Gov't CP Chapter 1 Textbook Exam

Which of the following is an example of a collective good?

• medical care

• college education

• automobile insurance

• home ownership

• highway system

Answer explanation

A collective good is a resource that is available to all members of a community. The highway system benefits everyone, regardless of individual contribution, making it a clear example of a collective good.

Government is typically comprised of the institutions that make (a)   decisions for a society.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

True. Government consists of institutions that create and implement public policies, making decisions that affect society as a whole.

Which of the following is not a form of political participation?

• contacting public officials

• marching in political protests

• voting

• acts of civil disobedience

• none of the above

Answer explanation

All the options listed are forms of political participation. Therefore, 'none of the above' is the correct answer, as it indicates that all the other choices are indeed forms of political engagement.

Match the following institutions with their roles.

• Advocates for specific policies and interests

• the media

• Allows citizens to choose their representatives

• elections

• Interprets and applies the law

• political parties

• Provides news and information to the public

• interest groups

• Organizes and runs candidates for political office

• courts

Answer explanation

Linkage institutions connect citizens to government. The media, interest groups, political parties, and elections serve this role, while courts primarily interpret laws and do not directly link citizens to the political process.

According to Robert Dahl’s traditional democratic theory, an ideal democratic process should satisfy all of the following criteria EXCEPT __________

• equality in voting

• effective participation

• enlightened understanding

• citizen control of the agenda

• majority rule

Answer explanation

According to Dahl, an ideal democratic process includes equality in voting, effective participation, enlightened understanding, and majority rule. However, 'citizen control of the agenda' is not a requirement in his traditional democratic theory.

The theory of hyperpluralism assumes that input from interest groups is (a)   for political decision-making.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

The theory of hyperpluralism suggests that too many interest groups can lead to chaos and ineffective governance, rather than beneficial input. Therefore, the statement is false.

Topics that are at the top of the public's concerns and have the attention of political leaders.

• Policymakers

• Public Agenda

• Public Policy

• Bias

Answer explanation

The 'Public Agenda' refers to the issues that are prioritized by the public and political leaders, making it the correct choice. It encompasses the topics of greatest concern to society, unlike 'Public Policy' or 'Bias'.

What are the four continuing challenges to democracy mentioned in the textbook? ​ (a)   ​ (b)  

​ (c)   ​ (d)  

• Increased complexity of issues

• Limited participation in government

• Escalating campaign costs

• Diverse political interests

• Increased immigration

• Decreased complexity of issues

• Unlimited participation in government

• Decreasing campaign costs

Answer explanation

The four continuing challenges to democracy include increased complexity of issues, limited participation in government, escalating campaign costs, and diverse political interests, which hinder effective governance.

Match the following descriptions with the correct definition of Democratic Pluralism.

• A political theory that values diversity within a society.

• Democratic pluralism is a political theory that emphasizes the diversity of opinions and interests within a society.

• A system that does not support a single-party rule.

• Democratic pluralism promotes a single-party system

• A system where multiple opinions and interests are recognized and valued.

• Democratic pluralism ignores diversity of opinions

• A theory that does not disregard different viewpoints.

• Democratic pluralism is a form of dictatorship

Answer explanation

Democratic pluralism is a political theory that values diverse opinions and interests in society, contrasting with dictatorship or single-party systems, which suppress such diversity.

Democratic Elitism is defined as (a)  

• A system where only the wealthiest
• A form of government where leaders
• A political theory combining elemen
• A political ideology that promotes

Answer explanation

Democratic Elitism is a political theory that merges elitism and democracy, where a select group of elites is elected through democratic processes to govern, balancing expertise with popular choice.