American Politics and U.S.
Constitution - C963 - Unit 2 with
correct answers 2025
Which statement describes characteristics of a social contract? - CORRECT ANSWER-
a specification of natural rights; a definition of human nature; a collective expression of
a collectively shared interest
In what way is the state of nature important for constructing a social contract? -
CORRECT ANSWER-the state of nature gives definition to natural rights the state of
nature gives definition to what it means to be human
What is the purpose of a social contract? - CORRECT ANSWER-to acknowledge and
protect natural rights
What is an important weakness of a social contract? - CORRECT ANSWER-social
contracts require consensus
Which statements are true about natural rights? - CORRECT ANSWER-they let you do
what you need to survive and be secure; they impart an equality of being among all
people
Which statements are true concerning the state of nature? - CORRECT ANSWER-
permits a philosophical definition of human nature; is a thought experiment upon which
a definition of proper society and government are built
What conditions are required for a social contract to work? - CORRECT ANSWER-
consensus among those whom the social contract applies to; uniformity of ability and
purpose among those who agree to the social contract
Which of these describes the theory of the social contract? - CORRECT ANSWER-
society is not natural, but created by the people
, What are social contracts constructed to be compatible with? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Human nature and natural rights
Why is it important to know what the quality of life is like in the state of nature? -
CORRECT ANSWER-it helps to frame the type of social contract that is needed to
make individual life better; it explains the incentive for working cooperatively with others
Which was designed with a concern for the tyranny of factional majority? - CORRECT
ANSWER-The Constitution
What is the Enlightenment? - CORRECT ANSWER-the source of our ideas about
natural rights; a period of West European history following Mid Ages
Why does the Enlightenment influence American Politics and Government? -
CORRECT ANSWER-those immigrating to the American colonies are attracted ti the
enlightenment ideas of liberty and property; the colonists have a long history of self-
government by consent; ideas of enlightenment frame the colonists' response to British
violations of natural rights
How do conflicting ideas of the Enlightenment influence American government and
politics? - CORRECT ANSWER-the Constitution sets up a system of government that
isn't favorable to the democratic expression of the popular will; the protection of private
property can interfere with the governments dealing with important social needs
Which ideas are embodied in the Declaration of Independence? - CORRECT
ANSWER-the idea that governments are created by the people to protect their natural
rights; the natural rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
In what key ways does the Constitution differ from the Declaration of Independence? -
CORRECT ANSWER-the Constitution makes justice more important than liberty; the
Constitution is more concerned with controlling rather than expressing the popular will
What types of rights are contained in the Bill of Rights? - CORRECT ANSWER-
procedural rights and natural rights
The Constitutions first 3 articles, create separate legislative, executive, and judicial
branches, is consistent with: - CORRECT ANSWER-Montesquieu's theory for
separation of political power
The Constitution's demotion of liberty, and lack of protections for natural rights,
suggests the framers were what? - CORRECT ANSWER-more interested in the
practicalities of government
Constitution - C963 - Unit 2 with
correct answers 2025
Which statement describes characteristics of a social contract? - CORRECT ANSWER-
a specification of natural rights; a definition of human nature; a collective expression of
a collectively shared interest
In what way is the state of nature important for constructing a social contract? -
CORRECT ANSWER-the state of nature gives definition to natural rights the state of
nature gives definition to what it means to be human
What is the purpose of a social contract? - CORRECT ANSWER-to acknowledge and
protect natural rights
What is an important weakness of a social contract? - CORRECT ANSWER-social
contracts require consensus
Which statements are true about natural rights? - CORRECT ANSWER-they let you do
what you need to survive and be secure; they impart an equality of being among all
people
Which statements are true concerning the state of nature? - CORRECT ANSWER-
permits a philosophical definition of human nature; is a thought experiment upon which
a definition of proper society and government are built
What conditions are required for a social contract to work? - CORRECT ANSWER-
consensus among those whom the social contract applies to; uniformity of ability and
purpose among those who agree to the social contract
Which of these describes the theory of the social contract? - CORRECT ANSWER-
society is not natural, but created by the people
, What are social contracts constructed to be compatible with? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Human nature and natural rights
Why is it important to know what the quality of life is like in the state of nature? -
CORRECT ANSWER-it helps to frame the type of social contract that is needed to
make individual life better; it explains the incentive for working cooperatively with others
Which was designed with a concern for the tyranny of factional majority? - CORRECT
ANSWER-The Constitution
What is the Enlightenment? - CORRECT ANSWER-the source of our ideas about
natural rights; a period of West European history following Mid Ages
Why does the Enlightenment influence American Politics and Government? -
CORRECT ANSWER-those immigrating to the American colonies are attracted ti the
enlightenment ideas of liberty and property; the colonists have a long history of self-
government by consent; ideas of enlightenment frame the colonists' response to British
violations of natural rights
How do conflicting ideas of the Enlightenment influence American government and
politics? - CORRECT ANSWER-the Constitution sets up a system of government that
isn't favorable to the democratic expression of the popular will; the protection of private
property can interfere with the governments dealing with important social needs
Which ideas are embodied in the Declaration of Independence? - CORRECT
ANSWER-the idea that governments are created by the people to protect their natural
rights; the natural rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
In what key ways does the Constitution differ from the Declaration of Independence? -
CORRECT ANSWER-the Constitution makes justice more important than liberty; the
Constitution is more concerned with controlling rather than expressing the popular will
What types of rights are contained in the Bill of Rights? - CORRECT ANSWER-
procedural rights and natural rights
The Constitutions first 3 articles, create separate legislative, executive, and judicial
branches, is consistent with: - CORRECT ANSWER-Montesquieu's theory for
separation of political power
The Constitution's demotion of liberty, and lack of protections for natural rights,
suggests the framers were what? - CORRECT ANSWER-more interested in the
practicalities of government
