Test your basic knowledge |

CSET Political Science Government

Subjects : cset, civics
Instructions:
  • Answer 32 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A federation - such as the US - is a union of 2 or more local governments under 1 central gov. - with both the central & local govs excercising independent spheres of authority - either in theory or in practice. In encourages unity in matters of gene






2. Intended to give blacks the right to vote.






3. Allows 18- year olds to vote in national elections.






4. Is enhanced by a two - party system as opposed to a multiparty system.






5. Holds that all government is evil - unnecessary - & undesirable.






6. Laws - & treaties of the US.






7. Forbids states to collect a poll tax as a prerequisite to voting in national elections.






8. Sometimes disappear - but the development of a new second party is the traditional pattern.






9. Is an example of a legislative check on the executive branch.






10. ...see following cards.






11. Are usually majority decisions - encouraging majority support for governmental policies.






12. Do arise & influence national politics. Minor parties have sometimes had senators & representatives elected and have occasionally dominated state & local politics.






13. Of court decisions is a check of the executive over the judicial branch.






14. This forbids the states to enter treaties - coin money - subvert the national currency - or pass any law impairing the obligation of contracts - and so on. It outlaws tariffs by states.






15. Powers are carefully separated & balanced among executive - legislative - & judicial branches to avoid centralization of powers & resultant tyranny.






16. It defines citizenship - providing supremacy of national citizenship over state citizenship. It restrains the states from depriving persons of life - liberty - or property without due process of law or denying persons the equal protection of laws.






17. Is an example of an executive check on the legislative branch.






18. The primary role of gov. & of the state is to develop - promote - & protect economic interests such as trade - markets - commerce - & wealth. Economic interestss that thrive under the protection of the state are powerful in determining the direction






19. This theory holds that the state is a product of force & conquest. Like other theories - it cannot be proved & is generally considered inadequate as an explanation of the origin of the state.






20. Stands for relatively rapid & sweeping economic collectivism (govt. ownership).






21. Forbids states to deny women the right to vote.






22. A loose union of states in which the principal power of gov are retained by the individual member states. Central gov. exists to perform a limited # of functions - such as national defense. The US was a confederation for 8 years under the Articles of






23. A distictive feature of the executive is that he or she is elected independently of the legislative & holds office for a fixed period. Also - the executive has extensive power not subject to control by the legislature. The term presidential governmen






24. Policy - making executives are the prime minister & the # of the cabinet - all of whom are members of the legislature & dependent on support of the legislature for continuance in office. Parliamentary gov. differs from the American system of separati






25. Government resting on the will of a single person or a small group of persons. The welfare of the state is often held above the welfare of the individual.






26. The right of the ruler to rule was inherited from his or her ancestors - who were believed to have been appointed by a supreme being. It is identified w/absolutist governments. It was accepted as the justification for the rule of kings in much of the






27. Can be confronted with an either - or choice - thus simplifying decisions & political processes.






28. Advocates the restriction of governmental activities within narrow limits - leaving a broad area of freedom to the individual.






29. Has ever had a president elected.






30. The Constitution & laws is an example of a check the judicianry holds over the president & Congress.






31. During most of US history - power has alternated between 2 major parties.






32. The primary meaning is government by the people. Indirect democracy implies government by the people's representatives - as in the U.S.