Chapter 1—The Democratic Republic
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1.Ways in which Americans can exercise political influence include all of the following except
a. / joining a political organization.b. / voting.
c. / donating to a political campaign.
d. / not paying attention to elections.
e. / staging a protest.
ANS:DPTS:1REF:5TOP:Introduction
2.Politics is
a. / a process that resolves conflict within a society.b. / a struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups.
c. / a type of anti-social behavior by individuals.
d. / fundamentally irrelevant.
e. / both a and b.
ANS:EPTS:1REF:5TOP:Politics and Government
3.Harold Lasswell defined politics as
a. / the allocation of benefits in society.b. / the way conflict in society is solved.
c. / who gets what, when, and how.
d. / promoting equality among citizens.
e. / none of the above.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:5TOP:Politics and Government
4.An institution is
a. / a religious organization.b. / an ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society.
c. / any organization.
d. / a democratic government.
e. / part of an interest group.
ANS:BPTS:1REF:5TOP:Politics and Government
5.Government is
a. / an institution that has the power to enforce rules.b. / who gets what, when, and how.
c. / any club that sets up a platform.
d. / the same in most countries.
e. / all the above.
ANS:APTS:1REF:8TOP:Politics and Government
6.One of the original purposes of government is
a. / security or order.b. / liberty or freedom.
c. / promoting equality among citizens.
d. / promoting economic development.
e. / both c and d.
ANS:APTS:1REF:7
TOP:Why Is Government Necessary?
7.Government
a. / is the same thing as politics.b. / is easy to ignore.
c. / is very involved in peoples’ daily lives.
d. / rarely affects what people do.
e. / both a and b.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:6TOP:Is Government Everywhere
8.In Afghanistan the
a. / Taliban were voted into office by the people.b. / Afghan government gained complete control over the country.
c. / government has provided personal security for its citizens.
d. / government has survived because of the aid given by the United States and other allies.
e. / issue of corruption has finally been controlled by the government.
ANS:DPTS:1REF:7
TOP:Why Is Government Necessary?
9.Liberty is
a. / freedom to do whatever you want.b. / available only in the United States of America.
c. / the greatest freedom of the individual consistent with the freedom of other individuals.
d. / incompatible with government.
e. / a uniquely American value.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:8
TOP:Why Is Government Necessary?
10.Governments have authority
a. / when they are first organized.b. / as long as they have popular legitimacy.
c. / because they control the army and police.
d. / because people accept the government's right to establish rules and laws.
e. / both c and d.
ANS:EPTS:1REF:8
TOP:Why Is Government Necessary?
11.Legitimacy is
a. / the condition of having no government.b. / only applicable to children.
c. / popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority.
d. / only needed in times of emergency.
e. / useful to control immigration.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:8
TOP:Why Is Government Necessary?
12.To say that authority is legitimate is to
a. / state the obvious.b. / say that authority is broadly accepted.
c. / imply that the ruler has not always been perceived as the legal power.
d. / suggest that decisions are of little practical value.
e. / imply that those in power do not have the good of the public in mind when making important decisions.
ANS:BPTS:1REF:8
TOP:Why Is Government Necessary?
13.Totalitarianism as a concept means
a. / that the government controls all aspects of the political, social, and economic life of a nation.b. / the condition of having no government and no laws.
c. / the ultimate political authority is vested in the people.
d. / a limited republic where people elect officials to make decisions for them for a specific period of time.
e. / a unified government.
ANS:APTS:1REF:9
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
14.In dictatorial governments
a. / freedom of speech is usually allowed.b. / the leaders may be voted out of office.
c. / the right to a fair trial is considered a fundamental right.
d. / citizens may be abused by the government.
e. / all the above.
ANS:DPTS:1REF:9
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
15.Aristocracy means rule by
a. / the majority.b. / the best.
c. / highly qualified people.
d. / those who can read and write.
e. / religious leaders.
ANS:BPTS:1REF:9
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
16.The most important feature of Athenian democracy was that
a. / everyone could vote.b. / elected delegates made the important decisions.
c. / it was an aristocracy.
d. / the legislature was composed of all the citizens.
e. / none of the above.
