BYU GOVERNMENT FINAL EXAM
2026 FINAL PAPER PRACTICE
QUESTIONS ANSWERS ACCURATE
A+
◉ Who was considered to be the "inventor of philosophy?"
Answer: Plato
◉ What does "civilian control of the military" mean?
Answer: Military leaders do not have any independent authority but are
the servants of the elected representatives of the people.
◉ What does the lesson say is perhaps the "most complex form of
human interaction?"
Answer: Politics
◉ The American desire for personal liberty (classical liberalism) is best
illustrated in which of the following documents?
Answer: Declaration of Independence
◉ The Founders established a republican form of government. Why did
they do this?
Answer: They believed human nature was essentially evil, and the self-
interest of the public needed to be restrained.
,◉ You are writing a speech for school about the need for citizens to
participate in their political system. Who would you quote as the earliest
proponent of this notion?
Answer: Aristotle
◉ What is the notion that each branch of government should have a
distinct sphere of power known as?
Answer: Separation of powers
◉ Which of the following would Tocqueville most likely endorse?
Answer: Encouraging civic groups to help the poor
◉ How can the principle of federalism promote the protection of civil
rights in the American federal system?
Answer: It provides both state and national governments with the ability
to protect citizens from abuses of power by the other.
◉ You aspire to become a ruthless, power-mongering tyrant. Which of
the following philosophers would you like to read to find out how to rule
in such a way?
Answer: Machiavelli
◉ Classical republicanism is principally concerned with ____________
while classical liberalism is concerned with _______________.
,Answer: Public good; individual good
◉ Which of the following IS NOT an example of checks and balances in
the United States Constitution?
Answer: The president can veto a Supreme Court decision, but only with
the support of a two-thirds majority vote in Congress.
◉ A prominent political scientist famously described American
government as "separate institutions sharing powers." Which two
constitutional principles are embodied in this statement?
Answer: Separation of powers and checks and balances
◉ A country has a government that allows their president to officially
declare war on another country, as well as borrow money to fight the
war without the consent of any other government official. How does that
compare to the American system?
Answer: It is the same in the United States.
◉ Which of the following quotes best exemplifies the Founders' view on
human nature?
Answer: "If men were angels, no government would be necessary."
◉ According to Tocqueville, what did "self-interest rightly understood"
mean?
Answer: People should help one another because the welfare of others
affects individual welfare.
, ◉ Germany has a "federal" political system where some decisions are
made in local legislatures and others are made in the national legislature.
What system is this most like?
Answer: The U.S. system of government created in Philadelphia
◉ Without limits on an individual's behavior, what would life be like
according to Hobbes?
Answer: Perilous/dangerous
◉ How does the Constitution divide power between the three branches?
Answer: Power is not completely separated, allowing each branch to
limit the other branches' exercise of power.
◉ How is there a "separation of powers?"
Answer: Executive, legislative, and judicial branches
◉ UNIT 2
Answer:
◉ According to Adam Smith's notion of the "invisible hand," which of
the following is the best way to enhance national wealth?
Answer: National wealth is best achieved by everyone seeking his or her
own self-interest.
2026 FINAL PAPER PRACTICE
QUESTIONS ANSWERS ACCURATE
A+
◉ Who was considered to be the "inventor of philosophy?"
Answer: Plato
◉ What does "civilian control of the military" mean?
Answer: Military leaders do not have any independent authority but are
the servants of the elected representatives of the people.
◉ What does the lesson say is perhaps the "most complex form of
human interaction?"
Answer: Politics
◉ The American desire for personal liberty (classical liberalism) is best
illustrated in which of the following documents?
Answer: Declaration of Independence
◉ The Founders established a republican form of government. Why did
they do this?
Answer: They believed human nature was essentially evil, and the self-
interest of the public needed to be restrained.
,◉ You are writing a speech for school about the need for citizens to
participate in their political system. Who would you quote as the earliest
proponent of this notion?
Answer: Aristotle
◉ What is the notion that each branch of government should have a
distinct sphere of power known as?
Answer: Separation of powers
◉ Which of the following would Tocqueville most likely endorse?
Answer: Encouraging civic groups to help the poor
◉ How can the principle of federalism promote the protection of civil
rights in the American federal system?
Answer: It provides both state and national governments with the ability
to protect citizens from abuses of power by the other.
◉ You aspire to become a ruthless, power-mongering tyrant. Which of
the following philosophers would you like to read to find out how to rule
in such a way?
Answer: Machiavelli
◉ Classical republicanism is principally concerned with ____________
while classical liberalism is concerned with _______________.
,Answer: Public good; individual good
◉ Which of the following IS NOT an example of checks and balances in
the United States Constitution?
Answer: The president can veto a Supreme Court decision, but only with
the support of a two-thirds majority vote in Congress.
◉ A prominent political scientist famously described American
government as "separate institutions sharing powers." Which two
constitutional principles are embodied in this statement?
Answer: Separation of powers and checks and balances
◉ A country has a government that allows their president to officially
declare war on another country, as well as borrow money to fight the
war without the consent of any other government official. How does that
compare to the American system?
Answer: It is the same in the United States.
◉ Which of the following quotes best exemplifies the Founders' view on
human nature?
Answer: "If men were angels, no government would be necessary."
◉ According to Tocqueville, what did "self-interest rightly understood"
mean?
Answer: People should help one another because the welfare of others
affects individual welfare.
, ◉ Germany has a "federal" political system where some decisions are
made in local legislatures and others are made in the national legislature.
What system is this most like?
Answer: The U.S. system of government created in Philadelphia
◉ Without limits on an individual's behavior, what would life be like
according to Hobbes?
Answer: Perilous/dangerous
◉ How does the Constitution divide power between the three branches?
Answer: Power is not completely separated, allowing each branch to
limit the other branches' exercise of power.
◉ How is there a "separation of powers?"
Answer: Executive, legislative, and judicial branches
◉ UNIT 2
Answer:
◉ According to Adam Smith's notion of the "invisible hand," which of
the following is the best way to enhance national wealth?
Answer: National wealth is best achieved by everyone seeking his or her
own self-interest.
