Government Exam Review

What is John Locke's definition of a social contract?

• A government operates with the goal of promoting human rights.
• A police state is necessary to protect people's belongings.
• Individuals should be free to do whatever they wish.
• Once a government has been formed, its laws cannot be changed.

A nation can become a state when it has which of these?

• unique customs
• standing army
• common language
• organized government

Which of the following activities in the US would most likely be paid for by a state government instead of a national government?

• inspection of agricultural products
• enforcement of traffic laws
• production of spy satellites
• maintenance of interstate highways

Which of these defines Switzerland as a sovereign state?

• It is located in an area that includes some of the Alps.
• It has different regions defined by different languages.
• It has a strict policy of separation of church and state.
• It has a central government that creates laws for the entire nation.

Which of these is an example of a government maintaining order?

• The Marines hold drives to collect toys during the holidays.
• Officers screen visitors for weapons at the entrance of a courthouse.
• Firefighters hold infant car seat clinics in fire stations.
• A community constructs a municipal water treatment plant.

Which of these would you find in a monarchy but not in a democracy?

• unelected head of state
• representatives who make laws
• political parties
• constitution

Since the writing and approval of the US Constitution in 1787, citizen movements have arisen to change the document.  Changes to the Constitution take place through which of these processes?

• war
• political parties
• custom
• amendment

Which principle of democracy establishes freedom of speech?

• transparency
• checks and balances
• bill of rights
• accountability

Which of these is true of current communist countries?

• Private investments are common.
• No one receives wages for work.
• Government controls natural resource use.
• Distribution is controlled by the workers.

In which type of economic system does government play the smallest role?

• socialism
• mixed economy
• communism
• captialism