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
What is the mean number of people who became legal residents of the United States during this five-year period?
- A. 1,119,823
- B. 223,504
- C. 5,599,113
- D. 1,107,126
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
To determine the mean number of legal residents over the five-year period, one must sum the total number of residents and divide by five. The correct calculation yields a mean of 1,119,823, reflecting the average annual influx. Option B (223,504) represents a miscalculation, likely reflecting a single year's data rather than an average. Option C (5,599,113) incorrectly totals the residents without division, suggesting a cumulative number rather than an average. Option D (1,107,126) is close but does not accurately reflect the mean, indicating a minor arithmetic error.
To determine the mean number of legal residents over the five-year period, one must sum the total number of residents and divide by five. The correct calculation yields a mean of 1,119,823, reflecting the average annual influx. Option B (223,504) represents a miscalculation, likely reflecting a single year's data rather than an average. Option C (5,599,113) incorrectly totals the residents without division, suggesting a cumulative number rather than an average. Option D (1,107,126) is close but does not accurately reflect the mean, indicating a minor arithmetic error.
According to the information in the first graph, which statement correctly describes the period from 2006 to 2008?
- A. Gross farm income continued the decline that had characterized previous years.
- B. Gross farm income increased despite increases in production costs.
- C. Increases in production costs caused gross farm income to decline.
- D. Decreases in production costs continued throughout this period.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
During the period from 2006 to 2008, gross farm income saw an increase, even as production costs rose. This indicates that farmers managed to offset higher expenses with increased revenue. Option A is incorrect as it suggests a continuation of decline, which contradicts the data showing growth in income. Option C misinterprets the relationship between rising costs and income, as income actually increased despite those costs. Option D is inaccurate because it implies a consistent decrease in production costs, which is not supported by the graph indicating rising expenses during this timeframe.
During the period from 2006 to 2008, gross farm income saw an increase, even as production costs rose. This indicates that farmers managed to offset higher expenses with increased revenue. Option A is incorrect as it suggests a continuation of decline, which contradicts the data showing growth in income. Option C misinterprets the relationship between rising costs and income, as income actually increased despite those costs. Option D is inaccurate because it implies a consistent decrease in production costs, which is not supported by the graph indicating rising expenses during this timeframe.
How does the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling differ from Justice Murphy's dissent?
- A. Only Justice Murphy's dissent acknowledged the dangers to the United States of having citizens from foreign lands.
- B. Only the Court's ruling acknowledged that the actions of fearful U.S. authorities can endanger the civil rights of citizens.
- C. Only the Court's ruling contended that Korematsu was ordered held in an internment camp because he was disloyal to the United States during time of war.
- D. Only Justice Murphy's dissent contended that U.S. internment camps were a clear-cut example of racial prejudice.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Justice Murphy's dissent emphasized that the internment camps represented blatant racial prejudice, highlighting the unjust targeting of Japanese Americans based solely on their ethnicity. This perspective contrasts sharply with the majority opinion, which focused on national security concerns without addressing the racial implications. Option A is incorrect as both perspectives recognize the potential dangers of foreign nationals, albeit in different contexts. Option B misrepresents the majority's stance, which did not explicitly acknowledge civil rights violations. Option C inaccurately simplifies the Court's ruling, which did not solely attribute internment to disloyalty.
Justice Murphy's dissent emphasized that the internment camps represented blatant racial prejudice, highlighting the unjust targeting of Japanese Americans based solely on their ethnicity. This perspective contrasts sharply with the majority opinion, which focused on national security concerns without addressing the racial implications. Option A is incorrect as both perspectives recognize the potential dangers of foreign nationals, albeit in different contexts. Option B misrepresents the majority's stance, which did not explicitly acknowledge civil rights violations. Option C inaccurately simplifies the Court's ruling, which did not solely attribute internment to disloyalty.
Which technology mentioned in the passage was the first one invented by Edison?
- A. vote recorder
- B. motion-picture camera
- C. electric light bulb
- D. phonograph
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The vote recorder was the first technology invented by Edison, designed to streamline the voting process. This innovation predates his more famous inventions. The motion-picture camera (B) and electric light bulb (C) came later, showcasing Edison's evolution as an inventor. The phonograph (D), although significant in audio technology, was also developed after the vote recorder. Understanding the chronological order of these inventions highlights Edison's early contributions to technology and their impact on society.
The vote recorder was the first technology invented by Edison, designed to streamline the voting process. This innovation predates his more famous inventions. The motion-picture camera (B) and electric light bulb (C) came later, showcasing Edison's evolution as an inventor. The phonograph (D), although significant in audio technology, was also developed after the vote recorder. Understanding the chronological order of these inventions highlights Edison's early contributions to technology and their impact on society.