AP Gov, Chapter 1, Test Bank Questions
(T/F) All issues on the governmentʹs policy agenda are carefully considered by public officials.
F
(T/F) Government often acts on issues that are not especially high on the policy agenda.
F
(T/F) Governments have little incentive to provide public goods.
F
(T/F) It is clear that ordinary citizens can make sound political judgments on technical issues in our society.
F
(T/F) Kevin Phillipsʹ description of the 1980s as the ʺtriumph of upper Americaʺ is evidence of hyperpluralism in the United States.
F
(T/F) Most governmental policies are made by a single institution.
F
(T/F) Nearly all political scientists agree that the United States is in the midst of a culture war.
F
(T/F) New Hampshireʹs official state motto is ʺGive me liberty or give me death.ʺ
F
(T/F) The national government employs nearly ten million people.
F
(T/F) The revolutionary expansion of channels and Web sites anticipated in the near future is likely to enhance the political interest and involvement of young people.
F
(T/F) The voter turnout rate in the United States is one of the highest in the world.
F
(T/F) The writers of the Constitution were unanimously and devotedly committed to democracy.
F
(T/F) ʺGovernment by the peopleʺ is a meaningful and useful definition of democracy.
F
(T/F) A key aspect of egalitarianism is political equality.
T
(T/F) A non-decision is one type of policy decision made by government.
T
(T/F) A political issue arises when people disagree about a problem or about a public policy choice made to combat a problem.
T
(T/F) A recent study of college freshmen recently found that only 34 percent said that ʺkeeping up with politicsʺ was an important priority for them.
T
(T/F) AIDS is an example of policy being made by inaction.
T
(T/F) According to Robert Putnam, many of the problems of American democracy today stem from a decline in group-based participation.
T
(T/F) Elite theorists believe that whoever is elected to office in the federal government has little influence on policymaking.
T
(T/F) Elite theorists maintain that who holds office in Washington is of marginal consequence; the corporate giants always have the power.
T
(T/F) Immigrants to the United States often brought a sense of individualism with them.
T
(T/F) In a 2004 survey of political knowledge, young people provided the correct answer to only one-third of these questions, whereas people over 65 were correct half the time.
T
(T/F) In a democracy, public officials are supposed to pay attention to the problems that concern voters.
T
(T/F) Pluralist theory holds that because so many groups compete for power in the United States, none has a majority say and public policy roughly approximates the public interest.
T
(T/F) Politicians who argue that ʺthe people should be put firstʺ are emphasizing populism.
T
(T/F) Public goods are things that everyone shares, such as clean air.
T
(T/F) The American creed includes laissez-faire.
T
(T/F) The more participation in a democracy, the healthier the democracy is thought to be.
T
(T/F) The national government in the United States now spends approximately $2.8 trillion every year.
T
(T/F) Very few policies are made by a single policymaking institution in the United States.
T
(T/F) When taxes do not grow, tax revenue must grow to pay the additional costs, or a budget deficit results.
T
A public good is defined as a. Something in which any member of society can share b. A choice that the government makes in response to a political issue c. A public policy that is good for the nation as a whole d. Something provided by the government that cannot be provided by the private sector e. All of the above
a
A system in which many groups make themselves heard and felt somewhere in the policy process is A) pluralistic. B) direct democracy. C) hyperpluralistic. D) elitist. E) bureaucratic.
a
According to Thomas Jefferson, which of the following is an inalienable right? A) Liberty B) Taxes C) Justice D) Jurisprudence E) Incontinence
a
All of the following are parts of the policymaking system EXCEPT a. public goods b. policymaking institutions c. linkage institutions d. people's political interests e. policy
a
An example of public policymaking would be a. Congress and the president deciding not to act on the AIDS crisis b. The president meeting with the heads of oil companies c. The press creating public concern about racial discrimination d. A majority of the public supporting the idea of government dealing with unemployment e. All of the above
a
At the center of all theories of elite domination of politics is A) big business. B) the Congress. C) the nouveau riche. D) the Trilateral Commission. E) the president.
a
Elite and class theory holds that A) all societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule. B) power is dispersed among many institutions. C) in a democracy the majority class must overthrow the government and rule by itself if government is to be freed from the control of the rich. D) there is little consensus in policymaking among elites. E) politics is the basis of elite power.
a
Escalating campaign costs are a challenge to democracy because A) it is believed that PAC contributions affect the way members of Congress vote on single issues. B) they are associated with more technical policies. C) they lead to policy gridlock. D) they reflect diverse interests. E) they make it easier for candidates to raise money.
a
Government is defined as the a. Institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society b. Executive branch and its agencies c. Body that is concerned with economic problems while leaving social to other institutions of society d. Organization that brings problems to the attention of public officials e. Agency that implements policies that have been enacted by other institutions of the political system
a
Hyperpluralists believe that the dominant player in American politics is A) groups. B) the president. C) the government. D) the media. E) rich individuals.
