Government - Chapter 1

The United States is a _______ state because it can determine its own form of government.

• unitary

• sovereign

• confederacy

• oligarchy

Which theory of the origin of the state most strongly influenced the formation of the government of the United States?

• force theory

• evolutionary theory

• divine right theory

• social contract theory

Based on the Preamble, which of the following is the best summary of the purpose of the government of the United States?

• to preserve the liberty and rights of the people

• to make the United States the most powerful nation in the world

• to stay out of people's lives as much as possible

• To tightly control people's lives and behavior so that there would be peace, prosperity, and total equality

What are the four defining characteristics of a state?

• a leader, a legislature, a court system, and a military force

• the force theory, the evolutionary theory, the divine right theory, and the social contract theory

• liberty, justice, laws, and a constitution

• population, territory, sovereignty, and government

In a _______, there is an absolute ruler who is not held responsible to the will of the people.

• government

• dictatorship

• democracy

• constitution

The prime minister of a parliamentary government is

• chosen by the legislature and subject to its direct control.

• elected by the people.

• a self-appointed absolute ruler.

• a monarch who is a figurehead with no real powers.

What form of government does the United States have?

• direct democracy

• representative democracy

• autocracy

• oligarchy

A __________ government is one in which all powers held by the government belong to a single, central agency.

• unitary

• federal

• confederate

• presidential

Why are confederate governments rare?

• The central government tends to be weak since it has only the powers granted to it by its independent member states.

• They are frequently invaded by other states within the confederation.

• They are not respected by other governments in the world.

• It is impossible to get several different nations to give up their separate identities to become one confederation.

The process of blending and adjusting competing views and interests for the maximum satisfaction of all involved is called

• equality under the law

• individual freedom

• the free enterprise system

• compromise