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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to de Tocqueville, when men seek more equality and comfort, what do they tend to become?
(a) More despotic.
(b) More different.
(c) More tyrannical.
(d) More alike.

2. In de Tocqueville's beliefs, what is the surest and fastest way to destroy liberty?
(a) Increasing the size of the military.
(b) War.
(c) Absolute tyranny.
(d) A ruling despot.

3. What does de Tocqueville define as a state of mental ease akin to physical and mental numbness?
(a) Mediocrity.
(b) Bliss.
(c) Ignorance.
(d) Comfort.

4. As democratic governments evolve, they have a tendency to become what?
(a) More decentralized.
(b) More powerful.
(c) More despotic.
(d) More centralized.

5. In de Tocqueville's observations, the economic class of an individual may confer on him several privileges, but there are no _______________ attached to those privileges.
(a) Requirements.
(b) Ideals.
(c) Responsibilities.
(d) Rights.

6. The army of a democratic country is equated, by deTocqueville, to what?
(a) A separate state.
(b) A separate people.
(c) A separate arm of the government.
(d) A separate nation.

7. Despite the huge lands, what remained a minor enterprise when de Tocqueville was observing America?
(a) Agriculture.
(b) Animal husbandry.
(c) Rail.
(d) Shipping.

8. Repetitive tasks give workers an inability to change what?
(a) Their jobs.
(b) The conditions in which they work.
(c) Their skills.
(d) The economic situations of their families.

9. What does de Tocqueville believe plays an important role in the process of protecting the freedom of men by increasing their interdependence?
(a) Religion.
(b) Education.
(c) Society.
(d) Freedom.

10. Political associations exist at the national level and are most effective at what level?
(a) The local level.
(b) The national level.
(c) The township level.
(d) The state level.

11. De Tocqueville believes that it depends on the individual whether equality leads them to knowledge or _______________.
(a) Boredom.
(b) Ignorance.
(c) Solitude.
(d) Barbarism.

12. What does de Tocqeville say is linked to--but not the same as--liberty?
(a) Equality.
(b) Freedom.
(c) Idealism.
(d) Democracy.

13. What type of government does de Tocqueville say is "lurking behind every corner" for most citizens of the United States, assuming democracy failed?
(a) Aristocracy.
(b) Anarchy.
(c) Republic.
(d) Monarchy.

14. According to de Tocqueville, too much equality leads individuals to what?
(a) Lose their relative importance.
(b) Lose their relative wealth.
(c) Lose their relative worth.
(d) Lose their relative places in society.

15. De Tocqueville states that the aristocracy in America is different from traditional aristocracies because the members of the class do not share what?
(a) Money.
(b) Family relationships.
(c) Interests.
(d) Political goals.

Short Answer Questions

1. In America, citizens have a right to what kind of associations?

2. Civil associations are often born out of what?

3. In what country is every aspect of society in constant movement?

4. The desire for immediate gratification led the people of America to what?

5. The relationship of the American aristocrat and workman is likened to a traditional aristocrat and what, according to de Tocqueville?

(see the answer keys)

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