AP Gov AP Classroom Unit 1 MCQ
Article I, Section 9 of the United States Constitution lists several powers that are denied to the federal government, such as granting titles of nobility and passing ex post facto laws. This best demonstrates which of the following ideals of democracy? A. Natural rights B. Popular sovereignty C. Social contract theory D. Limited government
Answer D Correct. Limited government is demonstrated in this example because denying powers to the federal government limits it.
The Declaration of Independence states "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." This was a revolutionary change from the system of British monarchy, which was based on the divine right of kings. For which of the ideals of democracy does this quote provide a foundation? A. Popular sovereignty B. Federalism C. Separation of power D. Limited government
Answer A Correct. "Consent of the governed" sets the foundation for popular sovereignty.
Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 15 Which of the following excerpts from Article I of the United States Constitution resolves a problem described by the author? A. "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;" B. "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time." C. "The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States." D. "The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it."
Answer A Correct. Article I, Section 8 gives clear authority to Congress to lay and collect taxes.
Which of the following is an accurate summary of James Madison's argument in The Federalist 10? A. A large republic presents more opportunities for groups to participate, compete, and limit each other. B. A large republic makes it possible to abolish factions and concentrate all power at the national level. C. A large republic allows the federal government to dominate the state governments through the necessary and proper clause. D. A large republic is a direct democracy where the people have a direct vote in policy matters, which controls factions.
Answer A Correct. Madison advocates for a large republic because power will be dispersed and the dangers of factions will be mitigated.
James Madison, The Federalist 10 Which of the following best describes Madison's primary concern about representative government? A Those who seek to represent the people may be tempted to act in their own interests instead. B A truly representative government will quickly become too large to function effectively. C Local government is ineffective because there are not enough competitive factions. D Long term lengths may lead to political representatives who are disengaged from their constituents.
Answer A Correct. Madison expresses concern that representatives will be led by self-interest and faction to betray the will of the people they represent.
Linda Leali, "Reflecting on the Great Gift of the Separation of Powers," Daily Business Review, 2018 The author explains that the powers given to each branch "sometimes appear to swing like a pendulum" from one branch to another. Which of the following best describes how these shifts ensure that constitutional government is functional? A. Separation of powers divides responsibilities and authority between branches, which allows each branch to be checked by the other two branches to ensure accountability. B. The coequal branches have power evenly distributed between them and are not permitted to check another branch of government. C. The greatest power resides within the legislative branch of government, but the legislature can give this power to the executive branch. D. Each branch of government is elected by the people, which ensures that they all reflect the preferences of the population.
Answer A Correct. Shifts in power seem to defy the constitutional structure that divides the branches of government. However, the checks on each branch are designed to override those divisions, especially during times when one of the branches needs to be checked.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the separation of powers is integral to the Constitution not to preserve the prerogatives of each branch of government but to divide governmental powers among the branches so as to keep power diffused—and thereby limited and protective of personal freedom. . . . Thus, even if one branch of government consented to ceding an essential power to another branch, such a giveaway would be unconstitutional. . . . Can the president legally use military force to attack a foreign land without a serious threat or legal obligation or a declaration of war from Congress? In a word: No. Here is the back story. . . . . . . [A] bipartisan group of senators offered legislation supported by the president that . . . would permit a president to strike whomever and wherever he pleases. The president would be restrained only by a vote of Congress—after hostilities have commenced. Such a statute would give the president far more powers than he has now, would directly violate Congress' war-making powers by ceding them away to the president, would defy the Supreme Court on the unconstitutionality of giving away core governmental functions, would commit the U.S. to foreign wars without congressional and thus popular support, and would invite dangerous mischief by any president wanting to attack any enemy—real or imagined, old or new—for foreign or domestic political purposes, whether American interests are at stake or not. Andrew Napolitano, "At War with the Separation of Powers," The Washington Times, 2018. Which of the following principles of government is most related to the author's argument in the passage? A. Separation of powers is necessary to our constitutional system to limit the power of the three branches and guarantee limited government. B. The president's power is constitutionally permitted to expand during times of crisis, which can lead to the use of force without permission from Congress. C. As the legislative branch, Congress is authorized to change the constitutional balance of power whenever it deems necessary. D. Separation of powers guarantees that each branch can focus on what it does best, but in some cases one branch may voluntarily cede power to another branch.