ANS:DPTS:1REF:9
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
17.American society is unsuitable for direct democracy on a national basis because of
a. / the size and complexity of the society.b. / the low turnout in most elections.
c. / the level of information the public has on most issues.
d. / the complexity of most issues that come before Congress.
e. / all of the above.
ANS:EPTS:1REF:9
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
18.Popular sovereignty means
a. / that the sovereign is popular.b. / that the sovereign is supported by the people.
c. / that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people.
d. / only one sovereign can serve at a time.
e. / the sovereign can serve only two terms.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:10
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
19.The initiative is
a. / a way to remove a public official from office before to the end of his or her elected term.b. / a procedure used in Congress to prevent the passage of a bill by talking it to death.
c. / provided for in the Bill of Rights.
d. / a constitutional mechanism that is unique to California.
e. / a procedure whereby voters can propose a law or amendment within a state.
ANS:EPTS:1REF:9
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
20.A referendum takes place when
a. / Congress rejects a law passed by a state legislature.b. / the United States Supreme Court reviews laws passed by Congress and state legislatures to determine if the laws violate the U.S. Constitution.
c. / the president refers his or her budget plan to the Congress before the start of a fiscal year.
d. / a state legislature refers an act of legislation to the voters for approval or disapproval.
e. / voters choose the candidates that will represent their political party.
ANS:DPTS:1REF:9
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
21.A procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from office before his or her term has expired is called
a. / a referendum.b. / direct democracy.
c. / a recall.
d. / an initiative.
e. / popular sovereignty.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:9
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
22.If people in a state wanted to get a new law or constitutional amendment passed that the legislature has not proposed, which form of direct democracy would be the way this could be accomplished?
a. / Use the recall.b. / Start a referendum by signing petitions.
c. / Use the initiative that allows the people to propose laws.
d. / Contact their legislators via the Internet.
e. / Go to the governor and complain.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:10
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
23.Consent of the people means
a. / governments and laws derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed.b. / the people must consent to everything the government does.
c. / government must get consent of the people before it can go to war.
d. / universal suffrage.
e. / only Congress needs to get consent from the people.
ANS:APTS:1REF:10
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
24.A republic is
a. / conservative.b. / a direct democracy.
c. / a government in which sovereign power rests with the people, not a monarch.
d. / a totalitarian state.
e. / a government in which the people directly elect the president.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:10
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
25.The type of government the United States has is
a. / a direct democracy.b. / a representative democracy.
c. / a confederation.
d. / a constitutional monarchy.
e. / an anarchy.
ANS:BPTS:1REF:10
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
26.The concept of universal suffrage refers to
a. / the right of all adults to vote for a representative in government.b. / the problems people face in countries that do not have democracy.
c. / the idea that political power should be used to eliminate food shortages throughout the world.
d. / the belief hat the whole world will suffer if certain political and economic ideas are allowed to spread.
e. / a state of nature before governments existed.
ANS:APTS:1REF:11
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
27.In the United States, universal suffrage for all citizens has
a. / always been part of our election process.b. / never been that important.
c. / developed over time.
d. / changed so that today most citizens can vote.
e. / both c and d.
ANS:EPTS:1REF:11
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
28.A majority vote means the support of
a. / two-thirds of the voters.b. / more voters than any other alternative.
c. / three-fifths of the voters.
d. / more than 50 percent of the voters.
e. / the voters from the major ethnic group.
ANS:DPTS:1REF:11
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
29.To ensure that majority rule does not become oppressive, modern democracies
a. / limit political participation to individuals who are properly educated.b. / guarantee the rights of minorities.
c. / both a and b.
d. / apply term limits to elected officials.
e. / require two-thirds support of the legislature before a law can be enacted.
ANS:BPTS:1REF:11
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
30.All of the following are principles of democratic governments except
a. / universal suffrage.b. / majority rule and protection of minority rights.
c. / free, competitive elections.
d. / limited government.
e. / limiting the right to vote.
