AP Government Unit 1: Foundations of
American Democracy Questions &
answers respectively.
Limited Government ANS - a governing or controlling body whose power exists only within pre-defined
limits that are established by a constitution or other source of authority. The government doesn't have
absolute authority. The government only has the power that the constitution gives.
Social Contract ANS - the authority to rule is granted to the government by the people who make the
contract with the government. People agreed to give up power voluntarily to the state in return for the
state's service to the general wellbeing of the people. Theory promotes popular sovereignty, limited
government, and individual right.
Natural Rights ANS - the idea that all humans are born with rights. That which is inalienable cannot be
bought, sold, or transferred from one individual to another. The personal rights to life and liberty
guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States are inalienable.
According to John Locke , what three rights must the government protect? ANS - life, liberty, and
property
Which three rights are mentioned as unalienable in the deceleration of independence? ANS - Life,
liberty, and pursuit of happiness
Define popular sovereignty ANS - the concept that political power rests with the people who can create,
alter, and abolish government. People express themselves through voting and free participation in
government
Define republicanism ANS - a form of government in which power resides in the people and is exercised
by their elected representatives
, Define equality ANS - the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities
Which of these ideas of democracy are reflected on the Declaration of independence? Quotes to
support? ANS - I think elite democracy is presented in the deceleration of independence because in
order to be a leader or of higher power in that democracy you have to own land, be of a certain age, and
have some type of political background so when the framers were making requirements of who is able
to hold certain positions they made sure that they had similar characteristics as them. Old, rich (with
land), and educated.
Define participatory democracy. Give and example. ANS - a political system in which all of most citizens
participate directly by either holding office or making policy. The town meeting, in which citizens vote on
major issues, is an example of this type of democracy
Define pluralist democracy. Give an example. ANS - is the idea that the policy making is open to lots of
groups who have different interests. Each of these groups has potential to influence policy making, but
no one group dominates all political decisions. Example is the AARP (American Association of Retired
Persons --> empower people to choose how they live as they age) A model of democracy that
emphasizes the need for different organized groups to compete against each other in order to influence
policy.
Define elite democracy. Give an example. ANS - a form of democracy in which a small number of
people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making. A model
of democracy that emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society.a theory of government
and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule,
regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization
Which type of democracy would Madison argue combats against factions (Federalist 10) ANS - He
defended a republican government proposed by the constitution. People argued that the proposed
government was too large and would be unresponsive to the people.
What type of government did the Anti-Federalists argue in Brutus No. 1 was best? why? ANS - One
argument that was in Brutus No. 1 made was the federal government had immense power which
required the people to sacrifice their liberties. They also argued that the bill of rights was necessary in
the document in order to protect the people from the government. They wanted a weaker central
government.
American Democracy Questions &
answers respectively.
Limited Government ANS - a governing or controlling body whose power exists only within pre-defined
limits that are established by a constitution or other source of authority. The government doesn't have
absolute authority. The government only has the power that the constitution gives.
Social Contract ANS - the authority to rule is granted to the government by the people who make the
contract with the government. People agreed to give up power voluntarily to the state in return for the
state's service to the general wellbeing of the people. Theory promotes popular sovereignty, limited
government, and individual right.
Natural Rights ANS - the idea that all humans are born with rights. That which is inalienable cannot be
bought, sold, or transferred from one individual to another. The personal rights to life and liberty
guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States are inalienable.
According to John Locke , what three rights must the government protect? ANS - life, liberty, and
property
Which three rights are mentioned as unalienable in the deceleration of independence? ANS - Life,
liberty, and pursuit of happiness
Define popular sovereignty ANS - the concept that political power rests with the people who can create,
alter, and abolish government. People express themselves through voting and free participation in
government
Define republicanism ANS - a form of government in which power resides in the people and is exercised
by their elected representatives
, Define equality ANS - the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities
Which of these ideas of democracy are reflected on the Declaration of independence? Quotes to
support? ANS - I think elite democracy is presented in the deceleration of independence because in
order to be a leader or of higher power in that democracy you have to own land, be of a certain age, and
have some type of political background so when the framers were making requirements of who is able
to hold certain positions they made sure that they had similar characteristics as them. Old, rich (with
land), and educated.
Define participatory democracy. Give and example. ANS - a political system in which all of most citizens
participate directly by either holding office or making policy. The town meeting, in which citizens vote on
major issues, is an example of this type of democracy
Define pluralist democracy. Give an example. ANS - is the idea that the policy making is open to lots of
groups who have different interests. Each of these groups has potential to influence policy making, but
no one group dominates all political decisions. Example is the AARP (American Association of Retired
Persons --> empower people to choose how they live as they age) A model of democracy that
emphasizes the need for different organized groups to compete against each other in order to influence
policy.
Define elite democracy. Give an example. ANS - a form of democracy in which a small number of
people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making. A model
of democracy that emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society.a theory of government
and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule,
regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization
Which type of democracy would Madison argue combats against factions (Federalist 10) ANS - He
defended a republican government proposed by the constitution. People argued that the proposed
government was too large and would be unresponsive to the people.
What type of government did the Anti-Federalists argue in Brutus No. 1 was best? why? ANS - One
argument that was in Brutus No. 1 made was the federal government had immense power which
required the people to sacrifice their liberties. They also argued that the bill of rights was necessary in
the document in order to protect the people from the government. They wanted a weaker central
government.
