Social Contract Theory & US Government – Political Science
This Political science exam is about social contract theory and US government.
What was the significance of the Stamp Act Congress?
| It is considered the first official US government. | |
| It was the first time the colonies joined forces to oppose the British. – correct | |
| It was the first time that all 13 colonies sent representatives to meet. | |
| It was the first time that women were allowed to participate in government in the colonies. |
A form of government where power is held by a small group of elites
| representative democracy | |
| oligarchy- correct | |
| direct democracy | |
| theocracy |
Which of the following is NOT a basic concept of American government?
| ordered government | |
| autocratic government- correct | |
| representative government | |
| limited government |
The oldest and most common form of government is __________:
| democracy | |
| oligarchy | |
| dictatorship- correct | |
| anarchy |
How did colonial legislatures have control over royal governors in the American colonies?
| They had the “power of the purse,” which limited the governor’s power. – correct | |
| They appointed the governor by majority vote. | |
| They had no means of controlling the royal governors. | |
| They could vote to remove the royal governor from office by a majority vote. |
Each of the following countries has a democratic government with a unitary structure EXCEPT
| Botswana | |
| Costa Rica | |
| Cuba- correct | |
| France |
Rule by a single person with absolute power
| representative democracy | |
| oligarchy | |
| autocracy- correct | |
| theocracy |
Which of the following theories stresses family ties as the basis for the origin of the state?
| Evolutionary Theory | |
| Force Theory | |
| Social Contract Theory- correct | |
| Divine Right Theory |
What was the most important result of Shays’ Rebellion?
| It resulted in the deaths of many Massachusetts farmers. | |
| It forced farmers to pay higher taxes | |
| It was crushed by the US military. | |
| It indicated the need for a stronger national government in the US. – correct |
In a ________, all people participate in government decision-making.
| representative democracy | |
| autocracy- correct | |
| direct democracy | |
| theocracy |
Which of the following is among the purposes of government outlined in the Preamble to the Constitution?
| defending the nation against foreign enemies | |
| insuring order and domestic tranquility | |
| promoting the general welfare of the citizens | |
| all of the above- correct |
Which of the following is NOT among the characteristics of a state?
| population | |
| territory | |
| government | |
| democracy- correct |
What is considered the first example of a social contract in the American colonies?
| Magna Carta | |
| Petition of Right | |
| Mayflower Compact- correct | |
| Declaration of Independence |
In a ________, the people exercise their power in government by electing delegates to make decisions on their behalf.
| representative democracy- correct | |
| autocracy | |
| direct democracy | |
| theocracy |
In the early years of Colonial America, which colonies were the most self-governing?
| royal colonies | |
| proprietary colonies- correct | |
| charter colonies | |
| debtor colonies |
A government ruled by religious leaders with laws based on a specific religious doctrine
| representative democracy | |
| oligarchy | |
| autocracy | |
| theocracy- correct |
Our first attempt at a constitution for the United States was the _________.
| Stamp Act Congress | |
| First Continental Congress | |
| Articles of Confederation- correct | |
| Mayflower Compact |
Thomas Jefferson was most influenced by the political philosophy of _________ when he wrote the Declaration of Independence.
| Karl Marx | |
| John Locke- correct | |
| Benjamin Franklin | |
| Socrates |
A ____________ is the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.
| dictatorship | |
| public policy | |
| government- correct | |
| constitution |
Government in which power is limited to a single person or very small group exists in
| Cuba. – correct | |
| Costa Rica. | |
| the United States. | |
| Brazil. |
The structure of a(n) ____ requires that power be divided between a state’s central and local levels of government.
| Socialism | |
| Federal Government- correct | |
| Confederation | |
| Unitary Government |
In a _________ system of government, the chief executive is called a Prime Minister, and he/she is selected by the legislature, not directly by the voters.
| Presidential | |
| Parliamentary- correct | |
| Unitary | |
| Federal |
One major achievement of the national government under the Articles of Confederation was:
| It doubled the size of the United States by adding the Western Territories. | |
| It rescued the States from economic depression through tax programs. | |
| It defeated the French in the French and Indian War | |
| It handled Shays’ Rebellion quickly and efficiently. – correct |
The absence of any formal government
| Oligarchy | |
| Anarchy- correct | |
| Theocracy | |
| Democracy |
All of the things that the government decides to do are collectively known as _______.
| public policies- correct | |
| governments | |
| charters | |
| states |
What 1215 English document first established that the power of the monarchy was NOT absolute?
| Mayflower Compact | |
| Magna Carta- correct | |
| Petition of Right | |
| English Bill of Rights |
Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government had which of the following powers?
| Power to regulate trade between States | |
| Power to sign treaties- correct | |
| Power to tax | |
| Power to establish a national currency |
In a _____________, the governor and his advisors were all appointed by the king.
| royal colony- correct | |
| proprietary colony | |
| charter colony | |
| debtor colony |
In _________, the government controls all economic factors of production.
| Communism- correct | |
| Capitalism | |
| Socialism | |
| Federal Government |
The government set up by the Articles of Confederation had
| no legislative or judicial branch. | |
| only a legislative and an executive branch. | |
| only a legislative branch | |
| only an executive branch- correct |
Private ownership, individual initiative, competition, and profit motive are all cornerstones of ____________.
| Communism | |
| Capitalism- correct | |
| Socialism | |
| Federal Government |
The __________ lasted 5 years and is considered to be the first United States government.
| The Stamp Act Congress | |
| The First Continental Congress- correct | |
| The Second Continental Congress | |
| The Virginia House of Burgesses |
Which English document was drawn up by Parliament in 1689 to prevent future abuses of power by the English monarchs?
| Mayflower Compact | |
| Magna Carta | |
| Articles of Confederation | |
| English Bill of Rights- correct |
Social Contract Theory developed to challenge the idea that
| those of royal birth have zero authority to rule. | |
| the people is the true source of political power. – correct | |
| the head of a family, clan, or tribe has the natural right to govern. | |
| the strongest person or group has the right to control others by force. |
Which statement about the social contract theory is NOT true?
| The state was created voluntarily by a free people. | |
| The state exists because it was created by God. – correct | |
| Governmental powers are granted by the people. | |
| Governmental powers may be limited by the people. |