Political Science MCQs

1. What is the supreme law of the land in the United States?

A) The Constitution
B) The Declaration of Independence
C) The Bill of Rights
D) The Articles of Confederation

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2. Who is known as the “Father of Modern Political Science”?

A) Aristotle
B) Niccolò Machiavelli
C) John Locke
D) Thomas Hobbes

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3. What type of government is ruled by a single person with absolute power?

A) Democracy
B) Monarchy
C) Oligarchy
D) Autocracy

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4. What is the term for a political system in which citizens directly participate in decision-making?

A) Representative Democracy
B) Direct Democracy
C) Constitutional Monarchy
D) Republic

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5. Who wrote “The Prince”?

A) Plato
B) Machiavelli
C) Rousseau
D) Montesquieu

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6. What is the primary purpose of a constitution?

A) To establish laws
B) To protect citizens’ rights
C) To outline the structure of government
D) All of the above

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7. In which type of political system does power reside with a small group of individuals?

A) Oligarchy
B) Democracy
C) Theocracy
D) Totalitarianism

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8. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery?

A) 13th Amendment
B) 14th Amendment
C) 15th Amendment
D) 16th Amendment

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9. What is the term for the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches?

A) Federalism
B) Separation of Powers
C) Checks and Balances
D) Judicial Review

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10. Who is often credited with the idea of the social contract?

A) Karl Marx
B) Thomas Hobbes
C) John Locke
D) Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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11. What does the term “sovereignty” refer to?

A) The ability to govern oneself
B) The separation of powers
C) The authority of a government over its territory
D) Both A and C

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12. Which of the following is a characteristic of a totalitarian regime?

A) Limited government control
B) Strong political opposition
C) Centralized control over all aspects of life
D) Regular free elections

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13. What is the main function of the executive branch of government?

A) To interpret laws
B) To create laws
C) To enforce laws
D) To amend laws

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14. What is the principle of “checks and balances”?

A) Limiting the power of the military
B) Distributing power among branches of government
C) Allowing citizens to vote on laws
D) Ensuring one branch has more power than others

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15. What is a parliamentary system of government?

A) A system where the executive is independent of the legislature
B) A system where the executive is derived from the legislative branch
C) A system that has a single ruler with absolute power
D) A system where the people vote directly on legislation

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16. What is the term for a government led by religious leaders?

A) Monarchy
B) Oligarchy
C) Theocracy
D) Autocracy

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17. Which document established the framework for the United Nations?

A) The Geneva Conventions
B) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
C) The UN Charter
D) The Treaty of Versailles

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18. What is political socialization?

A) The process of learning about political systems
B) The formation of political parties
C) The influence of media on politics
D) The study of government structures

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19. What is the term for the right to vote?

A) Suffrage
B) Federalism
C) Civil Liberties
D) Majority Rule

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20. Who is considered the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?

A) Benjamin Franklin
B) John Adams
C) Thomas Jefferson
D) George Washington

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21. What is the primary focus of international relations?

A) Domestic politics
B) Economic policies
C) Relationships between countries
D) Environmental issues

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22. What is the political spectrum?

A) A classification of political ideologies
B) The range of political parties in a democracy
C) A graph showing government expenditures
D) The division of government powers

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23. What does the term “gerrymandering” refer to?

A) Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage
B) A type of electoral fraud
C) The process of voter registration
D) A method of campaign financing

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24. Which philosopher argued that people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property?

A) Karl Marx
B) John Locke
C) Thomas Hobbes
D) Friedrich Nietzsche

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25. What is the primary role of the judiciary?

A) To create laws
B) To interpret laws
C) To enforce laws
D) To propose laws

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26. Which political ideology advocates for the collective ownership of the means of production?

A) Liberalism
B) Conservatism
C) Socialism
D) Anarchism

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27. What is the main purpose of political parties?

A) To conduct elections
B) To represent different ideologies and interests
C) To promote civic engagement
D) To enforce laws

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28. Which system of government divides power between a central government and regional governments?

A) Unitary System
B) Confederal System
C) Federal System
D) Autocratic System

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29. Who wrote “Two Treatises of Government”?

A) Thomas Hobbes
B) John Locke
C) Karl Marx
D) Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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30. What is the process by which voters can propose legislation or constitutional amendments?

A) Referendum
B) Initiative
C) Recall
D) Lobbying

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31. What is the term for the ability of the government to limit personal freedoms during a national emergency?

A) Martial Law
B) Habeas Corpus
C) State of Emergency
D) Civil Rights

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32. Which international organization was established to promote economic cooperation and development?

A) NATO
B) UN
C) WTO
D) EU

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33. What is the primary purpose of a political campaign?

A) To recruit members for a party
B) To promote civic education
C) To win an election
D) To influence public policy

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34. Who is responsible for the formulation of foreign policy?

A) The Executive Branch
B) The Legislative Branch
C) The Judicial Branch
D) The Media

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35. What is a coalition government?

A) A government formed by a single party
B) A government formed by multiple parties
C) A government that has no political parties
D) A temporary government

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36. What does the term “civil liberties” refer to?

