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</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

    <p>God</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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.</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</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.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

    <p>Legislature</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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</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

    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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    Description

    This quiz explores the evolution theory of state formation and contrasts it with various government classifications, including democracy and dictatorship. It also covers citizen duties and responsibilities in the U.S. context, alongside a brief look at economic systems like capitalism.

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