POS 2041 U.S Government Final Exam Study Guide ACTUAL UPDATED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Module 1 American Political Culture
Government institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled
Politics conflict over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments
Political Efficacy the ability to influence government and politics
Citizenship informed and active membership in a political community
Autocracy a form of government in which a single individual--a king, queen, or dictator--
rules
Oligarchy a form of government in which a small group--landowners, military officers, or
wealth merchants--controls most of the governing decisions.
Democracy a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental
process, usually through the election of key public officials
,Constitutional Government a system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of
the government
Authoritarian Government a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits but may
nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions
Totalitarian Government a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits on its power
and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it
print out figure 1.2
Power influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies
Representative Democracy (republic) a system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play
a significant role in governmental decision making
Direct Democracy a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies
Pluralism the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the
government; the outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation
Political Culture broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should
function. American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality, and
democracy.
Liberty freedom from governmental control
Limited Government a principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are
defined and limited by a constitution
Laissez-Faire Capitalism an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are
privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government
interference
Equality of Opportunity a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom whatever
talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential
, Political Equality the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of "one person,
one vote"
Popular Sovereignty a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands
of the people
Majority Rule, Minority Rights the democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the
majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority
Which of the following is an instrument of direct e.
democracy? initiatives
a.
the U.S. Senate
b.
the U.S. House of Representatives
c.
the electoral college
d.
litigation
e.
initiatives
The U.S. House of Representatives was designed to c.
ensure majority rule.
be the least democratic chamber of Congress.
b.
check the power of tyrannical state governors.
c.
ensure majority rule.
d.
ensure minority rights.
e.
protect the rights of citizens who belong to third parties.
Which of the following statements about property c.
restrictions on the right to vote in the United States is They were in effect early in the country's history but were eliminated by 1828.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Module 1 American Political Culture
Government institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled
Politics conflict over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments
Political Efficacy the ability to influence government and politics
Citizenship informed and active membership in a political community
Autocracy a form of government in which a single individual--a king, queen, or dictator--
rules
Oligarchy a form of government in which a small group--landowners, military officers, or
wealth merchants--controls most of the governing decisions.
Democracy a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental
process, usually through the election of key public officials
,Constitutional Government a system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of
the government
Authoritarian Government a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits but may
nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions
Totalitarian Government a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits on its power
and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it
print out figure 1.2
Power influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies
Representative Democracy (republic) a system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play
a significant role in governmental decision making
Direct Democracy a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies
Pluralism the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the
government; the outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation
Political Culture broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should
function. American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality, and
democracy.
Liberty freedom from governmental control
Limited Government a principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are
defined and limited by a constitution
Laissez-Faire Capitalism an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are
privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government
interference
Equality of Opportunity a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom whatever
talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential
, Political Equality the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of "one person,
one vote"
Popular Sovereignty a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands
of the people
Majority Rule, Minority Rights the democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the
majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority
Which of the following is an instrument of direct e.
democracy? initiatives
a.
the U.S. Senate
b.
the U.S. House of Representatives
c.
the electoral college
d.
litigation
e.
initiatives
The U.S. House of Representatives was designed to c.
ensure majority rule.
be the least democratic chamber of Congress.
b.
check the power of tyrannical state governors.
c.
ensure majority rule.
d.
ensure minority rights.
e.
protect the rights of citizens who belong to third parties.
Which of the following statements about property c.
restrictions on the right to vote in the United States is They were in effect early in the country's history but were eliminated by 1828.
