Civics 1.4

Why is compromise important in a democracy?

• Compromise is needed to blend and adjust competing views to find the position most acceptable to the majority.
• Compromise is needed to help ensure the equality of all persons.
• Compromise is needed to provide the largest possible degree of individual freedom.
• Compromise is needed to ensure that all citizens are satisfied with the current laws.

How might the government react to a downturn in the economy?

• The government might raise taxes to raise funds.
• The government might take steps to stimulate the economy.
• The government might revise antitrust laws to promote competition between businesses.
• The government might work to make certain supplies scarce to create an increase in prices.

According to the basic concepts of democracy, which of the following are all citizens entitled to?

• equality of worldly goods
• equality of living conditions
• equality of mental and physical abilities
• equality of opportunity

Women’s voting rights, labor rights, child labor, desegregation, and rights for people with disabilities best illustrate which of the following basic notions of democracy?

• recognition of the need for compromise
• respect for the equality of all persons
• freedom to make one's own decisions
• insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom

Which of the following is an example of a modern-day issue that could warrant protection of civil rights?

• reformation of U.S. healthcare system
• continuation of Social Security Administration
• protection of rights of the Hispanic population
• precautions regarding offshore drilling in oceans

Which of the following is an example of an American citizen’s obligation, or duty?

• understanding how laws are made
• attending court when summoned
• running for public office when qualified
  
• voting in elections to elect local candidates

Which of the following is a benefit, as well as a responsibility, of being an American citizen, as opposed to a duty?

• having to respect a neighbor’s rights
• voting for amendments to current state laws
• paying taxes to the State and Federal governments
  
• taking children to school for a certain number of days per year

Paying taxes in a democracy is considered

• a duty.
  
• an opportunity.
• a compromise.
• a process.

Which of the following best illustrates the difficulty of striking a balance between an individual's rights and the rights of society as a whole?

• A citizen votes for her chosen candidate for office.
• A businessman votes for the candidate he thinks will help his business prosper.
  
• In her pursuit of prosperity, a woman breaks the law by shoplifting.
• A man exercises his freedom of speech by wearing a T-shirt that is offensive to some conservative persons.

How does democracy protect minority rights?

• by not allowing the passage of unsatisfactory public policies
• by recognizing that the minority usually represents the popular will
• by permitting the minority to overrule the majority on vital public issues
• by insisting that the majority listen to the arguments and ideas of the minority