CHAPTER 1: Introduction: The Citizen and Government · 2018. 3. 21. · OBJ: Define government and...

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CHAPTER 1: Introduction: The Citizen and Government MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. The stock market crashed in ________, which plunged the United States into the Great Depression. a. 1912 d. 1933 b. 1921 e. 1941 c. 1929 ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Remembering 2. In general, Americans’ trust in their government has ________ since the 1960s. a. remained stable d. fallen slightly b. risen slightly e. fallen sharply c. risen sharply ANS: E DIF: Easy REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Remembering 3. The belief that citizens can influence what government does is called ________. a. political efficacy d. autocracy b. political saliency e. oligarchy c. popular sovereignty ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Remembering 4. Today, the federal government is a. nonexistent in the lives of most Americans. b. a small institution that enacts a small number of programs that affect a relatively small number of people. c. an enormous institution that enacts a large number of programs affecting virtually all Americans. d. an enormous institution that enacts a small number of programs affecting a relatively small number of people. e. an enormous institution that is constitutionally banned from regulating economic activities. ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Understanding 5. What do people expect from the government? a. security d. information about severe weather b. education e. all of the above c. a safe food supply ANS: E DIF: Easy REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Applying 6. How is a decline in political efficacy likely to matter for the health of the American democracy? a. It is likely to lead to an increase in political participation and a renewed interest in political life. b. It is likely to lead to a decline in political participation and a withdrawal from political life.

Transcript of CHAPTER 1: Introduction: The Citizen and Government · 2018. 3. 21. · OBJ: Define government and...

  • CHAPTER 1: Introduction: The Citizen and Government

    MULTIPLE CHOICE

    1. The stock market crashed in ________, which plunged the United States into the Great Depression.

    a. 1912 d. 1933

    b. 1921 e. 1941

    c. 1929

    ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day

    OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Remembering

    2. In general, Americans’ trust in their government has ________ since the 1960s.

    a. remained stable d. fallen slightly

    b. risen slightly e. fallen sharply

    c. risen sharply

    ANS: E DIF: Easy REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day

    OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Remembering

    3. The belief that citizens can influence what government does is called ________.

    a. political efficacy d. autocracy

    b. political saliency e. oligarchy

    c. popular sovereignty

    ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day

    OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Remembering

    4. Today, the federal government is

    a. nonexistent in the lives of most Americans.

    b. a small institution that enacts a small number of programs that affect a relatively small

    number of people.

    c. an enormous institution that enacts a large number of programs affecting virtually all

    Americans.

    d. an enormous institution that enacts a small number of programs affecting a relatively small

    number of people.

    e. an enormous institution that is constitutionally banned from regulating economic

    activities.

    ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day

    OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Understanding

    5. What do people expect from the government?

    a. security d. information about severe weather

    b. education e. all of the above

    c. a safe food supply

    ANS: E DIF: Easy REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day

    OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Applying

    6. How is a decline in political efficacy likely to matter for the health of the American democracy?

    a. It is likely to lead to an increase in political participation and a renewed interest in political

    life.

    b. It is likely to lead to a decline in political participation and a withdrawal from political life.

  • c. It is likely to lead to less dishonesty by elected representatives.

    d. It is likely to lower the total national debt.

    e. It is likely to lead to a stronger belief in the values of liberty and equality.

    ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day

    OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Understanding

    7. Political apathy among Americans hurts which core political value the most?

    a. democracy d. equality of opportunity

    b. freedom of religion e. equality of outcome

    c. economic liberty

    ANS: A DIF: Medium REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day

    OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Applying

    8. The first prerequisite to increasing political efficacy is ________.

    a. increasing political knowledge d. reducing trust in government

    b. decreasing political knowledge e. increasing political indifference

    c. reducing political participation

    ANS: A DIF: Medium REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day

    OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Applying

    9. Which of the following is NOT an accurate statement about the consequences of declining trust in

    government?

    a. Distrust threatens the government’s ability to attract good workers to the public sector.

    b. Distrust makes people less willing to pay the taxes necessary for public activities.

    c. Distrust motivates people to participate in politics through voting, volunteering for

    political campaigns, and running for office.

    d. Distrust weakens the government’s ability to help people in times of crisis.

    e. Distrust weakens the government’s ability to defend our national interest in the world

    economy.