ANS:EPTS:1REF:11
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
31.To ensure that majority rule does not become oppressive, democracies
a. / limit political participation only to individuals who are educated.b. / protect minority rights.
c. / require a two-thirds vote of the legislature before a law is passed.
d. / mandate a referendum on all laws passed.
e. / do all of the above.
ANS:BPTS:1REF:11
TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
32.If voters were able to vote on national legislation
a. / they might not fully realize what the content of the legislation is.b. / few voters would be able to assess the trade-offs that are involved.
c. / voters might authorize new spending that would impact on the national debt.
d. / few voters would fully explore the consequences of their voting decisions..
e. / all the above.
ANS:EPTS:1REF:4TOP:What If...
33.Versions of elite theory suggest that
a. / elites rely on the input from interest groups within society.b. / a small elite class makes most of the important decisions.
c. / voters choose among competing elites.
d. / children who are not part of the elite class can never enter it.
e. / both b and c.
ANS:EPTS:1REF:12
TOP:What Kind of Democracy Do We Have?
34.In the pluralist view, politics is
a. / only useful for the wealthy in society.b. / the struggle among groups to gain benefits for their members.
c. / insignificant at the lower levels of government.
d. / marked by the division of society into two great classes.
e. / the major problem in modern society.
ANS:BPTS:1REF:12
TOP:What Kind of Democracy Do We Have?
35.Pluralists see public policy as
a. / resulting from competing group interactions.b. / having little relevance to the common person.
c. / the result of elite interaction and debate.
d. / more important than how government is structured and leaders are selected.
e. / a winner-take-all game.
ANS:APTS:1REF:12
TOP:What Kind of Democracy Do We Have?
36.A political culture is a
a. / written set of codes that dictate political action.b. / club that attempts to influence governmental decisions.
c. / major problem for rulers of stable forms of government.
d. / patterned set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics.
e. / manifestation of pluralism.
ANS:DPTS:1REF:13TOP:Fundamental Values
37.The two most important sources of political socialization are
a. / the American Socialist Party and the Democratic Party.b. / the rapid growth of the federal deficit and uncontrolled immigration.
c. / the family and the educational system.
d. / direct payments to individuals from Social Security and 401Ks.
e. / the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:13TOP:Fundamental Values
38.The concept of political socialization refers to
a. / the process by which beliefs and values are transmitted to individuals.b. / direct payments to individuals from the government through Social Security.
c. / individuals who are opposed to the development of a socialistic government.
d. / the gradual development of social programs within our national government.
e. / the government taking over the economic sector of the country.
ANS:APTS:1REF:13
39.Many basic guarantees of liberty are found in
a. / the protection of personal property rights.b. / the broadly defined rights of criminals, including protection from self-incrimination.
c. / the Bill of Rights.
d. / the rights of minorities.
e. / national security.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:13TOP:Fundamental Values
40.The concept that all people are of equal worth is called
a. / popular sovereignty.b. / equality.
c. / fraternity.
d. / liberty.
e. / liberalism.
ANS:BPTS:1REF:14TOP:Fundamental Values
41.All of the following are fundamental values of American political culture except
a. / liberty.b. / property.
c. / equality.
d. / authority.
e. / security.
ANS:DPTS:1REF:13-16TOP:Fundamental Values
42.The right to property is all of the following except
a. / widespread in America.b. / likely to provide power and liberty to those who own it.
c. / compatible with economic equality.
d. / fundamental to the capitalist system.
e. / a source of inequality in society.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:15-16TOP:Fundamental Values
43.Capitalism is
a. / a political theory developed by Karl Marx.b. / an economic system marked by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free markets, and freedom of contract.
c. / incompatible with property rights in wealth-creating assets.
d. / Named for the centralization of economic power in the capitol city.
e. / unpopular in the United States.
ANS:BPTS:1REF:15TOP:Fundamental Values
44.A comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and the role of government is called
a. / a political culture.b. / a dogma.
c. / an ideology.
d. / the political spectrum.
e. / political science.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:17TOP:Political Ideologies
45.Conservatives endorse all of the following except
a. / a limited role for the national government in helping individuals.b. / government action to support traditional values.
c. / patriotism.
d. / redistribution of income.
e. / the belief that the individual is responsible for his or her own well-being.
