Political Science: Unit 1 Test

Latin: "You shall/should have the body." A court order directing that a prisoner be brought to court before a judge to determine whether that prisoner's detention is lawful. A. stare decisis B. redress of grievances C. writ of habeas corpus D. writ of assistance

writ of habeas corpus

Which of the following statements describes a constitution? A. A list of obligation of citizens B. A priority for achieving particular policies C. A plan that sets forth the structure and powers of government D. A compilation of statures that have been in effect for at least fifty years.

A plan that sets forth the structure and powers of government

Many of the first state constitutions included A. Unrestricted voting rights B. The right of initiatives and referendum C. Executive supremacy D. Bill of rights

Bill of rights

An economic system in which the means of producing and distributing goods are privately owned and operate for profit in competitive markets. A. Charter B. Constitution C. Constituent D. Precedent

Capitalism

A written document from a government or ruler that grants certain rights to an individual, group, organization, or to people in general. In colonial times, this could grant land to a person or company along with the right to found a colony on that land. A. Charter B. Constitution C. Constituent D. Precedent

Charter

In American constitutional thought, distributing and balancing the powers of government among different branches so that no one branch or individual can completely dominate the others.

Checks and Balances

The dedication of citizens to the common welfare of their community or country, even at the cost of their individual interest. Traditionally considered most relevant to republics, since republican citizens are responsible for the well-being of their country. A. Political legitimacy B. Common good C. Civic virtue D. Common law

Civic Virtue

The ideals and practices of the classical Greek or Roman civilizations that emphasized civil participation and the responsibility of citizens for the well-being of their polity, or country. Acts by citizens that places the public good, or common welfare, above private interest were especially prized. A. Classical Republicanism B. State of Nature C. Law of Nature D. Inalienable Rights

Classical Republicanism

The body of unwritten law developed in England from judicial decisions based on custom and earlier judicial decisions. Constitutes the basis of the English legal system and became part of American law, except in Louisiana, which inherited its civil law system from France. A. Political legitimacy B. Common good C. Civic virtue D. Common law

Common Law

The good of the community as a whole, as contrasted with private interests that may conflict with public interest. A. Political legitimacy B. Common good C. Civic virtue D. Common law

Common good

Agreement by citizens to obey the laws and the government they create. It is the foundation of government's legitimacy.

Consent of the Governed

A person represented by an elected official. A. Charter B. Precedent C. Constituent D. Constitution

Constituent

A plan of government that sets forth the structure and powers of government. In democracies, this is an authoritative law though which the sovereign people authorize a government to be established and grant it certain powers. A. Charter B. Precedent C. Constituent D. Constitution

Constitution

A binding agreement made by two or more persons or parties. The Mayflower Compact was such an agreement.

Covenant

Literally defined as "rule of the people" this is a form of government in which all citizens exercise political power, either directly or through their elected representatives.

Democracy

The Enlightenment inspired America's Founders by A. Endorsing executive supremacy B. Making society more rigidly structured C. Justifying divine rights of kings D. Emphasizing what could be achieved through the exercises of human rights

Emphasizing what could be achieved through the exercises of human rights

The Magna Carta included the important constitutional principle that established A. Freedom of religion B. Equal rights for all citizens C. Government based on the rule of law D. The supremacy of parliament

Government based on the rule of law

Fundamental rights inherent to being humans that every person therefore possessed that cannot be taken away by government or another entity. This phrase was used in the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. A. Classical Republicanism B. State of Nature C. Law of Nature D. Inalienable Rights

Inalienable Rights

In natural rights philosophy, moral rules found out by correctly applied reason or right reason, telling persons what they may and may not do in various circumstances. in philosophy, these have often referred to the rules that would prevail I the absence of man-made law. This term refers to something conceived to contain standards of justice that apply to all people. A. Classical Republicanism B. State of Nature C. Law of Nature D. Inalienable Rights

Law of Nature

In natural rights philosophy, a system restricted to protecting natural rights that does not interfere with others aspects of life.

Limited Government

Also known as the Great Charter, King John of England agreed to this document in 1215 at the demand of his barons. It granted certain civil rights and liberties to English nobles and to all "freemen".

