POSC 101 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
What is the phenomenon known as the "free rider" problem as described in the Olson
chapter? - Correct Answers -ASK INSTRUCTOR: When an individual can foresee that
their small contribution to collective action will not affect its overall success
From Olson: "There is obviously no purpose in having an organization when individual,
unorganized action can serve the interests of the individual..."
Thus, there is no point in forming an organization to play solitare. - Correct Answers -
True
What are some of the kinds of organizations that Laski studied exist to "fulfill purposes
which a group of men have in common," in other words, those that would seemingly be
conducive to collective action? - Correct Answers -All of the Above -> labor unions, farm
organizations, corporations
What is the example that Hardin gives to illustrate the development of the tragedy of the
commons? - Correct Answers -A pasture open to all, with herdsmen putting as many as
possible of their cattle on it
The tragedy of the commons is about "tragedy" as Whitehead meant = unhappiness. -
Correct Answers -False
The tragedy of the commons as Whitehead meant = is the remorseless working of
things. - Correct Answers -True
What were the opponents to Constitutional ratification known as? - Correct Answers -
Anti-Federalists
What were the issues raised by those opposed to Constitutional ratification in 1787? -
Correct Answers -A and B. - how can the presence of a distant, national government
advance democracy over the states AND - why should the small, (then) unelected, and
maolapproportioned Senate be permitted to veto any proposed arising in the more
democratic institution of the House of Representatives
According to the view of James Madison, what causes government everywhere to
perish? - Correct Answers -Instability, Injustice, and Confusion
, Define faction in the Madisonian sense. - Correct Answers -A number of citizens
whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole who are united and actuated
by some common impulse of passion or interest adversed to the rights of other citizens
Why is the remedy for curing faction "worse than the disease"? - Correct Answers -ASK
INSTRUCTOR: Liberty fuels faction, like air fuels fire; but getting rid of liberty would be
as foolish and wishing to get rid of air- just because liberty also nourishes faction, as air
nourishes fire.
What is the first object of government in Madison's view? - Correct Answers -The
diversity of the faculties of men from which the rights of property originate
Via Madison, what's the most common and durable source of factions? - Correct
Answers -Unequal distribution of property
In the Constitution as originally ratified, the provisions regarding which of the following
most closely approximates popular, majoritarian democracy? - Correct Answers -
Election of the members of the House of Representatives
Article I, Section 8 is viewed as one of the most important in the Constitution. Why? -
Correct Answers -All of the Above -> allows Congress to coin and borrow money, allows
Congress to declare war and raise armies for 2 years and maintain a navy, allows
Congress to make all laws that are necessary and proper for executing its powers
States, according to the full faith and credit clause of the Constitution - Correct Answers
-must honor public records, acts (marriage), and judicial proceedings of every other
state
Article V describes the process whereby the Constitution can be changed. How? -
Correct Answers -All of the Above -> 2/3 of both houses shall deem it necessary to
propose amendments, the application of 2/3 of the state legislature call a convention for
proposing amendments, ratification of 3/4 of the state legislatures of the proposed
amendments
According to the Constitution, Congress has the power of the purse. Which Article and
Section specify where bills for raising revenue shall originate? - Correct Answers -Article
1, Section 8 in the House of Representatives
How long is the Constitution comparatively? - Correct Answers -Short, it's only about 6
pages in our textbook
The US Constitution is considered among the most stable in the world. Why? - Correct
Answers -It has been amended only 27 times
Congress appears handcuffed by deep partisan polarization. What consequence(s)
does partisan polarization have? - Correct Answers -All of the Above -> thwarts the will
CORRECT ANSWERS
What is the phenomenon known as the "free rider" problem as described in the Olson
chapter? - Correct Answers -ASK INSTRUCTOR: When an individual can foresee that
their small contribution to collective action will not affect its overall success
From Olson: "There is obviously no purpose in having an organization when individual,
unorganized action can serve the interests of the individual..."
Thus, there is no point in forming an organization to play solitare. - Correct Answers -
True
What are some of the kinds of organizations that Laski studied exist to "fulfill purposes
which a group of men have in common," in other words, those that would seemingly be
conducive to collective action? - Correct Answers -All of the Above -> labor unions, farm
organizations, corporations
What is the example that Hardin gives to illustrate the development of the tragedy of the
commons? - Correct Answers -A pasture open to all, with herdsmen putting as many as
possible of their cattle on it
The tragedy of the commons is about "tragedy" as Whitehead meant = unhappiness. -
Correct Answers -False
The tragedy of the commons as Whitehead meant = is the remorseless working of
things. - Correct Answers -True
What were the opponents to Constitutional ratification known as? - Correct Answers -
Anti-Federalists
What were the issues raised by those opposed to Constitutional ratification in 1787? -
Correct Answers -A and B. - how can the presence of a distant, national government
advance democracy over the states AND - why should the small, (then) unelected, and
maolapproportioned Senate be permitted to veto any proposed arising in the more
democratic institution of the House of Representatives
According to the view of James Madison, what causes government everywhere to
perish? - Correct Answers -Instability, Injustice, and Confusion
, Define faction in the Madisonian sense. - Correct Answers -A number of citizens
whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole who are united and actuated
by some common impulse of passion or interest adversed to the rights of other citizens
Why is the remedy for curing faction "worse than the disease"? - Correct Answers -ASK
INSTRUCTOR: Liberty fuels faction, like air fuels fire; but getting rid of liberty would be
as foolish and wishing to get rid of air- just because liberty also nourishes faction, as air
nourishes fire.
What is the first object of government in Madison's view? - Correct Answers -The
diversity of the faculties of men from which the rights of property originate
Via Madison, what's the most common and durable source of factions? - Correct
Answers -Unequal distribution of property
In the Constitution as originally ratified, the provisions regarding which of the following
most closely approximates popular, majoritarian democracy? - Correct Answers -
Election of the members of the House of Representatives
Article I, Section 8 is viewed as one of the most important in the Constitution. Why? -
Correct Answers -All of the Above -> allows Congress to coin and borrow money, allows
Congress to declare war and raise armies for 2 years and maintain a navy, allows
Congress to make all laws that are necessary and proper for executing its powers
States, according to the full faith and credit clause of the Constitution - Correct Answers
-must honor public records, acts (marriage), and judicial proceedings of every other
state
Article V describes the process whereby the Constitution can be changed. How? -
Correct Answers -All of the Above -> 2/3 of both houses shall deem it necessary to
propose amendments, the application of 2/3 of the state legislature call a convention for
proposing amendments, ratification of 3/4 of the state legislatures of the proposed
amendments
According to the Constitution, Congress has the power of the purse. Which Article and
Section specify where bills for raising revenue shall originate? - Correct Answers -Article
1, Section 8 in the House of Representatives
How long is the Constitution comparatively? - Correct Answers -Short, it's only about 6
pages in our textbook
The US Constitution is considered among the most stable in the world. Why? - Correct
Answers -It has been amended only 27 times
Congress appears handcuffed by deep partisan polarization. What consequence(s)
does partisan polarization have? - Correct Answers -All of the Above -> thwarts the will
