Question 1

Describe the central idea of democracy. What elements account for this idea's widespread popularity around the world?

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Identify the central idea of democracy as that people want and are capable of ruling themselves.

2. Discuss how democracy's widespread popularity can be explained by its protection of human rights and recognition of intrinsic worth of human beings and equality. Democracy is also most likely to produce rational policies because of the pooled knowledge of society. Others note that democracies are more stable than other forms of government, that democracies are more likely to promote economic growth, and that democracies best allow free people to develop their natural talents.

Question 2

How does majority tyranny threaten political liberty? What is a recent example?

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Discuss how the majority has the potential to tyrannize the rights of the minority. This was a concern of James Madison and other Founders.

2. Provide a recent example, such as Americans being hostile towards Muslims after 9/11or the disapproval of immigrants by Americans who believe these individuals are taking away jobs.

Question 3

The suppression of the rights and liberties of a minority by the majority is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  majority tyranny 
B)  liberal democracy 
C)  representative democracy 
D)  self-government 
E)  social contract 
A)  majority tyranny 
B)  liberal democracy 
C)  representative democracy 
D)  self-government 
E)  social contract A

Question 4

Civil rights are a combination of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  popularity sovereignty and majority rule 
B)  equal treatment and majority rule 
C)  political equality and equal treatment 
D)  majority rule and political liberty 
E)  civil liberties and equality 
A)  popularity sovereignty and majority rule 
B)  equal treatment and majority rule 
C)  political equality and equal treatment 
D)  majority rule and political liberty 
E)  civil liberties and equality

Question 5

The form of political decision making in which policies are decided on the basis of what a majority of the people want is known as __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The form of political decision making in...

Question 6

If you were to debate critics of liberal democracy, how would you respond to their most common criticisms?

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Note that cri

Question 7

Which of the following democracies would most likely be favored by Aristotle, Jefferson, Rousseau, and Dahl?

Accepted Answer

A)  a democracy with a large difference between the rich and the poor 
B)  a democracy with a large and educated ruling class where political power is concentrated 
C)  a democracy with a small difference between the rich and the poor 
D)  a democracy with a large and educated ruling class where economic power is concentrated 
E)  a democracy with a small and educated ruling class where political and economic power is concentrated 
A)  a democracy with a large difference between the rich and the poor 
B)  a democracy with a large and educated ruling class where political power is concentrated 
C)  a democracy with a small difference between the rich and the poor 
D)  a democracy with a large and educated ruling class where economic power is concentrated 
E)  a democracy with a small and educated ruling class where political and economic power is concentrated

Question 8

Some political commentators argue that the participatory aspects of direct democracy are not worth preserving as an ideal.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

With regard to the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which of the following is best classified as a political linkage factor?

Accepted Answer

A)  the growing electoral power of African Americans outside the South 
B)  the Supreme Court, which was becoming increasingly supportive of civil rights 
C)  the rules established by the Constitution 
D)  President Johnson and his support of civil rights 
E)  Jim Crow laws 
A)  the growing electoral power of African Americans outside the South 
B)  the Supreme Court, which was becoming increasingly supportive of civil rights 
C)  the rules established by the Constitution 
D)  President Johnson and his support of civil rights 
E)  Jim Crow laws

Question 10

After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, some Muslim Americans became targets of popular hostility. This is an example of majority tyranny.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Some people claim that the media increasingly peddles ideologically biased political news. If this is true, which of the following necessary conditions for popular sovereignty is jeopardized?

Accepted Answer

A)  that government policies reflect the wishes of the people 
B)  that government leaders are selected in competitive elections 
C)  that elections are free and fair 
D)  that high-quality information is available 
E)  that the majority rules 
A)  that government policies reflect the wishes of the people 
B)  that government leaders are selected in competitive elections 
C)  that elections are free and fair 
D)  that high-quality information is available 
E)  that the majority rules

Question 12

Which of the following would be considered a free election?

Accepted Answer

A)  one in which voters directly select policy 
B)  one in which each major party has a viable candidate 
C)  one in which election rules favor the incumbent party 
D)  one in which the costs of the campaign were paid for with public funds 
E)  one in which there is no coercion of voters or election officials 
A)  one in which voters directly select policy 
B)  one in which each major party has a viable candidate 
C)  one in which election rules favor the incumbent party 
D)  one in which the costs of the campaign were paid for with public funds 
E)  one in which there is no coercion of voters or election officials

Question 13

Which of the following refers to basic freedoms essential to the formation and expression of majority opinion and its translation into public policies?

Accepted Answer

A)  tyranny of the majority 
B)  majority rules 
C)  political equality 
D)  popular sovereignty 
E)  political liberty 
A)  tyranny of the majority 
B)  majority rules 
C)  political equality 
D)  popular sovereignty 
E)  political liberty

Question 14

It is safe to say that most people do not want to live in places where there is no government to speak of at all.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Taken together, political equality and equal treatment are sometimes called __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Taken together, political equality and equal treatment...

Question 16

Under which circumstance is political equality violated?

Accepted Answer

A)  if citizens are free to argue and debate 
B)  if citizens are free to form and express their political opinions 
C)  if some people can speak out but others cannot 
D)  if the voice of the people is welcomed 
E)  if people are encouraged to participate in politics 
A)  if citizens are free to argue and debate 
B)  if citizens are free to form and express their political opinions 
C)  if some people can speak out but others cannot 
D)  if the voice of the people is welcomed 
E)  if people are encouraged to participate in politics

Question 17

If __________ are to be useful as a way to keep government leaders responsive and responsible, they must be conducted in a fashion that is free and fair.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If __________ are to be useful as...

