AP Gov Final
In which of the following cases would the suspect classification test apply?
A black man who sues Caltrain because of job discrimination.
An "Iron Triangle" or. "sub-government" consists of which players in the policy-making process?
A bureaucracy agency, an interest group, and a congressional committee overseeing the agency
To win a libel suit, which of the following individuals must show not only that their reputation was damaged, but that the charges were false and made with malice?
A famous performer
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of post-barrel legislature in Congress?
A member from an agricultural state asking SOMETHING to a spending bill to fund SOMETHING
Which of the following scenarios is the best example of the trustee model of representation?
A member of Congress votes against a popular tax cut, based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down the national debt.
Based on previous court rulings, which of the following scenarios would most likely violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment?
A public university uses a race-based system to determine admissions.
The framers of the Constitution intended to establish which of the following?
A representative democracy
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of reciprocity, or logrolling, in Congress?
A senator from a rural state agreeing to vote in favor of a fellow senator's bill to fund new navy ships in exchange for a promise from the fellow senator to vote in favor of agricultural subsidies.
Which of the following demographic factors is most likely to affect voter participation?
Age
Those who take a centralist/nationalist view of the Constitution
Agree with a broad interpretation of the elastic and commerce clause
Which of the following strategies are used by the president to further SOMETHING
All of the other responses are correct (cant read other responses)
Which of the following is considered an important flaw of the Electoral College system?
All responses It can result in a win for the candidate who lost the popular vote It can result in
Which of the following best describes an important factor that has helped increase the power of the presidency in modern times?
An increase in public expectations for services from the federal government has increased the number of independent agencies reporting to the president. The president is the single head of the Executive Branch, while the legislative branch has no clear leader. Increasing US involvement in international affairs often calls for the kind of quick, decisive action only possible from the executive branch.
Which of the following scenarios best reflects the process of political socialization?
An individual develops opinions about the role of government in society and the economy.
Which of the following is NOT a means that Congress (or at least one chamber of Congress) can use to exert control over foreign policy?
Approve troop deployments
Which of the following best describes a libertarian's views of the role of government?
As little government as possible to provide basic functionality such as protection of property rights and national defense.
Which of the following statements best describes how the Supreme Court decides whether to hear a case or not?
At least four of the justices must agree that a case involves a significant point of law that should be clarified.
The Supreme Court issues a ruling that is unpopular with a majority of Americans. Which of the following is an accurate depiction of how the president and Congress might react to lessen the impact of the decision?
Choose not to actively enforce the decision
On the political spectrum, an ideology that promotes a limited governmental role in helping individuals and supports traditional values would best be defined as a:
Conservative ideology
The expansion of the franchise in the US has been advanced primarily by which of the following mechanisms?
Constitutional amendments, new federal legislation, and court orders
Which of the following is the best description of the difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction?
Courts with original jurisdiction hear cases for the first time while courts with appellate jurisdiction renew cases that have already been heard
The term "horse-race journalism" refers to the tendency of the media to do what?
Cover campaigns by emphasizing the relative standing of candidates in polls rather than issues they discuss.
James Madisons argument supporting separation of powers in Federalist 51 was based on the principle of:
Distributing power between the three branches of government
Split-ticket voting can produce which of the following?
Divided government and reduced party dominance.
The concept of "maintaining" elections is most closely associated with which of the following?
Elections in which political alignment remains the same.
Which of the following terms is applied to the theory of policy-making that states that politics is dominated by a small group of individuals who hold the wealth and/or power?
Elite theory
Which of the following is NOT expressly prohibited in the Constitution and/or its amendments?
Employment discrimination on the basis of sex
The exclusionary rule does which of the following?
Excludes illegally obtained evidence from being used in a trial.
Since the 1970's, Presidents have made use of the executive order at an increasing rate due to which of the following factors?
Executive orders do not need to be passed by Congress.
Which of the following is NOT a true statement regarding the right to privacy?
Federal courts have rarely upheld a citizen's right to privacy.
Unfunded mandates pose a significant burden to the states because
Federal requirements may require funding that states do not have
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, and to the people." This statement best exemplifies which principle of government?
Federalism
Protection against self-incrimination should prevent which of the following?
Forced confessions
Which of the following functions is NOT a key contribution of the media within the political system?
Formulating public policy and passing laws.
Conservative ideology differs from liberal ideology in that conservatives:
Have greater faith in free markets to solve problems.
Which of the following is a theory of policymaking that states that politics has COMEBACK
Hyperpluralist theory
The informal amendment process
Includes new legislation, traditions, and Supreme Court decisions
Which of the following does NOT contribute to the success of incumbent members of Congress in election campaigns?
Incumbents can use their legislative staff to help with campaign services.
Which of the following is the most significant source of tax revenues for the federal government?
Individual tax income
Which of the following is a key element of American political culture, according to most political scientists?
Individualism Patriotism Liberty
Something may be considered obscene by current Supreme Court guidelines if it:
Is deemed to lack serious literary, artistic or political value.
