1 | Page
Texas State University
POSI 2310 APGOPO Unit 1: Foundations of
Democracy Questions and Answers 2026
Latest Update
Limited Government Ans: The idea that certain restrictions should be
placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.
Natural Rights Ans: the idea that all humans are born with rights, which
include the right to life, liberty, and property
Social Contract Ans: An agreement between the people and their
government signifying their consent to be governed
Popular Sovereignty Ans: A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.
Declaration of Independence Ans: Signed in 1776 by US revolutionaries; it
declared the United States as a free state.
Articles of Confederation Ans: 1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788
(weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate
trade)
Preamble Ans: Introduction to the Constitution, beginning, "We the People
of the United States..."
U.S. Constitution Ans: "The supreme law of the land." Written in 1787 at
Philadelphia Convention to replace Articles of Confederation and create
stronger central government. Outlines structure & power of 3 branches of
national government. Oldest written constitution still in use (but amended
27 times plus myriad informal amendments).
Representative Democracy Ans: A system of government in which citizens
elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the
people.
© 2026 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Participatory Democracy Ans: a system of democracy in which all members
of a group or community participate collectively in making major decisions
Pluralist Democracy Ans: a model of democracy that stresses vigorous
competition among various interests in a free society
Elite Democracy Ans: A political system in which the privileged classes
acquire the power to decide by a competition for the people's votes and
have substantial freedom between elections to rule as they see fit.
Hyperpluralism Ans: a theory of government and politics contending that
groups are so strong that government is weakened
Federalists Ans: A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution
during ratification debates in state legislatures.
Anti-Federalists Ans: Anti-Federalists rose up as the opponents of the
Constitution during the period of ratification. They opposed the
Constitution's powerful centralized government, arguing that the
Constitution gave too much political, economic, and military control. They
instead advocated a decentralized governmental structure that granted most
power to the states
Centralized government Ans: a form of government in which the national
government has most of the power, while the states have little power
Decentralized government Ans: A decentralized government is one where
its top level decision-making processes are dispersed throughout the system
rather than being concentrated on one person, place or legislative body
Reserved powers Ans: Powers not specifically granted to the federal
government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people
Republic Ans: A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders
by voting
Factions Ans: Political groups that agree on objectives and policies; the
origins of political parties.
Shay's Rebellion Ans: This conflict in Massachusetts caused many to
criticize the Articles of Confederation and admit the weak central
government was not working; uprising led by Daniel Shays in an effort to
© 2026 All rights reserved
Texas State University
POSI 2310 APGOPO Unit 1: Foundations of
Democracy Questions and Answers 2026
Latest Update
Limited Government Ans: The idea that certain restrictions should be
placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.
Natural Rights Ans: the idea that all humans are born with rights, which
include the right to life, liberty, and property
Social Contract Ans: An agreement between the people and their
government signifying their consent to be governed
Popular Sovereignty Ans: A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.
Declaration of Independence Ans: Signed in 1776 by US revolutionaries; it
declared the United States as a free state.
Articles of Confederation Ans: 1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788
(weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate
trade)
Preamble Ans: Introduction to the Constitution, beginning, "We the People
of the United States..."
U.S. Constitution Ans: "The supreme law of the land." Written in 1787 at
Philadelphia Convention to replace Articles of Confederation and create
stronger central government. Outlines structure & power of 3 branches of
national government. Oldest written constitution still in use (but amended
27 times plus myriad informal amendments).
Representative Democracy Ans: A system of government in which citizens
elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the
people.
© 2026 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Participatory Democracy Ans: a system of democracy in which all members
of a group or community participate collectively in making major decisions
Pluralist Democracy Ans: a model of democracy that stresses vigorous
competition among various interests in a free society
Elite Democracy Ans: A political system in which the privileged classes
acquire the power to decide by a competition for the people's votes and
have substantial freedom between elections to rule as they see fit.
Hyperpluralism Ans: a theory of government and politics contending that
groups are so strong that government is weakened
Federalists Ans: A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution
during ratification debates in state legislatures.
Anti-Federalists Ans: Anti-Federalists rose up as the opponents of the
Constitution during the period of ratification. They opposed the
Constitution's powerful centralized government, arguing that the
Constitution gave too much political, economic, and military control. They
instead advocated a decentralized governmental structure that granted most
power to the states
Centralized government Ans: a form of government in which the national
government has most of the power, while the states have little power
Decentralized government Ans: A decentralized government is one where
its top level decision-making processes are dispersed throughout the system
rather than being concentrated on one person, place or legislative body
Reserved powers Ans: Powers not specifically granted to the federal
government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people
Republic Ans: A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders
by voting
Factions Ans: Political groups that agree on objectives and policies; the
origins of political parties.
Shay's Rebellion Ans: This conflict in Massachusetts caused many to
criticize the Articles of Confederation and admit the weak central
government was not working; uprising led by Daniel Shays in an effort to
© 2026 All rights reserved
