POLITICAL SCIENCE 101-EXAM 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
government - answer- a word to describe the formal institutions through which a land
and its people are ruled
politics - answer- refers to conflicts and struggles over the leadership, structure and
policies of government
political efficacy - answer- the belief that ordinary citizens can affect what
government does, that they can make a government listen to them
citizenship - answer- informed and active membership in a political community
autocracy - answer- a form of government in which a single individual- a king, queen
or dictator- rules
oligarchy - answer- a form of government in which a small group- landowners,
military officers, or wealthy merchants- controls most of the governing decisions
democracy - answer- a system of rule that permit citizens to play a significant part in
the governmental process, unusually through the election of the key public officials
constituational government - answer- a system of rule in which formal and effective
limits are placed on the powers of government
authoritatiran government - answer- a system of rule in which the government
recognizes no formal limits but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other
social institutions
totalitatarian government - answer- a system of rule in which the government
recognizes no formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate tother
social institutions that might challenge it
representative democracy - answer- a system of government in which the populace
selects representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making
direct democracy - answer- a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on
laws and politics
pluralism - answer- 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
limited government - answer- a principle of constitutional government; a government
whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution
, laissez-faire capitalism - answer- an economic system in which the means of
production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal
or no government interference
equality of opportunity - answer- a widely shared American ideal that all people
should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their
fullest potential
political equality - answer- the right to participate in politics equally, based on the
principle of "one person, one vote"
popular sovereignty - answer- a principle of democracy in which political authority
rests ultimately in the hands of the people
majority rule, minority rights - answer- the democratic principle that a government
follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the
minority
Americans' trust in their government (has risen or decreased) when? - answer-
increased immediately following Sept. 11, but declined shortly after
How much do Americans typically know about the government? - answer- they know
little about current political issues but are able to identify some high-profile political
leaders
What is digital citizenship? - answer- the ability to participate in society online
What is the basic difference between an autocracy and an oligarchy? - answer- the
number of people who control governing decisions
When the government is formally limited in what it can control and how it controls it,
this is known as? - answer- constitutional government
Although not present at the national level, a number of states and cities permit
citizens to vote directly on laws and policies. What is this form of rule called? -
answer- direct democracy
Pluralism is the theory that says - answer- all interests in a society should be free to
compete for influence over governmental decisions.
The percentage of foreign born individuals living in the US - answer- has increased
significantly since reaching its low point in 1970
As a percentage of the total population in the US which age group has increased the
most dramatically from 1900-2010? - answer- the elderly
Liberty for Americans includes? - answer- freedom of speech, economic freedom,
freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
government - answer- a word to describe the formal institutions through which a land
and its people are ruled
politics - answer- refers to conflicts and struggles over the leadership, structure and
policies of government
political efficacy - answer- the belief that ordinary citizens can affect what
government does, that they can make a government listen to them
citizenship - answer- informed and active membership in a political community
autocracy - answer- a form of government in which a single individual- a king, queen
or dictator- rules
oligarchy - answer- a form of government in which a small group- landowners,
military officers, or wealthy merchants- controls most of the governing decisions
democracy - answer- a system of rule that permit citizens to play a significant part in
the governmental process, unusually through the election of the key public officials
constituational government - answer- a system of rule in which formal and effective
limits are placed on the powers of government
authoritatiran government - answer- a system of rule in which the government
recognizes no formal limits but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other
social institutions
totalitatarian government - answer- a system of rule in which the government
recognizes no formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate tother
social institutions that might challenge it
representative democracy - answer- a system of government in which the populace
selects representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making
direct democracy - answer- a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on
laws and politics
pluralism - answer- 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
limited government - answer- a principle of constitutional government; a government
whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution
, laissez-faire capitalism - answer- an economic system in which the means of
production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal
or no government interference
equality of opportunity - answer- a widely shared American ideal that all people
should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their
fullest potential
political equality - answer- the right to participate in politics equally, based on the
principle of "one person, one vote"
popular sovereignty - answer- a principle of democracy in which political authority
rests ultimately in the hands of the people
majority rule, minority rights - answer- the democratic principle that a government
follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the
minority
Americans' trust in their government (has risen or decreased) when? - answer-
increased immediately following Sept. 11, but declined shortly after
How much do Americans typically know about the government? - answer- they know
little about current political issues but are able to identify some high-profile political
leaders
What is digital citizenship? - answer- the ability to participate in society online
What is the basic difference between an autocracy and an oligarchy? - answer- the
number of people who control governing decisions
When the government is formally limited in what it can control and how it controls it,
this is known as? - answer- constitutional government
Although not present at the national level, a number of states and cities permit
citizens to vote directly on laws and policies. What is this form of rule called? -
answer- direct democracy
Pluralism is the theory that says - answer- all interests in a society should be free to
compete for influence over governmental decisions.
The percentage of foreign born individuals living in the US - answer- has increased
significantly since reaching its low point in 1970
As a percentage of the total population in the US which age group has increased the
most dramatically from 1900-2010? - answer- the elderly
Liberty for Americans includes? - answer- freedom of speech, economic freedom,
freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly
