Political Systems and Evolution Theory

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Questions and Answers

Which theory says that the state began when primitive families joined together and claimed territory? (Select one)

  • Social contract theory
  • Force theory
  • Evolution theory (correct)
  • Divine right theory

Which is a way that governments are classified? (Select one)

  • By those who participate (correct)
  • By the number of legislators
  • By population
  • By national wealth

Which is the same as government by popular consent or indirect democracy? (Select one)

  • Autocracy
  • Oligarchy
  • Representative democracy (correct)
  • Unitary democracy

Which of the following is a duty of every American citizen? (Select one)

<p>Paying taxes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is another term for free enterprise in the United States? (Select one)

<p>Capitalism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three basic powers of government?

<p>Legislative power, executive power, judicial power</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the four characteristics of the state?

<p>Population, territory, sovereignty, government</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase in the Preamble of the Constitution means the government should provide peace and order in society? (Select one)

<p>Insure domestic tranquility (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms classifies a government according to the number of people who can participate in it? (Select one)

<p>Dictatorship (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which type of government is power divided between a central government and several local governments? (Select one)

<p>Federal government (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is true of a parliamentary government compared to a presidential government? (Select one)

<p>The executive and legislative branches have fewer conflicts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is true of a parliamentary government compared to a presidential government? (Select one)

<p>Government participates through enforcing laws and regulations (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the divine right theory, what gave kings the right to rule? (Select one)

<p>God (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is an example of how Congress may use its legislative powers? (Select one)

<p>It may override a President's veto (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a dictatorship? (Select one)

<p>All power is in the hands of one person (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which theory claims that the state came from primitive families with the heads of these families forming the government? (Select one)

<p>Evolution theory (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which theory of the origin of the state did individuals or a group seize power by force? (Select one)

<p>Force theory (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the social contract theory of how the state came to be? (Select one)

<p>The people gave power to the government for the well-being of all (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When the people themselves create laws and policies, what type of government do they have? (Select one)

<p>A direct democracy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When thinking about government by geographic location, which is a basic form of government? (Select one)

<p>Federal (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is a limit on the power of the legislative branch in a presidential government? (Select one)

<p>The president can reject a proposed law (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which idea is central to democracy in the United States? (Select one)

<p>People should compromise to settle differences (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is a duty of every American citizen rather than a responsibility? (Select one)

<p>Obeying the law (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is one of the basic ideas of democracy? (Select one)

<p>Democracy should keep a balance between personal freedom and the law (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Because the United States has a free enterprise system, the government is not likely to do which of the following? (Select one)

<p>Set prices and wages (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of businesses that compete in a free enterprise system? (Select one)

<p>To make a profit (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which theory holds that God created the state and made it sovereign? (Select one)

<p>Divine right theory (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

This is a definition of the concept of justice: 'The law must be reasonable, fair and impartial.' (Select one)

<p>Justice (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Some people insist that the United States is a republic rather than a democracy because (Select one)

<p>The popular will is expressed by representatives, not directly by the people. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Power resides with the central government and local governments are secondary in a (Select one)

<p>Unitary government (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a parliamentary government, (Select one)

<p>The prime minister belongs to both the executive and legislative branches. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The democratic concept of equality entitles all to equal (Select one)

<p>Opportunity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The key relationship between democracy and free enterprise is that both (Select one)

<p>Are based on the concept of individual freedom (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The process by which a society decides how power and resources will be distributed within that society is called?

<p>Politics</p> Signup and view all the answers

Services provided by the US government are mostly intended to (Select one)

<p>Promote the general welfare (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a parliamentary democracy, the chief executive is chosen by the (Select one)

<p>Legislature (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Rhode Island and Vermont are not sovereign states in the international legal sense. Why not? (Select one)

<p>They are subordinate to the US Constitution (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following gives more power to local governments than to the central government? (Select one)

<p>A confederation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a free enterprise system, when demand for a product increases, what will happen to its price? (Select one)

<p>Increase (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The unitary form of government (Select one)

<p>Creates local units of government only for its own convenience (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a free enterprise system, who decides what, and how much, to produce? (Select one)

<p>Consumers and sellers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the American concept of democracy, which of the following is true? (Select one)

<p>The majority rules, but must be willing to listen to minority arguments (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What sets out the principles, structures, and processes of a government?

