Ideals and Theories of Democracy

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.

Which of the following describes the social contract theory as advanced by John Locke?

• It is an agreement between political actors to maintain their grip on power.

• It is an agreement in which the government promises to provide a minimum standard of living to citizens.

• It is an agreement in which the government promises to protect the natural rights of people.

• It is an agreement between economic elites to maintain a stable economy.

• It is an agreement in which the government outlines socially acceptable norms of political behavior.

What is a key distinction between elite theories and pluralist theories regarding the distribution of power in the United States?

• Elite theories focus on the influence of wealthy individuals; pluralist theories focus on the influence of organized groups.

• Elite theories suggest that power is concentrated in the hands of a few; pluralist theories suggest that power is distributed among many groups.

• Elite theories argue that public opinion shapes policy; pluralist theories argue that policy shapes public opinion.

• Elite theories view political parties as the main actors; pluralist theories view interest groups as the main actors.

The statesman who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to [operate their business] would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention, but assume authority which could safely be trusted, not to no single person, but to no council or senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who [was so arrogant to think] himself fit to exercise it.

To . . . direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals . . . in almost all cases [is] a useless or hurtful regulation. If the produce of domestic [industry] can be brought there as cheap as that of foreign industry, the regulation is evidently useless. If it cannot, it must generally be hurtful.

-Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations, 1776

Which of the following ideals of United States government is most relevant to this passage?

• Natural rights

• Popular sovereignty

• Limited government

• Social contract

The theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in government, resulting in healthy democratic compromise and balance, is called

• elite power politics

• socialism

• pluralism

• rational choice

• institutionalism

Locke argued that we had 3 unalienable natural rights. What are they? (Select 3)

• Life

• Liberty

• Pursuit of Happiness

• Property

According to John Locke, if the government failed to protect the people's natural rights, what could the people do?

• Overthrow the government; revolt

• Petition the government for their rights

• Nothing, the people don't have rights

According to Charles Montesquieu, what is the best form of government?

• a limited government where each powers (legislative, executive, and judicial) were separate and kept each other in check to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful

• a republic of capable leaders

• absolute monarchy who was strong enough to keep people secure

• every man for himself, or anarchy

Which of the following is an example of direct democracy in the United States today?

• referendum/ballot measures

• bureaucracy/government agencies

• electoral college

• congressional hearings

Which of the following theories of democracy claims that government power is concentrated into the day to day workings of the various government agencies that execute public policy?

• hyper-pluralism

• bureaucratic theory

• pluralist theory

• traditional theory of democracy