Question 1

Which of the following is true of the Magna Carta?

Accepted Answer

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, is significant for limiting the power of the king and ensuring certain rights to the nobility, including the requirement that the king could not impose taxes without the consent of the nobles. This was a foundational step towards the development of constitutional law and the principle of no taxation without representation, rather than serving private interests, giving unrestricted power to monarchs, establishing representative government, or being related to the American Constitution's drafting.

Question 2

Which of the following is a basic principle that had evolved in England and was incorporated by the framers of the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Limited government is a principle that evolved in England, particularly through documents like the Magna Carta, and was incorporated by the framers of the U.S. Constitution to ensure that governmental power is not absolute and is restricted by laws and a constitution.

Question 3

Why did the founders of the United States opt for representative democracy instead of the Athenian model of direct democracy?

Accepted Answer

The founders were concerned that in a direct democracy, the majority could easily override the rights of the minority, leading to potential tyranny. Representative democracy was seen as a way to balance these interests.

Question 4

Undemocratic systems that are not supported by tradition are called _____.

Accepted Answer

Undemocratic systems not supported by tradition, where power is often taken and held by force or through non-traditional means, are typically referred to as dictatorships. Monarchies, kingships, and theocracies can be undemocratic but are often rooted in tradition, while plutocracies are defined by rule by the wealthy, not necessarily lacking traditional support.

Question 5

The English Bill of Rights passed by the English Parliament in 1689 established that the king or queen:

Accepted Answer

The English Bill of Rights in 1689 required the monarch to seek Parliament's consent to maintain an army, marking a significant limitation on royal power and ensuring parliamentary control over military forces.

Question 6

Which of the following is a fundamental principle on which American democracy is based?

Accepted Answer

American democracy is based on the principle of equal protection of the law, ensuring that all individuals are treated equally under the law.

Question 7

In the island country of Semanto, quarterly meetings are held at its Civic Centre grounds to discuss and decide upon important issues of the island. Every Semanto citizen participates in the governing assembly and votes on all major issues. Semanto is an example of a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

Semanto is an example of a direct democracy because every citizen participates in the governing assembly and votes on all major issues, which is characteristic of a system where the people have a direct say in their government's decisions.

Question 8

A(n) _____ is a government system in which a leader or group of leaders seeks to control almost all aspects of social and economic life.

Accepted Answer

A totalitarian dictatorship is characterized by the control of a leader or group of leaders over almost all aspects of social and economic life, fitting the description provided.

Question 9

In the context of the English monarchy, the _____ prohibited the taking of a free man's life, liberty, or property except through due process of law.

Accepted Answer

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, established the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law. It specifically protected the rights of individuals by demanding that the king could not take a free man's life, liberty, or property except through the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land, laying an early foundation for due process.

Question 10

Which of the following is a difference between a presidential democracy and a parliamentary democracy?

Accepted Answer

In a parliamentary democracy, the executive branch (responsible for enforcing laws) is derived from the legislative branch (responsible for making laws), and they work closely together, often with the head of government (e.g., prime minister) being a member of the legislature. This contrasts with a presidential democracy, where the executive and legislative branches are separate and have distinct powers and responsibilities.

Question 11

The Declaration of Independence:

Accepted Answer

The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, articulated the political values of limited government, emphasizing that government's power comes from the consent of the governed and is established to protect the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It was not a speech, treaty, or document promoting partiality or government without consent.

Question 12

In Britain, the prime minister and the cabinet are members of the legislature that both enacts the laws and carries them out. Hence, Britain is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

In a parliamentary democracy, the executive branch derives its democratic legitimacy from its ability to command the confidence of the legislative branch, typically a parliament, and is also held accountable to that parliament. In Britain, the prime minister and cabinet are indeed members of the legislature, embodying the principle of a parliamentary democracy where the executive and legislative branches are interconnected.

Question 13

Zoya was arrested for staging a peaceful protest against animal cruelty in front of an animal-testing research institution. Zoya justified her actions by saying that the Constitution gives her the freedom to speak freely on any topic and issue. To which of the following concepts was Zoya referring?

Accepted Answer

Zoya was referring to the right to liberty, which encompasses freedoms such as the freedom of speech, allowing individuals to express their opinions and ideas freely.

Question 14

Which of the following is true of a representative democracy?

Accepted Answer

In a representative democracy, the public elects representatives who then make political decisions on their behalf, reflecting the will of the majority. This contrasts with direct democracy, where citizens themselves vote on laws and policies.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is true of direct democracy?

Accepted Answer

Direct democracy involves a high level of citizen participation as individuals have the direct power to vote on laws and policies rather than through representatives, which is characteristic of this form of government.

Question 16

A republic is essentially a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

A republic is a form of government where the country is considered a "public matter" and is typically characterized by the election of officials who represent the citizenry, making it a type of representative democracy.

Question 17

The Magna Carta:

Accepted Answer

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, is considered a foundational document for constitutional government in England. It established principles that limited the power of the king and laid the groundwork for the development of legal and political systems that respect individual rights and due process.

Question 18

Which of the following would happen if a referendum were to take place in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following would happen if...

Question 19

Joseph Stalin's rule in the Soviet Union is an example of a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

Joseph Stalin's rule in the Soviet Union is characterized as a totalitarian dictatorship because he maintained complete control over the government and the society, suppressing opposition and controlling all aspects of life in the country.

Question 20

_____ is a voluntary agreement among individuals to create a government and to give that government adequate power to secure the mutual protection and welfare of all individuals.

Accepted Answer

A social contract is a theory or model, originating during the Age of Enlightenment, that typically addresses the questions of the origin of society and the legitimacy of the authority of the state over the individual. It posits that individuals have consented, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the ruler (or to the decision of a majority) in exchange for protection of their remaining rights.

Quiz 1: America in the Twenty First Century