Magna Carta

An agreement to form a political body signed on November 21, 1620, whereby the signers agreed to submit to "just and equal Laws."

Mayflower Compact

The doctrine that people have basic rights, such as those to life, liberty, and property in a state of nature. Enlightened writers argued that certain of these rights are inalienable-inherent in being human- and that people create governments to protect those rights.

Natural Rights

Acceptance by the governed that the claim to authority by those who govern is justified. In democratic societies, this is achieved only when those who govern gain power though the free consent of the governed in free and fair elections. A. Political legitimacy B. Common good C. Civic virtue D. Common law

Political legitimacy

The idea that political power is derived from the people is called A. Popular sovereignty B. Judicial review C. Unitary government D. Executive supremacy

Popular sovereignty

The natural rights concept ultimate political authority rests with the people.

Popular sovereignty

Previous court decisions upon which legal issues are decided. A. Charter B. Precedent C. Constituent D. Constitution

Precedent

In colonial America, the right to vote most often depended on a person's gender and A. National origin B. Social Class C. Ancestry D. Property Ownership

Property Ownership

An "unalienable" right stated in the Declaration of Independence. it is the rights others. A. Political legitimacy B. Common good C. Pursuit of happiness D. Common law

Pursuit of Happiness

Civic virtue is best defined as A. Given authority to government in exchange for protection of natural rights B. Putting the common good above individual interests C. Giving up some natural rights to create a strong government D. Separating power among groups to maintain balanced government

Putting the common good above individual interests

According to James Madison, a form of government that derives its powers directly or indirectly from the people, is administered by officials holding power for a limited time, and incorporates representative institutions.

Republic

The right of the sovereign people of any democratic state of regime to depose a government if it has not respected citizens' basic rights for a significant period of time.

Right to Revolution

The principle that both those who govern and those whose are governed must obey the law and are subject to the same laws.

Rule of Law

The condition of people living in a situation without government; anarchy. Natural rights philosophy inquired about what rights, moral rules, or laws applied in such circumstances and what rights, if any, people retained after agreeing to leave this in order to form a politically organized society or state. A. Classical Republicanism B. State of Nature C. Law of Nature D. Inalienable Rights

State of Nature

In comparison with the Greek and Roman ideals of civic virtue, the Judeo-Christian tradition A. Advocates enlightened self-interest B. Emphasizes the common good C. Stresses the dignity and worth of each individual D. Reduces the importance of individual rights

Stresses the dignity and worth of each individual

The Declaration of Independence asserted that A. A "candid world" would emerge from the American revolution B. Parliament had oppressed he colonies through the Townsend Acts C. American Independence respected the "opinions of mankind" D. The colonies were now free and independent states

The colonies were now free and independent states

The purpose of a writ of habeas corpus is to protect the individual against A. Accusation of treason B. Unlawful detention C. Cruel and Unusual punishment D. Self-Incrimination

Unlawful detention

The right of a branch of government to reject a proposed law that has been passed by another branch in an effort to delay or prevent its enactment. Under the U.S. Constitution, it is the power of the president to refuse to sign a bill passed by Congress, thereby preventing it from becoming a law. A. Charter B. Veto C. Constituent D. Capitalism

Veto

To say that the rights to life, liberty, and property are unalienable means that they A. cannot be given up or taken away B. belong to only citizens C. are subject to governmental approval D. are protected by the Constitution

cannot be given up or taken away

According to the natural rights philosophy, the main purpose of government is to A. create a democracy B. protect individual rights C. create a system of separation of powers D. promote the rights by the Constitution

protect individual rights

Latin: "Let the precedent (decision) stand." The doctrine that a court should follow the previous decisions of other courts on cases in which the facts are substantially the same. This principle plays a key role in the United States' legal system. A. stare decisis B. redress of grievances C. writ of habeas corpus D. writ of assistance

stare decisis

A document giving a governmental authority the power to search and seize property without restrictions. Abolished in American law, the use of these by the British government was a major issue during some phases of the American Revolution. A. stare decisis B. redress of grievances C. writ of habeas corpus D. writ of assistance

writ of assistance