    ANS: C DIF: Difficult REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day

    OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Understanding

    10. Which of the following is NOT a reason for the declining levels of trust in the United States in recent

    years?

    a. revelations about the faulty information that led up to the war in Iraq

    b. the government’s inability to get the economy moving following the recession of 2008

    c. an increase in the citizens’ knowledge of how the political system operates

    d. the bitter congressional battle over raising the national debt limit in 2011

    e. the government shutdown in 2013

    ANS: C DIF: Difficult REF: Government Affects Our Lives Every Day

    OBJ: Explore Americans’ attitudes toward government MSC: Understanding

    11. In order to be a good citizen, it is most critical to possess ________.

    a. powerful friends d. strongly held convictions

    b. money e. a doctoral degree in political science

    c. political knowledge

    ANS: C DIF: Easy

    REF: Citizenship is Based on Political Knowledge and Participation

    OBJ: Describe the role of the citizen in politics MSC: Understanding

  • 12. Survey data demonstrates that the level of Americans’ political knowledge is

    a. uniformly high; Americans are very interested and knowledgeable about public affairs.

    b. low and spotty.

    c. high regarding local political figures but low regarding national political figures.

    d. high concerning current events but low concerning history.

    e. high regarding governmental processes but low concerning matters related to the U.S.

    Constitution.

    ANS: B DIF: Medium

    REF: Citizenship is Based on Political Knowledge and Participation

    OBJ: Describe the role of the citizen in politics MSC: Remembering

    13. It is important for Americans to have political knowledge so that they will

    a. be able to determine who is un-American.

    b. not suffer from political efficacy.

    c. be better able to assess their own interests when making political choices.

    d. be better able to judge the legitimacy of other nations.

    e. feel a stronger sense of patriotism.

    ANS: C DIF: Medium

    REF: Citizenship is Based on Political Knowledge and Participation

    OBJ: Describe the role of the citizen in politics MSC: Remembering

    14. According to the authors of the text, democracy functions best when

    a. all citizens are members of a political party.

    b. less than a majority of citizens vote in every election.

    c. citizens are informed.

    d. all candidates for office are highly educated.

    e. all candidates for office are wealthy.

    ANS: C DIF: Medium

    REF: Citizenship is Based on Political Knowledge and Participation

    OBJ: Describe the role of the citizen in politics MSC: Applying

    15. Government can best be defined as the

    a. institutions and procedures by which a territory and its people are ruled.

    b. set of political principles and values that guide political life.

    c. legalized theft of citizens’ property.

    d. invisible hand that turns private interests into public goods.

    e. shared set of values, beliefs, and attitudes that people have about politics.

    ANS: A DIF: Easy

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    16. A government that is not constrained by legal limits and also seeks to eliminate those organized social

    groups that might challenge or limit its authority is known as a(n) ________ government.

    a. oligarchic d. democratic

    b. authoritarian e. republican

    c. totalitarian

    ANS: C DIF: Easy

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

  • 17. The willingness to be restrained by the power of social institutions, but not political or legal

    institutions, is a hallmark of a(n) ________ regime.

    a. totalitarian d. oligarchic

    b. authoritarian e. monarchic

    c. democratic

    ANS: B DIF: Easy

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    18. According to the authors of the text, what is the main benefit of a constitutional government?

    a. The government is limited by the rule of law.

    b. The government must lower taxes for the citizens.

    c. The government will distribute social goods equally.

    d. The government is stable.

    e. The government will produce high levels of economic growth.

