Page 1 of 84
POLI 202 — WESTERN POLITICAL HERITAGE (HANCOCK, BYU
INDEPENDENT STUDY) UPDATED EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST EDITION 2026
POLI 202 — Western Political Heritage (Hancock, BYU Independent Study)
Exam Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
10-Point Exam Coverage Summary
1. Foundations: Classical vs. Modern Political Philosophy – The break from the classical
"question of the good," contemplation dethroned, Machiavelli's effectual truth
2. Medieval Collapse & Reformation – Collapse of medieval synthesis, Luther, Calvin, and
the spiritual enhancement of the secular
3. Machiavelli & the New Political Science – The Prince, realist political theory, lion and
fox, morality in politics
4. Descartes & the Science of Progress – Modern rationalism, doubt, the Cartesian project
5. Hobbes & the Science of Rights – Leviathan, state of nature, social contract, absolute
sovereignty
6. Locke & the Dynamic Right of Property – Second Treatise, natural rights, property,
limited government, right of revolution
7. The Federalist Papers & the American Founding – Federalist No. 49, Declaration of
Independence, constitutionalism, tradition vs. rationalism
8. Rousseau & the Quest for Wholeness – General Will, Discourse on Inequality, critique of
modern civilization
9. Burke & Tradition vs. Abstract Reason – Conservatism, prejudice, veneration, critique of
French Revolution
10. Mill, Marx, Nietzsche & Tocqueville – Liberty, utilitarianism, ideological materialism, will
to power, democratic soul
1|Page
,Page 2 of 84
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS — CLASSICAL VS. MODERN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (1–20)
1. According to Professor Hancock, what is the key difference between ancient (or classical)
political philosophy and modern political philosophy?
A) Ancient philosophy focuses on power while modern philosophy focuses on justice
B) Modern political philosophy repudiates the classical question of the good
C) Ancient philosophy is religious while modern philosophy is secular
D) Modern philosophy rejects all forms of government
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hancock identifies the repudiation of the classical question of the good as the
defining break between ancient and modern political philosophy .
2. Classical philosophy was primarily concerned with the "Good," and politics were closely tied
with which of the following?
A) Power and domination
B) Virtue and morality
C) Economic prosperity
D) Military conquest
Correct Answer: B
2|Page
,Page 3 of 84
Rationale: Classical philosophy was primarily concerned with the "Good," and politics were
closely tied with virtue and morality .
3. Modern philosophy, according to the course framework, is unconcerned with the good and is
more a question of:
A) Faith
B) Function
C) Tradition
D) Revelation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Modern philosophy is unconcerned with the good and is more a question of function
.
4. What is the central tension identified in the course between the claims of truth and those of
tolerance?
A) Truth is unchanging and eternal, but tolerance requires respect for others while not
condoning what goes against eternal truths
B) Truth and tolerance are identical concepts
C) Tolerance requires accepting all claims as equally true
D) Truth must always yield to tolerance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Truth is unchanging and eternal, but not everyone knows or accepts it. Tolerance is
being respectful of others' lifestyles and choices while not condoning anything that goes against
eternal truths .
3|Page
, Page 4 of 84
5. What does "equality by default" say about human equality?
A) We are all equal because we all have value and shared humanity
B) We are all equal because nobody is better than anyone else (moral relativism)
C) We are equal only before the law
D) We are equal only in economic terms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Equality by default says that we are all equal because nobody is better than anyone
else (moral relativism) .
6. What does "substantial equality" say about human equality?
A) We are all equal because nobody is better than anyone else
B) We are all equal because we all have value and shared humanity
C) We are equal only before the law
D) We are equal only in economic terms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Substantial equality says we are all equal because we all have value and shared
humanity .
7. How does equality by default thwart true education?
A) It makes education too expensive
B) There are no eternal truths, so all knowledge is merely opinion, and education is seen as
purely utilitarian
C) It requires too much testing
D) It focuses too much on religion
4|Page
POLI 202 — WESTERN POLITICAL HERITAGE (HANCOCK, BYU
INDEPENDENT STUDY) UPDATED EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST EDITION 2026
POLI 202 — Western Political Heritage (Hancock, BYU Independent Study)
Exam Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
10-Point Exam Coverage Summary
1. Foundations: Classical vs. Modern Political Philosophy – The break from the classical
"question of the good," contemplation dethroned, Machiavelli's effectual truth
2. Medieval Collapse & Reformation – Collapse of medieval synthesis, Luther, Calvin, and
the spiritual enhancement of the secular
3. Machiavelli & the New Political Science – The Prince, realist political theory, lion and
fox, morality in politics
4. Descartes & the Science of Progress – Modern rationalism, doubt, the Cartesian project
5. Hobbes & the Science of Rights – Leviathan, state of nature, social contract, absolute
sovereignty
6. Locke & the Dynamic Right of Property – Second Treatise, natural rights, property,
limited government, right of revolution
7. The Federalist Papers & the American Founding – Federalist No. 49, Declaration of
Independence, constitutionalism, tradition vs. rationalism
8. Rousseau & the Quest for Wholeness – General Will, Discourse on Inequality, critique of
modern civilization
9. Burke & Tradition vs. Abstract Reason – Conservatism, prejudice, veneration, critique of
French Revolution
10. Mill, Marx, Nietzsche & Tocqueville – Liberty, utilitarianism, ideological materialism, will
to power, democratic soul
1|Page
,Page 2 of 84
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS — CLASSICAL VS. MODERN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (1–20)
1. According to Professor Hancock, what is the key difference between ancient (or classical)
political philosophy and modern political philosophy?
A) Ancient philosophy focuses on power while modern philosophy focuses on justice
B) Modern political philosophy repudiates the classical question of the good
C) Ancient philosophy is religious while modern philosophy is secular
D) Modern philosophy rejects all forms of government
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hancock identifies the repudiation of the classical question of the good as the
defining break between ancient and modern political philosophy .
2. Classical philosophy was primarily concerned with the "Good," and politics were closely tied
with which of the following?
A) Power and domination
B) Virtue and morality
C) Economic prosperity
D) Military conquest
Correct Answer: B
2|Page
,Page 3 of 84
Rationale: Classical philosophy was primarily concerned with the "Good," and politics were
closely tied with virtue and morality .
3. Modern philosophy, according to the course framework, is unconcerned with the good and is
more a question of:
A) Faith
B) Function
C) Tradition
D) Revelation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Modern philosophy is unconcerned with the good and is more a question of function
.
4. What is the central tension identified in the course between the claims of truth and those of
tolerance?
A) Truth is unchanging and eternal, but tolerance requires respect for others while not
condoning what goes against eternal truths
B) Truth and tolerance are identical concepts
C) Tolerance requires accepting all claims as equally true
D) Truth must always yield to tolerance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Truth is unchanging and eternal, but not everyone knows or accepts it. Tolerance is
being respectful of others' lifestyles and choices while not condoning anything that goes against
eternal truths .
3|Page
, Page 4 of 84
5. What does "equality by default" say about human equality?
A) We are all equal because we all have value and shared humanity
B) We are all equal because nobody is better than anyone else (moral relativism)
C) We are equal only before the law
D) We are equal only in economic terms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Equality by default says that we are all equal because nobody is better than anyone
else (moral relativism) .
6. What does "substantial equality" say about human equality?
A) We are all equal because nobody is better than anyone else
B) We are all equal because we all have value and shared humanity
C) We are equal only before the law
D) We are equal only in economic terms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Substantial equality says we are all equal because we all have value and shared
humanity .
7. How does equality by default thwart true education?
A) It makes education too expensive
B) There are no eternal truths, so all knowledge is merely opinion, and education is seen as
purely utilitarian
C) It requires too much testing
D) It focuses too much on religion
4|Page
