GOV CH1 MCQ PRACTICE

What is the main building where the Senate and the House of Representatives meet?

The U.S. Capitol Building.

What document expressed the American colonies' rebellion against the British monarchy?

The Declaration of Independence.

How did Thomas Paine describe government in his work 'Common Sense'?

As a necessary evil, with its worst state being intolerable.

What percentage of Americans in a 2017 Pew Research Center poll said they trust the government 'just about always'?

4 percent.

What percentage of Americans in the same poll said they trust the government 'most of the time'?

16 percent.

What percentage of Americans indicated they trust the government 'only some of the time'?

About 70 percent.

What is a common portrayal of politicians in popular media?

They are often depicted as corrupt or power-hungry villains.

What historical event is mentioned as an example of distrust in government?

The assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

According to the notes, what is the central concern of all governments?

Power.

How can the power to rule be gained or lost according to the notes?

Through various means, including military campaigns or peaceful transfers like elections.

Who overthrew the Shang dynasty in ancient China?

The Zhou dynasty, led by Wu.

What is Max Weber's definition of power?

The possibility of imposing one's will upon the behavior of other persons.

How did Kenneth E. Boulding define power?

As our capacity to get other people to do things that contribute to what we want.

What do French and Raven theorize about power?

They theorize that there are five sources of power, ranging from persuasion to coercion.

What is a common theme in the history of governments according to the notes?

The violent overthrow of one government by another.

What is the significance of the phrase 'necessary evil' in relation to government?

It suggests that while government is essential, it is also viewed with skepticism and distrust.

What role does public opinion play in perceptions of government?

Public opinion often reflects a lack of trust in government, as shown in polls.

What is one way power is exercised according to the notes?

Through various means including persuasion and coercion.

What does the concept of power encompass according to the notes?

It includes the ability to exercise will over others and the sources, uses, and effects of that power.

What historical example illustrates the transfer of power in modern times?

Presidential elections in the United States.

What is the relationship between government and society as suggested by Thomas Paine?

Society is a blessing, but government is a necessary evil.

How does the public's trust in government reflect historical attitudes?

It shows a persistent skepticism that has roots in the founding of the nation.

What is the impact of conspiracy theories on public perception of government?

They contribute to the belief that government officials cannot be trusted.

What is the broader implication of the distrust in government as discussed in the notes?

It raises questions about the necessity and effectiveness of government itself.

What are the five sources of power exercised by political leaders?

Political leaders often combine legitimate, referent, reward, coercive, and expert power.

How do political leaders use power to influence citizens?

They combine different sources of power to encourage citizens to act in certain ways, such as offering tax breaks.

What is the dual nature of power in governance?

Power can be used for positive purposes, like building cities, or negative purposes, such as abusing wealth or committing violence.

How did Thomas Paine characterize British rule in his work Common Sense?

He described it as 'a long and violent abuse of power' and noted that 'a thirst for absolute power is the natural disease of monarchy.'

What did Lord Acton say about power?

He stated, 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'

What is authority in the context of power?

Authority is the right to use power, which can stem from tradition or legal definitions.

What is formal authority?

Formal authority is power that has been defined in a legal or official way, such as through a constitution or contract.

Who are examples of individuals with formal authority?

School principals, police officers, and presidents have formal authority.

What gives a ruler legitimacy?

Legitimacy arises when the power and authority of a leader are accepted as valid by the people they govern.

How can a military leader gain legitimacy after seizing power?

They must convince the people they conquered of their right to govern.

What is the Mandate of Heaven?

A doctrine that provided legitimacy to Chinese rulers, stating they were the 'son of heaven' and had authority as long as they ruled morally.

What happens to the Mandate of Heaven if a ruler fails to govern well?

It passes to someone else who is deemed more worthy.

What was the divine right of kings?

A doctrine that claimed monarchs had a God-given right to rule without accountability to the people.

Who were some European philosophers that challenged the divine right of kings?

Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

What is the social-contract theory of government?

The legitimacy of a government stems from an unwritten contract between the ruler and the ruled.

What role does tradition play in establishing authority?

Tradition can grant authority, such as parents over children or religious leaders over congregations.

What is the relationship between power and authority?

People with the right to use power are said to have authority.

How does the willingness of the governed affect a ruler's legitimacy?

Legitimacy rises and falls based on the willingness of people to follow their leaders.

What historical example illustrates the concept of legitimacy through the Mandate of Heaven?

The Zhou leader Wu had to convince the Shang people of his right to govern after seizing power.

What is the significance of the phrase 'son of heaven' in Chinese governance?

It denotes the ruler's divine right to govern all under heaven, contingent on moral leadership.

What does the social-contract theory imply about the relationship between rulers and the ruled?

It suggests that the authority of a government is based on an agreement between the governing and the governed.

How did the concept of legitimacy evolve in European monarchies?

Powerful monarchs initially claimed divine right but faced challenges leading to the development of social-contract theories.

What is the impact of power on governance according to the notes?

Power can lead to both constructive governance and severe abuses, depending on the ruler's intentions.

What is the social contract in the context of government?

An agreement where people obey a ruler in exchange for protection of their rights; if the ruler abuses power, they lose legitimacy and should be removed.

What document did the English colonists sign in 1620 to establish a government?

The Mayflower Compact.

What are the main purposes of government?

Maintaining public order, protecting life and property, and providing public goods.

How did Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau view the role of government?

They emphasized the need for government to preserve order and protect people's lives and property.

What are public goods?

Goods that belong to all citizens, created by the government and funded by taxes, available to everyone regardless of tax payment.

Give an example of a public good.

Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois.

What are the two key characteristics of public goods?

