Gov_Units 1 and 2 Review

What is the main difference between a representative democracy and a dictatorship?

• A representative democracy has a president, while a dictatorship has a king.

• A representative democracy lets people choose leaders, while a dictatorship has one person in charge.

• A representative democracy is for small countries, while a dictatorship is for large countries.

• A representative democracy is always better than a dictatorship.

Answer explanation

The main difference is that in a representative democracy, citizens elect their leaders, ensuring public participation, while a dictatorship is characterized by centralized power held by one individual, limiting public choice.

What is a confederal government?

• A government where all the power is in the hands of the people.

• A government where different groups of smaller governments work together.

• A government where the leader is chosen by the people.

• A government where the leader has all the power.

Answer explanation

A confederal government is characterized by a union of smaller governments that collaborate while retaining their individual powers. This distinguishes it from other forms of government where power is centralized or held by a single leader.

What is a social contract theory?

• It's a theory about how people agree to follow rules to live in a safe society.

• It's a theory about how people choose their leaders.

• It's a theory about how governments work together.

• It's a theory about how people can have more freedom.

Answer explanation

Social contract theory posits that individuals consent to follow rules and norms to ensure safety and order in society. This aligns with the correct choice, emphasizing the agreement to live by rules for a secure community.

Which of the following was a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• Congress lacked the power to tax.

• Congress was not allowed to coin money.

• Congress was not allowed to conduct foreign policy.

• The president had too much power.

Answer explanation

A key weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that Congress lacked the power to tax, which hindered its ability to raise revenue and fund the government effectively.

How does the system of checks and balances work?

• It allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches.

• It ensures that the government can operate without any restrictions.

• It gives all power to the executive branch.

• It prevents the judicial branch from making any decisions.

Answer explanation

The system of checks and balances ensures that each branch of government can limit the powers of the others, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful. This promotes accountability and protects democratic principles.

The enumerated powers of Congress and the national government are those

• specifically spelled out in the Constitution.

• set out in the first ten amendments.

• not specifically spelled out in the Constitution but nonetheless acknowledged.

• requiring ratification by the states.

Answer explanation

The enumerated powers of Congress and the national government are those specifically spelled out in the Constitution, detailing the authority granted to them.

What is the meaning of the supremacy clause?

• States are supreme in all areas not delegated to the federal government.

• If federal and state laws conflict, valid federal laws take precedence.

• The Supreme Court has the final word in all court cases in the United States.

• State judges have the final word in all cases arising under state law.

Answer explanation

The supremacy clause establishes that if federal and state laws conflict, valid federal laws take precedence, ensuring a uniform legal framework across the country.

Powers that are not specifically stated in the Constitution but are understood to be granted to the government to carry out its enumerated powers.

• Implied powers

• Explicit powers

• Reserved powers

• Concurrent powers

Answer explanation

Implied powers are those not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are necessary for the government to execute its enumerated powers effectively. This distinguishes them from explicit, reserved, and concurrent powers.