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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is an essential tool for maintaining liberty?

2. In a monarchic regime, political positions and the bulk of the wealth are reserved for whom?

3. Democracy is a catalyst for what?

4. The balancing act that the three branches of government perform on each other is referred to as what?

5. Of what does de Tocqueville state that the United States does not produce a valuable body?

Short Essay Questions

1. Although religion remains out of the realm of politics according to de Tocqueville's observations, what political effect does religion have?

2. According to the author, what is the reason free people obey laws?

3. According to de Tocqueville, what are the differences between the American and European press?

4. De Tocqueville believes that religion provides what to Americans?

5. What did the government establish in order to maintain the balance of power between the Confederation and the states when the rights of the states were questioned?

6. After the American Revolutionary war, the government defined, very precisely, the powers that belonged to whom?

7. What does de Tocqueville analyze in his book?

8. What are some of the suggestions that equality makes to the beliefs of the American people?

9. Americans want to explain everything through human intelligence and leave the rest to be explained by what, according to de Tocqueville?

10. Why, according to de Tocqueville, does the American writer write?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In de Tocqueville's opinion, what is the problem with letting the majority opinion rule? What are some of its causes, effects, and consequences? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Using examples from the book, what are the differences between an aristocratic regime and a democratic regime in terms of governance? Which one does de Tocqueville think is more effective at governing and why?

Essay Topic 3

De Tocqueville presents many ways in which a democracy can protect itself from abuse. Why does de Tocqueville believe that a democracy will be abused, and what does he suggest as protection from that abuse? Use examples from the book to support your ideas.

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