitalism was a failed policy.
D) that France would become a world superpower.
E) that democracy was antithetical to freedom.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A government is viewed as legitimate when

A) there is no opposition to its policies.
B) all officials are elected with a majority of the popular vote.
C) the affected people recognize the government and allow it to exercise control over them.
D) it attempts to make all citizens happy.
E) it takes the form of a democracy.

Question 5

A monarchy is government ruled by

A) the elites.
B) the church.
C) one person.
D) the people.
E) the wealthy.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT true of the framers of the U. S. Constitution?

A) They drafted a blueprint for how the government should go about dealing with problems and conflicts into the future.
B) They only were concerned with problems immediately facing the new nation.
C) They guaranteed the losers of political battles rights and liberties.
D) They included mechanisms to resolve conflicts in a procedural manner.
E) They established rules for settling conflicts based on fairness and proper procedure.

Question 7

__________is a collection of public institutions in a nation that establish and enforce the rules by which the members of that nation must live.

A) Congress
B) Bureaucracy
C) Courts
D) Civic academy
E) Government

Question 8

Power

A) always has negative results.
B) is not conducive to democracy.
C) does not exist in a democracy.
D) is necessary in any government in order that it may enforce its rules.
E) is necessary in a democracy in order that anti-government forces may be kept quiet and under control.

Question 9

A(n) ______ is a form of government in which a small exclusive class holds supreme power.

A) republic
B) monarchy
C) oligarchy
D) theocracy
E) civic union

Question 10

Which of the following nations currently has a theocratic form of government?

A) United States
B) Israel
C) Japan
D) Iran
E) Mexico

Question 11

Democracy is

A) government in which elected officials have control and remove any power or authority from the people.
B) a form of government in which a small exclusive class holds supreme power.
C) government in which religion must play a significant role.
D) government in which the people, either directly or through elected representatives, hold power and authority.
E) the only true and legitimate form of government.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of an authoritarian form of government?

A) The government does not provide for the physical needs of its citizens.
B) One person or one political party maintains complete control and suppresses all other political parties and interests.
C) Literacy is non-existent among the common citizens.
D) Diverse religions are normally tolerated and encouraged.
E) Alliances and interactions among other nations are commonplace.

Question 13

A form of government in which one person exercises supreme authority is a(n)

A) oligarchy.
B) theocracy.
C) authoritarian.
D) monarchy.
E) democracy.

Question 14

When considering public policy the president and other elected officials utilize several perspectives. The __________ perspective considers prior decision as a precedent for the current situation.

A) historical
B) global
C) popular
D) common
E) anticipative

Question 15

John Locke purposed that ______ law supersedes any law made by government.

A) natural
B) civil
C) human
D) criminal
E) environmental

Question 16

Political philosopher Thomas Hobbes believed that the essence of government is

A) to make all people happy to the extent that this is possible.
B) to manage naturally occurring conflicts.
C) to repress any opposition to the legitimate government.
D) that it has no moral authority.
E) to produce wealth for every human being.

Question 17

Which of the following terms best describes Hobbes's image of society without government?

A) Peaceful
B) Stable
C) Harmonious
D) Brutish
E) All of the above are true.

Question 18

__________ is a state of lawlessness and discord in the political system caused by lack of government.

A) Anomie.
B) Alliance.
C) Anarchy.
D) Oligarchy.
E) Non-compliance.

Question 19

In political theory, a social contract is

A) an agreement people make with one another to form a government and abide by its rules and laws, and in return, the government promises to protect the people's rights and welfare and promote their best interests.
B) a civil agreement.
C) a peace accord.
D) an alliance of racial and ethnic groups within a society with the goal of keeping social order.
E) a mediated peace.

Question 20

Which of the following methods of communication did NOT affect a U.S. presidential election?

A) Television
B) On-line social media
C) Radio
D) Rotary press
E) Movable type

Question 21

How does representative democracy differ from direct democracy?

