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,1
Constitutional Democracy
Multiple-Choice Questions
What is the oldest constitutional democracy in the world?
a. Greece
b. Great Britain
c. the United States
d. Germany
e. France
Answer: c
Page Reference: pp. 21–23
A-head: U.S. Government and Politicians in Context
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.1
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
2. How is democracy defined?
a. government by one person
b. all people must be involved in politics and policy making
c. government by the people
d. the fragmentation of powers
e. government by the few
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, Answer: c
Page Reference: pp. 23–32
A-head: Defining Democracy
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
3. Statism is the idea that the rights of the nation are supreme over the
rights of the __________.
a. popular consent
b. region
c. individual
d. community
e. government
Answer: c
Page Reference: pp. 23–32
A-head: Defining Democracy
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
4. What is the idea that a just government must derive its powers from
the people it governs called?
a. equality
b. popular consent
c. electoral politics
d. equality of opportunity
e. statism
Answer: b
Page Reference: pp. 23–32
A-head: Defining Democracy
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
5. Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority is
known as which of the following?
a. statism
b. tyranny of the majority
c. individual rights
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, d. majority rule
e. plurality principle
Answer: d
Page Reference: pp. 23–32
A-head: Defining Democracy
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
6. What is the term for an election in which a candidate can win by
getting the most votes, even if it is less than 50 percent of the votes?
a. a runoff election
b. a plurality
c. a recall election
d. a majority
e. a retention election
Answer: b
Page Reference: pp. 23–32
A-head: Defining Democracy
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
7. What is a distinctive element of the U.S. constitutional system under
the original Constitution?
a. states’ rights
b. judicial supremacy
c. bicameralism
d. executive hegemony
e. popular elections for all national officials
Answer: c
Page Reference: pp. 23–32
A-head: Defining Democracy
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
8. A(n) __________ is a type of government in which one person with
unlimited power rules.
a. democracy
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,1
Constitutional Democracy
Multiple-Choice Questions
What is the oldest constitutional democracy in the world?
a. Greece
b. Great Britain
c. the United States
d. Germany
e. France
Answer: c
Page Reference: pp. 21–23
A-head: U.S. Government and Politicians in Context
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.1
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
2. How is democracy defined?
a. government by one person
b. all people must be involved in politics and policy making
c. government by the people
d. the fragmentation of powers
e. government by the few
-1-
, Answer: c
Page Reference: pp. 23–32
A-head: Defining Democracy
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
3. Statism is the idea that the rights of the nation are supreme over the
rights of the __________.
a. popular consent
b. region
c. individual
d. community
e. government
Answer: c
Page Reference: pp. 23–32
A-head: Defining Democracy
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
4. What is the idea that a just government must derive its powers from
the people it governs called?
a. equality
b. popular consent
c. electoral politics
d. equality of opportunity
e. statism
Answer: b
Page Reference: pp. 23–32
A-head: Defining Democracy
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
5. Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority is
known as which of the following?
a. statism
b. tyranny of the majority
c. individual rights
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, d. majority rule
e. plurality principle
Answer: d
Page Reference: pp. 23–32
A-head: Defining Democracy
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
6. What is the term for an election in which a candidate can win by
getting the most votes, even if it is less than 50 percent of the votes?
a. a runoff election
b. a plurality
c. a recall election
d. a majority
e. a retention election
Answer: b
Page Reference: pp. 23–32
A-head: Defining Democracy
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
7. What is a distinctive element of the U.S. constitutional system under
the original Constitution?
a. states’ rights
b. judicial supremacy
c. bicameralism
d. executive hegemony
e. popular elections for all national officials
Answer: c
Page Reference: pp. 23–32
A-head: Defining Democracy
Learning Objective: Magleby Brief L.O. 1.2
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Topic: Introduction to American Government
8. A(n) __________ is a type of government in which one person with
unlimited power rules.
a. democracy
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