Answer A Correct. The author explains in the passage that the Supreme Court rulings have determined that the separation of powers exists to limit the power of each of the three branches, making sure each sticks to its constitutionally defined role in order to ensure limited government.
Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 21 Which of the following scenarios illustrates a solution for the problem of getting states to comply with federal government policies, as described in the passage? A. The federal government can withhold highway funds from states that do not raise the age to drink alcohol to 21. B. The federal government can place a tax on any goods that an individual regularly transports across state borders. C. Both the states and the federal government have the power to issue income taxes. D. A constitutional amendment can be passed to override a Supreme Court decision.
Answer A Correct. The federal government has monetary power, which can be used to coerce the states to agree to the policies that it wants, such as setting the age to drink alcohol to 21.
The Declaration of Independence cites specific reasons for separating from British rule, including the British imposing taxes and maintaining a standing army without consent. Which of the following principles or ideas would these grievances be most related to? A. Natural rights such as life, liberty, and property B. The authority to create a centralized military among the colonies C. The incorporation of checks and balances among the branches of government D. Concurrent powers allowing the colonies to draft their own laws
Answer A Correct. Under the theory of natural rights, the colonists were being deprived of their liberty and property by a British government that did not allow them to have representation.
At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, delegates from larger states argued that each state's representation in the legislature should be proportional to its population. Smaller states argued that each state should have equal representation, regardless of population. The disagreement over representation threatened to derail the ratification of the United States Constitution. Which statement accurately describes the compromise that led to both sides reaching agreement? A. A bicameral legislature with an upper house selected by the lower house and the lower house representation proportional to each state's population B. A bicameral legislature with an upper house representing each state equally and a lower house with representation proportional to each state's population C. A unicameral legislature with equal representation for every state D. A unicameral legislature with representation proportional to each state's population.
Answer B Correct. Congress is a two-house structure, with representation in one house proportional to each state's population and representation in the other house equal for every state.
Brutus 1 In the passage, Brutus is most concerned with the conflict between which of the following political ideas? A. Civil rights and national security B. Participatory democracy and elite democracy C. Political parties and special interest groups D. Religious liberty and the separation of church and state
Answer B Correct. In the passage, Brutus discusses two systems of representation, arguing that while elite democracy cannot adequately express the popular will, participatory democracy could lead to a large, unwieldy government that is unable to function.
"In every free government, the people must give their assent to the laws by which they are governed. This is the true criterion between a free government and an arbitrary one. The former are ruled by the will of the whole, expressed in any manner they may agree upon; the latter by the will of one, or a few. If the people are to give their assent to the laws, by persons chosen and appointed by them, the manner of the choice and the number chosen, must be such, as to possess, be disposed, and consequently qualified to declare the sentiments of the people; for if they do not know, or are not disposed to speak the sentiments of the people, the people do not govern, but the sovereignty is in a few. Now, in a large extended country, it is impossible to have a representation, possessing the sentiments, and of integrity, to declare the minds of the people, without having it so numerous and unwieldy, as to be subject in great measure to the inconveniency of a democratic government...." Brutus 1 Which of the following statements would the author of the passage most likely agree with? A. Average citizens cannot be trusted to vote because of low levels of education. B. Nations with extended territory cannot fairly represent their citizens in a republican form of government. C. The federal government should have greater authority than state legislatures. D. A small federal legislature is the best way to represent the will of the people in a large country.
Answer B Correct. In the passage, Brutus rejects the idea of a republic in which representatives vote on behalf of citizens, arguing that in a large country, it is impossible to fairly represent the will of the people with a small number of legislators.
The decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) reflected new ideas about federalism at the time that can be best characterized by which of the following? A. A consolidation of power in the national government based on national supremacy B. A delegation of power from the federal government to state governments, increasing state and local sovereignty C. A delegation of power from the state governments to the federal government, increasing the power of the United States government D. An increase in cooperative federalism, where power and duties are shared between the federal and state governments
Answer B Correct. The Lopez decision stated that Congress had exceeded its authority to regulate all guns because the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 did not have a substantial impact on interstate commerce.
In 2015, the United States Supreme Court decided the case Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which ruled that states must recognize same sex couples' right to marry. Which of the following ideals of democracy would the attorneys for the same sex couple most likely put forth as their argument? A. Limited government would more likely defer to state laws on same sex marriage rather than a blanket directive from the Supreme Court. B. Natural rights of life and liberty include the right to marry whom you choose. C. Popular sovereignty requires that elected representatives in the state should decide right-to-marry issues. D. Social contract theory guarantees that the right to marry is enshrined in a constitutional framework.
Answer B Correct. The attorneys would most likely argue that the natural rights of life and liberty include the right to choose whom you marry.
Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 15 Which of the following is a difference between the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution that is a response to a problem expressed in the passage? A. The Articles of Confederation lacked federal executive and judicial branches, whereas the United States Constitution did not. B. The Articles of Confederation allowed for the federal government to request revenues from states but did not permit it to tax citizens directly, whereas under the United States Constitution the federal government could tax citizens directly. C. Under the Articles of Confederation, members of the national legislature were paid by the state governments, whereas under the United States Constitution they were paid by the federal government. D. Under the Articles of Confederation, members of the national legislature were not able to regulate currency, whereas under the United States Constitution the federal government regulates currency.
Answer B Correct. The author of the passage considers the lack of taxation to be a fundamental problem, so the power to tax was added to Article I, Section 8 to the Constitution in response.
While [opponents of the Constitution] admit that the government of the United States is destitute of energy, they contend against conferring upon it those powers which are requisite to supply that energy. They seem still to aim at things repugnant and irreconcilable; at an augmentation of federal authority, without a diminution of State authority; at sovereignty in the Union, and complete independence in the members. . . . This [requires that] a full display of the principal defects of the Confederation [is] necessary, in order to show that the evils we experience do not proceed from minute or partial imperfections, but from fundamental errors in the structure of the building, which cannot be amended otherwise than by an alteration in the first principles and main pillars of the fabric. . . . [T]he United States has an indefinite discretion to [plead for] for men and money; but they have no authority to raise either, by regulations extending to the individual citizens of America. The consequence of this is, that though in theory their resolutions concerning those objects are laws, constitutionally binding on the members of the Union, yet in practice they are mere recommendations which the States observe or disregard at their option. Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 15 Which of the following experiences most likely influenced the perspective conveyed in the passage? A. The increased centralization of power in the national legislature under the Articles of Confederation B. The debt crisis of the 1780s which the national government was unable to address due to lack of authority C. The tension between states relying on commerce and those relying on agriculture D. Passage of the Stamp Act and other taxes during the revolutionary period
Answer B Correct. The debt crisis was not effectively resolved by state governments, while the federal government was unable to act because of a lack of taxation power under the Articles of Confederation.
As a compromise, the framers agreed on a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives elected by popular vote within states and the Senate selected by state legislatures. The direct election method conforms most to which of the following democratic ideals? A. The social contract is an agreement between citizens and government. B. Government should be based on the consent of the governed. C. Policy makers should be the most well-informed elites in society. D. State power should be respected in a federal constitution.
Answer B Correct. The fact that citizens directly elect members of the House of Representatives demonstrates that they have given their approval to the government.
Which of the following cases expanded the powers of Congress by defining the necessary and proper clause more broadly? A. United States v. Lopez (1995) B. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) C. Marbury v. Madison (1803) D. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
Answer B Correct. This case allowed Congress to create the Bank of the United States as an implied power.
