Foundations of Government Review

Which of the following is the best definition of "government?"

• An organization that provides goods and services to citizens

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

• A group of people who make laws for a country

• A system for collecting taxes from citizens

Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics of a state?

• Population

• Territory

• Democracy

• Sovereignty

Which theory of government development is based on the idea that government is created as a result of an agreement between the people and the state?

• Evolution theory

• Force theory

• Divine right theory

• Social contract theory

In which form of government does one person hold all power and make decisions without consulting others?

• Oligarchy

• Democracy

• Autocracy

• Monarchy

What distinguishes an oligarchy from an autocracy?

• Oligarchy is ruled by a single monarch, while autocracy is ruled by a group

• Oligarchy is ruled by a small group, while autocracy is ruled by one person

• Oligarchy is always democratic, while autocracy is always a dictatorship

• Oligarchy is based on elections, while autocracy is based on inheritance

Which form of government is characterized by power being inherited and passed down through a royal family?

• Democracy

• Oligarchy

• Monarchy

• Dictatorship

Which type of government holds power by divine right from a deity, with laws rooted in religion or religious doctrine?

• Theocracy

• Democracy

• Oligarchy

• Monarchy

Which of the following is a characteristic of a unitary system of government?

• All governmental power is vested in the central government.

• Powers are shared between state and national governments.

• Regional governments have more power than the central government.

• The executive and legislative branches are always separate.

What is a key feature of a confederal system?

• Regional governments delegate power to the national government.

• The central government holds all authority.

• The executive and legislative branches are always combined.

• The people elect the president directly.

Which of the following best describes a parliamentary system?

• The legislative and executive bodies are combined.

• The president is elected by the people.

• The executive branch has more power than the legislative branch.

• The legislature cannot remove the prime minister.