American Government Unit 1 Quiz 1

Which theory holds that the first governments formed as a result of people agreeing among themselves to submit to the authority of a state?

• social contract theory

• natural law

• natural rights

• divine right of kings

The supreme power of a state to act within its territory and have absolute authority over its internal and external affairs is called

• policy.

• legitimacy.

• sovereignty.

• legislative power.

The United States Government gains its legitimacy through a 'rational-legal' model... How does this explain legitimacy?

• Dynamism in personality for the leader(s)

• Tradition (heredity) determines who leads

• Use of force and manipulating fear

• Rule of law; our Constitution establishes procedures

“In such condition there is no place for industry, because the fruit thereof is uncertain . . . no arts, no letters, no society, and, which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death, and the life of man solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

—Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, 1651

What is the “condition” that Hobbes is talking about?

• the state of government

• the state of nature

• the social contract

• monarchy

Match the following

• A form of government based on religious law.

• Democracy

• A system of government where power comes from the people.

• Monarchy

• Form of democracy where citizens elect representatives to vote on their behalf

• Republic

• A system of government where power belongs to a ruling family

• Theocracy

• A system of government where the rulers have total unchecked control of the nation.

• Authoritarian

For a state to be considered sovereign it must possess _______ over itself.

• authority

• a military

• a strong economy

• full cooperation by its citizens

Is liberty absolute? In other words, do you have the liberty to do whatever you please?

• Yes

• No

Jefferson (and John Locke) believed that governments derive their powers from 

• God, the creator

• The consent of the governed

• The laws of nature

• The King of Great Britain

The right to govern as given by the governed

• Legitimacy

• Sovereignty

• Social Contract

• Tabula Rosa

A government that limits opposition to it and uses force or the threat of force to enable it to survive is known as

(a)