A) In a direct democracy the citizens are taxed directly, whereas in representative democracy taxes are less obvious.
B) In a direct democracy the individual citizens play an active and direct role in government, whereas in representative democracy they elect officials to act on their behalf.
C) Unlike direct democracy, representative democracy eliminates the power of the citizens to have any say in government.
D) The only difference between the two is the way in which representatives are elected.
E) Direct democracy is synonymous with a monarchy, whereas representative democracy allows more citizen involvement in government.

Question 22

Which of the following is an example of how the concept of natural law could be applied?

A) The city government prevents a developer from destroying a wooded area.
B) A totalitarian ruler exercises power over citizens by eliminating private ownership of property.
C) Nearly all citizens realize that every child has a right to live free from abuse, and the governing body enacts a law to protect that right.
D) Laws are abolished and each person is free to determine his or her own moral compass and  destiny.
E) Capitalism is abolished.

Question 23

How does a direct democracy work?

A) The economic elite are the decision makers.
B) All members of the public meet to discuss policy and make decisions.
C) Elected representatives made decisions on behalf of the public.
D) The public can give input, but the decisions are made by elected officials.
E) The people elect representatives who are responsible for policymaking.

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT true of immigrants coming to America?

A) They were seeking a better life from better-improved economic conditions.
B) They were fleeing from religious or political persecution.
C) They were almost all forced here against their will.
D) They found the land first occupied by Native Americans.
E) Their arrival had a profound influence on the core values of American political culture.

Question 25

The Seventeenth Amendment was ratified in 1913. What did it change?

A) Prior to 1913, the president was elected by the state legislatures.
B) It provided for direct election of U.S. senators by the people.
C) It created the sales tax.
D) It created the electoral college.
E) It lowered the voting age to 18 years of age.

Question 26

The District of Columbia had no electoral votes until

A) 1776.
B) 1800.
C) 1865.
D) 1961.
E) 2006.

Question 27

Who determines public policies in an indirect democracy?

A) The people
B) The courts
C) The bureaucracy
D) Religious leaders
E) Representatives

Question 28

In what year was the U.S. Constitution amended to ensure that race would not deny voting rights?

A) 1789.
B) 1840.
C) 1870.
D) 1920.
E) 1964.

Question 29

The values and beliefs toward government and its operations and institutions, widely held among its citizens in a society, are often referred to as

A) political culture.
B) political leaning.
C) partisanship.
D) collective ideology.
E) politics.

Question 30

According to John Locke, a primary function of government is to

A) protect natural rights.
B) promote human rights.
C) produce employment opportunities.
D) prevent poverty.
E) provide economic equality.

Question 31

A system of government in which representatives of the people are chosen by election is called

A) hegemonic democracy.
B) tutelary democracy.
C) indirect democracy.
D) direct democracy.
E) constitutional democracy.

Question 32

Which of the following accurately describes an indirect democracy?

A) Representatives of the people are chosen by ballot.
B) Economic elites make decisions for the country as a whole.
C) Social elites make decisions for the country as a whole.
D) The people come together to discuss and decide on policy.
E) The judicial system creates legislation.

Question 33

The United States has been described as a system of governments. This arrangement is referred to as federalism and is important in understanding American democracy. What is the total number of governments (federal, state, local, etc.) currently operating throughout the nation?

A) Approximately 50
B) Approximately 1,000
C) Approximately 3,000
D) Approximately 25,000
E) Approximately 90,000

Question 34

Representative democracy is often referred to as which of the following synonymous terms?

A) Elective government
B) Capitalism
C) Federalism
D) Republic
E) Congress

Question 35

In its history of more than 225 years, the U.S. Constitution has never been amended to restrict anyone's right to vote, but it has been amended __________ to extend voting rights.

A) one time
B) two times
C) six times
D) ten times
E) twenty-seven times

Question 36

One of the most important reasons for the strength and endurance of the U.S. Constitution is

A) its flexibility.
B) its rigidity.
C) the ability of ordinary citizens to change it.
D) its declaration that the power of government is supreme.
E) that it is steadfast and cannot change.

