WGU C963 AMERICAN POLITICS AND US CONSTITUTION COMBINED
PRE ASSESSMENTS AND MODULE LEARNING CHECKS
2023/2024(REVIEWED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS)/GRADED A+
What is it called when people make an agreement between themselves and the government?(correct
answer)A social contract
According to the social contract theory, what is the origin of society?(correct answer)Society is the
product of human desire and effort
Which of the following did John Locke view as the most important protections under the social
contract?(correct answer)Liberty and property
Which of these accurately describes John Locke's view on the state of nature?(correct answer)The state
of nature was peaceful and consisted of rational human beings
According to John Locke, how much authority should society have over its citizens under the social
contract?(correct answer)Limited authority, the social contract should provide a society in which the
society has no more power than is necessary to regulate the natural rights and co-existence of its
citizens
Describe the characteristics of a social contract.(correct answer)A social contract is a collective
expression of a collectively shared interest, a definition of human nature, and a specification of natural
rights.
In what way is the state of nature important for constructing a social contract?(correct answer)Society
should be a reflection of what it means to be human, and natural rights must be acknowledged and
protected in a social contract.
Why is it important to know what the quality of life is like in the state of nature?(correct answer)How
bad or good life is in the state of nature will guide the need to cooperate with others, and the
subsequent social contract will help overcome the drawbacks experienced in the state of nature.
,What is the purpose of a social contract?(correct answer)Social contracts are created to acknowledge
and protect natural rights.
What is an important weakness of a social contract?(correct answer)Social contracts require consensus,
which is difficult to obtain in any society.
What do natural rights let you do?(correct answer)Natural rights let you do what you need to survive
and be secure, and they impart an equality of all people.
What did the Enlightenment philosophers used the state of nature for?(correct answer)Enlightenment
philosophers used the state of nature to define human nature and argued for a proper society and
government based on that nature.
What conditions are required for a social contract to work?(correct answer)The conditions needed for a
social contract to work include consensus among those involved in the social contract and a uniformity
of ability and purpose among those who agree to it.
What does the theory of a social contract acknowledge?(correct answer)The social contract
acknowledges that the people are in relationship with the government and there are obligations the
citizens have to a society.
What are social contracts constructed to be compatible with?(correct answer)The social contract
recognizes both human nature and natural rights and when constructed, natural rights are a central part
because they are too important to our individual lives.
What natural right was explicitly protected in the Declaration of Independence?(correct answer)Liberty.
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence based on the ideas of John Locke who argued
that one of our most important natural rights is liberty.
, Which Constitutional principle, suggested by Montesquieu, lessens the potential harm of the national
government over the people?(correct answer)Separation of Powers. By separating the legislative,
executive, and judicial power and placing each branch into the control of different political actors this
would prevent government tyranny over the people by limiting the harm any one branch might do on its
own.
Which Constitutional mechanism, suggested by Montesquieu, balances the national government and
prevents any one section of government from having sole/complete power?(correct answer)Checks and
Balances. Prevents any one branch from gaining complete power and control over the government by
allowing each branch to monitor and influence what happens in the other branches.
Which of the following protects Locke's idea of natural rights and provides Montesquieu's protections
known as due process of law?(correct answer)The Bill of Rights. This addition to the Constitution focuses
on protecting the liberties or freedoms by protecting such rights as freedom of speech and providing
due process.
Which was designed with a concern for the tyranny of factional majority?(correct answer)The
Constitution. The potential for the tyranny of factional majority was a key consideration at the time of
the drafting of the Constitution.
What is the Enlightenment?(correct answer)A period of Western European history following the Middle
Ages (1650-1800) that occurred mainly in Great Britain, France, and Germany. Its philosophy produced
the idea of natural rights.
Why does the Enlightenment influence American politics and government?(correct answer)Those who
settled the American colonies were seeking freedom and opportunity, and Locke's ideas about the
consent to be governed and the right to rebellion had a major influence in the establishment of
American government. Early Americans were not drawn to the idea of the divine right of kings.
How do conflicting ideas of the Enlightenment influence government and politics?(correct
answer)Separation of powers in the Constitution works to undermine popular democratic input and
control, but even when dealing with important social needs, protection of private property limits the
government's actions.