A) Rights protected by law from government interference
B) Rights granted to specific groups
C) Obligations of citizenship
D) Economic rights

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37. Which of the following is a type of direct democracy?

A) Representative democracy
B) Participatory democracy
C) Constitutional monarchy
D) Authoritarian regime

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38. What is the main focus of public policy?

A) The study of political theory
B) The analysis of government performance
C) The decisions made by government to address issues
D) The management of political campaigns

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39. What is the role of a lobbyist?

A) To conduct research for political parties
B) To influence legislators on behalf of interest groups
C) To organize grassroots campaigns
D) To oversee elections

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40. What does the term “populism” refer to?

A) A political philosophy that advocates for the elite
B) A movement that seeks to represent the interests of the common people
C) A form of government led by a dictator
D) A system that emphasizes individual rights

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41. Which political party is traditionally associated with conservative ideologies in the U.S.?

A) Democratic Party
B) Republican Party
C) Green Party
D) Libertarian Party

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42. What is the term for a political system in which there are no recognized rulers?

A) Democracy
B) Anarchy
C) Oligarchy
D) Autocracy

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43. Which of the following is a key feature of federalism?

A) Centralized power
B) Multiple levels of government
C) A single national government
D) Unitary laws across all regions

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44. What does the term “political ideology” refer to?

A) A specific political party
B) A set of beliefs about politics and government
C) The process of political decision-making
D) The behavior of political actors

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45. Who was the first woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice?

A) Ruth Bader Ginsburg
B) Sandra Day O’Connor
C) Elena Kagan
D) Sonia Sotomayor

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46. What is the primary goal of human rights organizations?

A) To promote political parties
B) To influence government spending
C) To protect and promote individual rights
D) To increase military spending

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47. What does the term “civil society” refer to?

A) The military
B) Non-governmental organizations and community groups
C) Government agencies
D) Political parties

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48. Which of the following is a characteristic of liberalism?

A) Emphasis on tradition
B) Advocacy for individual freedoms and rights
C) Support for authoritarian rule
D) Promotion of social inequality

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49. What is the term for the legal process by which a citizen can challenge the lawfulness of their detention?

A) Habeas Corpus
B) Judicial Review
C) Writ of Mandamus
D) Amicus Curiae

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50. What does the term “realpolitik” refer to?

A) Idealistic political theory
B) Politics based on practical and material factors
C) A democratic form of governance
D) The study of political philosophy

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51. Which political system is characterized by a lack of free and fair elections?

A) Democracy
B) Authoritarianism
C) Liberalism
D) Constitutionalism

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52. What is the significance of the Magna Carta?

A) It established the first democracy
B) It limited the powers of the monarchy and established legal rights
C) It outlined the duties of citizens
D) It was the first written constitution

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53. Which principle allows for the government to be held accountable for its actions?

A) Popular Sovereignty
B) Rule of Law
C) Separation of Powers
D) Federalism

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54. What is the main purpose of a referendum?

A) To elect representatives
B) To allow citizens to vote directly on a specific issue
C) To conduct political campaigns
D) To appoint government officials

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55. What is the primary role of the United Nations?

A) To regulate international trade
B) To promote peace and security among nations
C) To enforce international law
D) To establish military alliances

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56. Who was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations?

A) U Thant
B) Dag Hammarskjöld
C) Trygve Lie
D) Kofi Annan

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57. What is the primary goal of a political party?

A) To educate the public
B) To influence legislation
C) To win elections
D) To promote civil rights

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58. What does “judicial review” allow the courts to do?

A) Amend the Constitution
B) Interpret laws and declare them unconstitutional
C) Create new laws
D) Enforce laws

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59. Which of the following is a responsibility of citizenship?

A) Voting
B) Paying taxes
C) Serving on a jury
D) All of the above

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60. What is the significance of the Bill of Rights?

A) It outlines the powers of Congress
B) It provides a framework for the judicial system
C) It guarantees individual rights and liberties
D) It establishes the office of the President

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61. Which theory suggests that political power is distributed among various groups?

A) Pluralism
B) Elitism
C) Marxism
D) Authoritarianism

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62. What is the purpose of an electoral college?

A) To elect members of Congress
B) To officially elect the President of the United States
C) To select judges
D) To conduct referendums

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63. What is “nationalism”?

A) The belief in the superiority of one nation over others
B) A movement advocating for the independence of a particular nation
C) The promotion of national interests above global concerns
D) All of the above

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64. What is the term for an agreement between countries to cooperate on certain issues?

A) Treaty
B) Alliance
C) Accord
D) Pact

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65. Which concept refers to the right of a government to govern its own territory without external interference?

A) Nationalism
B) Sovereignty
C) Autonomy
D) Federalism

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66. What is the purpose of a parliamentary vote of no confidence?

A) To elect a new prime minister
B) To express dissatisfaction with the government
C) To propose new legislation
D) To amend the constitution

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67. What is the primary function of the executive branch in a parliamentary system?

A) To create laws
B) To enforce laws and manage the government
C) To interpret laws
D) To conduct elections

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68. What does the term “civil disobedience” mean?

