Democratic Ideals

The Declaration of Independence states “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This was a revolutionary change from the system of British monarchy, which was based on the divine right of kings. For which of the ideals of democracy does this quote provide a foundation?

• Popular sovereignty

• Federalism

• Separation of power

• Limited government

In the 1780s, proponents of the new Constitution cited Shays’ Rebellion as an example in support of which of the following criticisms of the national government under the Articles of Confederation?

• The national government did not provide sufficient protection of individual rights.

• The lack of a centralized judiciary made enforcement of national laws difficult.

• States with larger populations were underrepresented in Congress.

• There was a lack of a national military power to address security concerns.

All of the following were concerns about the Articles of Confederation that led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 EXCEPT

• dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties

• fear for the stability of the central government

• desire to promote trade among the states

• the need to give the central government the power to levy taxes

• dissatisfaction with the central government’s ability to provide for national defense

Which of the following statements reflects a pluralist theory of American politics?

• American politics is dominated by a small elite.

• Public policies emerge from cooperation among elites in business labor, and government.

• Public policies emerge from compromises reached among competing groups

• American politics is dominated by cities at the expense of rural areas

• The American political arena is made up of isolated individuals who have few group affiliations outside the family.

The importance of Shays' Rebellion to the development of the United States Constitution was that it

• revealed the necessity of both adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution and creating a new system of checks and balances

• demonstrated the intensity of antiratification sentiment within the thirteen states

• indicated that a strong, constitutionally designed national government was needed to protect property and maintain order

• convinced the delegates attending the Constitutional Convention to accept the Connecticut Plan

• reinforced the idea that slavery should be outlawed in the new Constitution