Declaration of Independence

Article I, Section 9 of the United States Constitution lists several powers that are denied to the federal government, such as granting titles of nobility and passing ex post facto laws. This best demonstrates which of the following ideals of democracy?

(D) Limited government

As a compromise, the framers agreed on a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives directly elected by popular vote within states and the Senate selected by state legislatures. The method chosen for electing members of the House of Representatives conforms most to which of the following democratic ideals?

(B) Government should be based on the consent of the governed.

The Declaration of Independence cites specific reasons for separating from British rule, including the British imposing taxes and maintaining a standing army without consent. Which of the following principles or ideas would these grievances be most related to?

(A) Natural rights such as life and liberty

Which of the following ideals of democracy is reflected in the procedure for apportionment in the House of Representatives?

(B) Government is based on the consent of the governed.

Which of the following is NOT a trait of a liberal democracy?

(D) Achieving income equality

Which of the following best captures a portion of the author’s argument?

(C) The government has made women subservient by denying them the right to vote.

Which of the following amendments to the United States Constitution addresses the grievance that a woman is not permitted “to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise”?

(D) Nineteenth Amendment

The language in the first paragraph of the selection most closely parallels that of which of the following documents?

(B) The Declaration of Independence

Which of the following best describes the influence of social contract theory on the Constitution of the United States?

(B) The framers attempted to legitimize the Constitution through an appeal to popular sovereignty.

Which of the following ideals of United States government is most relevant to this passage?

C) Limited Government

Which of the following best summarizes the perspective of Adam Smith in the passage?

(C) The government should not try to regulate manufacturing.

Based on the passage and your knowledge, which of the following most likely explains how Adam Smith might react to the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) ?

B) Smith would disapprove of the court's decision to expand the federal government's power to regulate the economy.

Which of the following positions on the government’s role in the marketplace is most influenced by the idea expressed in the passage?

(C) Government intervention in the free market should be avoided.

The Declaration of Independence states “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This was a revolutionary change from the system of British monarchy, which was based on the divine right of kings. For which of the ideals of democracy does this quote provide a foundation?

(A) Popular sovereignty

The Supreme Court’s decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) relates to foundational documents in which of the following ways?

D) The Federalist 78 is about the power and role of the federal courts, and in Marbury v. Madison, Madison expands that role by giving the courts the power to determine whether laws or executive actions conflict with the Constitution.

Which of the following describes the social contract theory as advanced by John Locke?

(C) It is an agreement in which the government promises to protect the natural rights of people.

In 1974, the House of Representatives approved a resolution granting the Judiciary Committee authority to investigate impeachment of President Nixon for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. Which constitutional ideal of democracy is demonstrated in this scenario?

(C) Limited government

The House of Representatives impeaches the president. Which of the following scenarios represents how bicameralism is used as a check on the vote to impeach?

(B) The Senate deliberates the case and votes to determine the president’s guilt or innocence.

The Warren Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) demonstrates which of the following about Supreme Court decisions?

D) Ideological changes in the composition of the Supreme Court have led to the rejection of an existing precedent.