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AP GOVERNMENT UNIT 1: FOUNDATIONS
OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS
Limited Government - correct-answer - a governing or controlling body whose
power exists only within pre-defined limits that are established by a constitution
or other source of authority. The government doesn't have absolute authority.
The government only has the power that the constitution gives.
Social Contract - correct-answer - the authority to rule is granted to the
government by the people who make the contract with the government. People
agreed to give up power voluntarily to the state in return for the state's service to
the general wellbeing of the people. Theory promotes popular sovereignty,
limited government, and individual right.
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Natural Rights - correct-answer - the idea that all humans are born with rights.
That which is inalienable cannot be bought, sold, or transferred from one
individual to another. The personal rights to life and liberty guaranteed by the
Constitution of the United States are inalienable.
According to John Locke , what three rights must the government protect? -
correct-answer - life, liberty, and property
Which three rights are mentioned as unalienable in the deceleration of
independence? - correct-answer - Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
Define popular sovereignty - correct-answer - the concept that political power
rests with the people who can create, alter, and abolish government. People
express themselves through voting and free participation in government
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Define republicanism - correct-answer - a form of government in which power
resides in the people and is exercised by their elected representatives
Define equality - correct-answer - the state of being equal, especially in status,
rights, and opportunities
Which of these ideas of democracy are reflected on the Declaration of
independence? Quotes to support? - correct-answer - I think elite democracy is
presented in the deceleration of independence because in order to be a leader or
of higher power in that democracy you have to own land, be of a certain age, and
have some type of political background so when the framers were making
requirements of who is able to hold certain positions they made sure that they
had similar characteristics as them. Old, rich (with land), and educated.
Define participatory democracy. Give and example. - correct-answer - a political
system in which all of most citizens participate directly by either holding office or
AP GOVERNMENT UNIT 1: FOUNDATIONS
OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS
Limited Government - correct-answer - a governing or controlling body whose
power exists only within pre-defined limits that are established by a constitution
or other source of authority. The government doesn't have absolute authority.
The government only has the power that the constitution gives.
Social Contract - correct-answer - the authority to rule is granted to the
government by the people who make the contract with the government. People
agreed to give up power voluntarily to the state in return for the state's service to
the general wellbeing of the people. Theory promotes popular sovereignty,
limited government, and individual right.
,2|Page
Natural Rights - correct-answer - the idea that all humans are born with rights.
That which is inalienable cannot be bought, sold, or transferred from one
individual to another. The personal rights to life and liberty guaranteed by the
Constitution of the United States are inalienable.
According to John Locke , what three rights must the government protect? -
correct-answer - life, liberty, and property
Which three rights are mentioned as unalienable in the deceleration of
independence? - correct-answer - Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
Define popular sovereignty - correct-answer - the concept that political power
rests with the people who can create, alter, and abolish government. People
express themselves through voting and free participation in government
, 3|Page
Define republicanism - correct-answer - a form of government in which power
resides in the people and is exercised by their elected representatives
Define equality - correct-answer - the state of being equal, especially in status,
rights, and opportunities
Which of these ideas of democracy are reflected on the Declaration of
independence? Quotes to support? - correct-answer - I think elite democracy is
presented in the deceleration of independence because in order to be a leader or
of higher power in that democracy you have to own land, be of a certain age, and
have some type of political background so when the framers were making
requirements of who is able to hold certain positions they made sure that they
had similar characteristics as them. Old, rich (with land), and educated.
Define participatory democracy. Give and example. - correct-answer - a political
system in which all of most citizens participate directly by either holding office or
