Civics Unit 1 Topic 1 Lesson 2

Which statement best explains why government is necessary?

• To guarantee equal wealth for all people

• To maintain order, resolve conflicts, and provide services individuals can’t provide alone

• To replace all private organizations

• To control citizens’ beliefs

Which is a government function that would be difficult for individuals to do alone?

• Paving intercity highways

• Hosting private parties

• Selling personal property

• Choosing family doctors

Which example shows government promoting public health and safety?

• A restaurant’s owner chooses its menu

• A city health department inspects restaurant kitchens

• A private club sells memberships

• A company sets prices for its products

The social contract is the idea that government exists because:

• Rulers inherit power from their parents

• People give up some freedoms in exchange for protection and benefits

• Armies conquer and hold power

• Judges write all laws

Who argued that people are naturally selfish and need a strong, absolute ruler to prevent chaos?

• Rousseau

• Locke

• Hobbes

• Montesquieu

Which view fits Plato’s idea of government?

• Government’s main job is to allow people to “do their own work” without meddling

• Government’s main job is to use force frequently

• Government should never make laws

• Government must always expand taxes and services

Max Weber defined government as holding a “monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force.” What does that mean?

• Only dictators can lead

• Government alone may lawfully use force to enforce laws and defend the community

• Citizens may freely use force whenever they wish

• Laws are unnecessary

Why do people often disagree about how big government should be?

• More services usually mean higher taxes; fewer services usually mean lower taxes

• Everyone prefers higher taxes

• Services cost nothing

• Taxes are unrelated to services

Which action best serves the common good?

• Selling public parks to private resorts

• Repressive censorship of newspapers

• Funding a public museum and maintaining city parks

• Granting voting rights to only a few families

Which statement best distinguishes governance from government?

• Governance is any group’s oversight; government is political authority making decisions for a community

• Governance is military power; government is charity

• Governance requires elections; government does not

• Governance is only in monarchies