Semester 1 MRQ's

Which of the following groups would be most likely to support a constitutional amendment banning all abortion? a. Conservatives b. Independents c. Liberals d. Moderates

a. Conservatives

Which of the following is an accurate summary of James Madison's argument in The Federalist 10 a. a large republic presents more opportunities for groups to participate, compete, and limit each other b. a large republic makes it possible to abolish factions and concentrate all power at the national level c. a large republic allows the federal gov to dominate the state governments through the necessary and proper clause d. a large republic is a direct democracy where the people have a direct vote in policy matters, which controls factions

a. a large republic presents more opportunities for groups to participate, compete, and limit each other

Which of the following is argued by James Madison in Federalists 10 a. a system of republican representation helps to limit the excesses of factionalism b. small republics are better able to ensure individual liberty than are large republics c. the presence of a few large factions helps to protect the rights of minorities

a. a system of republican representation helps to limit the excesses of factionalism

In the Constitution as originally ratified in 1788, the provisions regrading which of the following most closely approximate popular, majoritarian democracy? a. election of members of the House of Representatives b. election of members of the Senate c. Election of the President d. Confirmation of presidential appointments

a. election of members of the House of Representatives

The term "bicameralism" refers to the a. establishment of two legislative chambers that have different structures and rules b. members of the House of Representatives having two-year terms c. president having veto power over both chambers of Congress d. members of the House and Senate having to appease their mutual constituencies

a. establishment of two legislative chambers that have different structures and rules

The reserved powers of the state governments can best be described as those powers a. not specifically granted to the national gov or denied to the states b. implied in the 5th amendment c. listed specifically in the 10th amendment d. granted to the states as part of the implied powers doctrine

a. not specifically granted to the national gov or denied to the states

Which autocracy is a gov controlled by a committee? a. oligarchy b. dictatorship c. presidential d. parliamentary

a. oligarchy

When the legislative branch chooses the executive, like in Great Britain, that government is called a. parliamentary b. presidential c. unitary d. confederate

a. parliamentary

How can the US be considered a republic, not a democracy? a. representatives of the people express the popular will b. true democracies need no checks and balances c. children are not allowed to vote in US elections d. true democracies give people more freedom

a. representatives of the people express the popular will

Which of the following is commonly identified as a failure of the Articles of Confederation? a. the national government lacked an effective power to raise revenue b. the executive branch was granted too much power over the legislature c. the federal government had too much control over interstate commerce d. the judicial branch was elected and did not consistently adhere to the rule of law

a. the national government lacked an effective power to raise revenue

Which of the following constitutional provisions broadened the powers of Congress? a. the necessary and proper clause b. the equal protection clause c. the 10th amendment d. the eminent domain provision in the 5th amendment

a. the necessary and proper clause

Which of the following accurately characterizes the main difference between elite theories and pluralists theories of politics in the US a. elite theories concentrate on the role of interest groups; pluralist theories emphasize the role of individuals b. elite theories arye that a single minority dominates politics in all the policy areas; pluralist theories argue that many minorities compete for power in different policy areas c. elite theories argue that social status is the major source of political power; pluralist theories argue that wealth is the major source d. elite theories emphasize the multiple access points that interest groups have to public officials; pluralist theories tress the limits in the number and effectiveness of such access points

b. elite theories arye that a single minority dominates politics in all the policy areas; pluralist theories argue that many minorities compete for power in different policy areas

As a compromise, the framers agreed on a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives directly elected by popular vote within states and the Senate selected by state legislatures. The method chosen for electing members of the House of Representatives conforms most to which of the following democratic ideals? a. the social contract is an agreement between citizens and government b. gov should be based on the consent of the governed c. policy makers should be the most well-informed and wealthy members of society d. state power should be respected in a federal constitution

b. gov should be based on the consent of the governed

As originally ratified, the US constitution included provisions designed to a. increase the economic importance of the agrarian sector relative to that of the manufacturing sector b. increase the economic powers of the central government c. expand the state's powers to regulate their own commerce with foreign countries d. guarantee the states a greater role in the economic policy-making

b. increase the economic powers of the central government

The process in the diagram reflects which of the following about the perspective of the framers on constitutional gov> a. a system should be able to accommodate political change but the process for change should incorporate separation of powers b. limited government is best achieved through a Constitution that limits the power of the federal gov and expands the power of states c. citizens ought to determine for themselves by a simple majority the laws that govern a democracy d. multiple access points should exist for groups who want to participate in gov, with the states acting as laboratories of democracy

b. limited government is best achieved through a Constitution that limits the power of the federal gov and expands the power of states

Which of the following is an effect of the 17th amendment? a. state legislatures gained more power over national and local elections b. people could participate in the political process by directly electing the senators c. suffrage for women greatly expanded in national elections d. African American males could vote in national and state elections

b. people could participate in the political process by directly electing the senators

