Government and Society Quiz

Which of the following BEST summarizes the idea that "If men were angels, no government would be necessary"?

• Government is necessary to make policy, but should not control people

• Government is necessary, because people do not always behave perfectly

• Government is not necessary, but people are better off when it exists

• Government is not necessary, because people are naturally good

According to Thomas Hobbes, which function of government would likely be most important to prevent life from being "nasty, brutish, and short"?

• Designating state flowers and other items to celebrate states

• Establishing prisons to hold criminals and reduce crime

• Passing laws to encourage the expansion of business

• Reducing property taxes to allow more people to keep more of their income

How did the establishment of nations expand the power and reach of government?

• Laws and policies of national governments affected greater numbers of people

• Leaders of towns began to appreciate the benefits of supporting local universities

• Monarchs saw towns as a source of wealth that could make them less dependent on vassals

• National governments led to an increase in the establishment of towns that became trade centers

A region can become a state when it has which of these?

• Common language

• Organized government

• Large population

• Military power

According to John Locke, political society is created when individuals voluntarily form a government to create and enforce laws. This is the basis of which of the following concepts?

• separation of powers

• government by consent

• common law

• absolute monarchy

What is government?

• services provided to a community, such as police protection, fire protection, and public health programs

• laws that protect peoples’ rights and ensure the safety of a state's citizens

• institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

• process by which public officials are elected to and removed from office

A legitimate government is

• one in which government leaders obtain and keep power by using force

• one that offers the fastest solutions to a nation’s problems and citizens’ needs

• one that is created by a union of many smaller groups that could not obtain power on their own

• one that is accepted by its people and other governments as the sovereign authority of a nation

What is one of the four characteristics of a state?

• Democracy

• Population

• Economy

• Culture

What does sovereignty allow a state to do?

• Establish a national religion

• Decide its own foreign and domestic policies

• Create a common language

• Form alliances with other states

What is necessary for a state to be considered to have a government?

• A monarchy

• A mechanism through which it makes and enforces policies

• A large population

• A strong military