American Government Semester Exam

This term means a state has supreme and absolute authority within its territorial boundaries.

• consensus

• sovereignty

• social contract

• democracy

This is the institution through which the state maintains social order.

• sovereignty

• republic

• politics

• government

American colonies declared their independence based on

• Aristotle's theory of polls.

• Aztec's divine right theory.

• John Locke's political writings.

• consensus of the public.

An agreement about basic beliefs is called

• consensus.

• confederacy.

• sovereignty.

• politics.

A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government is called:

• federal system.

• confederacy.

• unitary system.

• democracy.

This plan provides the rules for government.

• constitution

• confederacy

• preamble

• politics

This statement in the constitution sets forth the goals and purposes to be served by the government.

• prologue

• preamble

• preface

• prelude

Defining the extent and limits of government power and rights of citizens is the purpose of

• a federal system.

• a unitary system.

• politics.

• constitutional law.

The effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government is called

• constitutional law.

• preamble.

• politics.

• constitution.

A state has sovereignty when it is able to do which of the following?

• freely create and enforce laws

• invade and take over any other state

• occupy a particular area

• punish its citizens for any action