In the early part of the 21st century, public opinion polls showed that a majority of Americans believed it should be illegal to burn the American flag. As a result, many members of Congress introduced amendments to make it illegal to burn or desecrate the American flag, but it has never been successful. Which of the following statements best explains why? a. congress and the states have agreed to add this amendment, however recent presidents have refused to sign it b. the framers made the amendment process difficult in order to protect individual rights c. the Supreme Court has stated such an amendment is unconstitutional, thus blocking its ratification d. the framers specifically wrote the amendment process to prevent using it to limit freedom of expression

b. the framers made the amendment process difficult in order to protect individual rights

In a parliamentary gov a. the executive and legislative branches are coequal b. the prime minister belongs to both the executive and legislative branches c. the central gov has little power d. checks and balances are stronger than in a presidential gov

b. the prime minister belongs to both the executive and legislative branches

A political science professor is researching the effects that the 15th and 26th amendments have had on the American political system. Which of the following is the most likely reason the professor is researching these amendments? a. to study the expansion of the right/ to equal protection under the law b. to study the expansion of voting rights c. to study the expansion of due process rights d. to study the expansion of federal authority over states

b. to study the expansion of voting rights

Political scientists frequently classify govs according to a. national pop. size b. who participates in the governing process c. national wealth b. the number of legislators in the gov

b. who participates in the governing process

Under the AOC, which of the following are true 1. Congress could not tax the states directly 2. the executive branch of government exercised more power than Congress 3. congress was a unicameral body 4. states were represented in Congress proportionally according to population a. 1 and 2 b. 1 and 3 c. 1 and 4 d. 2 and 3

c. 1 and 4

Which of the following is the correct pairing of powers found in the Articles of Confederation and powers found in the Constitution? a. AOC → protection of individual liberties US constitution → no protection of specific individual rights b. AOC → powerful executive branch US constitution → federal government supreme power over states c. AOC → unicameral legislature US constitution → bicameral legislature d. AOC → amendment requires unanimity of all states US constitution → amendment requires the president's approval

c. AOC → unicameral legislature US constitution → bicameral legislature

Which of the following statements best reflects James Madison's beliefs about political representation as expressed in the passage? a. people would be best served by having a strong leader to make the decisions b. people will not truly have a voice in government until they can vote on laws directly c. people are best represented by a few politicians chosen to voice their issues d. people should elect political representatives who are wealthy enough to avoid corruption

c. people are best represented by a few politicians chosen to voice their issues

Which of the following is an accurate description of the decision in the US v. Lopez (1995)? a. the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was upheld as constitutional because it regulated arms in an enumerated power b. the Gun-Free Zones Act of 1990 was upheld as constitutional because any interstate commerce is implied in the commerce clause c. the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was struck down as unconstitutional because it exceeded the commerce clause d. the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was struck down because it exceeded the state's power to regulate gun

c. the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 was struck down as unconstitutional because it exceeded the commerce clause

The constitution states that all revenue bills must originate in a. a white house budget resolution b. the US senate c. the US House of Representatives d. the Congressional Budget Office

c. the US House of Representatives

In the US political system, the term Federalism refers to a. limits on the powers of the state governments b. limits on the powers of the national government c. the division of powers between the levels of government d. the fundamental basis of law

c. the division of powers between the levels of government

Throughout most of the 19th and 20th centuries, most African Americans were prevented from voting in many Southern states despite the 15th amendment, why could the Southern states do this? a. the 15th amendment didn't apply to all states b. congress passed legislation that restricted the application of the 15th amendment to placate Southerners c. the framers allowed the individual states to create voting processes and voter qualifications d. the Supreme Court had declared the 15th amendment unconstitutional

c. the framers allowed the individual states to create voting processes and voter qualifications

What is the 24th amendment?

eliminated poll taxes

On July 9, 2018, after the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, President Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Many Democrats in the Senate feared that his appointment 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 50-48 vote in the Senate. What does the the senatio highlight about court appointees?

life tenure for appointed justices alongside the power of judicial review increases the stakes in the confirmation process for Supreme Court nominees.

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the US House of Reps and the US senate a. HoR → led by pres pro tempore Senate → led by the VP b. HoR → indicates revenue bills Senate →nominates cabinet members c. HoR → must approve Supreme Court nominees Senate →Must approve treaties d. HoR → debate on bills is limited Senate →debate on bills can be unlimited

b. HoR → indicates revenue bills Senate →nominates cabinet members

Which of the following cases expanded the powers of Congress by defining the necessary and proper clause more broadly? a. US v. Lopez (1995) b. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) c. Marbury v. Madison (1803) d. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

b. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

In 2015, the United States Supreme Court decided the case Obergefell v, Dodges (2015), which ruled that states must recognize the same sex couples' right to marry, Which of the following ideals of democracy would the attorneys for the same sex couple most likely put forth as their argument? a. limited government would more likely defer to state laws on same sex the marriage rather than a blanket directive from the Supreme Court b. Natural rights of life and liberty include the right to marry whom you choose c. Popular sovereignty requires that elected representatives in the state should decide right-to-marry issues d. social contract theory guarantees that the right to marry is enshrined in a constitutional framework

b. Natural rights of life and liberty include the right to marry whom you choose

The decision in US v. Lopez (1995) reflected new ideas about federalism at the time that can be best characterized by which of the following? a. a consolidation of power in the national gov based on national supremacy b. a delegation of power from the federal gov to state governments, increasing state and local sovereignty c. a delegation of power from the state governments to the federal gov, increasing the power of the US gov d. an increase in cooperative federalism, where power and duties are shared between the federal and state govs

b. a delegation of power from the federal gov to state governments, increasing state and local sovereignty