PRE ASSESSMENTS AND MODULE LEARNING CHECKS
2023/2024(REVIEWED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS)/GRADED A+
What is it called when people make an agreement between themselves and the government?(correct
answer)A social contract
According to the social contract theory, what is the origin of society?(correct answer)Society is the
product of human desire and effort
Which of the following did John Locke view as the most important protections under the social
contract?(correct answer)Liberty and property
Which of these accurately describes John Locke's view on the state of nature?(correct answer)The state
of nature was peaceful and consisted of rational human beings
According to John Locke, how much authority should society have over its citizens under the social
contract?(correct answer)Limited authority, the social contract should provide a society in which the
society has no more power than is necessary to regulate the natural rights and co-existence of its
citizens
Describe the characteristics of a social contract.(correct answer)A social contract is a collective
expression of a collectively shared interest, a definition of human nature, and a specification of natural
rights.
In what way is the state of nature important for constructing a social contract?(correct answer)Society
should be a reflection of what it means to be human, and natural rights must be acknowledged and
protected in a social contract.
Why is it important to know what the quality of life is like in the state of nature?(correct answer)How
bad or good life is in the state of nature will guide the need to cooperate with others, and the
subsequent social contract will help overcome the drawbacks experienced in the state of nature.
,What is the purpose of a social contract?(correct answer)Social contracts are created to acknowledge
and protect natural rights.
What is an important weakness of a social contract?(correct answer)Social contracts require consensus,
which is difficult to obtain in any society.
What do natural rights let you do?(correct answer)Natural rights let you do what you need to survive
and be secure, and they impart an equality of all people.
What did the Enlightenment philosophers used the state of nature for?(correct answer)Enlightenment
philosophers used the state of nature to define human nature and argued for a proper society and
government based on that nature.
What conditions are required for a social contract to work?(correct answer)The conditions needed for a
social contract to work include consensus among those involved in the social contract and a uniformity
of ability and purpose among those who agree to it.
What does the theory of a social contract acknowledge?(correct answer)The social contract
acknowledges that the people are in relationship with the government and there are obligations the
citizens have to a society.
What are social contracts constructed to be compatible with?(correct answer)The social contract
recognizes both human nature and natural rights and when constructed, natural rights are a central part
because they are too important to our individual lives.
What natural right was explicitly protected in the Declaration of Independence?(correct answer)Liberty.
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence based on the ideas of John Locke who argued
that one of our most important natural rights is liberty.
, Which Constitutional principle, suggested by Montesquieu, lessens the potential harm of the national
government over the people?(correct answer)Separation of Powers. By separating the legislative,
executive, and judicial power and placing each branch into the control of different political actors this
would prevent government tyranny over the people by limiting the harm any one branch might do on its
own.
Which Constitutional mechanism, suggested by Montesquieu, balances the national government and
prevents any one section of government from having sole/complete power?(correct answer)Checks and
Balances. Prevents any one branch from gaining complete power and control over the government by
allowing each branch to monitor and influence what happens in the other branches.
Which of the following protects Locke's idea of natural rights and provides Montesquieu's protections
known as due process of law?(correct answer)The Bill of Rights. This addition to the Constitution focuses
on protecting the liberties or freedoms by protecting such rights as freedom of speech and providing
due process.
Which was designed with a concern for the tyranny of factional majority?(correct answer)The
Constitution. The potential for the tyranny of factional majority was a key consideration at the time of
the drafting of the Constitution.
What is the Enlightenment?(correct answer)A period of Western European history following the Middle
Ages (1650-1800) that occurred mainly in Great Britain, France, and Germany. Its philosophy produced
the idea of natural rights.
Why does the Enlightenment influence American politics and government?(correct answer)Those who
settled the American colonies were seeking freedom and opportunity, and Locke's ideas about the
consent to be governed and the right to rebellion had a major influence in the establishment of
American government. Early Americans were not drawn to the idea of the divine right of kings.
How do conflicting ideas of the Enlightenment influence government and politics?(correct
answer)Separation of powers in the Constitution works to undermine popular democratic input and
control, but even when dealing with important social needs, protection of private property limits the
government's actions.
