PLS 101 NEWEST ACTUAL EXAM 1 WITH COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/VERIFIED//GRADED A+//
Initiative
Citizens propose laws or constitutional amendments
through petitions and votes.
Autocracy
Government ruled by a single person with absolute
power.
Pluralism
Theory that power is distributed among many groups,
preventing domination.
Liberty
Core value emphasizing individual freedoms. Includes
limited government, personal liberty, and economic
liberty.
Page 1 of 17
,Equality
Equality of opportunity, political equality, and equality of
results (though controversial in the U.S.).
Popular sovereignty
Authority of government comes from the people.
Popular consent
Government must draw power from consent of the
governed.
Majority rule
Policies decided by majority vote.
Minority rights
Protections for groups against oppression by the
majority.
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, Purposes of government
Maintain order, protect liberties/rights, provide public
goods, ensure national defense, support economic
stability.
Public trust today vs. 1960s
Trust was much higher in the 1960s; today, trust is low
due to scandals, polarization, and ineffective
governance.
John Locke's social contract theory
People agree to form a government to protect natural
rights (life, liberty, property); if government fails, people
may revolt.
Basic elements of American political culture
Liberty, equality, democracy, individualism, unity,
diversity, popular sovereignty.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/VERIFIED//GRADED A+//
Initiative
Citizens propose laws or constitutional amendments
through petitions and votes.
Autocracy
Government ruled by a single person with absolute
power.
Pluralism
Theory that power is distributed among many groups,
preventing domination.
Liberty
Core value emphasizing individual freedoms. Includes
limited government, personal liberty, and economic
liberty.
Page 1 of 17
,Equality
Equality of opportunity, political equality, and equality of
results (though controversial in the U.S.).
Popular sovereignty
Authority of government comes from the people.
Popular consent
Government must draw power from consent of the
governed.
Majority rule
Policies decided by majority vote.
Minority rights
Protections for groups against oppression by the
majority.
Page 2 of 17
, Purposes of government
Maintain order, protect liberties/rights, provide public
goods, ensure national defense, support economic
stability.
Public trust today vs. 1960s
Trust was much higher in the 1960s; today, trust is low
due to scandals, polarization, and ineffective
governance.
John Locke's social contract theory
People agree to form a government to protect natural
rights (life, liberty, property); if government fails, people
may revolt.
Basic elements of American political culture
Liberty, equality, democracy, individualism, unity,
diversity, popular sovereignty.
Page 3 of 17
