Realistic application of constitutional principles depends on:

A. The hypocrisy of politicians.

B. The absolutist language of the document.

C. An understanding of the motives of the Framers.

D. Current political relationships.

The primary motivation of the Framers, according to Charles Beard, was to:

A. Protect their property rights through creation of a strong national government.

B. Provide opportunities for political advancement for the Framers.

C. Strengthen states’ rights in order to allow more effective resolution of property disputes.

D. Create an egalitarian system of property distribution.

Backers of a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution might consider the following strategy:

A. Seeking support for such an amendment through approval by at least 34 state conventions, as almost occurred in the 1980s.

B. Mounting a federal court case and seeking appeals to the Supreme Court.

C. Pursuing approval of an amendment in the House and Senate, to then be sent to state legislatures.

D. Collecting signatures to mount the proposal as a national referendum.

Congress proposed all 27 constitutional amendments.

A. 25

B. 26

C. 27

D. 28

James Bryce believed that the Constitution was a fine example of:

A. Mass democracy at work.

B. Development of an oligarchical system of government.

C. An incrementally improved system not far removed from the Magna Carta.

D. A governing system that encouraged the proliferation of political parties.