Political Science Short Quiz: Most Important Political Science Short Quiz
1. What is the main principle of democracy?
Answer: Rule by the people
2. Which political ideology emphasizes limited government intervention and individual liberties?
Answer: Liberalism
3. Who is considered the “Father of Classical Liberalism” and authored the book “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations”?
Answer: Adam Smith
4. What is the name of the process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and values?
Answer: Political socialization
5. The idea of “one person, one vote” refers to which principle of democratic governance?
Answer: Political equality
6. Which U.S. document outlines the fundamental principles and sets the framework for the American government?
Answer: The Constitution of the United States
7. In which type of electoral system is the candidate who receives the most votes declared the winner, regardless of whether they receive a majority?
Answer: First-past-the-post (FPTP)
8. Which term refers to the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to favor one political party over another?
Answer: Gerrymandering
9. Who is the head of government in a parliamentary system?
Answer: Prime Minister
10. Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws and ensuring they align with the constitution?
Answer: Judicial branch
11. In the United States, what is the role of the Vice President?
Answer: Presides over the Senate and serves as the President’s successor if necessary
12. Which political theory advocates for the abolition of all forms of government and the establishment of a stateless society?
Answer: Anarchism
13. What is the term for a system of government in which power is concentrated in the hands of a single ruler or authority figure?
Answer: Autocracy
14. The principle of “separation of powers” refers to the division of powers among which branches of government?
Answer: Executive, legislative, and judicial branches
15. What is the name of the treaty that serves as the foundation for international law and diplomacy?
Answer: Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
16. Who was the first woman to become the Prime Minister of a country?
Answer: Sirimavo Bandaranaike (Sri Lanka) in 1960
17. Which international organization is responsible for maintaining international peace and security?
Answer: United Nations (UN)
18. In the U.S. Congress, which chamber has two representatives per state, regardless of population?
Answer: Senate
19. What is the term for a system of government in which power is shared between a central authority and subnational entities?
Answer: Federalism
20. The principle that government authority is derived from the consent of the governed is known as what?
Answer: Popular sovereignty
21. What is the term for the process by which a citizen acquires citizenship in a country other than their birth country?
Answer: Naturalization
22. In which type of economic system does the government control the means of production and distribution of goods and services?
Answer: Socialism
23. The theory that individuals form governments to protect their natural rights and can overthrow it if it fails to do so is associated with which philosopher?
Answer: John Locke
24. Which U.S. constitutional amendment guarantees the right to freedom of speech, press, and religion?
Answer: First Amendment
25. What is the primary role of the United Nations Security Council?
Answer: Maintaining international peace and security
26. What is the term for a political system in which power is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or a small group?
Answer: Oligarchy
27. What is the process by which citizens can propose a new law or constitutional amendment through a petition and subsequent vote?
Answer: Initiative
28. What is the name of the international organization that oversees global monetary and financial stability?
Answer: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
29. What is the term for a system of government in which a monarch is the head of state with limited powers, and political decisions are made by elected officials?
Answer: Constitutional monarchy
30. Which U.S. Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review, giving the Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional?
Answer: Marbury v. Madison
31. The principle of “checks and balances” in the U.S. government refers to what?
Answer: Each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches
32. Who has the power to impeach the President of the United States?
Answer: The House of Representatives
33. The “invisible hand” is a concept associated with which economist, suggesting that self-interested individuals unintentionally benefit society through economic actions?
Answer: Adam Smith
34. The idea that a government should only govern with the consent of the governed is attributed to which Enlightenment philosopher?
Answer: John Locke
35. What is the term for an agreement among countries to suspend hostilities during a conflict?
Answer: Ceasefire
36. The doctrine of “containment” was a U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War aimed at countering the spread of communism, particularly in which region?
Answer: Eastern Europe
37. The “Bicameralism” principle refers to what in the context of government?
Answer: The division of a legislative body into two chambers or houses
38. Which U.S. constitutional amendment guarantees the right to bear arms?
Answer: Second Amendment
39. What is the term for a political system where the government controls all aspects of public and private life, and individual freedoms are restricted?
Answer: Totalitarianism
40. Which international organization is responsible for regulating global trade and resolving trade disputes between countries?
Answer: World Trade Organization (WTO)
41. The concept of “collective security” suggests that nations should cooperate to prevent aggression and maintain peace. What organization was established with this principle in mind after World War II?
Answer: United Nations (UN)
42. What is the primary function of a political party in a democratic system?
Answer: To represent the interests of its members and seek public office
43. The term “soft power” refers to a country’s ability to influence others through what means?
Answer: Cultural, economic, and diplomatic influence rather than military force
44. Which political philosophy argues that the government should actively promote economic equality and redistribute wealth to address social disparities?
Answer: Socialism
45. Which international organization is responsible for overseeing global health issues and coordinating responses to pandemics?
Answer: World Health Organization (WHO)
46. What is the term for a formal agreement between two or more countries that requires approval from their respective legislatures?
Answer: Treaty
47. In the United States, the President serves a maximum of how many terms in office?
Answer: Two terms
48. Which term refers to a government system in which a single individual holds unlimited political power?
Answer: Absolute monarchy
49. What is the term for a system of government in which a king or queen exercises ceremonial powers, while the real political power lies with an elected legislature?
Answer: Parliamentary monarchy
50. Which U.S. Supreme Court case established the principle of “separate but equal,” allowing for racial segregation?
Answer: Plessy v. Ferguson
51. What is the term for an economic system in which businesses and industries are privately owned and operated for profit, with limited government intervention?
