Chapter 1 - American Political Culture

What is the most important check on majority rule in the United States? A. popular sovereignty B. pluralism C. minority rights D. laissez-faire

What are the three core values of American politics? A. liberty, equality, and democracy B. democracy, patriotism, and the rule of law C. equality, oligarchy, and free enterprise D. anarchy, equality, and patriotism

A representative democracy is a system of government that A. allows citizens to vote directly on laws and policies. B. allows citizens to make, veto, or judge statutes personally. C. gives citizens a regular opportunity to elect top government officials. D. gives citizens the ability to make important military decisions directly.

According to the text, what is the main benefit of a constitutional government? A. The government is limited by the rule of law. B. The government must obey democracy. C. The government will distribute social goods equally. D. The government is stable.

Government can best be defined as A. the institutions and procedures by which a territory and its people are ruled. B. the set of political principles and values that guide political life. C. the legalized theft of others' property. D. the invisible hand that turns private interests into public goods.

Which of the following is not a reason given to explain American citizens' increased political apathy? A. a decline in citizens' understanding of politics B. the increasing belief that people cannot make a difference in politics. C. an increase in the knowledge of how government operates D. the perception that government is out of touch with public opinion

The belief that you can influence how your government acts is called A. political efficacy. B. saliency. C. popular sovereignty. D. autocracy.

An autocracy exists when A. the government is controlled by a single individual. B. the government is controlled by a small but powerful group of people. C. the constitution of a government is followed strictly. D. the government is controlled by one dominant religious group.

It is important for Americans to have knowledge of democratic principles so that they A. will be able to determine who is or is not un-American. B. understand what forms of political conduct are consistent with democracy. C. are better able to assess their own interests when making political choices. D. will be better able to judge the legitimacy of other nations.

Which of the following is not an example given by the text of a totalitarian regime? A. pre-World War II Italy B. the Soviet Union C. Nazi Germany D. the United Kingdom