Which of the following best describes the effect of the 24th amendment?
It eliminated poll taxes
Which of the following is true of gerrymandering?
It is an effort to draw congressional districts to favor one political party over another
Which of the following is NOT a true statement about the ruling in Citizens United v FEC?
It largely overturned the decision in Shaw v Reno
Which of these views is most consistent with the philosophy of judicial activism?
Judges interpret the Constitution to meet changing times.
Which of the following views is most consistent with the philosophy of judicial restraint?
Judges should interpret the law rather than make the law.
Which principle was established in the case of Marbury n. Madison?
Judicial Review
The "one man, one vote" principle established in the case Baker v Carr applies to which of the following?
Legislative districts
On the political spectrum, an ideology that promotes government programs to help individuals in need would best be defined as a:
Liberal ideology
Interest groups attempt to influence public policy in which of the following ways?
Lobbying elected representatives. Using the federal court system to resolve an issue in their favor. Appealing to the public for support.
The term "fiscal policy" refers to which of the following?
Manipulation of government spending and taxes to manage/stabilize the economy
Which Supreme Court case first began to establish the extended reach of federal authority?
McCulloch v. Maryland
The greater one's sense of political efficacy, the:
More likely one is to vote
The rapid growth of grant-in-aid is largely due to the fact that:
Most policy areas require the authority and resources of the national goverment
Which of the following best describes the meaning of the word "equality" as it is used as an element of American political culture?
One person's vote should have equal weight to another's.
The most important information that can be used to predict a voter's behavior is that person's:
Party identification
The commerce clause expands Congress' power because it gives the national legislatures the ability to
Pass national laws on issues normally left to the states
Which of the following is NOT a form of political participation?
Paying taxes
Which statement best describes Madison's introduction to his Federalist Essay #10?
People will form factions and a successful government must break and control their tendencies
Which of the following most accurately describes voter participation in the United States?
People with a college degree are more likely to vote than those with only a high school diploma.
Which of the following terms is applied to the theory of policy-making that states that politics is a competition among groups, each pressing for its own interests?
Pluralist Theory
Procedural due process can best be defined as which of the following?
Protections that ensure a rule or law is carried out fairly.
In a presidential election year, which of the following is the primary purpose of the national convention held by the political parties?
Provide a forum in which delegates from the states can formally nominate a presidential candidate and approve the party platform
The free exercise clause of the Constitution does which of the following?
Provides for freedom of religious expression.
The crafting of an appropriate and acceptable course of action to resolve public problems is best referred to as which of the following?
Public policy formation
Which of the following is associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act?
Reasonable accomodation
Which of the following statements about Democratic and Republican identification is true?
Republican are more likely than Democrats to label themselves "conservative."
The decision by the federal government to withhold federal highway funds from states that did not comply with the dreaming age act of 1784? serves as an example of which of the following?
Side-stepping the 10th Amendment by linking mandates to federal grants
Which of the following is true regarding government spending?
Social Security and Medicare spending are examples of mandatory spending
Which of the following people would MOST likely vote for a Democrat?
Someone with an advanced degree
Which of the following is true about the doctrine of dual federalism?
State and national government responsibilities are separate and distinct
Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of the political cartoon above?
State governments want federal funding but do not want federal oversight of how the money is spent.
Which of the following statements are correct descriptions of mid-term elections? Statement 1: Voter turnout is lower than in presidential elections Statement 2: The President's party generally loses seats in Congress Statement 3: All 435 seats in the HoR are up for election
Statements 1, 2, and 3
The primary intent of the 10th Amendment is which of the following?
States have certain powers that are reserved to them
Which of these is consistent with the decentralist philosophy of government?
Strict interpretation of the Constitution.
The Anti-Federalists opposition to the Constitution was predicated on the belief that a strong central government would do which of the following?
Strip states and individuals of their rights and authority to make laws
Which of the following bodies was (in the original Constitution) directly chosen by the people?
The House of Representatives
The use of the death penalty has been limited in recent decades and cannot be used by the states on minors or people who are found to be mentally incompetent. Which of the following best describes a reason for this?
The Supreme Court has changed its interpretation of the 8th Amendment.
Which of the following is most likely responsible for the increase in the number of southern African American state legislators between 1960 and 1992 as shown in the graph above?
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
A state government places security cameras outside the capitol building facing a public square that is a popular site for protests. Which of the following is best illustrated by this scenario?
The balance between ensuring security vs. ensuring civil liberties.
Which of the following is not an element that must be carefully considered in conducting a scientific public opinion poll?
The compensation paid to respondents
Based on the Supreme Court's interpretation of freedom of assembly, a local government may regulate all of the following EXCEPT:
The content of the assembly
Which of the following is a key point argued by Madison in the Federalist Essay #10?
The elimination of the causes of factions is the best protection against tyranny
A public school implements a policy that allows students to vote on which prayer they want a minister to read before football games. The policy would most likely be successfully challenged on the basis of which part of the Constitution?