Which of the following best characterizes the general argument made in Brutus 1? A. A large republic would be preferable to a small one because more people could participate. B. A small republic would pose more danger to individual liberty than a large republic. C. A large republic is dangerous to personal liberty and undermines the states. D. A small republic is more susceptible to corruption than a large republic.
Answer C Correct. Brutus 1 argued that a large republic is dangerous to personal liberty because the federal government would usurp too much power.
Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 21 In the passage, Hamilton is concerned that under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government does not have sufficient constitutional powers to gain compliance from state governments. Which of the following is a way that the Constitution allows the federal government to address this problem? A. The state governments have reserved powers under the Tenth Amendment. B. The federal government is not permitted to coin money. C. The federal government can pass laws that allow it to fine or tax individuals directly. D. A Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution to protect individual civil liberties.
Answer C Correct. By fining or taxing individuals, the federal government is able to exert its powers and ensure compliance with its laws.
"[A] pure democracy... can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction. . . . [S]uch democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths. . . . The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended. . . . [I]t may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the purpose. On the other hand, the effect may be inverted. Men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, or of sinister designs, may, by intrigue, by corruption, or by other means, first obtain the suffrages, and then betray the interests, of the people." James Madison, The Federalist 10 Which of the following statements best reflects James Madison's beliefs about political representation as expressed in the passage? A People would be best served by having a strong leader to make the decisions. B People will not truly have a voice in government until they can vote on laws directly. C People are best represented by a few politicians chosen to voice their issues. D People should elect political representatives who are wealthy enough to avoid corruption.
Answer C Correct. Madison does admit representatives may harbor local prejudices that would interfere with effective governing, but it is not a sufficient concern to override his argument for the benefits of a representative government.
In 1974, the House of Representatives approved a resolution granting the Judiciary Committee authority to investigate impeachment of President Nixon for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. Which constitutional ideal of democracy is demonstrated in this scenario? A. Popular sovereignty B. Judicial review C. Limited government D. Federalism
Answer C Correct. President Nixon, although president, was not all-powerful, and Congress initiated the impeachment process to hold him accountable for his actions, showing there are limits on the office.
Andrew Napolitano, "At War with the Separation of Powers," The Washington Times, 2018. Which of the following political processes would best solve the problem regarding the system of checks and balances, as articulated by the author in the passage? A. The president agrees to lift sanctions and signs a peace treaty with another country without waiting for the approval from Congress. B. Congress cuts the budget from the Armed Forces without getting presidential approval to prevent the president from sending troops abroad. C. The Supreme Court rules on a suit brought by an interest group that legislation permitting the president to launch military strikes without congressional approval is unconstitutional. D. The Supreme Court refuses to take a case on legislation that permits the president to launch military strikes without congressional approval.
Answer C Correct. The Supreme Court ruling that legislation permitting the president to launch military attacks without congressional approval is unconstitutional solves the problem using the system of checks and balances.
Too often, we take our form of government for granted, not fully appreciating its unique and exceptional qualities. The framers of our Constitution, having revolted against tyranny, bequeathed to the nation, and to us as its citizens, a form of government with checks and balances intended to assure that we would never, as a nation, be subject to the abuses we experienced as a colony under a monarchy. . . . We should appreciate that the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution was modeled on the constitutions and declarations of the states, where the separation of powers was equally observed. Mirroring our U.S. Constitution, 40 state constitutions now specify that government is to be divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The separation of powers at the state level, with an independent executive, legislature, and judiciary, is also one of the fundamental tenets of our democracy. What often gets lost in translation is how dynamic the competition among the branches of government has been, and how much stronger we are as a country because of that ongoing debate. It has been said that the Constitution is not just a historic document, but a living participant in who we are as a nation. Out of the continuing effort to assure the separation of powers, we have built a system of government that functions remarkably well. Although the powers ascribed to each of the three branches may sometimes appear to swing like a pendulum, we have continuously reconsidered and recentered our understanding of the authority and limitation of each of these branches. Linda Leali, "Reflecting on the Great Gift of the Separation of Powers," Daily Business Review, 2018 Which of the following is a consequence of the dynamic competition among branches of government described in the passage? A. Many states have the decision-making powers of the legislative and executive branches fused together. B. The executive branch tends to increase at the expense of other branches. C. Effective policy change among governmental levels and branches occurs with little long-term abuse of authority. D. Many states do not have significant policy-making power since the federal government is effective in making policy for them.
