AP Gov Tri 2 Final Review
Which of the following best describes the holding in Baker v. Carr (1961) ? A Unequal representation of citizens in legislative districts is unconstitutional and may be reviewed by the courts. B Political issues such as reapportionment, redistricting, and gerrymandering are to be resolved by the legislative branch. C Racial gerrymandering is a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause. D Gerrymandering that favors a single party is not subject to legal action because there is no standard to determine how a state legislative district map should be drawn.
A Unequal representation of citizens in legislative districts is unconstitutional and may be reviewed by the courts.
In the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and the Watergate affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary Presidency. . . . The imperial Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of doctrines and emotions—belief in the permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at the expense of the constitutional order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the nest. And, as it overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the text by Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 ? A While Schlesinger views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, The Federalist 70 views it as vital to the presidency's effectiveness. B While The Federalist 70 views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, Schlesinger views it as vital to the presidency's effectiveness. C Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 view centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous. D Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 view centralization of power in the presidency as vital to the presidency's effectiveness.
A While Schlesinger views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, The Federalist 70 views it as vital to the presidency's effectiveness.
In The Federalist 70, Alexander Hamilton states that "energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government." In this statement, Hamilton is arguing in favor of the need for A a single executive who can respond quickly to crises B a president who has a good understanding of public policy C an electoral college in the selection of the president D a president who is youthful and assertive
A a single executive who can respond quickly to crises
A policy that sets emission standards for automobiles is an example of A regulatory policy B judicial policy C fiscal policy D distributive policy E monetary policy
A regulatory policy
Which of the following sections of the United States Constitution is most related to the case Marbury v. Madison (1803) ? A Article I B Article III C The First Amendment D The Tenth Amendment
B Article III
Which of the following illustrates an economic policy most likely supported by an ideologically liberal individual? A The Federal Reserve increasing interest rates B Congress increasing the minimum wage C A bill that would decrease funding for the food stamp program D A state lowering income taxes to attract businesses
B Congress increasing the minimum wage
A member of Congress votes in favor of a bill as a result of receiving many letters of support for the bill from constituents. Which form of democratic representation best describes this voting decision? A Trustee B Delegate C Elite D Pluralist
B Delegate
In The Federalist 78, Alexander Hamilton states, "A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning." Which of the following Supreme Court cases is most relevant to this statement? A Baker v. Carr (1962) B Marbury v. Madison (1803) C Shaw v. Reno (1993) D McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
B Marbury v. Madison (1803)
The Supreme Court upholds a law passed by Congress as constitutional. The chief justice states in the majority opinion that previous decisions supporting Congress' power to make laws based on the commerce clause of the Constitution were the basis for the decision. Which of the following legal concepts did the chief justice apply in writing the opinion? A Compliance monitoring B Stare decisis C Overlapping jurisdiction D Judicial activism
B Stare decisis
A newly elected president faces a Senate controlled by the opposition party. Which of the following presidential appointments is the most likely to encounter difficulty with confirmation by the Senate? A Secretary of defense B Supreme Court justice C Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors D Ambassador to Germany
B Supreme Court justice
Which of the following is an example of bureaucratic rule making? A The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collecting back taxes with interest from citizens B The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) writing a regulation to support a clean water bill C Congress passing legislation to establish the Department of Homeland Security D The federal government listing a business opportunity on its clearinghouse Web site for government contracts
B The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) writing a regulation to support a clean water bill
n the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and the Watergate affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary Presidency. . . . The imperial Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of doctrines and emotions—belief in the permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at the expense of the constitutional order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the nest. And, as it overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Which of the following situations best reflects the author's concern about an "imperial" presidency? A The Senate ratifying treaties without executive approval B The president issuing an increasing number of executive agreements C Congress declaring war independent of the president D The president appointing a new secretary of education
B The president issuing an increasing number of executive agreements
Lobbyists from the Airlines for America, an advocacy group that represents commercial airlines, work with members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and officials from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to discuss a new policy that addresses issues of airline safety. This scenario best illustrates A a political action committee B an iron triangle C a social movement D an independent expenditure
B an iron triangle
One of the formal tools used by Congress for oversight of the bureaucracy is A the line-item veto B authorization of spending C impoundment bills D private bills E senatorial courtesy
B authorization of spending
According to the United States Constitution, all revenue bills must A be passed by a conference committee B originate in the House of Representatives C be passed by two-thirds of the Senate D be reviewed by the Supreme Court
B originate in the House of Representatives
To get an important bill passed in the House, a provision is added that allocates $500 million to study the impact of global climate change on manatees in Florida. This is an example of A the free rider problem B pork barrel legislation C an issue network D gerrymandering
B pork barrel legislation
Which of the following scenarios is an example of the trustee model of representation? A The NAACP leadership sends representatives to Washington to lobby for changes to the Voting Rights Act. B Congress passes a bill allocating money to clean up nuclear waste sites after a wave of large-scale peaceful protests. C A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down the national debt. D A presidential candidate advocates using an executive order to increase the minimum wage for federal contractors.
