Question 1.1. Which of the following statements best defines feudalism?
A political structure in which power is dispersed evenly
A system of political power dispersed among layers
A political structure in which power rests with church leaders
A system of political power distributed to the working class
Question 2.2. Which systems demonstrate the clearest separation of power between the executive and legislative branches?
Parliamentary
Presidential
Monarchies
Ministerial
Question 3.3. In a parliamentary system, voters directly elect _____.
members of parliament and the prime minister
members of parliament and the ministerial cabinet
members of parliament only
the prime minister only
Question 4.4. What is the effect of divided government, such as that used in the United States, on spending and policy formation?
It encourages unhealthy spending and foolish policies.
It holds down spending and foolish policies.
It encourages irresponsible spending because representatives are held accountable for only a short amount of time.
It encourages responsible spending, but is slow to implement policy.
Question 5.5. Describe how the election process in a parliamentary system slightly resembles presidential elections in the United States.
Party chiefs run as candidates for prime minister.
Citizens vote directly for the each new prime minister.
Citizens vote for a party member with the knowledge that the next prime minister will be the head of the largest party.
The prime minister is appointed for a 4-year term and can be reappointed one time.
Question 6.6. The only political system that could guarantee the cooperation between the legislative and executive branches is _____.
a monarchy
a dictatorship
a democracy
an oligarchy
Question 7.7. Distinguish between primitive and modern judicial systems.
Primitive legal systems rely largely on labyrinthine written and codified laws, and modern systems rely on oral rhetoric.
Modern legal systems utilize recent advances in technology, and primitive legal systems must do without such amenities.
Modern legal systems better ensure the rights of citizens, and primitive systems function on superstition and disbelief.
Primitive legal systems are oral and consist of customs and beliefs, and modern systems are written and largely codified.
Question 8.8. What is the U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding state obligation to international treaties?
States maintain the right to select which treaties they will observe.
States have no obligation to observe international treaties.
States must observe international treaties ratified by the United States.
States must observe international treaties ratified by state legislatures.
Question 9.9. Who nominates and approves federal judges in the U.S. court system?
The president and the Senate
The Senate and the House
The President and speaker of the House
The Senate and the secretary of state
Question 10.10. Which of the following was an argument against granting the U.S. Supreme Court the power of judicial review?
Many feared that such a power would give the court a double check and compromise its neutrality.
Some thought that such power would create untrustworthy judges.
The founding fathers argued that judicial review would lead to undue indictments by the court.
Drafters of the Constitution feared that few laws would ever be set in stone.