All of the following were concerns about the AOC that led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 EXCEPT a. dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties b. desire to promote trade among the states c. the need to give the central government the power to levy taxes d. dissatisfaction with the central government's ability to provide for national defense

b. desire to promote trade among the states

Which of the following best characterizes the general argument made in Brutus 1? a. a large republic could be preferable to a small one because more people could participate b. a small republic would pose more danger to individual liberty than a large republic c. a large republic is dangerous to personal liberty and undermines the states d. a small republic is more susceptible to corruption than a large republic

c. a large republic is dangerous to personal liberty and undermines the states

In order to appease both Federalists and Anti-Federalists, it was agreed at the Constitutional Convention that a group of delegates would be charged with selecting the president. This would ensure that a. the president would be chosen directly by the people to ensure that the process adheres to the principles of democracy b. the president would be chosen by Congress since Congress has been elected and represents the will of the people c. a qualified person representative of the people would become president d. the president would be chose by the Supreme Court because the Court is charge with making unbiased decisions

c. a qualified person representative of the people would become president

Which of the following scenarios is most related to the 26th Amendment? a. a primary election is held to determine the candidate who will run as the Republican for the US senate b. an interest group purchases a television ad prior to an election c. an 18 year old votes in a presidential election

c. an 18 year old votes in a presidential election

In the federal system of government, political power is primarily a. vested in local governments b. vested in the central governments c. divided between the central government and regional governments d. divided between regional governments and local governments

c. divided between the central government and regional governments

The Connecticut (Great) Compromise provided for a. all judicial appointments to be nominated by the president b. the elimination of the importation of slaves c. an electoral college and rules for the removal d. a bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation

d. a bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation

which of the following is the form of gov where the states have all power and give power to the central gov? a. federal b. state c. unitatary d. confederation

d. confederation

Unlike the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution does which of the following? a. restricts the ability of Congress to tax b. restricts the ability of congress to establish an army or navy c. emphasizes state sovereignty over national security d. emphasizes both natural sovereignty and federalism

d. emphasizes both natural sovereignty and federalism

Of the following the most significant difference between the Constitution of 1787 and the AOC was that the Constitution: a. was difficult to amend, while the Articles included an easier process requiring approval by a simple majority of states b. provided for a presidential system of gov, while the articles provided for a parliamentary system of gov c. created a dominant national executive, while the articles established a dominant national legislature d. provided for a strong national gov with many powers, while the Articles created a weak central gov with few independent powers

d. provided for a strong national gov with many powers, while the Articles created a weak central gov with few independent powers

After a constitutional amendment has been proposed by both houses of Congress, its adoption requires a. official filing with the secretary of state b. support by a majority vote of the people c. signature by the president d. ratification by 3/4 of the states

d. ratification by 3/4 of the states

The AOC implemented the principle of a. a strong national government b. a unified system of taxes c. universal suffrage d. state sovereignty

d. state sovereignty

In the 1950s Southern states attempted to prevent integration of their public schools. In return, the National Guard was sent to force states to implement federal regulations. This scenario illustrates which of the following about the relationship between the state and national govs? a. Most issues regarding education are settled at the state level b. the Constitution gives state governments the exclusive power to interpret federal laws c. the power of the national gov to enforce state policy had been struck down by the Supreme Court d. the debate over the role of the central government and state powers is ongoing

d. the debate over the role of the central government and state powers is ongoing

Which of the following is an accurate description of the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)? a. the federal gov exceeded its authority in establishing a national bank, and Maryland's tax was unconstitutional b. Maryland was within its authority to tax the federal gov, but the Bank of the US exceeded federal authority c. the federal gov had the authority to establish a national bank, but it had to pay Maryland's tax d. the federal gov had the authority to establish a national bank and Maryland's tax was unconstitutional

d. the federal gov had the authority to establish a national bank and Maryland's tax was unconstitutional

Which of the following was a direct outcome of the 3/5s Compromise a. the number of senators increased in slaveholding states b. slavery quickly declined, especially in larger cities in the South c. slaveholding states were able to count slaves to determine their number of senators d. the number of representatives in the House of Representatives from slaveholding states increased

d. the number of representatives in the House of Representatives from slaveholding states increased

In the 1780s, proponents of the new Constitution cited Shays' Rebellion as an example in support of which of the following criticisms of the national gov under the AOC? a. the national gov did not provide sufficient protection of individual rights b. the lack of a centralized judiciary made enforcement of national laws difficult c. states with larger populations were underrepresented in Congress d. there was a lack of national military power to address security concerns

d. there was a lack of national military power to address security concerns