American Government
Final Exam
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,government formal 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 rules (king, queen, or dictator)
oligarchy a form of government in which a small group controls most of the governing
decisions (landowners, military officers, or wealthy merchants)
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
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
Power influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies. (page 15)
Representative democracy/republic a system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play a
significant role in governmental decision making. (page 15)
Direct democracy a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies. (page 15)
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. (page
16)
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. (page 23)
, Liberty freedom from governmental control. (page 24)
Limited government a principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined
and limited by a constitution. (page 24)
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. (page
24)
Articles of Confederation America's first written constitution; served as the basis for America's national
government until 1789. (page 42)
Confederation a system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the
powers expressly delegated to the national government. (page 42)
Virginia Plan a framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, that called for
representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state.
(page 45)
New Jersey Plan a framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson, that called for
equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population. (page
45)
Great Compromise the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that gave each
state an equal number of senators regardless of its population, but linked
representation in the House of Representatives to population. (page 46)
Three-Fifths Compromise the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that
for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats, every slave would be
counted as three-fifths of a person. (page 48)
Checks and balances mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and
influence the activities of the other branches; major examples include the
presidential veto power over congressional legislation, the power of the Senate to
approve presidential appointments, and judicial review of congressional
enactments. (page 49)
Electoral college the presidential electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast
ballots for president and vice president. (page 50)
Bill of Rights the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791; they ensure
certain rights and liberties to the people. (page 50)
Separation of powers the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate
in decision making. (page 50)
Federalism a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a
central government and regional governments. (page 50)
Expressed powers specific powers granted by the Constitution to Congress. (Article I, Section 8) and to
the president. (Article II). (page 51)