    ANS: A DIF: Easy

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    19. A government that is formally limited by laws and rules is called ________.

    a. democratic d. authoritarian

    b. constitutional e. totalitarian

    c. oligarchic

    ANS: B DIF: Easy

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    20. Which of the following is NOT an example of a totalitarian regime?

    a. pre–World War II Italy d. the Soviet Union under Stalin

    b. pre–World War II Japan e. the United Kingdom

    c. Nazi Germany

    ANS: E DIF: Easy

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    21. The ________ was the key group in Europe that pushed for limited government.

    a. bourgeoisie d. peasantry

    b. gendarmes e. Socialist Party

    c. libertarian group

    ANS: A DIF: Easy

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    22. Having some share or say in the composition of a government’s leadership, how it is organized, or

    what its policies are going to be is called ________.

    a. government d. federalism

    b. power e. constitutionalism

    c. autocracy

    ANS: B DIF: Easy

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

  • OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    23. Direct democracy is best defined as

    a. a state of continual revolution.

    b. the system that allows people to vote by telephone or over the Internet.

    c. a system that allows citizens to vote directly for laws and policies.

    d. the competition between interest groups for governmental power.

    e. a system that allows citizens to elect representatives who play a significant role in

    governmental decision making.

    ANS: C DIF: Easy

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    24. A representative democracy is a system of government that

    a. allows citizens to vote directly on laws and policies.

    b. allows citizens to make, veto, or judge statutes personally.

    c. gives citizens a regular opportunity to elect top government officials.

    d. gives citizens the ability to make important constitutional decisions.

    e. legally requires government officials to vote for policies that a majority of their

    constituents prefer.

    ANS: C DIF: Easy

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    25. Which of the following is true regarding constitutional democracies in the world today?

    a. Over 80 percent of the global population lives in a constitutional democracy.

    b. Most people in the world experience democracy on a daily basis.

    c. Over 80 percent of the global population lives in a dictatorship.

    d. About 40 percent of the global population lives in a constitutional democracy.

    e. none of the above

    ANS: D DIF: Medium

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    26. Prior to the eighteenth century,

    a. governments were primarily democratic.

    b. totalitarian rule was common.

    c. governments rarely sought the support of their people.

    d. most governments were based on respect for the rule of law.

    e. autocracies were extremely rare.

    ANS: C DIF: Medium

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    27. The demand that there be no taxation without representation is a good example of what political

    reform of the eighteenth century?

    a. the decline of popular influence on government

    b. more popular influence on government

    c. the decline in citizenship

    d. the spread of autocracy

    e. greater attention to the economic effects of politics

  • ANS: B DIF: Medium

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    28. What major changes in Western government led to the establishment of constitutional government?

    a. legal limits on government and the right of more people to vote

    b. the right of revolution and the spread of socialism

    c. debt relief for the poor and the right of average citizens to hold office

    d. the colonialism of the New World and the right of revolution

    e. the growth in ethnic and religious diversity

    ANS: A DIF: Medium

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    29. The bourgeoisie sought to change which of the following institutions into instruments of political

    participation?

    a. monarchies d. newspapers

    b. universities e. parliaments

    c. independent judiciaries

    ANS: E DIF: Medium

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    30. ________ described politics as “who gets what, when, and how.”

    a. James Madison d. Harold Lasswell

    b. Abraham Lincoln e. John Locke

    c. Franklin Roosevelt

    ANS: D DIF: Medium

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    31. Politics can be defined as

    a. conflicts over the character, membership, and policies of any organization to which people

    belong.

    b. the informal, private organizations through which a land and its people are ruled.

    c. a hierarchically structured organization that is designed to distribute labor among several

    different groups of people.

    d. a line-and-staff organization that is designed to facilitate control over complex social

    arrangements.

    e. alliances of various interest groups, policy experts, and elected representatives who unite

    in order to promote a governmental solution to a problem.

