Question 1

Plato was adamantly opposed to

Accepted Answer

Plato was opposed to democracy, which he criticized in his works, particularly in "The Republic." He believed democracy could lead to the election of leaders who were not wise or virtuous. Instead, Plato advocated for a form of government led by philosopher-kings, a concept that does not align with democratic principles.

Question 2

The form of government favored by Machiavelli is

Accepted Answer

Machiavelli favored a republic as the best form of government, as he articulated in his discourses on the first ten books of Livy's history of Rome.

Question 3

The American Founders attempted to create a(n)

Accepted Answer

A

Question 4

Democracy originally meant a system of rule by

Accepted Answer

Democracy, in its original conception, particularly in ancient Athens, meant a system of rule by the demos, which can be interpreted as the common people or the populace at large, encompassing both the poorest and the numerically largest class of citizens. This contrasts with rule by a select elite or a monarch.

Question 5

Aristotle argued that polity is a better form of government than democracy because

Accepted Answer

Aristotle believed that the middle class would be more likely to govern in the interest of the common good, as they are less likely to be swayed by the extremes of wealth and poverty.

Question 6

Plato and Aristotle believed that democracy is

Accepted Answer

Plato and Aristotle critiqued democracy for entrusting power to those they considered lacking in wisdom, foresight, and self-restraint, rather than to a knowledgeable or virtuous elite.

Question 7

According to Niccolò Machiavelli, the greatest danger a republic faces is that it will be

Accepted Answer

Machiavelli believed that internal corruption and the moral decay of citizens posed the greatest threat to a republic's stability and longevity. He emphasized the importance of civic virtue and the dangers of complacency and corruption within.

Question 8

One of the republican features of the U.S. Constitution is the

Accepted Answer

The division of Congress into a popular body (the House) and a more aristocratic body (the Senate) is a republican feature of the U.S. Constitution.

Question 9

Alexis de Tocqueville believed that democracy leads to

Accepted Answer

Tocqueville argued that democracy, while promoting equality, could lead to mediocrity and conformity due to the tyranny of the majority, where the majority's opinion becomes so dominant that it stifles individual thought and innovation.

Question 10

According to the Greek writer Polybius, a republic is

Accepted Answer

Polybius believed that a republic, which combines elements of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, was the most stable and effective form of government. This mixed constitution theory suggested that the strengths of each system could balance the weaknesses of the others.

Question 11

In Aristotle's terms, the good form of "rule by the many" is

Accepted Answer

Polity is Aristotle's term for the good form of "rule by the many," where governance is conducted with the common interest in mind, contrasting with democracy, which he saw as a corrupt form where the poor rule in their own interest.

Question 12

Which of the following contributed to the revival of democracy in the seventeenth century?

Accepted Answer

Roger Williams and the Levellers were significant figures in the revival of democracy in the seventeenth century. Roger Williams was a proponent of religious freedom and separation of church and state, principles that are foundational to democratic societies. The Levellers were a political movement during the English Civil War that advocated for popular sovereignty, extended suffrage, equality before the law, and religious tolerance, all key elements of democratic governance.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the idea of mixed or balanced government?

Accepted Answer

The concept of a mixed or balanced government involves the distribution of governing power among different groups to ensure stability and fairness. This idea is best represented by the sharing of power among the one (monarchy), the few (aristocracy), and the many (democracy), as described in choice A.

Question 14

Which of the following statements best reflects the early Christians' attitude toward politics?

Accepted Answer

Early Christians generally believed in obeying the existing authorities, as reflected in the New Testament, without seeking power for themselves. This attitude is encapsulated in passages like Romans 13:1, which urges Christians to submit to governing authorities because they are instituted by God. This perspective was practical for a minority group in a vast empire and aimed at avoiding unnecessary conflict with Roman authorities.

Question 15

Which of the following was NOT a feature of Niccolò Machiavelli's Discourses?

Accepted Answer

Machiavelli's "Discourses" did not advocate for the equal distribution of property to give every citizen equal power. Instead, his political theories emphasized the importance of a strong state, the virtues of a mixed government, and the role of a public-spirited citizenry, without specifically calling for economic equality.

Question 16

Majority rule must be limited to protect individual rights and liberties, according to

Accepted Answer

Liberal democracy emphasizes the protection of individual rights and liberties, even as it operates on the principle of majority rule. This balance is essential to prevent the tyranny of the majority over minority groups or individuals.

Question 17

According to the Greek philosopher Plato, which form of government is better than democracy?

Accepted Answer

Plato, in his work "The Republic," advocates for a form of government led by philosopher-kings, which he terms as guardianship or aristocracy. He argues that this form of government is superior to democracy, as it is led by the wise and knowledgeable.

Question 18

Republican political theories favor which of the following forms of government?

Accepted Answer

Republican political theories often advocate for a mixed or balanced government, which combines elements of democracy, aristocracy, and sometimes monarchy, to prevent any one group from gaining too much power and to ensure a stable and fair governance system.

Question 19

Which of the following ideologies support the democratic ideal?

Accepted Answer

Liberalism and socialism both support democratic ideals in the sense that they advocate for systems that involve public participation and equality before the law. Conservatism, depending on its form, can also support democratic principles, focusing on tradition and social stability within a democratic framework.

Question 20

Which conception of democracy stresses the rights and liberties of the individual?

Accepted Answer

Liberal democracy emphasizes the protection of individual rights and liberties, distinguishing it from other forms of democracy that may focus more on social equality or collective decision-making.

Quiz 2: The Democratic Ideal