Question 18

The framework presented in this chapter to understand American politics is a set of interrelated actors and influences that operate in which of the following interconnected realms?

Accepted Answer

A)  institutions, interests, and citizens 
B)  the media, the courts, and the internecine political institutions 
C)  composition, opposition, and despotism 
D)  structural, political linkages, and governmental sectors 
E)  skill, fortune, and opportunity 
A)  institutions, interests, and citizens 
B)  the media, the courts, and the internecine political institutions 
C)  composition, opposition, and despotism 
D)  structural, political linkages, and governmental sectors 
E)  skill, fortune, and opportunity

Question 19

Why do some political thinkers believe that democracy is superior to other forms of government?

Accepted Answer

A)  because it encourages dreams that can never be achieved 
B)  because it is incapable of promoting progress on important decisions 
C)  because it protects human rights 
D)  because it is found only in the United States 
E)  because it subverts the views of the masses 
A)  because it encourages dreams that can never be achieved 
B)  because it is incapable of promoting progress on important decisions 
C)  because it protects human rights 
D)  because it is found only in the United States 
E)  because it subverts the views of the masses

Question 20

Describe the extent to which citizens are the ultimate source of government authority in the United States by explaining the seven conditions related to popular sovereignty.

Accepted Answer

An ideal response will:
1. Note that pop

Describe the central idea of democracy. What elements account for this idea's widespread popularity around the world?

How does majority tyranny threaten political liberty? What is a recent example?

The suppression of the rights and liberties of a minority by the majority is which of the following?

Civil rights are a combination of which of the following?

The form of political decision making in which policies are decided on the basis of what a majority of the people want is known as __________.

If you were to debate critics of liberal democracy, how would you respond to their most common criticisms?

Which of the following democracies would most likely be favored by Aristotle, Jefferson, Rousseau, and Dahl?

Some political commentators argue that the participatory aspects of direct democracy are not worth preserving as an ideal.

With regard to the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which of the following is best classified as a political linkage factor?

After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, some Muslim Americans became targets of popular hostility. This is an example of majority tyranny.

Some people claim that the media increasingly peddles ideologically biased political news. If this is true, which of the following necessary conditions for popular sovereignty is jeopardized?

Which of the following would be considered a free election?

Which of the following refers to basic freedoms essential to the formation and expression of majority opinion and its translation into public policies?

It is safe to say that most people do not want to live in places where there is no government to speak of at all.

Taken together, political equality and equal treatment are sometimes called __________.

Under which circumstance is political equality violated?

If __________ are to be useful as a way to keep government leaders responsive and responsible, they must be conducted in a fashion that is free and fair.

The framework presented in this chapter to understand American politics is a set of interrelated actors and influences that operate in which of the following interconnected realms?

Why do some political thinkers believe that democracy is superior to other forms of government?

Describe the extent to which citizens are the ultimate source of government authority in the United States by explaining the seven conditions related to popular sovereignty.

The Constitution

Federalism: States and Nation

The Structural Foundations of American Government and Politics

Public Opinion

The News Media

Interest Groups and Business Organizations

Social Movements

Political Parties

Voting, Campaigns, and Elections

Congress

The Presidency

The Executive Branch

The Courts

Civil Liberties: the Struggle for Freedom

Civil Rights: the Struggle for Political Equality

Domestic Policies

Foreign Policy and National Defense

Filters

Exam 1: Democracy and American Politics

Describe the central idea of democracy. What elements account for this idea's widespread popularity around the world?

How does majority tyranny threaten political liberty? What is a recent example?

The suppression of the rights and liberties of a minority by the majority is which of the following?

Civil rights are a combination of which of the following?

The form of political decision making in which policies are decided on the basis of what a majority of the people want is known as __________.

If you were to debate critics of liberal democracy, how would you respond to their most common criticisms?

Which of the following democracies would most likely be favored by Aristotle, Jefferson, Rousseau, and Dahl?

Some political commentators argue that the participatory aspects of direct democracy are not worth preserving as an ideal.

With regard to the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which of the following is best classified as a political linkage factor?

After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, some Muslim Americans became targets of popular hostility. This is an example of majority tyranny.

Some people claim that the media increasingly peddles ideologically biased political news. If this is true, which of the following necessary conditions for popular sovereignty is jeopardized?

Which of the following would be considered a free election?

Which of the following refers to basic freedoms essential to the formation and expression of majority opinion and its translation into public policies?

It is safe to say that most people do not want to live in places where there is no government to speak of at all.

Taken together, political equality and equal treatment are sometimes called __________.

Under which circumstance is political equality violated?

If __________ are to be useful as a way to keep government leaders responsive and responsible, they must be conducted in a fashion that is free and fair.

The framework presented in this chapter to understand American politics is a set of interrelated actors and influences that operate in which of the following interconnected realms?

Why do some political thinkers believe that democracy is superior to other forms of government?

Describe the extent to which citizens are the ultimate source of government authority in the United States by explaining the seven conditions related to popular sovereignty.

The Constitution

Federalism: States and Nation

The Structural Foundations of American Government and Politics

Public Opinion

The News Media

Interest Groups and Business Organizations

Social Movements

Political Parties

Voting, Campaigns, and Elections

Congress

The Presidency

The Executive Branch

The Courts

Civil Liberties: the Struggle for Freedom

Civil Rights: the Struggle for Political Equality

Domestic Policies

Foreign Policy and National Defense

Filters