    ANS: A DIF: Medium

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    32. According to the authors of the text, what is the goal of politics?

    a. to get as much power as possible in order to serve one’s own interests

    b. to construct a perfect constitutional order

    c. to construct a political system that is conducive to economic growth

    d. to have a say in a government’s leadership, organization, and policies

  • e. to construct a political system that provides as many people as possible with the chance to

    participate

    ANS: D DIF: Medium

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    33. Which of the following is an instrument of direct democracy?

    a. the electoral college d. the U.S. House of Representatives

    b. litigation e. the U.S. Senate

    c. an initiative

    ANS: C DIF: Medium

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    34. Which of the following is an example of the process of direct democracy?

    a. citizens in a state approving the use of medical marijuana

    b. a citizen calling her representative to complain about potholes on local roads

    c. a citizen who was never active in politics choosing to run for Congress

    d. a group of citizens coming together to debate the pros and cons of higher taxes

    e. a citizen deciding to contribute money to his preferred presidential candidate

    ANS: A DIF: Medium

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Applying

    35. Why did the Progressives support women’s suffrage in the early twentieth century?

    a. The Progressives were dominated by women.

    b. The Progressives wanted to make the United States as democratic as possible.

    c. The Progressives believed women would support their reform movement.

    d. The Progressives needed to develop a voting bloc to check and limit upper-class

    northerners.

    e. The Progressives needed to develop a voting bloc to check and limit lower-class

    southerners.

    ANS: C DIF: Difficult

    REF: Government is Made Up of the Institutions and Procedures by Which People are Ruled

    OBJ: Define government and forms of government MSC: Remembering

    36. At the time of the founding of the republic, approximately ________ percent of non–Native American

    inhabitants of the 13 states were of European ancestry.

    a. 25 d. 80

    b. 50 e. 98

    c. 65

    ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: The Identity of Americans Has Changed over Time

    OBJ: Show how the social composition of the American population has changed over time

    MSC: Remembering

    37. The population of America was about ________ million in 1790 and about ________ million in 2012.

    a. 1; 250 d. 12; 400

    b. 4; 315 e. 20; 450

    c. 10; 355

    ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: The Identity of Americans Has Changed over Time

  • OBJ: Show how the social composition of the American population has changed over time

    MSC: Remembering

    38. Which of the following statements about the changes in American society between 1900 and 2010 is

    NOT true?

    a. There has been a decline in the percentage of Americans who identify themselves as

    Protestants.

    b. The average age of Americans has fallen.

    c. There has been an increase in the percentage of Americans who live in urban areas.

    d. The percentage of Caucasians has decreased.

    e. There has been an increase in the percentage of Americans who identify as multiracial.

    ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: The Identity of Americans Has Changed over Time

    OBJ: Show how the social composition of the American population has changed over time

    MSC: Remembering

    39. The National Origins quota system

    a. allowed a large quota of new immigrants from northern European countries but only a

    small quota of new immigrants from eastern and southern European countries.

    b. allowed only a small quota of new immigrants from northern European countries but a

    large quota of immigrants from eastern and southern European countries.

    c. allowed the same quota of new immigrants from every country around the world.

    d. abolished the quota system for immigrants from certain countries.

    e. outlawed all immigration from European countries.

    ANS: A DIF: Medium REF: The Identity of Americans Has Changed over Time

    OBJ: Show how the social composition of the American population has changed over time

    MSC: Remembering

    40. Which of the following statements is true?

    a. Native Americans have always been recognized as citizens of the United States.

    b. Native Americans became U.S. citizens in 1868 when African Americans were recognized

    as citizens.

    c. Native Americans became U.S. citizens in 1924.

    d. Native Americans became U.S. citizens in 1965.

    e. Native Americans have never become U.S. citizens in American constitutional law.

