Foundations of American Government

The framers of the Constitution intended to establish

• a representative republic

• a direct democracy

• an authoritarian state

• a socialist democracy

• a parliamentary republic

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 citizens with a minimum standard of living.

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

• 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.

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 British monarchy system, 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

What type of democracy is the current Electoral College?

• Direct Democracy

• Participatory Democracy

• Pluralist Democracy

• Elite Democracy

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

• a small elite dominates American politics.

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

• 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 comprises isolated individuals with few group affiliations outside the family.

The debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists were primarily about which of the following issues?

• The right of the people to rebel

• The existence of slavery

• The scope of power of the central government

• The need to establish a standard currency

• The representation of large and small states

Which of the following is argued by James Madison in The Federalist paper number 10?

• A system of republican representation helps to limit the excesses of factionalism.

• Small republics can better ensure individual liberty than large republics.

• The presence of a few large factions helps to protect the rights of minorities.

• Participatory democracy is the surest way to prevent tyranny.

• Eliminating the causes of factionalism is the best protection against tyranny.

According to James Madison, which of the following best controls the effects of faction?

• Direct democracy

• The popular election of state judges

• A large republic

• Property requirements for eligibility to work

• The creation of a merit-based civil service

Brutus was an example of an Anti-Federalist because he

• believed a centralized government posed a significant threat to individual rights

• argued that a national military force was needed to deal with insurrections

• argued that the laws passed by the national government were supreme over state laws

• believed that compromise between the branches of government would ensure a limited government

In The Federalist 10, James Madison argued that the new constitution would help control factions by doing which of the following?

• By creating a large republic, the new constitution made it less likely that a faction could gain enough power to dominate completely.

• The new constitution significantly limited freedom of expression, limiting factions' ability to organize.

• The new constitution gave political parties specific government powers, limiting their influence.

• Using the electoral college and the indirect election of senators would limit factions' influence.