Political Science: American Government Exam
Questions with Expert Solutions
Politics - Answer The process of resolving conflicts and deciding "who gets what, when, and how."
Institution - Answer An ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society.
Government - Answer Institutions through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.
Security - Answer The state of being free from danger or injury.
Liberty - Answer Freedom in society that is consistent with the freedom of others.
Authority - Answer The right an power of a government or other intity to enforceits decisions and
compel obedience.
Legitimacy - Answer Popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to
exercise authority.
Republic - Answer A form of government in which sovereign power rests with the people, raher than
with a king or monarch.
Popular Sovereignty - Answer The concept that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the
people.
Representative Democracy - Answer A form of government in which representatives elected by the
people make and enforce laws and policies; may retain the monarchy in a ceremonial role.
Suffrage - Answer The right to vote; the franchise.
, Majoritarianism - Answer A political theory holding that in a democracy, the government ought to do
what the majority of the people want.
Elite Theory - Answer A perspective holding that society is ruled by a small number of people who
exercise power to further their self-interest.
Pluralism - Answer A theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups. Political decision
making is characterized by compromise and accommodation.
The Bill of Rights - Answer The first ten amendments to the Constitution, dealing mostly with civil rights.
The Constitution - Answer Rules established for the government for the United States.
Equality - Answer As a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth.
Order - Answer A state of peace and security.
Ideology - Answer A comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and about the role of an
institution or government.
Conservatism - Answer Believes in a limited role for the government in helping individuals, supports
traditional values and lifestyles, cautious to change.
Liberalism - Answer Believes in positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals,
support for civil rights, and tolerance for political and social change.
Socialism - Answer Believes in strong support for economic and social equality from the government
Libertarianism - Answer Believes the government should not be involved in anything.
Questions with Expert Solutions
Politics - Answer The process of resolving conflicts and deciding "who gets what, when, and how."
Institution - Answer An ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society.
Government - Answer Institutions through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.
Security - Answer The state of being free from danger or injury.
Liberty - Answer Freedom in society that is consistent with the freedom of others.
Authority - Answer The right an power of a government or other intity to enforceits decisions and
compel obedience.
Legitimacy - Answer Popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to
exercise authority.
Republic - Answer A form of government in which sovereign power rests with the people, raher than
with a king or monarch.
Popular Sovereignty - Answer The concept that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the
people.
Representative Democracy - Answer A form of government in which representatives elected by the
people make and enforce laws and policies; may retain the monarchy in a ceremonial role.
Suffrage - Answer The right to vote; the franchise.
, Majoritarianism - Answer A political theory holding that in a democracy, the government ought to do
what the majority of the people want.
Elite Theory - Answer A perspective holding that society is ruled by a small number of people who
exercise power to further their self-interest.
Pluralism - Answer A theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups. Political decision
making is characterized by compromise and accommodation.
The Bill of Rights - Answer The first ten amendments to the Constitution, dealing mostly with civil rights.
The Constitution - Answer Rules established for the government for the United States.
Equality - Answer As a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth.
Order - Answer A state of peace and security.
Ideology - Answer A comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and about the role of an
institution or government.
Conservatism - Answer Believes in a limited role for the government in helping individuals, supports
traditional values and lifestyles, cautious to change.
Liberalism - Answer Believes in positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals,
support for civil rights, and tolerance for political and social change.
Socialism - Answer Believes in strong support for economic and social equality from the government
Libertarianism - Answer Believes the government should not be involved in anything.
