GOV 310L SHAW/McDaniel Exam 1
Questions and All Solved Solutions
2026 Updated.
Define Political Science - Answer Social science that deals with the theory and practice of
politics (distribution of power and resources)
Define Government - Answer Governments are organizations of individuals who
have the power to make binding decisions on behalf
of a particular community.
What are the alternatives to government? - Answer 1. Self Interest (farmers problem of
cooperation)
2. Values
Why is government necessary? - Answer 1. to maintain order/resolve conflict
2. to protect property
3. to provide public goods (increase value of human civilization)
Why should we trust/mistrust government? - Answer Mistrust keeps government
accountable. Trust enables people to allow government to enforce its decisions.
What type of gov is the US? - Answer Republic NOT a pure democracy
How can we control the scope of conflict? - Answer 1. Privatization (localism, individualism,
privacy, free private enterprise).
2. Socialization (equality, justice, liberty, civil rights)
According to Schnattschneider's
Operational Definition of Democracy what is the essence of democratic policy based on? -
Answer 1. Conflict
2. Competition
3. Leadership
4. Organization
, Define democracy - Answer Democracy is a competitive political system in which competing
leaders and organizations define the
alternatives of public policy in such a way that the public can participate in the decision-making
process.
What were government and politics like prior to the constitution? - Answer 1. Divine right of
rulers
2. Social contract: sacrifice some freedom in exchange for security
3. High population in America
4. Unalienable rights ideas coming from GB but adopted by Americans
5. The British problem
How did the British problem lead to America needing its own government? - Answer 1.
French and Indian War, GB helped America and wanted colonies to pay for this help > coercive
acts
2. Big issue: Taxation without representation
How did the new American government organize itself? - Answer 1. Continental Congress
2. Declaration of Independence 1776
3. Articles of Confederation
4. Movement to Reform
What did the continental congress do? - Answer 1. First national legislature with 56 elected
delegates
2. Big names attended
3. Passed acts to boycott GB goods
4. Limited it's own power
What did the Declaration of Independence do? - Answer 1. Helped gain support for war
effort
2. Attracted support of foreign powers
3. Justified subsequent actions to American people
What were the Articles of Confederation? - Answer 1. First written constitution of US
2. Drafted 1777 and ratified 1781
3. Preamble, 13 articles, conclusion (only 5 pages)
Questions and All Solved Solutions
2026 Updated.
Define Political Science - Answer Social science that deals with the theory and practice of
politics (distribution of power and resources)
Define Government - Answer Governments are organizations of individuals who
have the power to make binding decisions on behalf
of a particular community.
What are the alternatives to government? - Answer 1. Self Interest (farmers problem of
cooperation)
2. Values
Why is government necessary? - Answer 1. to maintain order/resolve conflict
2. to protect property
3. to provide public goods (increase value of human civilization)
Why should we trust/mistrust government? - Answer Mistrust keeps government
accountable. Trust enables people to allow government to enforce its decisions.
What type of gov is the US? - Answer Republic NOT a pure democracy
How can we control the scope of conflict? - Answer 1. Privatization (localism, individualism,
privacy, free private enterprise).
2. Socialization (equality, justice, liberty, civil rights)
According to Schnattschneider's
Operational Definition of Democracy what is the essence of democratic policy based on? -
Answer 1. Conflict
2. Competition
3. Leadership
4. Organization
, Define democracy - Answer Democracy is a competitive political system in which competing
leaders and organizations define the
alternatives of public policy in such a way that the public can participate in the decision-making
process.
What were government and politics like prior to the constitution? - Answer 1. Divine right of
rulers
2. Social contract: sacrifice some freedom in exchange for security
3. High population in America
4. Unalienable rights ideas coming from GB but adopted by Americans
5. The British problem
How did the British problem lead to America needing its own government? - Answer 1.
French and Indian War, GB helped America and wanted colonies to pay for this help > coercive
acts
2. Big issue: Taxation without representation
How did the new American government organize itself? - Answer 1. Continental Congress
2. Declaration of Independence 1776
3. Articles of Confederation
4. Movement to Reform
What did the continental congress do? - Answer 1. First national legislature with 56 elected
delegates
2. Big names attended
3. Passed acts to boycott GB goods
4. Limited it's own power
What did the Declaration of Independence do? - Answer 1. Helped gain support for war
effort
2. Attracted support of foreign powers
3. Justified subsequent actions to American people
What were the Articles of Confederation? - Answer 1. First written constitution of US
2. Drafted 1777 and ratified 1781
3. Preamble, 13 articles, conclusion (only 5 pages)
