This excerpt is from Federalist No. 22, published in 1787. It has been paraphrased.
A legislative rule requiring more than a majority to pass a bill gives the minority more power than the majority. The effect of this practice is the opposite of what is expected in theory. Requiring a unanimous vote or more than a majority vote is meant to provide a safeguard against oppression. But in reality it destroys the thoughtful deliberation of a respectable majority and replaces it with the whims and trickery of a small but unruly gang.
In times of national emergency, the goodness, badness, weakness, and strength of the government is supremely important. The government must in one way or another take action. If a majority resolution can be blocked by a stubborn minority, it will be necessary for the majority to conform to the minority for action to occur. The wishes of the smaller group will override the wishes of the larger group and this will create resentment. In these circumstances, expect constant scheming, trickery, and tiresome delays, resulting in disgraceful deals that violate the public good.
Which quotation from the excerpt reveals the author's bias about the relationship between the rule of the majority and the rights of the minority?
- A. "The wishes of the smaller group will override the wishes of the larger group and this will create resentment."
- B. "Requiring a unanimous vote or more than a majority vote is meant to provide a safeguard against oppression."
- C. "In these circumstances, expect constant scheming, trickery, and tiresome delays, resulting in disgraceful deals that violate the public good."
- D. "In times of national emergency, the goodness, badness, weakness, and strength of the government is supremely important."
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C highlights the author's bias by suggesting that the majority's decisions can lead to unethical behavior that undermines public welfare. This reveals a concern for minority rights, indicating that the author believes majority rule may result in negative consequences for those not in power. Option A misrepresents the author's view, as it suggests that the smaller group's wishes will always be overridden, which does not directly reflect bias against majority rule. Option B focuses on safeguards against oppression, which does not convey bias but rather a protective measure. Option D addresses the government's performance during emergencies but fails to connect to the relationship between majority rule and minority rights, missing the core issue of bias.
Option C highlights the author's bias by suggesting that the majority's decisions can lead to unethical behavior that undermines public welfare. This reveals a concern for minority rights, indicating that the author believes majority rule may result in negative consequences for those not in power. Option A misrepresents the author's view, as it suggests that the smaller group's wishes will always be overridden, which does not directly reflect bias against majority rule. Option B focuses on safeguards against oppression, which does not convey bias but rather a protective measure. Option D addresses the government's performance during emergencies but fails to connect to the relationship between majority rule and minority rights, missing the core issue of bias.
Other Related Questions
How did the position expressed by President Johnson differ from the position expressed by Senator Russell?
- A. Only Senator Russell said that state governments were sufficiently protecting the rights of citizens.
- B. Only Senator Russell supported the federal government's intervention.
- C. Only President Johnson supported the state governments' rights to manage their own affairs.
- D. Only President Johnson believed that the federal government was authorized to intervene.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
President Johnson emphasized the need for federal intervention to protect citizens' rights, believing that state governments were often inadequate. In contrast, Senator Russell argued that state governments were effectively safeguarding those rights, reflecting a stance of local governance. Option B is incorrect because Senator Russell did not support federal intervention. Option C misrepresents Johnson’s position; he favored federal oversight rather than state autonomy. Option D inaccurately attributes the belief in federal authority solely to Johnson, as Russell did not share this view. Thus, the distinction lies in Russell's confidence in state governments versus Johnson's call for federal action.
President Johnson emphasized the need for federal intervention to protect citizens' rights, believing that state governments were often inadequate. In contrast, Senator Russell argued that state governments were effectively safeguarding those rights, reflecting a stance of local governance. Option B is incorrect because Senator Russell did not support federal intervention. Option C misrepresents Johnson’s position; he favored federal oversight rather than state autonomy. Option D inaccurately attributes the belief in federal authority solely to Johnson, as Russell did not share this view. Thus, the distinction lies in Russell's confidence in state governments versus Johnson's call for federal action.
Based on the flowchart, how is a political party's presidential candidate selected?
- A. by balloting after the general election
- B. by balloting at the party convention
- C. by votes cast in party primary elections
- D. by votes cast in the general election
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The selection of a political party's presidential candidate primarily occurs through votes cast in party primary elections. This process allows party members to express their preferences for candidates before the general election, ensuring that the nominee reflects the party's values and priorities. Option A is incorrect because the general election occurs after the candidate has already been chosen. Option B, while related to the convention, is misleading as the convention typically formalizes the candidate chosen in the primaries rather than selecting them. Option D is also incorrect, as the general election determines the overall winner, not the party's candidate.
The selection of a political party's presidential candidate primarily occurs through votes cast in party primary elections. This process allows party members to express their preferences for candidates before the general election, ensuring that the nominee reflects the party's values and priorities. Option A is incorrect because the general election occurs after the candidate has already been chosen. Option B, while related to the convention, is misleading as the convention typically formalizes the candidate chosen in the primaries rather than selecting them. Option D is also incorrect, as the general election determines the overall winner, not the party's candidate.
Which statement is supported by both the table and the map?
- A. Differences in the total populations of the states led to political differences between the North and the South.
- B. Differences among the economies of the states contributed to political differences between the North and the South.
- C. Political differences between the North and the South reflected differences in education among the states.
- D. Political differences between the North and the South reflected differences in the standards of living in the states.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B is supported by both the table and the map, as they illustrate how varying economic structures—such as agriculture in the South versus industrialization in the North—contributed to distinct political ideologies and policies. Option A incorrectly attributes political differences solely to population size, overlooking the economic factors at play. Option C suggests education differences as the main cause, which is not evident in the provided data. Option D implies that living standards were the primary influence, but the economic context is more directly linked to the political divide. Thus, B effectively encapsulates the relationship between economy and political differences.
Option B is supported by both the table and the map, as they illustrate how varying economic structures—such as agriculture in the South versus industrialization in the North—contributed to distinct political ideologies and policies. Option A incorrectly attributes political differences solely to population size, overlooking the economic factors at play. Option C suggests education differences as the main cause, which is not evident in the provided data. Option D implies that living standards were the primary influence, but the economic context is more directly linked to the political divide. Thus, B effectively encapsulates the relationship between economy and political differences.
Which statement about the ratification of the 19th Amendment is based on the passage?
- A. Ratification was the result of the Seneca Falls Convention.
- B. Ratification occurred in return for the military service of women during World War I.
- C. Ratification occurred prior to the granting of voting rights to freed slaves.
- D. Ratification was the result of the accumulated efforts of women for decades.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The ratification of the 19th Amendment was the culmination of decades of advocacy and activism by women who fought tirelessly for their voting rights, making option D the most accurate statement. Option A incorrectly attributes the ratification solely to the Seneca Falls Convention, which was just one of many events in the long struggle for women's suffrage. Option B suggests a direct exchange of military service for voting rights, which oversimplifies the complex social and political factors involved. Option C misrepresents the timeline, as the 19th Amendment was ratified after the Civil War, but the fight for voting rights for freed slaves and women evolved concurrently, not sequentially.
The ratification of the 19th Amendment was the culmination of decades of advocacy and activism by women who fought tirelessly for their voting rights, making option D the most accurate statement. Option A incorrectly attributes the ratification solely to the Seneca Falls Convention, which was just one of many events in the long struggle for women's suffrage. Option B suggests a direct exchange of military service for voting rights, which oversimplifies the complex social and political factors involved. Option C misrepresents the timeline, as the 19th Amendment was ratified after the Civil War, but the fight for voting rights for freed slaves and women evolved concurrently, not sequentially.