Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental principle of the U.S. democracy?

1. Popular sovereignty

2. Separation of powers

3. Monarchy

4. Rule of law

The correct answer is: Monarchy

The concept of monarchy is considered NOT a fundamental principle of U.S. democracy because the United States was established as a republic where the authority ultimately resides with the people, not a singular monarch. Instead, the principles of U.S. democracy are grounded in concepts such as popular sovereignty, which emphasizes that the government's power comes from the consent of the governed; separation of powers, which distributes government authority among different branches to prevent any one entity from wielding too much control; and rule of law, which establishes that laws apply equally to all individuals, ensuring justice and fairness within the system. These principles are integral to the functioning and integrity of democracy in the United States, reinforcing the notion that leadership is accountable to the populace rather than a hereditary ruling class.