<p>Constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the power to interpret laws?

<p>Judicial power</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a politically organized body of people in a defined territory with power to make and enforce laws?

<p>State</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the institution through which society makes and enforces public policies?

<p>Government</p> Signup and view all the answers

What must every state have?

<p>Territory with recognized boundaries</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which theory holds that God created the state and made it sovereign? (Select one)

<p>Divine right theory (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A state differs from a nation in that?

<p>A state is a legal entity</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when powers are divided between a central government and local governments?

<p>Federal government</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a government in which one person has unlimited political power?

<p>Autocracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes the legislative and executive branches being independent and coequal?

<p>Presidential government</p> Signup and view all the answers

Political scientists frequently classify governments according to?

<p>Who participates in the governing process</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an alliance of independent states?

<p>Confederation</p> Signup and view all the answers

The democratic concept of equality entitles all to equal?

<p>Opportunity</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a duty of every American citizen? (Select one)

<p>Paying taxes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is compromise important in a democracy?

<p>Compromise ensures that minority arguments are considered</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept that the largest group will be right more often than it is wrong?

<p>Majority rule</p> Signup and view all the answers

The key relationship between democracy and free enterprise is that both?

<p>Are based on the concept of individual freedom</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is blending competing views and interests?

<p>Compromise</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a person who has certain rights and responsibilities within a state?

<p>Citizen</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Evolution Theory and State Formation

  • The evolution theory posits that the state originated when primitive families came together to form communities and claim territory.
  • This approach contrasts with other theories such as the divine right theory, social contract theory, and force theory.

Government Classifications

  • Governments can be classified based on participation, with key forms being representative democracy and dictatorship.
  • The representative democracy allows for government by popular consent, contrasting with the more autocratic nature of dictatorships.

Citizen Duties and Responsibilities

  • Every American citizen has specific duties, including the obligation to pay taxes, while responsibilities may include voting and community involvement.
  • Citizens are expected to obey the law, highlighting their role within the state.

Economic Systems in the U.S.

  • Capitalism is the term synonymous with free enterprise in the United States, focusing on private ownership and individual economic decisions.
  • A free enterprise system emphasizes minimal government interference in business, preventing price setting by the government.

Government Powers

  • The three basic powers of government are legislative, executive, and judicial, each serving distinct functions in governance.
  • Legislative powers include making laws and can involve overriding presidential vetoes.

Characteristics and Functions of the State

  • Essential characteristics of a state include population, territory, sovereignty, and a government that enforces laws.
  • The concept of justice within a state is defined as laws being reasonable, fair, and impartial.

Forms of Government

  • In a federal government, powers are shared between a central authority and local governments, while unitary governments centralize power.
  • Parliamentary governments differ from presidential systems, having the prime minister as both executive and legislative authority, reducing potential conflicts between branches.

Democratic Principles

  • Core democratic ideals in the U.S. include the importance of majority rule balanced with minority rights and the necessity of compromise in settling disputes.
  • The concept of equality in democracy is focused on providing equal opportunity to all citizens rather than equal outcomes.

Political Science Definitions

  • The study of politics defines how societies distribute power and resources, with classifications of government usually based on participation.
  • Terms such as confederation and autocracy designate specific government structures and power distributions.

Role of Citizens in Democracy

  • Citizens engage in government through voting, expressing their will indirectly via representatives.
  • It is highlighted that the majority must listen to minority viewpoints, emphasizing the collaborative nature of democratic governance.

Conclusion on Governance and Society

  • Government serves the public good by promoting general welfare and ensuring the common defense.
  • Understanding the principles of democracy, governance types, and citizen roles is crucial for appreciating the complexities of political systems.

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