PSC 101 Exam 1 Questions & Answers
2024/2025
Government - ANSWERSinstitutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled
Politics - ANSWERSConflict over the leadership, structure and policies of governments
Political Efficacy - ANSWERSThe ability to influence government and politics
Citizenship - ANSWERSInformed and active membership in a political community
Autocracy - ANSWERSA form of government in which a single individual - a king, queen, or dictator -
rules
Oligarchy - ANSWERSA form of government in which a small group - landowners, military officers, or
wealthy merchants - controls most of the governing decisions
Democracy - ANSWERSA 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 - ANSWERSa system of rule on which formal and effective limits are placed on
the powers of the government.
Authoritarian government - ANSWERSa 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 - ANSWERSa system of rule in which the government recognizes no limits on its
power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it
, Power - ANSWERSInfluence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies
Representative Democracy (Republic) - ANSWERSA system of government in which the populace selects
representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making
Direct Democracy - ANSWERSA system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies
Pluralism - ANSWERSThe 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 - ANSWERSBroadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government
should function. American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality and democracy.
Liberty - ANSWERSFreedom from governmental control
Limited Government - ANSWERSA principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers
are defined and limited by a constitution
Laissez-faire capitalism - ANSWERSAn economic system in which the means of production and
distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no governmental interference.
Equality of Opportunity - ANSWERSA widely shared American ideal that all people should have the
freedom to use whatever talent and wealth they have to reach their full potential
Political Equality - ANSWERSthe right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of "one
person, one vote"
Popular Sovereignty - ANSWERSA principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in
the hands of the people.
Majority Rule, Minority Rights - ANSWERSThe democratic principle that a government follows the
preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests o the minority
2024/2025
Government - ANSWERSinstitutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled
Politics - ANSWERSConflict over the leadership, structure and policies of governments
Political Efficacy - ANSWERSThe ability to influence government and politics
Citizenship - ANSWERSInformed and active membership in a political community
Autocracy - ANSWERSA form of government in which a single individual - a king, queen, or dictator -
rules
Oligarchy - ANSWERSA form of government in which a small group - landowners, military officers, or
wealthy merchants - controls most of the governing decisions
Democracy - ANSWERSA 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 - ANSWERSa system of rule on which formal and effective limits are placed on
the powers of the government.
Authoritarian government - ANSWERSa 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 - ANSWERSa system of rule in which the government recognizes no limits on its
power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it
, Power - ANSWERSInfluence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies
Representative Democracy (Republic) - ANSWERSA system of government in which the populace selects
representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making
Direct Democracy - ANSWERSA system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies
Pluralism - ANSWERSThe 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 - ANSWERSBroadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government
should function. American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality and democracy.
Liberty - ANSWERSFreedom from governmental control
Limited Government - ANSWERSA principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers
are defined and limited by a constitution
Laissez-faire capitalism - ANSWERSAn economic system in which the means of production and
distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no governmental interference.
Equality of Opportunity - ANSWERSA widely shared American ideal that all people should have the
freedom to use whatever talent and wealth they have to reach their full potential
Political Equality - ANSWERSthe right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of "one
person, one vote"
Popular Sovereignty - ANSWERSA principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in
the hands of the people.
Majority Rule, Minority Rights - ANSWERSThe democratic principle that a government follows the
preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests o the minority
