PSCI 2305 - Exam 1 Review Questions
and Answers
Q1: Circle the correct answer. The "federal" structure of government in America means
citizens can participate in government at which levels?
a. Federal
b. State
c. Local
d. All of the Above - Answer -d. All of the Above
Q1: Short answer. Write your answer in the lines below. According to our textbook,
government is "the system by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in
order to accomplish collective goals and provide benefits to that society." What is one
assumption or prejudice involved in this definition? - Answer -The assumption is that
"The government should serve the people"
Q1: True or false? Socialism is a form of government.
a. True
b. False - Answer -b. False
Q1: What goods are available to all without direct payment?
a. Private goods
b. Public goods
c. Common goods
d. Toll goods - Answer -b.Public goods
Q1: Short answer. Write your answer in the lines below. What is the difference between
a public good and a common good? - Answer -Public goods are often provided by the
govt. Common goods are regulated by the govt.There are multiple differences; both
public and common are provided usally without cost but common goods can run out so
they need to be regulated. Why are common goods regulated? They might run out like
fish and overfishingPublic goods ex: police force
Q1: Long answer. Write your answer in the lines below. In the United States, why is
private property an important concept both economically and politically? - Answer -
Rights. For instance, when you go to court, the argument is often about "my rights are
violated" and that means that the govt gives you rights
Q2: In which form of government do rule(s) have control over every part of life?
, a. direct democracy
b. monarchy
c.oligarchy
d. totalitarian - Answer -d. totalitarian
Q2: The elite theory of government maintains that ______.
a. special interests government policy
b. politicians who have held office for a long time are favored by voters
c. poor people and of color should not be allowed to vote
d. wealthy, politically powerful people control government, and government has no
interest in meeting the needs of ordinary people - Answer -d. wealthy, politically
powerful people control government, and government has no interest in meeting the
needs of ordinary people
Q2: According to the pluralist theory of government,_____
a. government does what the majority of voters want it to do
b. government policy is formed as a result of the competition between groups with
different goals and interests
c. ordinary people acting on their own have a significant influence on government
d. wealthy people decide what government policy will be, and politicians have no
interest in pleasing anyone else - Answer -b. government policy is formed as a result of
the competition between groups with different goals and interests
Q2: True or false? Civic engagement requires joining a group.
a. true
b. false - Answer -b. false
Q2: Which of the following is NOT a good example of a tradeoff?
a. The government pleases environmental activists by preserving public lands and also
allows ranchers to rent public lands for grazing purposes.
b. The government pleases environmental activists by reintroducing wolves to
Yellowstone National Park, which has the effect of placing ranchers' cattle in danger.
c. Political attack ads that energize the political base but alienate undecided voters. -
Answer -a. The government pleases environmental activists by preserving public lands
and also allows ranchers to rent public lands for grazing purposes.
Q2: What kinds of people are most likely to become active in politics or community
service? Why? - Answer -People most likely to become active in politics include older,
well-educated, wealthy individuals. This is because they are better off in terms of social
economics status (stability) their passionate as many attend political rallies/donate to
campaigns. On the other hand younger people may not be interested in politics but they
look for community service such as volunteering as they see it coming with an incentive
or requirement for high school.
Q3: British colonists in North America in the late seventeenth century were greatly
influenced by the political thought of _______.
and Answers
Q1: Circle the correct answer. The "federal" structure of government in America means
citizens can participate in government at which levels?
a. Federal
b. State
c. Local
d. All of the Above - Answer -d. All of the Above
Q1: Short answer. Write your answer in the lines below. According to our textbook,
government is "the system by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in
order to accomplish collective goals and provide benefits to that society." What is one
assumption or prejudice involved in this definition? - Answer -The assumption is that
"The government should serve the people"
Q1: True or false? Socialism is a form of government.
a. True
b. False - Answer -b. False
Q1: What goods are available to all without direct payment?
a. Private goods
b. Public goods
c. Common goods
d. Toll goods - Answer -b.Public goods
Q1: Short answer. Write your answer in the lines below. What is the difference between
a public good and a common good? - Answer -Public goods are often provided by the
govt. Common goods are regulated by the govt.There are multiple differences; both
public and common are provided usally without cost but common goods can run out so
they need to be regulated. Why are common goods regulated? They might run out like
fish and overfishingPublic goods ex: police force
Q1: Long answer. Write your answer in the lines below. In the United States, why is
private property an important concept both economically and politically? - Answer -
Rights. For instance, when you go to court, the argument is often about "my rights are
violated" and that means that the govt gives you rights
Q2: In which form of government do rule(s) have control over every part of life?
, a. direct democracy
b. monarchy
c.oligarchy
d. totalitarian - Answer -d. totalitarian
Q2: The elite theory of government maintains that ______.
a. special interests government policy
b. politicians who have held office for a long time are favored by voters
c. poor people and of color should not be allowed to vote
d. wealthy, politically powerful people control government, and government has no
interest in meeting the needs of ordinary people - Answer -d. wealthy, politically
powerful people control government, and government has no interest in meeting the
needs of ordinary people
Q2: According to the pluralist theory of government,_____
a. government does what the majority of voters want it to do
b. government policy is formed as a result of the competition between groups with
different goals and interests
c. ordinary people acting on their own have a significant influence on government
d. wealthy people decide what government policy will be, and politicians have no
interest in pleasing anyone else - Answer -b. government policy is formed as a result of
the competition between groups with different goals and interests
Q2: True or false? Civic engagement requires joining a group.
a. true
b. false - Answer -b. false
Q2: Which of the following is NOT a good example of a tradeoff?
a. The government pleases environmental activists by preserving public lands and also
allows ranchers to rent public lands for grazing purposes.
b. The government pleases environmental activists by reintroducing wolves to
Yellowstone National Park, which has the effect of placing ranchers' cattle in danger.
c. Political attack ads that energize the political base but alienate undecided voters. -
Answer -a. The government pleases environmental activists by preserving public lands
and also allows ranchers to rent public lands for grazing purposes.
Q2: What kinds of people are most likely to become active in politics or community
service? Why? - Answer -People most likely to become active in politics include older,
well-educated, wealthy individuals. This is because they are better off in terms of social
economics status (stability) their passionate as many attend political rallies/donate to
campaigns. On the other hand younger people may not be interested in politics but they
look for community service such as volunteering as they see it coming with an incentive
or requirement for high school.
Q3: British colonists in North America in the late seventeenth century were greatly
influenced by the political thought of _______.
