The Virginia and New Jersey Plans introduced at the Constitutional Convention differed mainly over whether

The Virginia and New Jersey Plans introduced at the Constitutional Convention differed mainly over whether

a) there should be a president
b) the states or the national government should regulate interstate commerce.
c) states should send equal numbers of representatives to Congress.
d) slavery should be permitted in the country.
e) there should be a legislative branch at the national level.


Answer: c) states should send equal numbers of representatives to Congress.

The view of human nature most prevalent among the Founding Fathers was that

The view of human nature most prevalent among the Founding Fathers was that 

a) people are disorganized and without vision.
b) men abhor power and the burdens that come with it.
c) people are self-interested in acquiring wealth and power.
d) human nature can be perfected, given the right social and political institutions.
e) people are basically cooperative and community-oriented.


Answer: c) people are self-interested in acquiring wealth and power.

Most of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention regarded what as the greatest threat to government?

Most of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention regarded what as the greatest threat to government?

a) kings
b) charismatic leaders
c) factions
d) foreign adversaries
e) slaves


Answer: c) factions

According to James Madison and many of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention, what is the primary source of political conflict?

According to James Madison and many of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention, what is the primary source of political conflict?

a) unequal distribution of wealth
b) stupidity
c) religious beliefs
d) emotions
e)ignorance



Answer: a) unequal distribution of wealth

What view of human nature did the delegates at the Constitutional Convention have?

What view of human nature did the delegates at the Constitutional Convention have?

a) Human nature is basically evil.
b) Altruistic view: humans are deeply concerned about each others' welfare, apart from their own self-interests.
c) Cynical view: human beings are selfish and greedy.
d) There is no human nature and humans are the product of their environment.
e) Humans are basically good.


Answer: c) Cynical view: human beings are selfish and greedy.

Which of the following was NOT a characteristic of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention?

Which of the following was NOT a characteristic of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention?

a) They were all men.
b) A significant number were urbanites.
c) Many were college graduates.
d) They were mostly wealthy planters.
e) Most were residents of the western frontiers.


Answer: e) Most were residents of the western frontiers.

What was the original, sole, and express purpose of the convention in Philadelphia?

What was the original, sole, and express purpose of the convention in Philadelphia?

a) to revise the Articles of Confederation
b) to choose the first president
c) to negotiate the first peace treaty with Great Britain
d) to grant women the right to vote
e) to abolish the Articles of Confederation


Answer: a) to revise the Articles of Confederation.

Those who met at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 were

Those who met at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 were 

a) a mix of wealthy and middle-class Americans.
b) split evenly between Democrats and Republicans.
c) overwhelmingly middle-class farmers.
d) primarily British officials overseeing the implementation of the new government agreed to in the peace treaty.
e) wealthy planters, lawyers, and merchants.



Answer: e) wealthy planters, lawyers, and merchants.

Under the Articles of Confederation most governmental power rested in

Under the Articles of Confederation most governmental power rested in

a) the president.
b) the national government.
c) the Congress.
d) the state governments.
e) all of the above


Answer: d) the state governments.

The United States government under the Articles of Confederation can best be described as

The United States government under the Articles of Confederation can best be described as

a) overly bureaucratic.
b) dictatorial.
c) weak and ineffective.
d) a personal tool of George Washington.
e) overly prone to intervention in foreign affairs.



Answer: c) weak and ineffective.

Which of the following is FALSE about the United States government under the Articles of Confederation?

Which of the following is FALSE about the United States government under the Articles of Confederation?

a) Most authority rested with the United States Congress rather than the state governments.
b) The Congress had only one house.
c) There was no president.
d) Each state had only one vote in Congress.
e) All of these are false.


Answer: a) Most authority rested with the United States Congress rather than the state governments.

Under the Articles of Confederation, most power rested with the

Under the Articles of Confederation, most power rested with the

a) Continental Congress.
b) president.
c) state legislatures.
d) the British Parliament.
e) United States Senate.


Answer: c) state legislatures.