The establishment clause
Which of the following does NOT represent examples of limited government?
The exercise of emergency powers by the president in times of war
Which of the following would not be included in a list of weaknesses/issues in the use of scientific polling in politics?
The fact that they might inform the public about negative opinions on a candidate.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a formal check on the power of the bureaucracy?
The head of an independent agency or executive department being called to testify before a congressional committee.
Supreme Court Justices and federal judges were given lifetime appointments subject to good behavior by the framers of the Constitution in order to ensure which of the following?
The judges and justices are free from direct political pressure
Which of the following is a major reason for the level of voter turnout in the US compared to other industrialized countries?
The lack of penalties for non-voters.
Today, a majority of federal workers obtain their jobs through which of the following mechanisms?
The merit based civil service system
"In a republic, the manners, sentiments, and interests of the people should be similar. If this be not the case, there will be a constant clashing of opinions; and the representatives of one part will be continually striving against those of the other... The laws and customs of the several states are, in many respects, very diverse, and in some opposite; each would be in favor of its own interests and customs, and, of consequence, a legislature, formed of representatives from the respective parts, would not only be too numerous to act with any care or decision, but would be composed of such heterogeneous and discordant principles, as would constantly be contending with each other..." Brutus 1 Which of the following statements is consistent with the author's argument in this passage?
The multitude of opinions and interests in a large republic would be destructive to the functioning of a representative government.
Which of the following statements is consistent with the author's arguments in this passage?
The multitude of opinions and interests in a large republic would be destructive to the functioning of a representative government.
Shay's Rebellion of 1786 demonstrated which of the following?
The necessity of a stronger national government
Which of the following powers may be exercised only by the Senate?
The power to approve or reject presidential appointments.
Which of the following is the best example of how separation of powers creates friction between the executive and legislative branches in their policy making process?
The president threatens to have an executive order to SOMETHING
Which of the following is a concept in the 14th Amendment that was likely an inspiration for Martin Luther King Jr's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail"?
The principle that all people should be equal under the law.
In most presidential elections since the 1980's, the most strongly Republican area has been which of the following?
The southern states
Laws against seditious speech have been upheld by the Supreme Court if they focus only on which of the following situations?
The speaker must be actively planning to overthrow the government.
The outcome of conflict between the Constitution and state laws is guided by which of the following?
The supremacy Clause
The outcome of conflict between the Constitution and state laws is guided by which of the following?
The supremacy clause
Because of the Electoral College system
The winner of the popular vote may not always win the presidential election.
Of the following, which plays the most important role in the political socialization of young people?
Their family
According to the principle of cooperative federalism:
There is a sharing of powers and policy assignments between national and state governments.
Which of the following statements best states the most important limitation of the data in the graph above?
There is no information about the total number of state legislators.
Which feature of the Articles of Confederation led to the need for a new structure for the national government?
There was no provision for a national judiciary. The national government had no real power to raise money via taxation. There was no executive branch charged with enforcing the laws.
Which of the following statements about Political Action Committees and SuperPACs true?
They cannot directly coordinate their spending and strategy with a candidate
Which of the following best describes a fundamental source of power for the federal bureaucracy?
They have discretionary authority to implement policy based on a broadly worded law passed by Congress.
Concurrent powers have which of the following effects on the US political system?
They make it possible for the states and the national government to simultaneously exercise influence in the same areas of public policy
Which of the following is a FALSE statement regarding executive order?
They require judicial approval prior to insurance?
Which of the following best describes the structure and organization of political parties within the US?
They tend to be decentralized and fragmented.
Which of the following is true of independent regulatory agencies?
They tend to be freer from presidential control than are executive departments.
Which of the following Supreme Court decisions would allow public school students to wear T-shirts protesting a school board decision that eliminates funding for the high school arts program?
Tinker v Des Moines Independent Community School District
People belong to a political party
Voluntarily because they make a personal choice
The Republican majority in Congress in the 1990s preferred block grants to categorical grants because it:
Wanted the federal government to exercise less authority over the states.
Refer to the text from Washington's Farewell Address. Which of the following would best summarize the exert?
Washington Warns of Dangerous Party Factions
Which of the following is NOT a component of the Supreme Court's Lemon v Kurtzman test to determine if a law or policy violates the establishment clause?
Whether government representatives are members of a religious community.
Which of the following is among the reasons that the United States has historically been a two-party system?
Winner-take-all elections encourage voting for candidates most likely to win over candidates closer to a voter's ideology. The majority of public opinion tends to be moderate, minimizing the power of parties that appeal to either extreme of the political spectrum. Election laws, such as how candidates can get on ballots, are stacked against minor parties.
A written opinion in a Supreme Court case is a
a statement of the legal reasoning behind the decision.
Forms of prior restraint:
come to the court with a presumption of being unconstitutional.
Griswold v Connecticut and Roe v Wade are similar Supreme Court cases in that both cases are based on which the following concepts?
the right to privacy
