Question 1

According to Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence, what happens if a government fails to respect the natural rights inherent to humans?

Accepted Answer

According to the Declaration of Independence, when a government fails to protect the natural rights of its citizens, the people have the right to alter or abolish that government and create one that will protect those rights. This is stated in the famous phrase: "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness], it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government." Therefore, the correct answer is B.

Question 2

How is a government's power different than its authority?

Accepted Answer

Power is the ability to get others to do what you want, while authority is the right to use power. In the case of a government, power allows it to get individuals to obey the laws, while authority is what allows the government to make laws in the first place. Therefore, option A is the most accurate.

Question 3

Which option summarizes the authoritarian type of government?

Accepted Answer

An authoritarian government is characterized by one entity or individual holding absolute control over the government and its citizens, often without regard for civil liberties, human rights, or the rule of law. This can take the form of a dictator, military junta, or other autocrat who holds all of the power in the government.

Question 4

Why is it critical for a government to be recognized as legitimate by its people?

Accepted Answer

Legitimacy is what gives the government the right and ability to make and enforce rules. Without legitimacy, the authority and power of the government can be contested, challenged or even ignored by its citizens leading to chaos, anarchy or even revolution. Therefore, for a government to function properly, it is critical for it to be recognized as legitimate by its people.

Question 5

Which is an example of a theocracy?

Accepted Answer

The Vatican City is a theocracy, as it is led by the Pope and run by various members of the Catholic church. In a theocracy, religious leaders have significant political power and influence.

Question 6

Why is natural law seen as superior to the laws made by a government?

Accepted Answer

Natural law is based on fundamental principles of morality and ethics that are inherent to human beings, and therefore are seen as superior to any laws made by a government. Natural law provides a standard of morality that transcends any given society or government, and is believed to be universal and unchanging. This means that even if a government has laws that contradict natural law, such laws are still considered to be morally wrong and should be resisted or changed.

Question 7

Who is responsible for the concept of natural rights?

Accepted Answer

John Locke is credited with popularizing the concept of natural rights in his "Two Treatises on Government" published in 1689.

Question 8

What is the relationship between the concept of natural law and the legitimacy of a government?

Accepted Answer

The concept of natural law holds that there are certain inherent rights and principles that exist independent of human laws or institutions. In order for a government to be seen as legitimate, it must agree to respect these natural rights. This means that a government must not infringe on the individual liberties and freedoms that people are entitled to by virtue of their humanity. When a government acts in defiance of natural law, it undermines its own legitimacy and risks alienating its citizens. Therefore, respecting natural law is an essential component of a government's legitimacy.

Question 9

Which statement best reflects the concept of natural law, as proposed by John Locke?

Accepted Answer

John Locke's concept of natural law proposes that everyone is born with certain inalienable (cannot be taken away) rights that the government must respect and protect. These rights include the rights to life, liberty, and property. The government's role is to ensure that these rights are not violated and to protect its citizens. This is reflected in choice C. Choice A refers to the social contract theory, while choices B and D do not reflect Locke's concept of natural law.

Question 10

A group of citizens have just declared their independence from a tyrannical government and are now in the process of establishing a new government that will better protect their rights and freedoms. This group of people intends to use the United States Constitution as a model for their new constitution, but they also want to learn more about its foundational principles. Whose works should they read to better understand its foundations?

Accepted Answer

John Locke's political philosophy heavily influenced the foundations of the United States Constitution, particularly his advocacy for natural rights, limited government, and social contract theory. Reading his works, such as "Two Treatises of Government," would provide insight into the foundational principles of the Constitution. While Thomas Jefferson also played a significant role in drafting the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, his works alone do not fully encompass the philosophical underpinnings of the document. Alexis de Tocqueville was a French political thinker and writer who analyzed American democracy in the 19th century, but his works do not directly relate to the foundational principles of the Constitution. Harold Lasswell was a modern political scientist who studied the functioning of government and communication, but his works are not directly related to the foundations of the Constitution.

Question 11

What is the primary distinction between an oligarchy and a democracy?

Accepted Answer

The primary distinction between an oligarchy and a democracy is the distribution of power. In an oligarchy, a select class of people hold most of the power, whereas all citizens hold power in a democracy. Option A, B, and C describe government systems that have different structures and characteristics, but none of these accurately distinguish between an oligarchy and a democracy.

Question 12

The way in which institutions are organized to make rules and policies, as well as how those institutions are influenced, is known as ______.

Accepted Answer

Politics refers to the way in which societies make decisions and allocate resources. It includes the institutions and processes through which individuals and groups exercise power and influence, such as elections, political parties, interest groups, and media. The other options are related concepts, but they do not capture the entirety of what is being described in the question. Government refers specifically to the institutions and officials that have the authority to make and enforce laws, while authority refers to the legitimate exercise of power or control by a person or group. Legitimacy refers to the perception that a government or institution has the right to exercise power, often because it is seen as conforming to established norms or principles.

Question 13

Authority differs from power in that ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Authority differs from power in that ______.
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Question 14

How might a nation like Saudi Arabia, in which a royal family rules the nation based on the principles found within the Qur'an - the central text for the Islam religion - be best classified?

Accepted Answer

Saudi Arabia is classified as a theocratic monarchy because it is a monarchy where the King has both political and religious authority. The country is ruled based on Islamic law and the principles found within the Qur'an. The royal family, referred to as the House of Saud, claims to have a special relationship with God and is responsible for upholding Islamic values and traditions in the country. The country's legal system is based on Islamic law and religious leaders hold significant power and influence in the country's political and social affairs. However, there are also aspects of authoritarian rule present in Saudi Arabia, such as limited freedoms, restrictions on political participation, and the lack of a democracy.

Question 15

Why is the United States government able to maintain its strength, stability, and influence?

Accepted Answer

The United States government is able to maintain its strength, stability, and influence because it is seen as highly legitimate, with a strong foundation in democratic values and principles. This legitimacy gives the government the ability to exercise power and influence with the support and consent of its people.

Question 16

In Ancient Greece, policies and laws were formed by a sovereign body of citizens, and arguments that arose within the governing system were resolved in popular courts, where a jury made up of randomly selected citizens would hear the cases. This system of governance was run completely by the people, making it a(n) ______.

Accepted Answer

The given description aligns with the principles of a democracy, where citizens have a say in the governing system and decisions are made based on a majority vote.

Question 17

What does it mean when a government is said to have authority?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does it mean when a government...

Question 18

The ability of Congress to make legislation that requires stricter background checks on all firearms purchases, and the president's responsibility to sign or veto that bill is an example of the government's ______.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A because authority refers to the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. In this case, Congress has the authority to make legislation, and the president has the authority to sign or veto that bill.

Question 19

Which requirement must be met in order for a social contract to be valid?

Accepted Answer

The social contract is an agreement between the government and the people it governs. The contract states that the government has an obligation to protect the rights of its citizens. This means that the government must provide security, safety, and equal opportunities for all citizens. If the government fails to fulfill its obligation, the people have the right to demand change or even overthrow the government. Therefore, the requirement that the government must protect the rights of the people is essential for a valid social contract.

Question 20

Which word is derived from the Greek for "rule by the people"?

Accepted Answer

Democracy comes from the Greek words "demos", meaning "people," and "kratos", meaning "rule" or "power".

Quiz 1: Introduction to the Enduring-Democracy