The primary goal of the American Revolution was to

The primary goal of the American Revolution was to

a) create a new economic order.
b) restore rights the colonists felt were already theirs as British subjects.
c) establish property rights.
d) institutionalize new social values based on equality.
e) establish a new political system.


Answer: b) restore rights the colonists felt were already theirs as British subjects.

Beginning in 1781, the United States was governed under the

Beginning in 1781, the United States was governed under the

a) British Constitution.
b) Basic Law of 1781.
c) Mayflower Compact.
d) current United States Constitution.
e) Articles of Confederation.


Answer: e) Articles of Confederation.

The Articles of Confederation were adopted by

The Articles of Confederation were adopted by

a) the Continental Army under command of General George Washington.
b) the Continental Congress.
c) President George Washington.
d) a small, self-appointed committee of the nation's political leaders.
e) the British Parliament.



Answer: b) the Continental Congress.

The primary goal of the American Revolution was

The primary goal of the American Revolution was

a) to gain control over the colonies' trade with foreign nations.
b) to restore the colonists' rights as British subjects.
c) to cut taxes.
d) to gain control of the western frontier.
e) to win the right to print paper money that could be used to pay off debts.


Answer: b) to restore the colonists' rights as British subjects.

Thomas Jefferson's phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" was a modification of John Lock's phrase "Life, liberty, and _____."

Thomas Jefferson's phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" was a modification of John Lock's phrase "Life, liberty, and _____."

a) equality
b) heaven
c) health
d) God
e) property


Answer: e) property

Lockean thought and the Declaration of Independence are similar in that both

Lockean thought and the Declaration of Independence are similar in that both

a) support the concept of natural rights and the idea that government be built on the consent of the governed.
b) recognize the right of the people to determine their own form of government, short of resorting to revolution.
c) value the preservation or private property.
d) seek common ideals in government through the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.
e) were developed in the late 1700s.



Answer: a) support the concept of natural rights and the idea that government be built on the consent of the governed.

In John Locke's philosophy, the requirements that standing laws be known and private property be preserved

In John Locke's philosophy, the requirements that standing laws be known and private property be preserved

a) impose two major limits on government.
b) are unenforceable when government is limited.
c) could only be enforced by a powerful king.
d) must be sacrificed in the interest of democracy.
e) are always threatened by democratic government.


Answer: a) impose two major limits on government.

John Locke believed that the "end of government" was

John Locke believed that the "end of government" was

a) equality of man.
b) "the beginning of life."
c) pursuit of happiness.
d) majority rule.
e) preservation or property.


Answer: e) preservation of property.

The sole purpose of government, according to John Locke, was to

The sole purpose of government, according to John Locke, was to 

a) prevent anarchy.
b) educate its people.
c) protect individuals from violence.
d) promote the common good.
e) protect natural rights.


Answer: e) protect natural rights.

The justification for separation from England in the Declaration of Independence was based heavily on the ideas of the English philosopher

The justification for separation from England in the Declaration of Independence was based heavily on the ideas of the English philosopher

a) Henry VIII.
b) Oliver Cromwell.
c) John Locke.
d) Lord North.
e) David Hume.


Answer: c) John Locke.

Reflecting the natural rights philosophy, the Declaration of Independence stated that governments derive their just powers from

Reflecting the natural rights philosophy, the Declaration of Independence stated that governments derive their just powers from

a) tradition.
b) God.
c) a Constitution.
d) the consent of the governed.
e) their elected leaders.


Answer: d) the consent of the governed.

The Declaration of Independence argued that

The Declaration of Independence argued that

a) people should revolt when they suffer deep injustices.
b) nations are indivisible and a people must never secede from their mother nation.
c) the British parliament was to blame for the evils imposed upon the colonists.
d) revolution is justifiable whenever people become angry with their government.
e) people should always work peacefully within the system to redress any grievances they have.



Answer: a) people should revolt when they suffer deep injustices.

