Pols230 : Chap 4: Part I
20. Which of these is a risk inherent in the American concept of judicial review?
*a. Conservative or liberal judges may rule based on their political ideology.
3. In what way does the U.S. Constitution differ from most other constitutions?
*a. It is shorter and more vague than most other constitutions.
25. Which of the following would make the Universal Declaration on Human Rights more effective?
*a. a feasible mechanism for enforcement
14. A constituent assembly is __________.
*a. a legislature convened to draft a new constitution
2. A written document outlining the structure of a political system is a __________.
*a. constitution
11. The ability of courts to decide if laws are constitutional is called __________.
*a. judicial review
22. The Founding Fathers created a separation of powers system in the U.S. Constitution because they wanted to __________.
*a. limit the power of the government
10. A long and detailed constitution is likely to be __________.
*a. relatively new
18. The term "judicial activism" refers to a court's tendency to __________.
*a. strike down laws
Japan's constitution was drafted by the United States in __________.
*b. 1946
9. Why would a country such as Great Britain not have a formal written constitution?
*b. Great Britain's unique history established customs and legal practices that made a written constitution unnecessary.
15. What did the Magna Carta do?
*b. It limited the power of the British monarchy.
23. How would the framers of the U.S. Constitution most likely react to the structure of government outlined in the Russian constitution?
*b. They would criticize it for giving too much power to the executive.
6. Which of these is a weakness of the Brazilian constitution?
*c. It confers too many rights for the government to realistically guarantee.
16. What is one common feature of the Japanese and U.S. constitutions?
*c. It is difficult for constitutional amendments to be passed in both countries.
5. Which statement best describes how the Japanese constitution differs from the U.S. constitution?
*c. Japan's constitution is shorter but more specific about individual rights.
13. The State Duma is the legislature in what country?
*c. Russia
24. Which of these is an assumption underlying "constitutionalism"?
*c. The people need written laws to prevent violations of their basic freedoms.
21. Which idea did the Code of Hammurabi contribute to the modern concept of constitutionalism?
*c. The supreme law of the land should be clear and written down.
8. Germany's constitution contains provisions that __________.
*c. give the public control over the economy
1. It can be said that "almost all nations have constitutions" because __________.
*c. they operate according to some set of rules
12. Which of the following would be expected in a state that practices constitutionalism?
*d. Citizens' individual rights are guaranteed.
17. The U.S. president is commander-in-chief of the military but needs approval from the Senate to sign treaties. This shows the __________ in the United States.
*d. operation of checks and balances
7. British citizens have had a clear set of rights and freedoms since __________.
*d. the year 2000
19. It is dangerous for a country to keep introducing new constitutions because this __________.
*d. undermines the legitimacy of government and the rule of law