PSC 101: Exam # 1 Questions and Answers
100% Correct
Government
institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled
Politics
Conflict over the leadership, structure and policies of governments
Political Efficacy
The ability to influence government and politics
Citizenship
Informed and active membership in a political community
Autocracy
A form of government in which a single individual - a king, queen, or dictator - rules
Oligarchy
A form of government in which a small group - landowners, military officers, or wealthy merchants -
controls most of the governing decisions
Democracy
A system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually
through the election of key public officials
Constitutional government
a system of rule on which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government.
Authoritarian government
a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits but may nevertheless be
restrained by the power of other social institutions
Totalitarian Government
a system of rule in which the government recognizes no limits on its power and seeks to absorb or
eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it
Power
Influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies
Representative Democracy (Republic)
A system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play a significant role in
governmental decision making
Direct Democracy
, A system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies
Pluralism
The theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government; the
outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation
Political Culture
Broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should function. American
political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality and democracy.
Liberty
Freedom from governmental control
Limited Government
A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a
constitution
Laissez-faire capitalism
An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and
operated for profit with minimal or no governmental interference.
Equality of Opportunity
A widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talent and
wealth they have to reach their full potential
Political Equality
the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of "one person, one vote"
Popular Sovereignty
A principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people.
Majority Rule, Minority Rights
The democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but
protects the interests o the minority
Articles of Confederation
America's first written constitution; served as the basis for America's national government until 1789
Confederation
A system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly
delegated to the national government.
Virginia Plan
A framework for Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, that called for representation in the
national legislature based on the population of each state
100% Correct
Government
institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled
Politics
Conflict over the leadership, structure and policies of governments
Political Efficacy
The ability to influence government and politics
Citizenship
Informed and active membership in a political community
Autocracy
A form of government in which a single individual - a king, queen, or dictator - rules
Oligarchy
A form of government in which a small group - landowners, military officers, or wealthy merchants -
controls most of the governing decisions
Democracy
A system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually
through the election of key public officials
Constitutional government
a system of rule on which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government.
Authoritarian government
a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits but may nevertheless be
restrained by the power of other social institutions
Totalitarian Government
a system of rule in which the government recognizes no limits on its power and seeks to absorb or
eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it
Power
Influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies
Representative Democracy (Republic)
A system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play a significant role in
governmental decision making
Direct Democracy
, A system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies
Pluralism
The theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government; the
outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation
Political Culture
Broadly shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should function. American
political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality and democracy.
Liberty
Freedom from governmental control
Limited Government
A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a
constitution
Laissez-faire capitalism
An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and
operated for profit with minimal or no governmental interference.
Equality of Opportunity
A widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talent and
wealth they have to reach their full potential
Political Equality
the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of "one person, one vote"
Popular Sovereignty
A principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people.
Majority Rule, Minority Rights
The democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but
protects the interests o the minority
Articles of Confederation
America's first written constitution; served as the basis for America's national government until 1789
Confederation
A system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly
delegated to the national government.
Virginia Plan
A framework for Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, that called for representation in the
national legislature based on the population of each state