C A member of Congress votes to close a popular tax loophole based on the belief that the money would be better spent paying down the national debt.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a member of Congress supporting pork-barrel legislation? A A senator from a coal-producing state voting against a job-training program for coal miners B A member of the House voting for urban renewal in exchange for increased funding for roads C A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his or her state D A member of the House Armed Services Committee marking up a bill that will increase funding for military bases
C A senator from an agricultural state amending legislation to establish a potato research institute in his or her state
The Supreme Court's decision in Shaw v. Reno (1993) is most applicable to which of the following scenarios? A A public school expels students for protesting school policy. B A state establishes a ban on carrying firearms near schools and churches. C A state legislature approves a redistricting plan that draws district lines on basis of race. D A group of state officials refuse to comply with federal legislation.
C A state legislature approves a redistricting plan that draws district lines on basis of race.
Which of the following accurately describes the composition of congressional committees? A Committees are organized by the executive branch to ensure that both branches can communicate and negotiate policy goals. B The United States Constitution requires that Congress organize itself into committees, with each party having equal access to committee seats. C Committees are organized by the majority party to maintain control of the policy-making process. D Committees are organized by state delegations so that each state has some role in deciding which bills get passed.
C Committees are organized by the majority party to maintain control of the policy-making process.
Which of the following is an example of a power exclusively granted to the Senate in Article II of the Constitution? A Declaring war B Overriding a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority veto C Confirming ambassadors D Creating spending bills
C Confirming ambassadors
Which of the following best matches a political ideology with that ideology's position on the proper role of government in regulating the economy? A Communitarian—The government should regulate monetary policy but not fiscal policy. B Libertarian—Government regulation should increase when the economy is in decline. C Conservative—The government should strictly limit its regulation of the marketplace. D Liberal—The government should not intervene in economic decision-making.
C Conservative—The government should strictly limit its regulation of the marketplace.
Which of the following best reflects the holding in the case Baker v. Carr (1962) ? A Declared that racial gerrymandering was a violation of the due process clause. B Stated that the Tenth Amendment exclusively reserves the power to review congressional districts to the states. C Created a one-person, one-vote standard for reviewing congressional districts. D Stated that the Seventeenth Amendment requires regular review of the constitutionality of congressional districts.
C Created a one-person, one-vote standard for reviewing congressional districts.
A member of Congress who advocates for a more Keynesian approach to solving a recession will likely support which of the following policies? A Lowering taxes on the wealthy to increase business investment B Doing nothing and letting the recession work itself out C Increasing federal spending on infrastructure programs D Increasing interest rates and reducing the money supply
C Increasing federal spending on infrastructure programs
Which of the following enumerated powers would permit Congress to stimulate the economy by hiring unemployed citizens? A The power to create immigration policies B The power to regulate interstate commerce C The power to pass a federal budget D The power of legislative oversight
C The power to pass a federal budget
Despite concerns raised by her constituents, a member of the House of Representatives votes in favor of a bill, believing that in the long term it is in the best interest of her constituents. This is an example of which of the following models of representation? A Delegate B Politico C Trustee D Virtual
C Trustee
Congressional oversight refers to the power of Congress to A override presidential vetoes B hold public hearings before confirming judicial appointees C exercise some control over executive agencies D allow nongovernmental agencies to defend or refute pending legislation publicly E seek judicial opinion on the constitutionality of pending legislation
C exercise some control over executive agencies
In many places, classrooms are overcrowded and curricula are outdated. Most of our qualified teachers are underpaid, and many of our paid teachers are unqualified. So we must give every child a place to sit and a teacher to learn from. Poverty must not be a bar to learning, and learning must offer an escape from poverty. But more classrooms and more teachers are not enough. We must seek an educational system which grows in excellence as it grows in size. This means better training for our teachers. It means preparing youth to enjoy their hours of leisure as well as their hours of labor. It means exploring new techniques of teaching, to find new ways to stimulate the love of learning and the capacity for creation. . . . . . . While our Government has many programs directed at those issues, I do not pretend that we have the full answer to those problems. But I do promise