Unit 1 Vocabulary Quiz: Foundational Concepts of Government & Po

Which of the following best defines the concept of "power"?

• The legitimate right to have influence, given by the people

• Cruel and oppressive government rule

• The ability to influence or control the behavior of people

• The act of a nation choosing its own government

What is the primary difference between "power" and "authority"?

• Authority is the use of military force, while power is not.

• There is no difference; the two terms mean the same thing.

• Authority only exists in a tyranny, while power exists in a democracy.

• Authority is the legitimate or rightful use of power, often with the people's consent.

A government is said to have "legitimacy" when its power is...

• accepted as right and proper by the people it governs.

• based on the ideas of a single philosopher.

• strong enough to conquer its neighbors.

• exercised by a small, exclusive group.

The Enlightenment idea of "consent of the governed" states that a government's right to rule is based on...

• the separation of powers.

• the permission of the people.

• the strength of its military.

• its Judeo-Christian traditions.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of legitimate authority?

• It is accepted by the people.

• It is based on coercion and force.

• It is recognized as rightful.

• It often involves the consent of the governed.

Which of these scenarios is the best example of "tyranny"?

• A system where power is divided into different branches to create checks and balances.

• A government where all people, including leaders, must follow the laws.

• A single ruler who holds absolute power and governs in a cruel or oppressive way.

• A society where citizens vote to elect their representatives.

The principle of the "rule of law," which has roots in the Magna Carta, means that...

• only the ruler's commands are considered the real law.

• all people and institutions, including the government, are accountable to the laws.

• citizens must give up all their natural rights to achieve order.

• laws are created through a process of historical interpretation and cannot be changed.

When the American colonists demanded "self-rule" from Great Britain, they were seeking...

• the right to have a king who was a better philosopher.

• the ability to choose their own government and manage their own affairs.

• a social contract that gave all power to the British Parliament.

• a government without any foundational documents.

A nation’s "constitution" is best described as...

• a primary source, like a diary entry from a founding leader.

• a body of fundamental principles that establishes how the government will be run.

• a declaration of war against another country.

• a secondary source written by a modern historian.

Ideas such as the protection of individual rights, citizen participation, and government by the people are all examples of...

• democratic principles.

• historiography.

• tyrannical rule.

• economic theories.