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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, all Americans seek it, but do not necessarily seek it exclusively. What is it?
(a) Material well-being.
(b) Comfort.
(c) Wealth.
(d) Association.

2. What alone, according to de Tocqueville, is not a strong enough criterion to elevate an individual over the others?
(a) Intelligence.
(b) Ability.
(c) Strength.
(d) Wealth.

3. What acts as a catalyst for the opinions and desires of the people?
(a) Newspapers.
(b) Political associations.
(c) Elected officials.
(d) Opinion.

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

5. What does de Tocqueville maintain as a greater threat than anarchy?
(a) Loss of equality.
(b) Limited freedom.
(c) Loss of liberty.
(d) Despotic government.

6. The small variations in manners between Americans and others are interpreted, by Americans, as an expression of what?
(a) Social superiority.
(b) Moral superiority.
(c) Differences.
(d) Individuality.

7. What general attitude does de Tocqueville purport that Americans have towards each other?
(a) Privileged.
(b) Distant.
(c) Friendly.
(d) Acrimonious.

8. The vast majority of the American populace is too busy with _________________ to bother with a revolution.
(a) Comforts.
(b) Striving for more comforts.
(c) Daily occupations.
(d) Daily habits.

9. Democracy tightens social ties as it loosens what?
(a) Familial bonds.
(b) Religious bonds.
(c) Social bonds.
(d) Moral bonds.

10. 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) Responsibilities.
(c) Ideals.
(d) Rights.

11. What is one of the checks and balances on the executive branch to prevent it from becoming despotic?
(a) An independent judiciary.
(b) An independent education system.
(c) An independent moral system.
(d) An independent press.

12. What is the main difference between a democratic tyranny and a monarchical tyranny?
(a) A democratic tyranny is more difficult to counter.
(b) A democratic tyranny is a tyranny of one.
(c) A democratic tyranny is a tyranny of the majority.
(d) A democratic tyranny is harder to diagnose.

13. What does de Tocqueville see as the primary danger of democracy?
(a) Freedom of expression.
(b) Lack of community in a democracy.
(c) Democratic freedom.
(d) Democratic despotism.

14. Compared to aristocratic countries, there is a tendency to do what to workers' wages in democratic countries?
(a) Tie them to experience.
(b) Lower them.
(c) Tie them to skills.
(d) Raise them.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is considered a member of the aristocratic class in America?

2. De Tocqueville believes that it depends on the individual whether equality leads them to knowledge or _______________.

3. The very poor and very rich are in what group in America?

4. Democracy counters individualism by insuring that common good is understood as what?

5. The separation between the workmen and the owners has created a new aristocracy based on what?

(see the answer keys)

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