this: We are going to assemble the best thought and the broadest knowledge from all over the world to find those answers for America. I intend to establish working groups to prepare a series of White House conferences and meetings . . . on the quality of education, and on other emerging challenges. And from these meetings and from this inspiration and from these studies we will begin to set our course toward the Great Society. The solution to these problems does not rest on a massive program in Washington, nor can it rely solely on the strained resources of local authority. They require us to create new concepts of cooperation, a creative federalism, between the National Capital and the leaders of local communities. President Lyndon B. Johnson, May 22, 1964 A liberal response to the "strained resources" of local government most likely would include A a reduction of federal income taxes so that state and local governments can use those resources B less federal regulation and more authority for local school boards to create curricula and standards C an increase in federal spending on public education and more programs aimed at helping lower-income communities D encouraging state and local governments to offer vouchers so that students can attend private or charter schools
C an increase in federal spending on public education and more programs aimed at helping lower-income communities
In 1998, Goodyear employee Lilly Ledbetter filed suit against her employer for pay discrimination based on her gender. Though Ledbetter was initially successful, Goodyear appealed the decision and the case went to the Supreme Court. In Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. (2007), the Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires that sex discrimination complaints must be made within 180 days "after the alleged unlawful employment practice occurred," which Ledbetter had failed to do. Which of the following actions could be taken to reverse the impact of the decision? A Ledbetter could renew her appeal by seeking additional Supreme Court review. B The president could sign an executive order to alter the Civil Rights Act. C Ledbetter could pursue her case using the same arguments in state courts. D Congress could enact legislation to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
D Congress could enact legislation to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
In the case Twining v. New Jersey (1908), the Supreme Court held that the Fifth Amendment's protection against self-incrimination is not applicable to the states. In 1964 the Supreme Court overruled the decision in Malloy v. Hogan (1964) and held that the right was incorporated to the states. This scenario illustrates which of the following? A The Supreme Court oftentimes overrules lower court decisions. B Constitutional amendments can be used to overturn previous Supreme Court decisions. C The executive branch can sometimes evade Supreme Court decisions. D Ideological changes to the Supreme Court can lead to the overturning of precedent.
D Ideological changes to the Supreme Court can lead to the overturning of precedent.
Which of the following situations is an example of the president using the bully pulpit as a tool for agenda setting? A President Clinton invoking executive privilege in resisting a subpoena by the United States Senate during the Whitewater investigation B President Bush issuing a signing statement in the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 that considerably weakened its provisions C President Obama issuing an executive order delaying the deportation of at least five million undocumented immigrants D President Reagan delivering a televised address urging a reduction in federal taxes
D President Reagan delivering a televised address urging a reduction in federal taxes
In November 2014, President Obama announced an expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program through an executive order. The policy would protect over 700,000 more children of undocumented immigrants from deportation. Republican members of Congress denounced the order as an abuse of executive power. Previously, members of the House of Representatives had voted to defund the program. This scenario best illustrates which of the following? A A reluctant bureaucracy can hinder a president's agenda. B Public opinion can influence how Congress responds to a president. C Iron triangles form between members of the president's party and opponents in Congress. D Presidents exert informal powers when their policy agenda conflicts with that of Congress.
D Presidents exert informal powers when their policy agenda conflicts with that of Congress.
The Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) relates to foundational documents in which of the following ways? A The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution reserves powers to the states, and Marbury v. Madison deals with whether the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction over state courts. B The Declaration of Independence describes circumstances in which people may demand a redress of grievances, and Marbury v. Madison is about whether courts can resolve these crises. C The Federalist 10 describes how the expanded scope of the national government can alleviate the problems of factions, and Marbury v. Madison uses the national government to negotiate a compromise between two rival factions. D The Federalist 78 is about the power and role of the federal courts, and in Marbury v. Madison, Madison expands that role by giving the courts the power to determine whether laws or executive actions conflict with the Constitution.
