test 3

"Not so long ago, we had a superb public school system, but now we trail most countries. In math, we're thirty-eighth in the world among developed countries in terms of how 15-year-olds perform. And it's getting worse, not better."

Agenda setting.

Which of the following provides the most accurate explanation of how consumer-driven media increases partisan polarization?

Consumer-driven media reinforces existing political biases in individuals.

Which of the following is a true statement about the role of the media in providing citizens with information?

Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption.

Which of the following important functions of democracy would most likely be more difficult without political parties?

Educating the public about upcoming elections

A new president has been elected and has a number of positions to fill within the federal bureaucracy. Which of the following is an example of filling a position based on political patronage?

Nominating a high-level campaign fundraiser to serve as an ambassador to New Zealand

Which of the following statements best describes the organization of the two major political parties in the United States?

Separate and largely independent party organizations exist at national, state, and local levels.

Two interest groups are competing for influence in Congress. One group represents banking institutions, while the other advocates for consumer protections. A critic of the influence of interest groups would make which of the following claims?

The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group.

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of iron triangles? Selected:

The long-term relationships between agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups in specific policy areas

Which of the following is the most accurate statement about political parties in the United States?

The percentage of voters identifying themselves as either Democrats or Republicans has been declining since the 1970's.

A nonprofit advocacy group seeks to block an expensive subsidy to what it believes is an environmentally destructive project. Which of the following accurately depicts the free-rider problem in this scenario?

The public can expect to reap the benefits of blocking the subsidy without making any contribution to the nonprofit group.

Which of the following is true of amicus curiae briefs?

They are used by interest groups to lobby courts.

Which of the following is true of political action committees (PACs)?

They make campaign contributions in hopes of gaining access to legislators.

The primary reason for the current existence of only two major political parties in the United States is that

a winner-take-all electoral system makes it difficult for new parties to emerge and survive

The tobacco Division of the Department of agriculture, interest groups representing cigarette manufacturers, interest groups representing farmers, and the subcommittees in the house of representatives and Senate work to create tobacco policy. this is an example of

an iron triangle

Since 1968, American politics has largely been characterized by

divided government.

Long-standing third parties, such as the Socialist, Libertarian, and Green parties, are examples of

ideological parties

One of the best strategies that interest groups can use to achieve their goals is

lobbying members of Congress to make small changes in existing policy

All of the following are commonly used by interest groups to influence the political process EXCEPT

nominating candidates

The concept of "critical elections" is most closely associated with

party realignment

All of the following are examples of a linkage institution influencing the policy process EXCEPT

the president delivering the State of the Union speech