Answer: Capitalism
52. The “War on Terror” was initiated by the United States in response to which event?
Answer: The 9/11 terrorist attacks
53. Which U.S. constitutional amendment grants citizenship to all individuals born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves?
Answer: Fourteenth Amendment
54. The concept of “civil rights” refers to what?
Answer: Protections and freedoms granted to individuals by law and the Constitution
55. Which term refers to a process in which citizens can vote to remove an elected official from office before their term is up?
Answer: Recall
56. The “North Atlantic Treaty Organization” (NATO) is a military alliance primarily composed of countries from which region?
Answer: North America and Europe
57. Which political philosophy advocates for strong centralized government authority and often includes dictatorial rule?
Answer: Authoritarianism
58. What is the name of the highest court in the United States?
Answer: Supreme Court
59. The “Filibuster” is a tactic used in which legislative body to delay or prevent a vote on a bill?
Answer: Senate
60. In the United Kingdom, what is the name of the national legislature?
Answer: Parliament
61. The “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in which year?
Answer: 1948
62. Which political philosopher is known for his work “The Leviathan,” which argued for a powerful central authority to maintain social order?
Answer: Thomas Hobbes
63. What is the term for a government system in which power is held by the central government, and subnational entities have limited autonomy?
Answer: Unitary system
64. The “European Union” (EU) is an economic and political union of how many member countries?
Answer: 27 member countries
65. The “Stalinist” political system was associated with which country during the mid-20th century?
Answer: Soviet Union
66. The “Monroe Doctrine” was a U.S. foreign policy warning European nations against doing what in the Americas?
Answer: Further colonization or interference
67. What is the term for a system of government in which power is concentrated in the hands of a single ruler with absolute authority?
Answer: Dictatorship
68. Which international organization is responsible for addressing issues related to climate change and environmental sustainability?
Answer: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
69. The “International Criminal Court” (ICC) is responsible for prosecuting individuals accused of committing what type of crimes?
Answer: War crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide
70. What is the term for an economic system in which the government owns and controls the means of production and distribution of goods and services?
Answer: Communism
71. The concept of “separation of church and state” is associated with which clause in the U.S. Constitution?
Answer: Establishment Clause of the First Amendment
72. What is the term for the process by which an elected official is removed from office through a formal legal process?
Answer: Impeachment
73. The “Marshall Plan” was a U.S. initiative that aimed to provide financial assistance to which region after World War II?
Answer: Western Europe
74. Which international organization is responsible for addressing issues related to labor standards, worker rights, and social protection?
Answer: International Labour Organization (ILO)
75. The term “hegemony” refers to what in the context of international relations?
Answer: Dominance or influence of one country or group over others
76. What is the term for a political system in which power is concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals or groups?
Answer: Plutocracy
77. Which U.S. constitutional amendment guarantees the right to due process and protection against self-incrimination?
Answer: Fifth Amendment
78. The “Preamble” to the U.S. Constitution begins with what famous phrase?
Answer: “We the People”
79. Which political ideology advocates for the abolition of all forms of government and the establishment of a stateless society?
Answer: Anarchism
80. What is the name of the international organization that oversees global monetary and financial stability?
Answer: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
81. Which U.S. constitutional amendment guarantees the right to freedom of speech, press, and religion?
Answer: First Amendment
82. What is the primary role of the United Nations Security Council?
Answer: Maintaining international peace and security
83. What is the term for a political system where the government controls all aspects of public and private life, and individual freedoms are restricted?
Answer: Totalitarianism
84. What is the term for a system of government in which a monarch is the head of state with limited powers, and political decisions are made by elected officials?
Answer: Constitutional monarchy
85. Which U.S. Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review, giving the Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional?
Answer: Marbury v. Madison
86. The principle of “checks and balances” in the U.S. government refers to what?
Answer: Each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches
87. The term “soft power” refers to a country’s ability to influence others through what means?
Answer: Cultural, economic, and diplomatic influence rather than military force
88. Which political philosophy argues that the government should actively promote economic equality and redistribute wealth to address social disparities?
Answer: Socialism
89. Which international organization is responsible for overseeing global health issues and coordinating responses to pandemics?
Answer: World Health Organization (WHO)
90. What is the term for a formal agreement between two or more countries that requires approval from their respective legislatures?
Answer: Treaty
91. In the United States, the President serves a maximum of how many terms in office?
Answer: Two terms
92. Which term refers to a government system in which a single individual holds unlimited political power?
Answer: Absolute monarchy
93. What is the term for a system of government in which a king or queen exercises ceremonial powers, while the real political power lies with an elected legislature?
Answer: Parliamentary monarchy
94. Which U.S. Supreme Court case established the principle of “separate but equal,” allowing for racial segregation?
Answer: Plessy v. Ferguson
95. What is the term for an agreement among countries to suspend hostilities during a conflict?
Answer: Ceasefire
96. The doctrine of “containment” was a U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War aimed at countering the spread of communism, particularly in which region?
Answer: Eastern Europe
97. The “Bicameralism” principle refers to what in the context of government?
Answer: The division of a legislative body into two chambers or houses
98. Which U.S. constitutional amendment guarantees the right to bear arms?
Answer: Second Amendment
99. What is the term for a political system where the government controls all aspects of public and private life, and individual freedoms are restricted?
Answer: Totalitarianism
100. Which international organization is responsible for regulating global trade and resolving trade disputes between countries?
Answer: World Trade Organization (WTO)
