PLS 101 EXAM 1 MISSOURI STATE
UNIVERSITY ACTUAL TEST PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ What is the goal of politics? Answer: To determine who gets what,
when, and how
⩥ What conditions generally shape politics? Answer: Incomplete
information and limited resources
⩥ What is a democracy? Answer: A type of politics in which collective
decisions are made by all citizens.
⩥ Define republic. Answer: Citizens vote for representatives, who
decide on issues.
⩥ Define direct democracy. Answer: Citizens decide on issues.
⩥ What is the difference between a republic and direct democracy?
Answer: A direct democracy allows citizens to vote on issues, while a
republic has citizens vote for representatives who decide on issues.
,⩥ What type of democracy is the US? Answer: Republic and direct
democracy.
⩥ How does the US compare to other rich democracies regarding
territorial division of power? Answer: The US has a federal system with
independent national/state governments, while others have unitary
systems.
⩥ How does the US compare to other rich democracies regarding
separation of powers? Answer: The US has a presidential system with
independent party control, while others have a parliamentary system.
⩥ How does the US compare to other rich democracies regarding
electoral systems? Answer: The US uses winner-takes-all, while others
use proportional representation.
⩥ Define political culture. Answer: Socially prevailing ideas, beliefs,
values, and attitudes about politics.
⩥ Define political institutions. Answer: Formal established structures,
laws, and common practices that organize functions within society.
⩥ What is 'American Exceptionalism'? Answer: American political
culture and institutions are different from other democracies.
, ⩥ How do American and European attitudes toward individualism and
hate speech differ? Answer: Americans show greater tolerance for
offensive speech and value individual self-reliance more than collective
solidarity.
⩥ Does the US spend more, equally, or less on social policy than
European countries? Answer: Less.
⩥ What historical conditions explain 'American Exceptionalism'?
Answer: Founding on ideals of liberty and equality, abundant land and
economic opportunity, and separation from European monarchies.
⩥ Define path dependence. Answer: Policies and institutions formed at
the beginning of nation and state building that persist over time.
⩥ Define critical junctures. Answer: Moments of crisis where normal
constraints are loosened.
⩥ What is the difference between path dependence and critical
junctures? Answer: Path dependence explains continuity and stability,
while critical junctures explain moments of major transformation.
⩥ Define unitary systems of territorial power distribution. Answer:
There is only one level of government: national.
UNIVERSITY ACTUAL TEST PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ What is the goal of politics? Answer: To determine who gets what,
when, and how
⩥ What conditions generally shape politics? Answer: Incomplete
information and limited resources
⩥ What is a democracy? Answer: A type of politics in which collective
decisions are made by all citizens.
⩥ Define republic. Answer: Citizens vote for representatives, who
decide on issues.
⩥ Define direct democracy. Answer: Citizens decide on issues.
⩥ What is the difference between a republic and direct democracy?
Answer: A direct democracy allows citizens to vote on issues, while a
republic has citizens vote for representatives who decide on issues.
,⩥ What type of democracy is the US? Answer: Republic and direct
democracy.
⩥ How does the US compare to other rich democracies regarding
territorial division of power? Answer: The US has a federal system with
independent national/state governments, while others have unitary
systems.
⩥ How does the US compare to other rich democracies regarding
separation of powers? Answer: The US has a presidential system with
independent party control, while others have a parliamentary system.
⩥ How does the US compare to other rich democracies regarding
electoral systems? Answer: The US uses winner-takes-all, while others
use proportional representation.
⩥ Define political culture. Answer: Socially prevailing ideas, beliefs,
values, and attitudes about politics.
⩥ Define political institutions. Answer: Formal established structures,
laws, and common practices that organize functions within society.
⩥ What is 'American Exceptionalism'? Answer: American political
culture and institutions are different from other democracies.
, ⩥ How do American and European attitudes toward individualism and
hate speech differ? Answer: Americans show greater tolerance for
offensive speech and value individual self-reliance more than collective
solidarity.
⩥ Does the US spend more, equally, or less on social policy than
European countries? Answer: Less.
⩥ What historical conditions explain 'American Exceptionalism'?
Answer: Founding on ideals of liberty and equality, abundant land and
economic opportunity, and separation from European monarchies.
⩥ Define path dependence. Answer: Policies and institutions formed at
the beginning of nation and state building that persist over time.
⩥ Define critical junctures. Answer: Moments of crisis where normal
constraints are loosened.
⩥ What is the difference between path dependence and critical
junctures? Answer: Path dependence explains continuity and stability,
while critical junctures explain moments of major transformation.
⩥ Define unitary systems of territorial power distribution. Answer:
There is only one level of government: national.