Answer C Correct. The competitive nature of the branches and levels of government described in the passage can lead to what is often termed "multiple access points" for groups seeking public policy change. This results in policy change being initiated by different institutions of government, while maximizing citizen input and minimizing abuse of power.
In order to appease both Federalists and Anti-Federalists, it was agreed at the Constitutional Convention that a group of delegates would be charged with selecting the president. This would ensure that A. the process would be controlled directly by the citizens B. the winner of the national popular vote would be the president C. the most capable individuals would decide which candidate would be president D. Congress would select the electors who would cast the official vote for president
Answer C Correct. The intention of the electoral college was to have a temporary mechanism in which a group of well-educated men selected the most qualified candidate for the presidency.
Which of the following is an accurate description of the decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) ? A. The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was upheld as constitutional because regulating arms is an enumerated power. B. The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was upheld as constitutional because any interstate commerce is implied in the commerce clause. C. The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was struck down as unconstitutional because it exceeded the commerce clause. D. The Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was struck down because it exceeded the state's power to regulate guns.
Answer C Correct. United States v. Lopez decided that the Gun-Free School Zones Act was unconstitutional because it exceeded the authority of the federal government based on the application of the commerce clause.
James Madison, The Federalist 10 Which of the following sections of the United States Constitution most concerns Madison according to the passage? A Article I, Section 10—"No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws. . . ." B Article II, Section 1—"No Person except a natural born Citizen . . . shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States." C Article III, Section 1—"The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office." D Article I, Section 2—"The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature."
Answer D Correct. Article I, Section 2, of the Constitution establishes that system of representation. Madison generally supports this idea but also expresses concern that it could lead political leaders taking office who betray the public trust.
Linda Leali, "Reflecting on the Great Gift of the Separation of Powers," Daily Business Review, 2018 Which of the following best explains how the view of the author of the passage compares with The Federalist 51 regarding separation of powers and checks and balances? A. The author of the passage views the structure of government as providing a balance between the branches of government, whereas The Federalist 51 supports the idea of a powerful executive branch. B. The author of the passage views separation of powers as a limitation on the authority of government, whereas The Federalist 51 argues in favor of using separation of powers as a means to expand the role of government. C. Both the author of the passage and The Federalist 51 argue that elections are a sufficient means to ensure good government. D. Both the author of the passage and The Federalist 51 assert that the structure of government helps control ambitions among the branches in such a way as to promote effective government.
Answer D Correct. Both the author and The Federalist 51 assume that branches are ambitious, which leads to good government.
The next most palpable defect of the subsisting Confederation, is the total want of a SANCTION to its laws. The United States, as now composed, have no powers to exact obedience, or punish disobedience to their resolutions, either by pecuniary [fines], by a suspension or divestiture of privileges, or by any other constitutional mode. There is no express delegation of authority to them to use force against delinquent members; and if such a right should be ascribed to the federal head, as resulting from the nature of the social compact between the States, it must be by inference and construction... There is, doubtless, a striking absurdity in supposing that a right of this kind does not exist. . . Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 21 Based on The Federalist 21, which of the following arguments about government would Hamilton likely agree with? A. The national government, by natural right, has more power than the state governments. B. Separation of powers means that the national government is limited to passing only legislation that all the states want. C. Under federalism, the states retain more power than the national government. D. As a practical matter, the laws of the national government ought to have supremacy over state laws.
