Question 1

Which three American political values resolve conflict in the political system?

Accepted Answer

Democracy, liberty, and equality are the three American political values that resolve conflict in the political system. These values help to ensure that power is distributed among the people, that individual rights are protected, and that all citizens are treated fairly and equally under the law. Democracy ensures that citizens have a say in the decisions that affect their lives, liberty protects individual rights and freedoms, and equality promotes fairness and justice for all. Together, these values help to resolve conflicts and maintain a stable and just political system.

Question 2

The separation of powers refers to:

Accepted Answer

The separation of powers refers to dividing a government into different branches with distinct areas of authority. This ensures that no one branch has too much power and that each branch can provide a check on the power of the others. The three branches of the United States government are the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, each with its own unique powers and responsibilities.

Question 3

Which of the following is a reason that there is conflict in politics?

Accepted Answer

There is no national consensus on some issues, nor is there a compromise position on every issue. This lack of agreement and compromise can lead to conflict in politics. While there may be other factors that contribute to political conflict, none of the other options provided are as comprehensive or accurate as this one.

Question 4

If one group took power and established an official state religion, James Madison would likely describe the situation as:

Accepted Answer

James Madison believed that the tyranny of a faction imposing its will on the rest of the nation was a significant threat to democracy. If one group took power and established an official state religion, it would be an example of such tyranny. Madison believed that the government should prevent such actions and protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their beliefs. Therefore, E is the best choice.

Question 5

If people decide there is a problem worth solving that requires the creation of a public good, government involvement is necessary because:

Accepted Answer

Individuals may not have the resources or incentives to provide a public good on their own, making government involvement necessary. Additionally, government can help ensure the good is accessible to all and prevent free-rider problems. The other options are either incorrect or incomplete.

Question 6

For James Madison, the notion that government is necessary depended strongly on:

Accepted Answer

James Madison believed that people were self-interested and could not be trusted to rule themselves. He argued that government was necessary to control the negative effects of factions, which he believed to be an inevitable outcome of human nature.

Question 7

How does equality contribute to resolving conflict in the political system?

Accepted Answer

When people believe that they are being treated equally, they are more likely to respect the political system and its decision-making processes. This can help to reduce the likelihood and intensity of conflicts arising within the system.

Question 8

We say that a good whose benefit is shared both by the primary consumer and by society, such as public education, has what?

Accepted Answer

Public education provides a benefit to not only the primary consumer (the student) but also to society as a whole. This type of benefit is known as a positive externality.

Question 9

The idea that every person should have the same chance to realize his or her potential is most consistent with which American political value?

Accepted Answer

The idea of everyone having the same chance to realize their potential is most closely aligned with the political value of equality, which suggests that everyone should have the same opportunities and access to resources, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Question 10

It may be easy for two neighbors to agree to drain a meadow, which they possess in common, to grow crops. However, when the meadow is much larger and reaches thousands of people, the solution is more difficult because:

Accepted Answer

The answer of It may be easy for two neighbors...

Question 11

The division of power between the national government and the state and local governments is called:

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe the division of power between the national government and state and local governments is federalism.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of a public good?

Accepted Answer

A public good is something that is non-excludable and non-rival, meaning that everyone can use it and it does not diminish in quality or availability as more people use it. The interstate highway system fits this definition as anyone can use it and it does not become congested or unavailable as more people use it.

Question 13

The U.S. Constitution states that the national government must "insure domestic Tranquility." How does the U.S. government perform that function?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. government performs the function of insuring domestic tranquility through law-enforcement agencies like the FBI, National Guard, and the Department of Homeland Security. These agencies ensure that laws are enforced and that any potential threats to domestic tranquility are neutralized. Military protection (B) is also important for national security, but it may not directly relate to domestic tranquility. The system of checks and balances (C) helps prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful, but it does not directly address domestic tranquility. The powers granted to the president in Article II (D) relate to the executive branch's functioning but do not address domestic tranquility directly. While agencies like the Justice Department, Department of the Interior, and State Department (E) play a role in maintaining domestic tranquility, they may not be solely responsible for it.

Question 14

A free rider problem occurs when:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A free rider problem occurs when:
...

Question 15

Which of the following did the Founders cite in the Constitution as a reason to have a government?

Accepted Answer

The Founders cited "to secure liberty" as a reason to have a government in the Constitution. This can be seen in the preamble, which states that one of the purposes of the Constitution is to "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity."

Question 16

America predominantly uses which form of democracy?

Accepted Answer

The United States predominantly uses a representative democracy, also known as an indirect or republican democracy, where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. This differs from a direct democracy, where citizens make all government decisions themselves through voting and discussion.

Question 17

When the federal government attempts to tackle a problem, such as assisting the poor, the sick, or the aged, it is acting:

Accepted Answer

The federal government's power to assist the poor, sick, or aged falls under its constitutional power to promote the general welfare, as outlined in the preamble of the U.S. Constitution. This power has been interpreted broadly by the Supreme Court, allowing the federal government to take on a wide range of programs aimed at assisting the welfare of the country's citizens.

Question 18

A system of checks and balances:

Accepted Answer

A system of checks and balances ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by giving each branch some power over the others. This helps to prevent abuse of power and maintains a balance of power within the government.

Question 19

What is politics?

Accepted Answer

Politics is the process by which decisions are made and resources allocated in a society or organization, specifically those decisions and processes associated with the governance of a country or area. It involves the participation and influence of individuals, groups or organizations in making decisions that affect the whole society.

Question 20

John disagrees with a decision of the government and expresses his view in an article in the local newspaper. This is an example of which American political value?

Accepted Answer

John's ability to express his disagreement with the government in a public forum, such as a local newspaper, is an exercise of the American political value of liberty, which includes the freedom of speech and the press.

Quiz 1: Understanding American Politics