ANS:DPTS:1REF:17TOP:Political Ideologies
46.Liberals endorse all of the following except
a. / civil rights.b. / improve the welfare of individuals.
c. / a limited role for the government in helping individuals.
d. / government regulation of the economy.
e. / tolerance for political and social change.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:17-18TOP:Political Ideologies
47.Unlike liberals or conservatives, socialists advocate
a. / civil liberties.b. / economic liberty.
c. / capitalism.
d. / property rights.
e. / ownership of businesses by the government or by cooperatives.
ANS:EPTS:1REF:18TOP:Political Ideologies
48.All of the following are true of libertarians except
a. / libertarians sometimes call themselves “classical liberals.”b. / libertarians advocate redistribution of income.
c. / libertarians support laissez-faire capitalism.
d. / libertarians oppose most government activities.
e. / libertarians more typically support the Republican party.
ANS:BPTS:1REF:18-19TOP:Political Ideologies
49.Communism and fascism both
a. / champion egalitarianism.b. / exalt nationalism.
c. / have formed the basis for totalitarian governments.
d. / glorify war.
e. / were widely supported in the United States in the early twentieth century.
ANS:CPTS:1REF:18TOP:Political Ideologies
50.The following statement was probably made by a(n) ___. “The government should have no role in providing health care for the country. People should provide their own health care.”
a. / liberalb. / conservative
c. / communist
d. / socialist
e. / extreme liberal
ANS:BPTS:1REF:17TOP:Political Ideologies
51.In a representative democracy with free elections
a. / even a dictator can be elected.b. / citizens govern directly.
c. / the people govern co-equally with elected officials.
d. / the elected officials must descriptively “represent” the people.
e. / none of these.
ANS:APTS:1REF:11
TOP:What If...We Elected a Dictator?
52.Elite theory
a. / implies that the president must come from the party that holds the majority in Congress.b. / emphasizes governmental control over economic policy, but not social institutions.
c. / is viewed by political scientists as a theory that works well as a description of both how democracies should function and how democracies actually do function.
d. / indicates that a single ruler controls all aspects of the government but not economic and social institutions.
e. / is the perspective that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interest.
ANS:EPTS:1REF:11
TOP:What Kind of Democracy Do We Have?
53.The theory that politics involves conflict among interest groups using bargaining and compromise is known as
a. / pluralism.b. / elite theory.
c. / liberalism.
d. / majoritarianism.
e. / libertarianism.
ANS:APTS:1REF:12
TOP:What Kind of Democracy Do We Have?
ESSAY
1.In what ways is the government involved in one’s daily life?
ANS:
Students’ answers may vary.
PTS:1REF:6-7TOP:Why Is Government Necessary?
2.How can the continued existence of a representative democracy be guaranteed?
ANS:
Students’ answers may vary.
PTS:1REF:10-11TOP:Democracy and Other Forms of Government
3.Do you believe that pluralism or elite theory is the more accurate description of American politics? Why?
ANS:
Students’ answers may vary.
PTS:1REF:12-13TOP:What Kind of Democracy Do We Have?
4.Why does the mandate of equal treatment for all groups of Americans sometimes come into conflict with the concept of liberty?
ANS:
Students’ answers may vary.
PTS:1REF:13-14TOP:Fundamental Values
5.How did the word liberal come to change its meaning from “limited government” to “strong government?”
ANS:
Students’ answers may vary.
PTS:1REF:19-20TOP:Political Ideologies
6.Why do you think that socialism has made little headway in America, despite its popularity in other parts of the world?
ANS:
Students’ answers may vary.
PTS:1REF:18TOP:Political Ideologies
7.What are the issues liberals and conservatives tend to support and oppose?
ANS:
Students’ answers may vary.
PTS:1REF:17-18TOP:Political Ideologies
8.Compare and contrast direct democracy to representative democracy. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? In what situations might a direct democracy work? When is a representative democracy more feasible?