Answer D Correct. Hamilton argues in the passage that the concept of a social contract grants the national government power over the states.
Which of the following is an accurate description of the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) ? A. The federal government exceeded its authority in establishing a national bank, and Maryland's tax was unconstitutional. B. Maryland was within its authority to tax the federal government, but the Bank of the United States exceeded federal authority. C. The federal government had the authority to establish a national bank, but it had to pay Maryland's tax. D. The federal government had the authority to establish a national bank, and Maryland's tax was unconstitutional.
Answer D Correct. In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court affirmed that the federal government had certain implied powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution, such as establishing a national bank exempt from punitive state taxes.
In The Federalist 10, which of the following did James Madison argue would best control the negative effects of factions? A. A law that prohibits factions B. A small direct democracy C. A large unitary government D. A large federal republic
Answer D Correct. Madison argued that a large federal republic would mitigate the mischief of factions.
In the 1950s Southern states attempted to prevent integration of their public schools. In return, the National Guard was sent to force states to implement federal regulations. This scenario illustrates which of the following about the relationship between the state and national governments? A. Most issues regarding education are settled at the state level. B. The Constitution gives state governments the exclusive power to interpret federal laws. C. The power of the national government to enforce state policy had been struck down by the Supreme Court. D. The debate over the role of the central government and state powers is ongoing.
Answer D Correct. States throughout history have challenged the authority of the national government in their decision making, and segregation was an example of that ongoing debate.
The Gun-Free School Zones Act made it illegal for individuals knowingly to carry a gun in a school zone. The Supreme Court determined this act to be an unconstitutional stretch of the commerce clause in A. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) B. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) C. New York Times Company v. United States (1971) D. United States v. Lopez (1995)
Answer D Correct. The Lopez decision struck down the federal prohibition against bringing a gun to a school as an unconstitutional stretch of the commerce clause.
Which of the following statements accurately describes the majority opinion of the Supreme Court in United States v. Lopez (1995) ? A. The necessary and proper clause did not allow Congress to create the Bank of the United States. B. Congress may regulate commerce between the states. C. State governments can declare federal statutes unconstitutional if they conflict with state law. D. Congress may not use the commerce clause to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime.
Answer D Correct. The Supreme Court ruled that the commerce clause was limited in its use to expand federal power, which resulted in temporarily preserving state police power.
Andrew Napolitano, "At War with the Separation of Powers," The Washington Times, 2018. Which of the following describes a possible method that can check the power of the president who willingly violates the constitutional balance of power as described in the passage? A. Congress can pass a law that removes the president from office. B. The Supreme Court can rule that the presidential election results are null and void based on the actions of the president. C. States can recall the president through a special election process. D. Congress can impeach and remove a president who is unable or unwilling to perform his or her official functions.
Answer D Correct. The impeachment power lists "high crimes and misdemeanors," which extends beyond statutory laws and includes public officials who are not able or willing to perform their functions. Although the bar for impeachment is generally higher than the example in the passage, it is a power that Congress can use if it believes the president or other members of Congress have violated their oath of office.
Brutus 1 Which of the following excerpts from the passage best describes the author's reason for opposing an expansion of the scope of the federal government? A. "In every free government, the people must give their assent to the laws by which they are governed." B. "This is the true criterion between a free government and an arbitrary one. The former are ruled by the will of the whole, expressed in any manner they may agree upon; the latter by the will of one, or a few." C. "If the people are to give their assent to the laws, by persons chosen and appointed by them, the manner of the choice and the number chosen, must be such, as to possess, be disposed, and consequently qualified to declare the sentiments of the people..." D. "... [I]t is impossible to have a representation, possessing the sentiments, and of integrity, to declare the minds of the people, without having it so numerous and unwieldy, as to be subject in great measure to the inconveniency of a democratic government."
Answer D Correct. This excerpt contains the author's reasoning for opposing an extended republic, arguing that any fair representative body truly representing the people's will would be too large to function.
