quiz 8
Proportional representation systems encourage the formation of smaller parties by enabling parties to A. win legislative seats even though they do not receive a majority of votes in elections. B. receive campaign funds from government in proportion to their support in opinion polls. C. win legislative seats by lottery for parties that have no chance of winning majority support. D. share in patronage appointments, which serve as an incentive to lure campaign workers. E. advertise on television.
A. win legislative seats even though they do not receive a majority of votes in elections.
Andrew Jackson's contribution to the development of political parties was the A. forging of a coalition of Democrats and Whigs. B. introduction of primary elections. C. formation of a new type of grassroots party organization. D. formation of the Federalist Party. E. formation of the Republican Party.
C. formation of a new type of grassroots party organization.
The Democratic Party's long-time regional stronghold, "the Solid South", stemmed from a realignment during which historical period? A. Civil War era B. 1890s C. Great Depression D. 1980s E. None of these answers is correct.
a
Ticket splitting was most prominent during which decade? A. 1970s B. 1990s C. 1980s D. 1960s E. 1950s
a
Abraham Lincoln was first elected in 1860 with ________ percent of the popular vote. A. 20 B. 40 C. 50 D. 60 E. 80
b
In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010), the Supreme Court A. found private citizens should not have limits on the amount of money they can spend on campaigns. B. found corporations and unions could not be banned from spending money on campaigns. C. found private citizens had the same free speech rights as corporations. D. found corporate and union donations to campaigns was not covered as a form of free speech. E. invalidated the government's use of an elections commission to regulate campaign donations.
b
What was especially unique about the "Era of Good Feeling"? A. Political parties were banned. B. President Monroe ran unopposed in 1820. C. Jefferson's faction adopted the label "Republican". D. The president and vice president were from competing parties. E. Federalists won the election of 1820.
b
Which of the following represents the greatest blow to the organizational strength of U.S. parties? A. the national convention B. the direct primary C. Jacksonian democracy D. the emergence of PACs E. voter registration
b
________ is based on judgment about the past performance of an elected official or political party. A. Prospective voting B. Retrospective voting C. Split-ticket voting D. Straight-ticket voting E. None of these answers is correct.
b
In 1912, a candidate for which minor party managed to earn more votes than one of his major party opponents? A. Socialist B. Prohibition C. Bull Moose D. Reform E. Populist
c
In 1992, ________ won 19 percent of the popular vote in the presidential election. A. Bill Clinton B. George H. W. Bush C. Ross Perot D. Pat Buchanan E. Ralph Nader
c
In twentieth-century American history, the most important minor parties were ________ parties. A. ideological B. single-issue C. factional D. reform E. non-aligned
c
The first American political parties emerged from the conflict between A. slave states and free states. B. the older eastern states and the newer western states. C. small farmers and states' rights advocates, and those favoring commercial and wealthy interests. D. business and labor. E. Protestants and Catholics.
c
The issue of slavery gave birth to the ________ party as a major political party. A. Federalist B. Democratic C. Republican D. Whig E. Populist
c
The major reason for the persistence of the American two-party system is A. that there are naturally only two sides to political disputes. B. regional conflict. C. the existence of single-member election districts. D. the existence of state laws prohibiting the placement of a third major party on the ballot. E. proportional representation.
c
________ warned Americans of the "baneful effects" of factions (political parties) in his 1797 farewell address. A. James Madison B. Thomas Jefferson C. George Washington D. Andrew Jackson E. Abraham Lincoln
c
Democrats and Republicans have endured as the two major U.S. parties primarily due to A. the stability of their ideologies. B. the lack of good third-party candidates. C. a high degree of party discipline. D. their ability to adapt to changing circumstances. E. None of these answers is correct.
d
If a minor party gains a large following, it is almost certain that A. the major parties will join together to attack the minor party. B. Congress will enact legislation to make it difficult for the minor party to get on the ballot. C. party in-fighting will tear it apart. D. one or both major parties will absorb its issue, and the minor party will lose support. E. the media will attack the minor party.
d
Prospective voting is characterized by A. a sudden shift in the vote from one party to another. B. choices based on party loyalty. C. choices based on a candidate's past performance. D. choices based on what candidates promise to do if elected. E. the symbolism of a candidate's personality.
d
_______ does not have a competitive multiparty system. A. Germany B. Italy C. The Netherlands D. The United States E. Sweden
d
Political parties in the United States originated partly as a political feud between A. Marshall and Adams. B. Adams and Jackson. C. Lincoln and Douglas. D. Cleveland and Bryan. E. Hamilton and Jefferson.
e
Political parties serve to A. link the public with its elected leaders. B. enable people with different backgrounds and opinions to act together. C. offer the public a choice between policies and leaders. D. provide potential leaders an opportunity to attain public office. E. All these answers are correct.
e