[ 137 ] GED ® TEST SOCIAL STUDIES FLASH REVIEW • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Civics and Government The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? In The Politics, the Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote that, “Even when laws have been written down, they should not always remain unaltered.” What fundamental element of the U.S. Constitution supports this idea? a. checks and balances b. separation of powers c. amendment process d. federalism “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need” is a slogan most associated with what form of government? a. communism b. democracy c. fascism d. monarchy