Political Philosophies

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GED Social Studies › Political Philosophies

Questions 1 - 10
1

A political philosophy that is defined by trying to resist social change or desiring a return to a previous social order is called __________

reactionary.

conservative.

liberal.

libertarian.

revolutionary.

Explanation

The political spectrum is usually constructed as follows: On the far left are revolutionaries, on the left are liberals, in the middle are moderates, on the right are conservatives, and on the far right are reactionaries. Reactionary political philosophy is defined by the repeated attempt to resist social change or, even further, to desire a return to a previous, and more rigid, social order.

2

A political philosophy that is defined by trying to resist social change or desiring a return to a previous social order is called __________

reactionary.

conservative.

liberal.

libertarian.

revolutionary.

Explanation

The political spectrum is usually constructed as follows: On the far left are revolutionaries, on the left are liberals, in the middle are moderates, on the right are conservatives, and on the far right are reactionaries. Reactionary political philosophy is defined by the repeated attempt to resist social change or, even further, to desire a return to a previous, and more rigid, social order.

3

The political theory that states that a democratic society benefits from competing ideas from a wide spectrum of individual and group opinions is called __________

pluralism.

republicanism.

liberalism.

progressivism.

nominalism.

Explanation

Pluralism is the name given to a political theory—widely accepted in most modern democracies—that states that a democratic society benefits when there are many competing and varied individual and group opinions working together, or in competition with each other, to direct public policy.

4

Which of these Enlightenment philosophers could best be considered as the foil for John Locke’s optimism about humanity?

Thomas Hobbes

Immanuel Kant

Sir Thomas More

Dante

Voltaire

Explanation

John Locke believed in a social contract between rulers and ruled that heavily limits the power of the ruler and provides inalienable rights for the ruled. Although Locke, by modern standards was still somewhat conservative about human nature (he still favored monarchy over democracy) in his own time Locke was about as liberal as it was possible to be about human nature and political theory (without being considered dangerously insane). Hobbes, on the other hand, was a renowned pessimist about the human condition and an even more renowned royalist. Hobbes fled England during the Civil War, and upon his return published his most famous work, The Leviathan, which outlines Hobbes’ belief that life is nasty, brutish, and short, and that in a state of nature mankind would rip itself to shreds. A strong, absolute government was needed to enforce law and order. Together, their views helped shape generations of politicians’ viewpoints, but compared to one another they were chalk and cheese.

5

The political theory that states that a democratic society benefits from competing ideas from a wide spectrum of individual and group opinions is called __________

pluralism.

republicanism.

liberalism.

progressivism.

nominalism.

Explanation

Pluralism is the name given to a political theory—widely accepted in most modern democracies—that states that a democratic society benefits when there are many competing and varied individual and group opinions working together, or in competition with each other, to direct public policy.

6

Which of these Enlightenment philosophers could best be considered as the foil for John Locke’s optimism about humanity?

Thomas Hobbes

Immanuel Kant

Sir Thomas More

Dante

Voltaire

Explanation

John Locke believed in a social contract between rulers and ruled that heavily limits the power of the ruler and provides inalienable rights for the ruled. Although Locke, by modern standards was still somewhat conservative about human nature (he still favored monarchy over democracy) in his own time Locke was about as liberal as it was possible to be about human nature and political theory (without being considered dangerously insane). Hobbes, on the other hand, was a renowned pessimist about the human condition and an even more renowned royalist. Hobbes fled England during the Civil War, and upon his return published his most famous work, The Leviathan, which outlines Hobbes’ belief that life is nasty, brutish, and short, and that in a state of nature mankind would rip itself to shreds. A strong, absolute government was needed to enforce law and order. Together, their views helped shape generations of politicians’ viewpoints, but compared to one another they were chalk and cheese.

7

The idea that all men have a right to life, liberty, and property is most commonly associated with __________

John Locke.

Voltaire.

Adam Smith.

Charles de Montesquieu.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Explanation

John Locke was an Enlightenment-era philosopher who is most commonly associated with arguing in favor of the idea that all men have certain inalienable rights: primarily to life, liberty, and property. His ideas were extremely influential to the Constitutional Framers, particularly Thomas Jefferson.

8

The idea that all men have a right to life, liberty, and property is most commonly associated with __________

John Locke.

Voltaire.

Adam Smith.

Charles de Montesquieu.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Explanation

John Locke was an Enlightenment-era philosopher who is most commonly associated with arguing in favor of the idea that all men have certain inalienable rights: primarily to life, liberty, and property. His ideas were extremely influential to the Constitutional Framers, particularly Thomas Jefferson.

9

The Supremacy Clause, which appears in Article Six of the Constitution, states that __________

The United States Constitution is the supreme and ultimate law of the nation.

The President has ultimate and supreme command over the United States armed forces.

no branch of the United States government should have complete control over any of the other branches.

maintaining the rights and freedoms of the people is the primary purpose of the United States government.

the United States has claim to expand over the entirety of the North American continent.

Explanation

The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution states that the Constitution should be considered as the supreme law of the land, and that everyone must respect the rules and laws contained within. This might seem obvious and unnecessary to us now, but it is important to remember that when the Constitution was written there was no guarantee as to how it would be received or whether the people would unquestionably follow it.

10

The Supremacy Clause, which appears in Article Six of the Constitution, states that __________

The United States Constitution is the supreme and ultimate law of the nation.

The President has ultimate and supreme command over the United States armed forces.

no branch of the United States government should have complete control over any of the other branches.

maintaining the rights and freedoms of the people is the primary purpose of the United States government.

the United States has claim to expand over the entirety of the North American continent.

Explanation

The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution states that the Constitution should be considered as the supreme law of the land, and that everyone must respect the rules and laws contained within. This might seem obvious and unnecessary to us now, but it is important to remember that when the Constitution was written there was no guarantee as to how it would be received or whether the people would unquestionably follow it.

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