John Locke believed in each of the following EXCEPT

John Locke believed in each of the following EXCEPT

a) consent of the governed.
b) limited government.
c) natural rights.
d) divine rights of kings.
e) both c and d


Answer: d) divine rights of kings.

John Locke's ideas on natural rights were related to human law in that

John Locke's ideas on natural rights were related to human law in that

a) human law and natural rights were unimportant after revolution.
b) natural rights were considered higher than human law.
c) natural rights were less important than human law.
d) human law was the source of natural rights.
e) human law protected property rights, making human law equal to natural rights.



Answer: b) natural rights were considered higher than human law.

Which of these was NOT among John Locke's key philosophical concepts?

Which of these was NOT among John Locke's key philosophical concepts?

a) natural rights
b) consent of the governed
c) limited government
d) property rights
e) checks and balances


Answer: e) checks and balances

The foundation of John Locke's philosophy was that human beings

The foundation of John Locke's philosophy was that human beings

a) derive their rights from nature.
b) have rights that are granted them by government.
c) are granted their rights by their King.
d) derive their rights from God.
e) determine their own rights.


Answer: a) derive their rights from nature.

The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence

a) became one of the most important statements of American political philosophy.
b) took several months to write.
c) contained completely new ideas on political philosophy.
d) blamed the British parliament for abuses on the colonies.
e) all of the above


Answer: a) became one of the most important statements of American political philosophy.

The primary author of the Declaration of Independence was

The primary author of the Declaration of Independence was

a) Benjamin Franklin.
b) James Madison.
c) Thomas Jefferson.
d) George Washington.
e) King George III.


Answer: c) Thomas Jefferson.

The Declaration of Independence was primarily

The Declaration of Independence was primarily

a) an original philosophical treatise on politics.
b) the United States' first constitution.
c) an outline for a new government.
d) a polemic, announcing and justifying a revolution.
e) a treaty with France for war against Britain.


Answer: d) a polemic, announcing and justifying a revolution.

The Declaration of Independence was a

The Declaration of Independence was a 

a) thoughtful, cautious explanation of why independence might be a good idea if certain demands were not met.
b) bitter attack against the British king for abuses said to have been done to the colonists over a long period of time.
c) last effort by the American colonists to get back on good terms with England, while only threatening independence.
d) valid legal document under British law.
e) proclamation from King George III granting the American colonists the right to form their own nation.


Answer: b) bitter attack against the British king for abuses said to have been done to the colonists over a long period of time.

Who issued the Declaration of Independence?

Who issued the Declaration of Independence?

a) General George Washington
b) the Constitutional Convention of 1776
c) the Continental Congress
d) the 13 colonial legislatures
e) President George Washington


Answer: c) the Continental Congress

According to Thomas Jefferson, which of the following is an inalienable right?

According to Thomas Jefferson, which of the following is an inalienable right?

a) Taxes
b) Incontinence
c) Jurisprudence
d) Liberty
e) Justice


Answer: d) Liberty

The overall set of shared values in a society is known as

The overall set of shared values in a society is known as

a) political culture.
b) populism.
c) value added voting.
d) individualism.
e) collectivism.



Answer: a) political culture.

The writers of the United States Constitution

The writers of the United States Constitution

a) patterned our government after Britain's except for the King.
b) were distrustful of democracy.
c) were interested in promoting equality above all else.
d) believed in majority rule.
e) sought to establish the most democratic system they could.


Answer: b) were distrustful of democracy.

The effects a policy has on people and problems is called

The effects a policy has on people and problems is called

a) policy issues.
b) policy implementation.
c) policy agenda.
d) policy impacts.
e) policy outputs.


Answer: d) policy impacts.

One type of linkage institution is

One type of linkage institution is

a) an interest group.
b) a bureaucracy.
c) a government.
d) a legislature.
e) all of the above


Answer: a) an interest group.

Political issues

Political issues

a) arise when people disagree about a problem or public policy choices made to combat a problem.
b) usually emerge out of group consensus on a problem.
c) are limited in number in the United States.
d) are always acted upon by the government.
e) all of the above


Answer: a) arise when people disagree about a problem or public policy choices made to combat the problem.

