We The People Chapter 1 Questions – Flashcards

The institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled are called its a. economy. b. legislature. c. politics. d. government.

The core political values of the United States are a. liberty and responsibility. b. liberty, equality, and minority rights. c. liberty, equality, and democracy. d. liberty, democracy, and capitalism.

Throughout U.S. history, Americans have a. supported strong government. b. been suspicious of strong government. c. moved from suspicion of government to enthusiastic support for government. d. moved from a belief in no government to a belief in strong government.

In which of the following activities will a typical college student feel the presence of their state government? a. studying in the library b. reading the nutrition label on a box of cereal c. taking American Government 101 d. surfing the Internet

According to the ancient Greeks, a citizen was a. any free male who was at least 18 years old. b. anyone who was knowledgeable of and actively participated in government. c. anyone born of Greek parents. d. anyone who votes.

According to your textbook, why are knowledgeable citizens more engaged in politics? a. because they read the newspaper b. because they understand how politics affects their lives c. because they enjoy working for political campaigns d. none of the above

A system of rule in which the government seeks to impose its will by suppressing any and all other groups and individuals in society that might pose a challenge to its power is called a. direct democracy. b. autocratic. c. oligarchic. d. totalitarian.

The bourgeoisie championed a. democracy. b. "taxation without representation." c. limitations on government power. d. societal revolution.

The bourgeoisie in Europe sought to a. open up political participation to all social classes. b. restore the divine right of kings. c. turn institutions—especially parliaments—into instruments of real political participation for the middle class. d. overthrow parliaments.

The famous political scientist Harold Lasswell defined politics as the struggle over a. who gets elected. b. who gets what, when, and how. c. who protests. d. who gets to vote.

A student council is an example of a. direct democracy. b. representative democracy. c. limited democracy. d. an oligarchy.

Some states allow ballot referenda or popular initiatives, which are forms of a. representative democracy. b. totalitarianism. c. direct democracy. d. monarchy.

Which of the following statements describes America's growing population since its founding? a. More Americans trace their roots to Europe today than ever before. b. African Americans now make up a much smaller percentage of the total population. c. The percentage of the American population that identifies as Protestants has been on the rise. d. The number of elderly Americans has grown, and the number of children eighteen and under has declined.

Which of the following is a key part of American political culture? a. belief in equality of results b. belief in limiting opportunity c. belief in individual liberty d. belief in economic equality

The U.S. definition of liberty refers to a. personal freedom only. b. economic liberty only. c. personal and economic freedom. d. political and religious freedom.

Laissez-faire capitalism has been limited by a. public opinion, which opposes capitalism. b. voluntary actions by big businesses. c. government regulation. d. papal encyclicals.

Many of the conflicts in American politics today revolve around a. the proper scope of government. b. whether government should exist at all. c. allowing minorities to participate in government. d. consolidating the three branches of the military into one.

The principle of political equality can be best summed up as a. "equality of results." b. "equality of opportunity." c. "one person, one vote." d. "equality between the sexes."

In a democracy, sovereignty is vested in a. the president. b. the federal government. c. the people. d. Congress.

Which of the following is NOT a principle of our democracy? a. majority rule b. complete freedom c. minority rights d. equality of opportunity

In an indirect democracy, public policies are determined by a. consensus. b. oligarchs. c. religious figures. d. representatives.

Popular Sovereignty has its roots in a. monarchism. b. natural law. c. elitism. d. ecumenicalism.