1. More than one person can consume them without reducing availability to others. 2. Once available, all people have the right to use them.

How does a public good differ from a private good?

Public goods are available to everyone and do not diminish with use, while private goods are owned by individuals and diminish when consumed.

What is coercion in the context of government?

The use of power by the government to force citizens to behave in certain ways, such as through police, courts, and prisons.

What role does revenue collection play in government?

It is essential for providing protection and public goods.

What historical structure was built by the Qin emperor to protect against northern nomads?

The Great Wall of China.

What is the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

It organized the signers into a 'civil body politic,' establishing a form of self-government.

What did Hobbes mean by 'continual fear and danger of violent death'?

He argued that without government protection, people would live in constant fear of violence.

What are some examples of public goods provided by the government?

Community schools, roads, fire and police protection, national parks.

How does the concept of public goods relate to tax dollars?

Citizens pay for public goods with their tax dollars, making them available to all.

What happens to the availability of a public good when it is consumed?

The availability of a public good is not reduced when consumed by one person.

What is the role of the police in maintaining public order?

They use coercion to enforce laws and ensure safety in public spaces.

What might a government do during times of war regarding its citizens?

It may institute a draft, forcing citizens to join the military.

Why are public goods important for a community?

They provide essential services and infrastructure that benefit all citizens.

What is an example of a private good?

An apple purchased at a grocery store.

What is the relationship between public goods and community safety?

Public goods, such as police protection, contribute to the overall safety and security of the community.

What does it mean for a ruler to lose legitimacy?

It means that the ruler has broken the social contract by abusing power and is no longer seen as a rightful leader.

What is conscription in the context of government?

Conscription, or a military draft, is a means by which a government compels young people to serve in the armed forces.

What is jury duty?

Jury duty is an involuntary service where a panel of citizens decides an accused person's guilt or innocence of a crime.

How do governments typically collect revenue?

Governments collect revenue from the people they govern, historically through means such as tribute and taxation.

What is tribute in the context of ancient empires?

Tribute refers to payments or gifts extracted by a powerful empire from smaller states as a sign of submission.

How did the Qin dynasty in China acquire resources for public goods?

The Qin dynasty levied taxes on its citizens to acquire resources needed for projects like the Great Wall.

What forms of government did ancient Greeks experiment with?

Ancient Greeks experimented with various forms of government, including rule by the rich, powerful, and all male citizens.

Who is considered the father of political science?

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle is revered as the father of political science.

What two lines did Aristotle use to categorize governments?

Aristotle categorized governments based on the number of people involved in governing and the motivations of those in power.

What did Aristotle believe about ideal rulers?

Aristotle believed ideal rulers should care about the common good, unlike corrupt rulers who pursue their own selfish interests.

What is Aristotle's ideal form of government?

Aristotle's ideal form of government is a monarchy led by a single, virtuous ruler.

What is a polity according to Aristotle?

A polity is a form of government where the best-qualified citizens, typically from the middle class, dominate and make decisions for the common good.

What did Aristotle conclude about the distribution of power?

Aristotle concluded that spreading power over a large number of people reduces the chances of tyranny.

How did Aristotle's ideas influence the founders of the United States?

The founders of the United States faced similar questions about government as Aristotle and were influenced by his writings.

What is the 49th Parallel?

The 49th Parallel is the agreed-upon border between Western Canada and the United States.

What is the significance of the middle class in Aristotle's concept of government?

Aristotle argued that a numerous middle class in government leads to fewer factions and divisions among citizens.

What did Aristotle think about political writers' ideas?

Aristotle believed that while political writers have excellent ideas, they are often impractical.

What is the role of coercion in government during times of war?

Governments may use coercion, such as a draft, to force citizens to join the military for national protection.

What historical method did China use to collect revenue besides taxes?

China historically collected revenue through tribute from neighboring peoples.

What did Aristotle believe about the moral character of rulers?

Aristotle believed that the moral character of those in power is crucial in determining the effectiveness of a government.

What is the relationship between the number of rulers and the risk of tyranny according to Aristotle?

Aristotle believed that having a larger number of rulers decreases the risk of tyranny from a single leader or a mob.

What did Aristotle emphasize about the practicality of government forms?

Aristotle emphasized that we should consider not only the best form of government but also what is possible and attainable.

How did Aristotle's views on government differ from those of the ancient Chinese rulers?

While ancient Chinese rulers often had a single powerful ruler, Aristotle favored a more distributed form of governance.

What are the four key characteristics of a nation-state?

1. Territorial integrity: occupies a specific geographic territory with recognized boundaries. 2. Stable population: has people living permanently within its boundaries. 3. Code of laws: people agree to live under a common legal system. 4. National sovereignty: independent and self-governing.

What two concepts merge to form a nation-state?

The concepts of 'nation' (a group of people sharing common ethnic origin, culture, and language) and 'state' (a geographical area controlled by a single government).

How do the governments of modern nation-states vary?

Power can be concentrated in the hands of a few leaders or broadly distributed among the people, as seen in democracies like the United States.

What is the purpose of political activity?

Political activity is purposeful and can range from simple actions like reading a political cartoon to complex actions like running for public office.

What did Harold Lasswell famously describe politics as?

The process of determining 'who gets what, when, how.'

What historical example illustrates the complexity of political processes?

The Erie Canal, which faced extensive debate and planning before construction began in 1817.

What role do citizens play in the governance of the United States?

Citizens participate in elections and engage in political activities to influence governance.

What might motivate citizens to engage in political discussions about local proposals?

Concerns about community issues, such as the impact of a new skateboard park on taxes or community attractiveness.

How do citizens express their political opinions regarding local proposals?

By discussing issues, attending city council meetings, and voicing support or opposition.