    ANS: C DIF: Medium REF: The Identity of Americans Has Changed over Time

    OBJ: Show how the social composition of the American population has changed over time

    MSC: Remembering

    41. Which of the following statements best describes naturalization laws in the United States prior to

    1870?

    a. All free people could become naturalized citizens after living in the country for at least

    five years.

    b. All free people could become naturalized citizens after living in the country for at least 10

    years.

    c. Only free whites could become naturalized citizens.

    d. Only freed African American slaves could become naturalized citizens.

    e. Only Native Americans could become naturalized citizens.

    ANS: C DIF: Medium REF: The Identity of Americans Has Changed over Time

    OBJ: Show how the social composition of the American population has changed over time

    MSC: Remembering

  • 42. About ________ percent of the American adult population identifies with the Protestant, Catholic, or

    Jewish faiths.

    a. 25 d. 77

    b. 42 e. 96

    c. 60

    ANS: D DIF: Medium REF: The Identity of Americans Has Changed over Time

    OBJ: Show how the social composition of the American population has changed over time

    MSC: Remembering

    43. How does the U.S. Constitution create a system that underrepresents urban areas?

    a. It provides representation based on population in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    b. It provides each state with two U.S. senators, regardless of population.

    c. It provides for a system of direct democracy at the federal level.

    d. It requires federal officials to spend the same amount of money in rural and urban areas of

    the country.

    e. It requires that federal officials impose higher taxes on people living in urban areas of the

    country.

    ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: The Identity of Americans Has Changed over Time

    OBJ: Show how the social composition of the American population has changed over time

    MSC: Applying

    44. Which of the following statements about the United States census is most accurate?

    a. The census has always counted every person living within the boundaries of the United

    States regardless of race or ethnicity.

    b. The census has always categorized people in one of five racial groups: Native Americans,

    Latino Americans, African Americans, Caucasian Americans, and Asian Americans.

    c. The census has never categorized people by race or ethnicity.

    d. Who officials count and how they are categorized by race and ethnicity have changed

    significantly throughout American history.

    e. The current census does not allow people to identify themselves as members of more than

    one racial group.

    ANS: D DIF: Difficult REF: The Identity of Americans Has Changed over Time

    OBJ: Show how the social composition of the American population has changed over time

    MSC: Understanding

    45. The belief that political authority should rest with the people themselves is called ________.

    a. equality of opportunity d. popular sovereignty

    b. political equality e. federalism

    c. pluralism

    ANS: D DIF: Easy

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Remembering

    46. The right of each citizen to vote is an example of ________.

    a. equality of opportunity d. educational opportunity

    b. equality of result e. laissez-faire capitalism

    c. political equality

    ANS: C DIF: Easy

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

  • OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Remembering

    47. Low voter turnout and political apathy endanger ________.

    a. equality d. constitutionalism

    b. economic liberty e. laissez-faire capitalism

    c. democracy

    ANS: C DIF: Easy

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Understanding

    48. Which of the following statements is true?

    a. Americans express mixed views about government.

    b. Americans have always given all people political equality.

    c. Americans are highly engaged in public affairs.

    d. both b and c

    e. none of the above

    ANS: A DIF: Easy

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Understanding

    49. Throughout American history, the concept of liberty has been linked to the

    a. idea of privacy.

    b. idea of limited government.

    c. idea of unlimited government.

    d. idea of economic equality.

    e. Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union.

    ANS: B DIF: Medium

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Remembering

    50. The essential documents of the American founding are the ________ and the ________.

    a. Declaration of Independence; Constitution

    b. Declaration of Independence; Magna Carta

    c. Constitution; Magna Carta

    d. Constitution; Mayflower Compact

    e. Mayflower Compact; Magna Carta

    ANS: A DIF: Medium

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Remembering

    51. “One person, one vote” reflects the principle of ________.

    a. political equality d. economic liberty

    b. equality of opportunity e. popular sovereignty

    c. majority rule

    ANS: A DIF: Medium

  • REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Remembering

    52. ________ are the three core values in American politics.