D The Federalist 78 is about the power and role of the federal courts, and in Marbury v. Madison, Madison expands that role by giving the courts the power to determine whether laws or executive actions conflict with the Constitution.
In the process and structure of public policymaking, "iron triangles" refer to the A bargaining and negotiating process between the President and Congress about the direction of domestic policy B dominance of corporate power in setting the national policy agenda for economic expansion C interrelationship among federal, state, and local levels of government in the policy process D networks of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process E group of presidential advisers who formulate the President's foreign policy agenda
D networks of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process
Cabinet members often do not have a dominant influence on presidential decision-making because A cabinet members generally maintain close independent ties to Congress B cabinet members generally view their position only as a stepping-stone to further their own political ambitions C cabinet members are not permitted to disagree publicly with the President D presidential goals often conflict with the institutional goals of individual cabinet-level agencies E only half of all cabinet members can be members of the President's party
D presidential goals often conflict with the institutional goals of individual cabinet-level agencies
An advantage that bureaucrats in federal government have over the President in the policymaking process is that bureaucrats A control the budgetary process B have an independence from the President that is guaranteed by the Constitution C find it easier to marshall public support than does the President D usually have a continuity of service in the executive branch that the President lacks E have better access to the media than does the President
D usually have a continuity of service in the executive branch that the President lacks
Which of the following is true of independent regulatory agencies? A They tend to have larger budgets than cabinet departments. B They are directly supervised by cabinet departments. C They provide a product or service directly to the public. D They are insulated from contact with interest groups. E They tend to be freer from presidential control than are cabinet departments.
E They tend to be freer from presidential control than are cabinet departments.
A fundamental source of power for the federal bureaucracy lies in its A role in moving legislation out of subcommittees B role in mediating interstate conflicts C ability to convince Congress to fund most projects it supports D ability to mobilize public opinion in support of legislative initiatives E ability to set specific guidelines after receiving a general mandate from Congress
E ability to set specific guidelines after receiving a general mandate from Congress
Rules and regulations created by an agency such as the Federal Communications Commission are called A constitutional law B statutory law C common law D equity law E administrative law
E administrative law
All of the following make it difficult for presidents to control the actions of federal agencies EXCEPT A the civil service system B issue networks (iron triangles) C bureaucratic inertia D bureaucratic noncompliance E the appointment of cabinet heads
E the appointment of cabinet heads
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates delegated discretionary authority? A Congress giving the Environmental Protection Agency the power to establish national pollution standards B The chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce appointing the chair of the Environment subcommittee C The House of Representatives establishing the jurisdiction for the Committee on Energy and Commerce D The president nominating the attorney general of Ohio to serve as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
A Congress giving the Environmental Protection Agency the power to establish national pollution standards
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the process of bureaucratic rule making? A The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs considers the credentials of a person nominated to serve as Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Benefits. B The Department of Veterans Affairs rewrites its regulations regarding compensation and pensions into plain language that is easier for beneficiaries to understand. C The president signs Executive Order 13777 intended to "lower regulatory burdens on the American people by implementing and enforcing regulatory reform." D The Supreme Court denies a writ of certiorari in Freddie H. Mathis v David J. Shulkin, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which focused on veterans' disability claims.
B The Department of Veterans Affairs rewrites its regulations regarding compensation and pensions into plain language that is easier for beneficiaries to understand.
In 2012, after negotiations on a bill in Congress failed, President Obama issued an executive order that protected from deportation individuals illegally brought to the United States as children by their parents. The president took this action because A the executive order would require Congress to bring a bill regarding illegal immigration to the floor for a vote B disagreement between congressional leaders and the president on the issue meant that a compromise on a bill was not likely C the president was reacting to a Supreme Court decision that required him to do something to protect these individuals D the Constitution clearly gives the president control over the legal status of immigrants in the United States
B disagreement between congressional leaders and the president on the issue meant that a compromise on a bill was not likely
Which of the following is true of the relationship between Congress and executive agencies? A The agencies were created by and work under the direction of Congress. B Agencies, once created, work totally independent of Congress. C Because the agencies have bureaucratic expertise, Congress delegates "rule-making authority" to them. D Because of differing objectives, their relationships are always adversarial. E Congress creates, staffs, and supervises all executive agencies.
C Because the agencies have bureaucratic expertise, Congress delegates "rule-making authority" to them.