Question 37

The Twenty-fourth Amendment extended the right to vote by

A) giving women the right to vote.
B) giving residents of the District of Columbia electoral votes in presidential elections.
C) preventing states from levying a poll tax.
D) lowering the voting age to eighteen.
E) None of the above is true.

Question 38

Natural law is

A) an agreement people make with one another to form a government and abide by its rules and laws.
B) a form of government in which one political party, group, or person maintains complete control over the nation.
C) the extent to which the people afford the government the authority to exercise power.
D) that the essence of government is to is to manage naturally occurring conflicts.
E) the idea that people are born with natural rights that are more fundamental than any law a government might make.

Question 39

The Twenty-sixth Amendment, ratified in 1971,

A) gave voting rights to all African Americans.
B) eliminated artificial barriers to voter participation.
C) lowered the voting age for U.S. citizens from 21 years old to 18 years old.
D) gave women the right to vote.
E) mandated automated voting machines in all states.

Question 40

The formal Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in

A) 1787.
B) 1776.
C) 1783.
D) 1789.
E) 1791.

Question 41

The idea of limited government is NOT reflected by

A) the idea that "the government that governs least governs best."
B) the idea that government should limit individuals' actions to protect citizens from one another.
C) the notion that communities and the private sector should take a role in helping fellow citizens.
D) problems that may be solved without government should be solved that way.
E) the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances.

Question 42

Which of the following ethnic groups was interned for reasons of national security?

A) Chinese Americans during the Korean War
B) Native Americans after the Trail of Tears
C) Japanese Americans during World War II
D) Irish Americans during the Potato Famine
E) German Americans during World War II

Question 43

History has shown that ethnic and racial diversity in our nation

A) has weakened our social fabric.
B) has eliminated racial tensions.
C) has actually enhanced the quality of our culture and helped to guarantee the fairness of the government.
D) has led to a society in which it is necessary to have multiple layers of government, each serving a different racial constituency.
E) has weakened religious purity.

Question 44

Which of the following is NOT true in considering the influence of money and power on the political system?

A) American elections have always been dominated by individuals with power and influence.
B) Political machines all but controlled the nomination process for much of the nation's history.
C) The shift has moved from the influence of political machines to the wealthy.
D) It has been proven that every elected official is disproportionately influenced to vote in favor of wealthy and powerful corporations.
E) The shift from the political machines to the wealthy may be a positive change.

Question 45

What year did NOT see a serious economic downturn for the U. S. economy?

A) 1873
B) 1954
C) 1837
D) 1929
E) 1893

Question 46

In 2008 and 2012, the percentage of eligible Americans actually voted was

A) Around 50 percent.
B) Around 10 percent.
C) Around 60 percent.
D) Around 25 percent.
E) Around 75 percent.

Question 47

Power is the capacity of getting individuals to do something that they may not otherwise do. Describe some ways in which a government uses power legitimately and ways in which it could use power illegitimately, if that is possible. Give an example of an improper use of power in our nation's history.

Question 48

Thomas Jefferson described the concept of limited government as

A) "The state government is limited in its ability to tax its citizens."
B) "No federal government can circumvent the power of the states."
C) "The government that governs least governs best."
D) "The state government is subservient to the federal government."
E) "There are limits to the powers that the state can exercise."

Question 49

According to the text, partisan gridlock

A) reached an all-time low in 2011.
B) is the decreased relations between parties.
C) has loomed over budget bills.
D) may give way to party polarization.
E) All of the above are true.

Question 50

In policy development the majority rule is very much dependent upon

A) historical facts.
B) support from other countries.
C) funding.
D) public opinion.
E) belief in fairness.

Question 51

The last five presidents included

A) four with degrees from Harvard or Yale.
B) two with experience running two of the largest states.
C) one Rhodes Scholar.
D) a two-term vice president.
E) All of the above are true.

Question 52

Which of the following statements is true?