Public policy is defined as a

Public policy is defined as a 

a) course of action by a political party.
b) course of action to solve a problem.
c) policy directed at more than one person.
d) choice that government makes in response to an issue.
e) set of rules and regulations issued by a government agency.


Answer: d) choice that government makes in response to an issue.

A choice that government makes in response to some issue on its agenda is called

A choice that government makes in response to some issue on its agenda is called

a) a law.
b) rational choice theory.
c) stimulus-response.
d) selective selection.
e) public policy.


Answer: e) public policy.

Parties and interest groups

Parties and interest groups

a) determine which issues are on the policy agenda.
b) determine the congressional agenda.
c) are not particularly interested in the policy agenda.
d) work hard to get the issues they want on the policy agenda.
e) have no effect on the policy agenda.


Answer: d) work hard to get the issues they want on the policy agenda.

Which of these is a linkage institution?

Which of these is a linkage institution?

a) 'USA Today'
b) the House of Representatives
c) the ambassador to France
d) the president's cabinet
e) all of the above


Answer: a) 'USA Today'

Which of the following is NOT a linkage institution?

Which of the following is NOT a linkage institution?

a) interest groups
b) political parties
c) Congress
d) the media
e) All of these are linkage institutions.


Answer: c) Congress

In a democratic society, parties, elections, interest groups and the media are all examples of _____ between the preferences of citizens and the government's policy agenda.

In a democratic society, parties, elections, interest groups and the media are all examples of _____ between the preferences of citizens and the government's policy agenda.

a) inputs and outputs
b) linkage institutions
c) ideological bridges
d) obstacles
e) cross-pollination



Answer: b) linkage institutions

A political party is a key _____ in America's democratic system.

A political party is a key _____ in America's democratic system.

a) output
b) linkage institution
c) stimulus-response
d) majoritarian inhibitor
e) input


Answer: b) linkage institution

Which of the following statements about a government's policy agenda is FALSE?

Which of the following statements about a government's policy agenda is FALSE?

a) A government's policy agenda tends to remain constant over time.
b) When you vote, you are partly looking at whether a candidate shares your agenda or not.
c) Bad news gets an issue on the policy agenda more quickly than good news.
d) When people confront government officials with problems to be solved, they are trying to influence the government's policy agenda.
e) None of the above; all are true.


Answer: a) A government's policy agenda tends to remain constant over time.

All of the following are parts of the policymaking system EXCEPT

All of the following are parts of the policymaking system EXCEPT

a) policy.
b) people's political interests.
c) policymaking institutions.
d) linkage institutions.
e) public goods.


Answer: e) public goods.

____ is the process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time.

____ is the process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time.

a) Government
b) Democracy
c) A constellation
d) A policymaking system
e) The bureaucracy


Answer: d) A policymaking system

An example of public policy making would be

An example of public policy making would be

a) the president meeting with the heads of oil companies.
b) Congress and the president deciding not to act on the AIDS crisis.
c) the press creating public concern about racial discrimination.
d) a majority of the public supporting the idea of government dealing with unemployment.
e) all of the above


Answer: b) Congress and the president deciding not to act on the AIDS crisis.

The list of problems to which political leaders are paying serious attention is a(n)

The list of problems to which political leaders are paying serious attention is a(n)

a) problem set.
b) policy agenda.
c) legislative package.
d) issue constellation.
e) none of the above


Answer: b) policy agenda.

A public good is defined as

A public good is defined as

a) a public policy that is good for the nation as a whole.
b) something provided by the government that cannot be provided by the private sector.
c) something in which any member of society can share.
d) a choice that government makes in response to a political issue.
e) all of the above


Answer: c) something in which any member of society can share.

The policymaking institutions of the American national government include all of the following EXCEPT

The policymaking institutions of the American national government include all of the following EXCEPT

a) the Supreme Court.
b) the presidency.
c) Congress.
d) political parties.
e) the Senate.


Answer: d) political parties.