Shortly after the 2008 election, President Obama appointed outspoken and controversial House member Rahm Emanuel to lead his White House as chief of staff. The selection drew criticism from Republican leaders, including House minority leader John Boehner, who remarked that the selection "is an ironic choice for a president-elect who has promised to change Washington, make politics more civil, and govern from the center." Which of the following explains how Congress could legitimately respond to the appointment? A The Senate could refuse to confirm the appointment. B The House of Representatives could filibuster the nomination. C The Rules Committee could refuse to release the bill that made the appointment. D Members of Congress could issue statements opposing the appointment but have no formal power to block it.
D Members of Congress could issue statements opposing the appointment but have no formal power to block it.
Which of the following is an example of how the innovation of social media can influence presidential behavior? A The president holds a press conference to discuss midterm election results. B The president outlines the administration's legislative agenda in the State of the Union Address. C The president hosts a White House dinner with a foreign head of state. D The president announces the nomination of a cabinet secretary on the Internet.
D The president announces the nomination of a cabinet secretary on the Internet.
On July 9, 2018, after the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, President Trump, a Republican, nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Many Democrats in the Senate feared that the appointment of Kavanaugh would swing the Court in a more ideologically conservative direction and attempted to block his nomination. After a heated Senate confirmation hearing, Kavanaugh was eventually confirmed by a 50-48 vote in the Senate. The scenario best highlights which of the following statements about court appointees? A Life tenure for appointed justices alongside the power of judicial review increases the stakes in the confirmation process for nominees to the Supreme Court. B Judicial appointees tend to make controversial statements on important policy issues during their confirmation hearings to get confirmed. C The merit system for hiring members of the bureaucracy extends to the vetting process for nominations to the Supreme Court. D Presidents usually request that the Senate be slow and deliberate with judicial appointments to check the power of the judicial branch.
A Life tenure for appointed justices alongside the power of judicial review increases the stakes in the confirmation process for nominees to the Supreme Court.
In Worcester v. Georgia (1832), the United States Supreme Court ruled that a Georgia law violated the U.S. Constitution. In response to Chief Justice John Marshall's majority opinion, President Andrew Jackson said, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it." Which of the following ideas regarding government does President Jackson's statement exhibit? A Since the Supreme Court has no enforcement mechanism, the executive and legislative branches can restrict its decisions. B When the Supreme Court takes an activist approach to decision making, it can influence policy. C Constitutional amendments have granted the Supreme Court greater power to enforce its decisions. D Unpopular Supreme Court Justices can be removed by a two-thirds vote in Congress and a presidential signature.
A Since the Supreme Court has no enforcement mechanism, the executive and legislative branches can restrict its decisions.
If a bill reaches the floor for debate and a member of the minority party opposes the bill, which of the following provides greater leverage to a senator than to a member of the House to block passage of the bill? A The Senate allows for unlimited floor debate that can hold up a vote, while the House has strict limits on debate. B The Senate is more collegial than the House, so members can easily gain support from the opposing party. C The Senate allows for discharge petitions that force the bill out of committee, while the House does not. D The Senate is much less likely than the House to have party-line votes, so nonpartisan coalitions are more likely to form.
A The Senate allows for unlimited floor debate that can hold up a vote, while the House has strict limits on debate.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of a case being decided based on precedent? A The Supreme Court bases its decision in a case involving the commerce clause on one of its earlier decisions involving the commerce clause. B The Supreme Court overturns a lower court decision in a case dealing with voter identification laws. C A state passes a law which contradicts federal law, causing the Supreme Court to rule in favor of the federal government. D The chief justice of the Supreme Court disagrees with the majority of the other justices and decides to declare a law passed by Congress as unconstitutional.
A The Supreme Court bases its decision in a case involving the commerce clause on one of its earlier decisions involving the commerce clause.
In Baker v. Carr (1962), the Supreme Court ruled that a state legislature would have to redraw their representative districts in order to comply with the Constitution. Which of the following potential difficulties could have resulted from this decision? A The state legislature could have refused to implement the decision, leading to a crisis in the legitimacy of the Supreme Court's authority. B The United States Congress could have requested that funding be cut off from the redistricting program. C The president could have created an executive agreement with the state that overrode the Supreme Court's decision. D A state appellate court could have issued a ruling that overturned the ruling of the United States Supreme Court.
A The state legislature could have refused to implement the decision, leading to a crisis in the legitimacy of the Supreme Court's authority.
