American Politics and the US
Constitution Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
What was the Age of Enlightenment period (late 1600s-early 1800s) - Correct
answer-It was a time that redefined human existence in such a way that it
transitioned the political and religious absolutism of the Middle Ages to an
existence more compatible with human individuality and liberty. From it come our
beliefs about individualism, equality, liberty, rights of property, and freedom of
religion. The Enlightenment also gives us government by consent, representative
democracy, and constitutionalism. Indeed, these ideas became central to the
formation of an American political identity.
How did thinking about the purpose and role of government change during the Age
of Enlightenment? - Correct answer-
What are natural rights? - Correct answer-The right to life, liberty, and property;
believed to be given by God; no government may take away
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,What did John Locke mean when he argued that individuals each have a 'natural
right" to life, liberty, and private property - Correct answer-"Natural" refers to the
fact that these are inherent to our existence and, therefore, a part of us. "Rights"
means that we are free to exercise them without needing the permission of others
What was Locke's view on human existence in an imagined "state of nature" -
Correct answer-its inconvenient
What did Montesquieu recommend in 'Spirit of the Laws' (1748) regarding the
division of political power in society - Correct answer-He argues for a separation
of powers: legislative, executive, and judicial. Each will serve as a check on the
power of the other, limiting the harm each might do.
State of Nature - Correct answer-A theory on how people might have lived before
societies came into existence
Due Process - Correct answer-The requirement that government, when dealing
with people, have in place a fair procedure which it applies equally to all
What does "social contract theory" generally assert about the relationship between
government and the people in a society - Correct answer-A powerful, foundational
agreement between people and their government in which citizens consent to be
governed so long as the government protects their natural rights.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 2
,According to the social contract, government is based on the consent of the ... -
Correct answer-both parties
What does the phrase government is based on the consent of both parties mean -
Correct answer-in order for s a social contract to work every party involved has to
agree
Social Contract - Correct answer-A powerful, foundational agreement between
people and their government in which citizens consent to be governed so long as
the government protects their natural rights.
Direct Democracy - Correct answer-A form of democracy where people participate
personally in making government decisions instead of choosing representatives to
do this for them
what fundamental natural rights do people have according to Thomas Hobbs -
Correct answer-right to life
What fundamental natural rights do people have according to John Locke - Correct
answer-liberty and property
What fundamental natural rights do people have according to J.J. Rousseau -
Correct answer-
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, How does democracy permit an on-going renegotiation of the social contract? -
Correct answer-it is controlled bottom up by an general agreement/consensus of
the people involved
The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776 by who? - Correct answer-
Thomas Jefferson
The Declaration of Independence is largely an expression of the focus on
liberty/freedom of the people discussed by which Enlightenment-era philosopher -
Correct answer-John Locke
How does the constitution embody Montesquieu's ideas and principles about
proper government - Correct answer-by separating the legislative, executive, and
judicial power, placing each into the different hands of political actors
According to the Declaration of Independence , government should protect which
natural rights? - Correct answer-Liberty and property
Does the Constitution emphasize the protection of natural right, Yes or No, Why or
Why not? - Correct answer-no, The Constitution is more interested in the
practicalities of government than in the protection of natural rights. Thus, it follows
those ideas of the Enlightenment, which advocated for a more arm's length
approach to democracy.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 4
Constitution Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
What was the Age of Enlightenment period (late 1600s-early 1800s) - Correct
answer-It was a time that redefined human existence in such a way that it
transitioned the political and religious absolutism of the Middle Ages to an
existence more compatible with human individuality and liberty. From it come our
beliefs about individualism, equality, liberty, rights of property, and freedom of
religion. The Enlightenment also gives us government by consent, representative
democracy, and constitutionalism. Indeed, these ideas became central to the
formation of an American political identity.
How did thinking about the purpose and role of government change during the Age
of Enlightenment? - Correct answer-
What are natural rights? - Correct answer-The right to life, liberty, and property;
believed to be given by God; no government may take away
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 1
,What did John Locke mean when he argued that individuals each have a 'natural
right" to life, liberty, and private property - Correct answer-"Natural" refers to the
fact that these are inherent to our existence and, therefore, a part of us. "Rights"
means that we are free to exercise them without needing the permission of others
What was Locke's view on human existence in an imagined "state of nature" -
Correct answer-its inconvenient
What did Montesquieu recommend in 'Spirit of the Laws' (1748) regarding the
division of political power in society - Correct answer-He argues for a separation
of powers: legislative, executive, and judicial. Each will serve as a check on the
power of the other, limiting the harm each might do.
State of Nature - Correct answer-A theory on how people might have lived before
societies came into existence
Due Process - Correct answer-The requirement that government, when dealing
with people, have in place a fair procedure which it applies equally to all
What does "social contract theory" generally assert about the relationship between
government and the people in a society - Correct answer-A powerful, foundational
agreement between people and their government in which citizens consent to be
governed so long as the government protects their natural rights.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 2
,According to the social contract, government is based on the consent of the ... -
Correct answer-both parties
What does the phrase government is based on the consent of both parties mean -
Correct answer-in order for s a social contract to work every party involved has to
agree
Social Contract - Correct answer-A powerful, foundational agreement between
people and their government in which citizens consent to be governed so long as
the government protects their natural rights.
Direct Democracy - Correct answer-A form of democracy where people participate
personally in making government decisions instead of choosing representatives to
do this for them
what fundamental natural rights do people have according to Thomas Hobbs -
Correct answer-right to life
What fundamental natural rights do people have according to John Locke - Correct
answer-liberty and property
What fundamental natural rights do people have according to J.J. Rousseau -
Correct answer-
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 3
, How does democracy permit an on-going renegotiation of the social contract? -
Correct answer-it is controlled bottom up by an general agreement/consensus of
the people involved
The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776 by who? - Correct answer-
Thomas Jefferson
The Declaration of Independence is largely an expression of the focus on
liberty/freedom of the people discussed by which Enlightenment-era philosopher -
Correct answer-John Locke
How does the constitution embody Montesquieu's ideas and principles about
proper government - Correct answer-by separating the legislative, executive, and
judicial power, placing each into the different hands of political actors
According to the Declaration of Independence , government should protect which
natural rights? - Correct answer-Liberty and property
Does the Constitution emphasize the protection of natural right, Yes or No, Why or
Why not? - Correct answer-no, The Constitution is more interested in the
practicalities of government than in the protection of natural rights. Thus, it follows
those ideas of the Enlightenment, which advocated for a more arm's length
approach to democracy.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 4