A) The growth of the U. S. economy through the time after World War II established the United States as the preeminent fiscal power in the world.
B) The fiscal strength of the United States established the dollar as the benchmark unit of currency for the world.
C) The fiscal strength of the United States enabled the United States to build a military capability superior to other nations.
D) Options A, B, and C are true.
E) None of the above is true.

Question 53

According to the text, which of the following is NOT considered a possible reason for the decline in our political system?

A) The decline of the U.S. as an Economic Superpower
B) Partisan gridlock that holds up policies moving through it
C) Weak candidates for high office
D) The death of capitalism
E) The rights of certain racial and ethnic groups being slowly taken away

Question 54

Which of the following is NOT an example of the domination of elections in the United States by individuals with immense power and influence?

A) Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall in New York City
B) The Thomas Prendergast Machine in Missouri
C) Carnegie Hall in New York
D) The Daley Political Machine in Chicago
E) All of the above are true.

Question 55

The concept of individualism is a collective American value meaning that

A) citizens are primarily responsible for their lot in life.
B) court rulings are custom-made to suit the individual.
C) the rights of the individual outweigh the rights and powers of the government.
D) in essence, the individual is expected to look after his/her own interests and is not responsible for others.
E) "my rights are more important than your rights."

Question 56

Legitimacy is the extent to which the people (or the "governed") afford the government the authority and right to exercise power. Contrast the current government in the United States with that of Iran. Do the two differ significantly in their level of legitimacy? If so, why do you feel that there is a difference, and what could be done to make the two countries more similar in regard to legitimacy?

Question 57

That "the will of people" ought to guide public policy is a concept that is defined as

A) liberty.
B) pluralism.
C) plurality.
D) majority rule.
E) politics.

Question 58

Which of the following was cited as evidence of the failure of the capitalist system?

A) The passage of Medicare
B) The sharp drop in the price per share of Facebook immediately after its initial public offering
C) The passage of the Homestead Act
D) The collapse of many of the largest U. S. financial institutions and the real estate market in 2008
E) The launch of Sputnik I

Question 59

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A) The Japanese economy flourished in the decades after World War II.
B) Japanese GDP has not yet exceeded American GDP.
C) Japan was able to avoid the pitfalls of industrialization experienced by the advanced economies prior to World War II.
D) Japan's economy took off quickly after converting to a free market system.
E) Japan had the world's second largest economy by the 1970s.

Question 60

The U. S. Supreme Court decision that made possible unlimited contributions during an election was

A) Schenck v. U. S.
B) Dennis v. U. S.
C) Marbury v. Madison.
D) Citizens United v. FEC.
E) Citizens United v. U. S.

Question 61

Compare and contrast partisan gridlock in the U. S. Congress during the period 2010-2012 with Congressional accomplishments during that same period. How effective has the "responsive theory of government" been shown to be by those two sets of events?

Question 62

Compare and contrast the John Adams-Thomas Jefferson election and the 1968 Republican presidential primary contest as examples of negative campaigning versus issue-oriented campaigning.

Question 63

Compare and contrast the percentage of votes cast by eligible voters ages 18-29 in the 2008 elections and in prior elections in terms of the effectiveness of efforts targeting young voters to increase voter turnout.

Question 64

A core value in American political culture is the concept of majority rule; however, another core value is minority rights. Describe how the American constitutional form of government can protect both core values.

Question 65

Compare and contrast the theories of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. Include in your discussion how each theorist has affected the American system of government.

Question 66

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of democracy over other forms of government. To what extent is the United States a democracy? To what extent does the United States embody other forms of government?

Question 67

Compare and contrast the percentage of votes cast by eligible voters ages 18-29 in the 2008 elections and in prior elections in terms of the effectiveness of efforts targeting young voters to increase voter turnout.

Question 68

The authors of your textbook present arguments for and against the decline of American Democracy. Discuss the most compelling arguments on each side of the debate. What is your position on this debate?

Question 69

Americans witnessed much discussion and debate since the 2000 presidential election ended with George Bush assuming the office having failed to win the popular vote. Give an example of another presidential election in which a candidate was declared the winner having not won the popular vote.