Which of the following is an action a president can take to rally public support for the administration's legislative agenda? A Use the State of the Union Address to pressure Congress to pass a bill lowering income taxes. B Hold private meetings with key members of Congress to promote a compromise on the budget. C Forge an executive agreement with another country regulating the safety of consumer products. D Sign a bill into law that would provide increased aid to college students.
A Use the State of the Union Address to pressure Congress to pass a bill lowering income taxes.
In the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and the Watergate affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary Presidency. . . . The imperial Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of doctrines and emotions—belief in the permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at the expense of the constitutional order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the nest. And, as it overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Based on the passage above, which of the following constitutional provisions would the author most likely identify as a solution to the problem of the imperial presidency? A Congress exercising the power to regulate commerce B Congress insisting that it declare war prior to the use of international force C The president making stronger use of bureaucratic discretion D Congress creating term limits for all members of government
B Congress insisting that it declare war prior to the use of international force
In many places, classrooms are overcrowded and curricula are outdated. Most of our qualified teachers are underpaid, and many of our paid teachers are unqualified. So we must give every child a place to sit and a teacher to learn from. Poverty must not be a bar to learning, and learning must offer an escape from poverty. But more classrooms and more teachers are not enough. We must seek an educational system which grows in excellence as it grows in size. This means better training for our teachers. It means preparing youth to enjoy their hours of leisure as well as their hours of labor. It means exploring new techniques of teaching, to find new ways to stimulate the love of learning and the capacity for creation. . . . . . . While our Government has many programs directed at those issues, I do not pretend that we have the full answer to those problems. But I do promise this: We are going to assemble the best thought and the broadest knowledge from all over the world to find those answers for America. I intend to establish working groups to prepare a series of White House conferences and meetings . . . on the quality of education, and on other emerging challenges. And from these meetings and from this inspiration and from these studies we will begin to set our course toward the Great Society. The solution to these problems does not rest on a massive program in Washington, nor can it rely solely on the strained resources of local authority. They require us to create new concepts of cooperation, a creative federalism, between the National Capital and the leaders of local communities. President Lyndon B. Johnson, May 22, 1964 Which of the following explains President Johnson's motivation for the speech in relation to his role as the head of the executive branch? A President Johnson believes that Congress will soon pass a bill on education reform, and he would like to be able to claim credit for it. B President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education. C President Johnson is expecting the Supreme Court to soon rule on the constitutionality of a law passed by the previous administration. D President Johnson is issuing an executive order calling on local governments to increase training for teachers and address poverty among students.
B President Johnson is seeking to use the bully pulpit as a means of promoting his agenda on public education.
The House Appropriations Committee disagrees with a proposal in the president's annual budget request to increase the number of people eligible for food stamps, consequently leading to the House of Representatives passing a budget that does not increase funding for the program. This ability to check presidential actions is best described as A the bully pulpit B the power of the purse C the oversight function D the line-item veto
B the power of the purse
On February 9, 2016, President Barack Obama released his budget proposal for the 2017 fiscal year. Facing a Republican Congress, many declared the plan "dead on arrival." Among the cited issues was Obama's request for $582.7 billion in discretionary spending for defense, which many Republicans believed was not enough. Which of the following most accurately explains the interaction between the president and the Congress regarding the defense budget? A The Congress has the enumerated power to raise revenue, but it is forced to work with the president because the president has the power to determine spending for each department in the upcoming fiscal year. B The president can create a budget for defense spending, but Congress has the power to execute laws and operate the government, which can affect how much money is actually spent. C Congress passes a budget for the entire federal government, including defense, but it must consider the president's proposal because the president may veto the bill. D The president introduces a specific budget bill for defense spending, but Congress uses its power of legislative oversight to set up a negotiation process with the president.
C Congress passes a budget for the entire federal government, including defense, but it must consider the president's proposal because the president may veto the bill.
The statesman who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to [operate their business] would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention, but assume authority which could safely be trusted, not to no single person, but to no council or senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who [was so arrogant to think] himself fit to exercise it. To . . . direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals . . . in almost all cases [is] a useless or hurtful regulation. If the produce of domestic [industry] can be brought there as cheap as that of foreign industry, the regulation is evidently useless. If it cannot, it must generally be hurtful. Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations, 1776 Which of the following positions on the government's role in the marketplace is most influenced by the idea expressed in the passage? A Economic equality should be the goal of public policy. B Government should use its fiscal powers to address economic cycles. C Government intervention in the free market should be avoided. D A central banking system or federal reserve is necessary to control the money supply.