    a. Liberty, equality, and democracy

    b. Democracy, patriotism, and the rule of law

    c. Equality, oligarchy, and free enterprise

    d. Anarchy, equality, and patriotism

    e. Socialism, oligarchy, and liberty

    ANS: A DIF: Medium

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Understanding

    53. In American political culture, economic freedom means ________.

    a. low inflation d. the absence of income taxes

    b. job security e. a government-controlled stock market

    c. capitalism

    ANS: C DIF: Medium

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Understanding

    54. The existence of slavery in the United States is a good example of how

    a. American values are not always reflected in practice.

    b. Americans do not value liberty.

    c. European ideals have influenced American political culture.

    d. political needs are often placed above economic needs.

    e. liberty requires popular sovereignty.

    ANS: A DIF: Medium

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Understanding

    55. The fact that the tax code in the United States is more advantageous to wealthy citizens than that of

    almost any other Western nation supports the claim that Americans

    a. strongly reject the ideal of popular sovereignty.

    b. strongly endorse the ideal of equality of opportunity.

    c. generally tolerate economic inequality.

    d. vehemently oppose all forms of inequality.

    e. believe in majority rule with minority rights.

    ANS: C DIF: Medium

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Understanding

    56. The Bill of Rights was designed to protect ________.

    a. equality d. capitalism

    b. liberty e. socialism

    c. democracy

  • ANS: B DIF: Medium

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Applying

    57. Which of the following statements best describes how Americans currently feel about laissez-faire

    capitalism?

    a. Americans strongly support capitalism and economic liberty and reject all restrictions on

    economic freedom.

    b. Americans strongly support capitalism and economic liberty but also endorse policies that

    are designed to guarantee economic equality among all citizens.

    c. Americans strongly support capitalism and economic liberty but also endorse some

    restrictions on economic freedoms to protect the public.

    d. Americans strongly oppose capitalism and economic liberty and endorse policies that are

    designed to guarantee economic equality among all citizens.

    e. Americans strongly oppose capitalism and economic liberty and endorse some restrictions

    on economic freedoms to protect the public.

    ANS: C DIF: Medium

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Applying

    58. The Constitution’s Preamble, beginning with the words “We the People,” is an illustration of

    ________.

    a. majority rule d. minority rights

    b. political equality e. political rights

    c. popular sovereignty

    ANS: C DIF: Medium

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Applying

    59. What is the most important check on majority rule in the United States?

    a. popular sovereignty

    b. pluralism

    c. the rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights

    d. laissez-faire capitalism

    e. “one person, one vote”

    ANS: C DIF: Medium

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Applying

    60. Which of the following statements concerning political values in the United States is true?

    a. American values often conflict with each other in practice.

    b. Because of their diversity, Americans do not share a similar set of core political values.

    c. The origins of American political values are found in the 1960s.

    d. American politics relies on its value neutrality.

    e. A belief in economic equality is the oldest and most strongly held American value.

    ANS: A DIF: Difficult

  • REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Understanding

    61. The U.S. House of Representatives was designed to

    a. ensure minority rights.

    b. ensure majority rule.

    c. be the least democratic chamber of Congress.

    d. protect the rights of citizens who belong to third parties.

    e. check the power of tyrannical state governors.

    ANS: B DIF: Difficult

    REF: America is Built on the Ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Democracy

    OBJ: Analyze whether the U.S. system of government upholds American political values

    MSC: Applying

    ESSAY

    1. Political analysts have identified a decline in the trust citizens put in their government. Why is trust

    such an important trait for politics? In what ways is it helpful for levels of trust to be high? What are

    some of the causes of the decline in trust? How might trust be regained?

    ANS:

    Answer will vary

    2. What does it mean to be a citizen? How have American ideals of citizenship been influenced by the

    ancient Greeks? Why is political knowledge so vital for citizenship, and what are the different types of

    political knowledge?

    ANS:

    Answer will vary

    3. Describe some of the different types of governments in the world today. How would you define and

    distinguish between them? What are the specific characteristics of a representative democracy?

    ANS:

    Answer will vary