PLS 101 EXAM 1 MISSOURI STATE
UNIVERSITY STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS 2026 CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ What is oligarchy? Answer: A form of power structure in which power
resides in the hands of a small number of people.
⩥ What is autocracy? Answer: A system of government in which one
person possesses unlimited power.
⩥ What are the original and modern dilemmas of democracy? Answer:
The challenges faced by democratic systems, including balancing
freedom, order, and equality.
⩥ What is majoritarian democracy? Answer: A democratic system where
the majority's preferences dominate decision-making.
⩥ What is pluralist democracy? Answer: A democratic system that
recognizes multiple groups and interests competing for influence and
power.
⩥ What is the difference between direct and indirect democracy?
Answer: Direct democracy allows citizens to vote directly on laws and
, policies, while indirect democracy (or representative democracy) elects
representatives to make decisions on behalf of the people.
⩥ What is procedural democracy? Answer: A form of democracy
focused on the processes and procedures of governance, ensuring fair
and free elections.
⩥ What is substantive democracy? Answer: A form of democracy that
emphasizes the outcomes and policies that result from democratic
processes, ensuring that they promote justice and equality.
⩥ What were the freedoms of colonial Americans? Answer: Rights and
liberties that were valued by colonial Americans, including freedom of
speech, religion, and assembly.
⩥ What was the Boston Tea Party? Answer: A political protest by the
Sons of Liberty in 1773 against the Tea Act, where they dumped tea into
Boston Harbor.
⩥ What were The Articles of Confederation? Answer: The first
constitution of the United States, which established a weak federal
government and was replaced by the current Constitution.
⩥ Who was John Locke? Answer: An Enlightenment philosopher who
argued for natural rights, including life, liberty, and property.
UNIVERSITY STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS 2026 CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ What is oligarchy? Answer: A form of power structure in which power
resides in the hands of a small number of people.
⩥ What is autocracy? Answer: A system of government in which one
person possesses unlimited power.
⩥ What are the original and modern dilemmas of democracy? Answer:
The challenges faced by democratic systems, including balancing
freedom, order, and equality.
⩥ What is majoritarian democracy? Answer: A democratic system where
the majority's preferences dominate decision-making.
⩥ What is pluralist democracy? Answer: A democratic system that
recognizes multiple groups and interests competing for influence and
power.
⩥ What is the difference between direct and indirect democracy?
Answer: Direct democracy allows citizens to vote directly on laws and
, policies, while indirect democracy (or representative democracy) elects
representatives to make decisions on behalf of the people.
⩥ What is procedural democracy? Answer: A form of democracy
focused on the processes and procedures of governance, ensuring fair
and free elections.
⩥ What is substantive democracy? Answer: A form of democracy that
emphasizes the outcomes and policies that result from democratic
processes, ensuring that they promote justice and equality.
⩥ What were the freedoms of colonial Americans? Answer: Rights and
liberties that were valued by colonial Americans, including freedom of
speech, religion, and assembly.
⩥ What was the Boston Tea Party? Answer: A political protest by the
Sons of Liberty in 1773 against the Tea Act, where they dumped tea into
Boston Harbor.
⩥ What were The Articles of Confederation? Answer: The first
constitution of the United States, which established a weak federal
government and was replaced by the current Constitution.
⩥ Who was John Locke? Answer: An Enlightenment philosopher who
argued for natural rights, including life, liberty, and property.