A) Obeying laws and regulations
B) Nonviolent resistance to unjust laws
C) The complete rejection of government authority
D) Engaging in violent protests

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69. What is the primary focus of international law?

A) Domestic policy
B) Relations between states and international organizations
C) National security
D) Economic agreements

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70. What is the term for the redistribution of seats in the legislature based on population changes?

A) Redistricting
B) Gerrymandering
C) Apportionment
D) Reapportionment

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71. Who is known as the “Iron Lady”?

A) Angela Merkel
B) Margaret Thatcher
C) Indira Gandhi
D) Hillary Clinton

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72. What is the political philosophy that advocates for minimal government intervention in economic matters?

A) Liberalism
B) Conservatism
C) Socialism
D) Libertarianism

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73. What is the term for the right to be treated equally under the law?

A) Civil Rights
B) Legal Justice
C) Due Process
D) Equal Protection

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74. Which type of electoral system allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference?

A) First-past-the-post
B) Proportional representation
C) Single transferable vote
D) Majoritarian system

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75. What is a key feature of a constitutional monarchy?

A) Absolute power held by a monarch
B) A ceremonial role for the monarch with real power in elected officials
C) Complete absence of monarchy
D) Military rule

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76. What is the term for the official process by which an individual is formally charged with a crime?

A) Arrest
B) Indictment
C) Prosecution
D) Conviction

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77. Who wrote “The Social Contract”?

A) Karl Marx
B) John Locke
C) Thomas Hobbes
D) Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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78. What does the term “diplomacy” refer to?

A) The study of domestic policy
B) The practice of conducting negotiations between countries
C) The enforcement of international law
D) The promotion of trade agreements

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79. Which of the following is a non-governmental organization (NGO)?

A) The United Nations
B) Amnesty International
C) The World Bank
D) The European Union

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80. What is a key principle of communism?

A) Private ownership of property
B) Class struggle
C) A mixed economy
D) Political pluralism

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81. Which term describes the redistribution of power among different groups in society?

A) Power Sharing
B) Political Reform
C) Decentralization
D) Federalism

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82. What does the term “political asylum” refer to?

A) Protection granted to individuals fleeing persecution
B) A temporary refuge for political activists
C) A government grant for political campaigns
D) A legal right to vote

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83. What is the significance of the Federalist Papers?

A) They advocated for the abolition of the Constitution
B) They were a series of essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution
C) They opposed the Bill of Rights
D) They outlined the duties of the President

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84. What does the term “economic sanctions” refer to?

A) Military action against a nation
B) Restrictions placed on trade with a country
C) A form of foreign aid
D) An agreement to reduce tariffs

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85. Who is considered the founder of the modern state theory?

A) John Locke
B) Max Weber
C) Thomas Hobbes
D) Karl Marx

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86. What is the term for the practice of drawing district boundaries to favor a particular political party?

A) Redistricting
B) Gerrymandering
C) Boundary Adjustment
D) Cartography

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87. What does the term “hard power” refer to?

A) The use of economic influence
B) The ability to influence through coercive means, such as military force
C) Soft diplomatic tactics
D) Cultural influence

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88. Which of the following is an example of soft power?

A) Military intervention
B) Economic sanctions
C) Cultural diplomacy
D) Coercive bargaining

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89. What is the primary objective of a political action committee (PAC)?

A) To conduct research on political issues
B) To influence legislation through campaign contributions
C) To monitor government spending
D) To advocate for social causes

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90. What is the primary purpose of the Electoral Commission?

A) To organize political parties
B) To oversee elections and ensure fairness
C) To conduct voter registration
D) To set campaign finance laws

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91. What is the term for the period of time before an election when campaigning is prohibited?

A) Campaign Suspension
B) Election Day
C) Quiet Period
D) Pre-election Silence

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92. What does the term “incumbent” refer to?

A) A candidate running for office for the first time
B) An elected official currently holding a position
C) A member of the opposition party
D) A political activist

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93. What is the term for a government where power is concentrated in a single leader?

A) Oligarchy
B) Monarchy
C) Dictatorship
D) Democracy

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94. What is the primary role of a senator in the U.S. government?

A) To represent the executive branch
B) To create laws and represent their state in Congress
C) To interpret laws
D) To conduct elections

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95. What does the term “political spectrum” refer to?

A) The range of political ideologies from left to right
B) The classification of political parties
C) The process of political socialization
D) The analysis of government systems

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96. What is the primary purpose of a constitution?

A) To regulate government spending
B) To outline the powers and responsibilities of government
C) To promote political parties
D) To establish diplomatic relations

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97. What is the term for the practice of dividing voters into different districts to influence elections?

A) Redistricting
B) Gerrymandering
C) Voter Suppression
D) Reapportionment

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98. Which international organization focuses on humanitarian assistance?

A) NATO
B) Red Cross
C) World Bank
D) UN Security Council

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99. What is the significance of civil rights movements?

A) They advocate for social and political equality
B) They promote economic interests
C) They focus on international relations
D) They limit individual freedoms

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100. What is the term for a political system in which a single political party controls the government?

A) Democracy
B) Authoritarianism
C) One-party State
D) Oligarchy

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