C Government intervention in the free market should be avoided.
I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty. Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.... It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism. George Washington's Farewell Address, 1796 Which of the following scenarios illustrates Washington's concerns? A An increasing number of voters are not turning out to vote in elections. B Federalism can lead to different public policy outcomes between states. C Ideological divisions within Congress can lead to partisan gridlock. D Members of the press fail to report on the illegal activities of certain members of the bureaucracy.
C Ideological divisions within Congress can lead to partisan gridlock.
A United States Supreme Court justice has announced his retirement at the end of the current Supreme Court term. What is the most likely presidential action in response to this announcement? A Confer with House leadership to discuss potential nominees B Confer with the chief justice to discuss potential nominees C Nominate a federal judge who shares the president's ideology D Nominate a sitting senator of the majority party
C Nominate a federal judge who shares the president's ideology
Which of the following describes the ruling in Shaw v. Reno (1993) ? A The Voting Rights Act was ruled unconstitutional. B The poll tax was eliminated. C Racial gerrymandering was ruled unconstitutional. D It was decided that congressional districts needed to be equal in size.
C Racial gerrymandering was ruled unconstitutional.
Which of the following is likely to occur as a result of new legislation regarding automobile safety? A The Supreme Court will be asked to review the legislation annually. B States will be empowered to begin automobile manufacturing. C The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations. D Mandatory spending will be required in all future federal budgeting for the program.
C The Department of Transportation will be given discretionary authority to create auto regulations.
In the case Wickard v. Filburn (1942), Roscoe Filburn was penalized for producing 12 acres of wheat above his allotment under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938. The law, justified under Congress' power to regulate interstate commerce, limited the amount of wheat an individual could grow. This regulation would keep prices from dropping and prevent farmers from going bankrupt. Filburn claimed that the excess wheat was for his own use, and challenged that no interstate commerce was involved. The Supreme Court ruled that the commerce clause allowed the government to regulate Filburn's personal wheat production, even though it was only indirectly related to interstate commerce. Which of the following was a likely result of the decision in Wickard v. Filburn that contributed to the Court's later decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) ? A The Supreme Court is not elected, so unpopular decisions such as in the Wickard case cannot be overturned unless Congress acts upon it. B Laws passed by Congress have since undergone judicial review by the Supreme Court to ensure that the commerce clause and other parts of the Constitution are interpreted correctly. C The expansive interpretation of the commerce clause by the Supreme Court which greatly extended the power of Congress drew criticism that eventually led to a more narrow interpretation. D Rather than be regulated by Congress, many citizens and corporations opt instead to find loopholes so that the law does not apply to them.
C The expansive interpretation of the commerce clause by the Supreme Court which greatly extended the power of Congress drew criticism that eventually led to a more narrow interpretation.
In the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and the Watergate affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary Presidency. . . . The imperial Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of doctrines and emotions—belief in the permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at the expense of the constitutional order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the nest. And, as it overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Which of the following statements is a correct implication of the author's argument? A The modern president has abused the power of the executive branch through the use of the bully pulpit. B Federal courts play a substantial role in the American political system, but they have been unable to check the executive. C The perception of multiple crises has led to the growth of an executive branch that is undermining the separation of powers in the government. D The Constitution has failed to protect the separation of powers by giving the executive branch and the president too much power.
C The perception of multiple crises has led to the growth of an executive branch that is undermining the separation of powers in the government.
In Worcester v. Georgia (1832), the Supreme Court used the power of judicial review established in Marbury v. Madison (1803) to strike down a Georgia state law that regulated the relationship between citizens of Georgia and members of the Cherokee Nation. President Andrew Jackson opposed the decision and famously challenged the Supreme Court to enforce it. As the Supreme Court was not able to enforce the decision, the other branches of government ignored it. This example illustrates which of the following? A The president can approve or veto decisions made by the Supreme Court. B States have the power to nullify federal laws. C Congress can prevent Supreme Court decisions from being enforced by appropriating money to the Department of Justice. D Unpopular Supreme Court decisions can be avoided or ignored if other branches refuse to cooperate with the outcomes of those decisions.
D Unpopular Supreme Court decisions can be avoided or ignored if other branches refuse to cooperate with the outcomes of those decisions.
