Take this Quiz: AP US Government — foundations of American democracy | Zestly

Question 1

A town settles its budget at an open meeting where any resident may speak and every resident present votes on each line. Which model of democracy does the practice fit, and what distinguishes it from the nearest alternative?

Accepted Answer

Participatory, because citizens decide the question themselves rather than choosing someone to decide it or working through organisations that represent them

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Representative, because those who attend effectively stand in for neighbours who do not

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Pluralist, because the residents present constitute one of several groups competing over the budget

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Elite, because in practice only residents with the time to attend will shape the outcome

Question 2

In Federalist No. 10, Madison writes: "Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens." What is he arguing?

Accepted Answer

That enlarging the republic multiplies the interests within it, so assembling a majority behind any one of them becomes harder

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That faction can be abolished outright by removing the liberty that allows it to form

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That the number of political parties should be held to two, so that neither can command a permanent majority

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That a republic should admit only citizens whose economic interests already coincide, removing the occasion for faction

Question 3

Under the Articles of Confederation the national government repeatedly failed to pay its debts and could not meet its obligations. Which absent power explains that best?

Accepted Answer

It could not levy taxes, and depended on contributions the states were asked for and often did not send

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It could not declare war or raise an army under any circumstances

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It could not conduct foreign policy or make treaties with other nations

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It could not establish post offices or maintain communication between the states

Question 4

Which of these is an action by one branch of the federal government that constrains another branch of the federal government?

Answer

The President appoints the members of the cabinet

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The House of Representatives originates bills raising revenue

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A federal court strikes down a state statute as contrary to the Constitution

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The Senate votes down a President's nominee to a federal judgeship

Question 5

A state sets a lower minimum age for buying alcohol than a valid federal statute allows, and the two cannot both be obeyed. What settles the conflict, and on what basis?

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Neither prevails until the two governments negotiate an agreement, since federalism makes them equal sovereigns

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The state law prevails within the state's borders and the federal statute applies only on federal property

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The federal statute prevails, because Article VI makes the Constitution and laws made in pursuance of it the supreme law of the land, binding state judges

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The state law prevails, because the Tenth Amendment reserves to the states every power not delegated to the national government