a
Hyperpluralists would argue that: A) too many influential groups cripple governmentʹs ability to govern. B) society is divided along class lines. C) group competition will result in a rough approximation of the public interest. D) wealth is the basis of power. E) too few groups lead to a proliferation of governments.
a
One type of linkage institution is A) an interest group B) a government. C) a bureaucracy. D) a legislature. E) all of the above
a
Populism emphasizes A) the people. B) the elected officials. C) representative democracy. D) the meritocracy. E) prosperity.
a
Robert Putnamʹs claim that Americans are now ʺbowling aloneʺ is a criticism of A) pluralism. B) elite theory. C) hyperpluralism. D) social network theory. E) none of the above
a
The largest item in the United States government budget, consuming more than one-fifth of spending, is A) Social Security payments. B) foreign aid. C) education spending. D) national defense. E) welfare for the poor.
a
The writers of the United States Constitution A) were distrustful of democracy. B) sought to establish the most democratic system they could. C) were interested in promoting equality above all else. D) patterned our government after Britainʹs except for the King. E) believed in majority rule.
a
Which of the following categories is the largest expenditure in the federal budget? A) Social Security B) Medicaid C) environment D) national defense E) homeland security
a
Which of the following statements about taxes is TRUE? a. One out of every three dollars earned by an American citizen is used to pay taxes. b. Despite the image presented by the media, survey data reveal that Americans feel they are getting their moneyʹs worth for the taxes they pay. c. About one-tenth of the average American citizenʹs salary goes to taxes. d. The tax burden in the United States is higher than in most democratic nations e. All of these are true
a
A political party is a key _________ in America's democratic system a. Stimulus-response b. linkage institution c. input d. majoritarian inhibitor e. output
b
According to Frederick Jackson Turner, the existence of the frontier in American history most directly resulted in A) the abolition of slavery. B) a strong preference for limited government. C) the environmental movement. D) the space program. E) the civil rights movement.
b
According to G.K. Chesterston, the United States is the only country in the world that is founded on A) heredity. B) a creed. C) isolationism. D) civic virtue. E) religious principles.
b
According to the text, the diversity of political interests in America is resulting in A) a decrease in political participation. B) policy gridlock. C) the breakdown of the educational system. D) an increase in political participation. E) a cultural renaissance.
b
American government is viewed most positively by the A) socialist theory. B) pluralist theory. C) positivist philosophy. D) hyperpluralist theory. E) elite and class theory.
b
During the American Revolution, Patrick Henry said A) ʺWe fight for truth, justice, and the American way!ʺ B) ʺGive me liberty or give me death.ʺ C) ʺI regret that I have but one life to give for my country.ʺ D) ʺOur fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.ʺ E) ʺLive free or die.ʺ
b
Increased technical expertise is a challenge to democracy because A) it is difficult to have an informed ʺnon-technicalʺ public debate on technical issues. B) it goes against the tenets of pluralist political theory. C) it violates the notion of one man, one vote. D) elected officials find it hard to understand technical experts. E) interest groups have a difficult time securing technical expertise.
b
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published A) A Theory of Democracy B) The Communist Manifesto C) The Federalist Papers. D) Poor Richardʹs Almanac. E) War and Peace.
b
National, state, and local governments in America spend almost ________ of the gross domestic product. A) 3 percent B) 30 percent C) all D) 10 percent E) none
b
Over a third of Americaʹs wealth is owned by A) the United States government. B) one percent of the population. C) a third of the population. D) seven percent of the population. E) Japanese investors.
b
People who worry about PACs are most especially concerned about A) the decline in American voter turnout. B) the close connection between money and politics. C) too much democracy being dangerous to social stability. D) the role Party Affairs Councils play in elections. E) single-issue voters.
b
Political issues A) are always acted upon by the government. B) arise when people disagree about a problem or public policy choices made to combat a problem. C) are limited in number in the United States. D) usually emerge out of group consensus on a problem. E) all of the above
b
The list of problems to which political leaders are paying serious attention is a(n) a. problem set b. policy agenda c. issue constellation d. legislative package e. none of the above
b
The policymaking institutions of the American national government include all of the following EXCEPT: a. The presidency b. Political parties c. Congress d. The Senate e. The Supreme Court
b
Which of the following statements about public goods is FALSE? a. The government usually provides public goods b. Individuals have powerful incentives to provide public goods c. Public goods are not profitable d. Public goods are indivisible and nonexclusive e. Public goods are things that everyone can share
b
Which of the following takes the most positive view of democracy in the United States? A) democratic centralism B) pluralist theory C) hyperpluralism D) democratic positivism E) elite theory
b
Which of the following would NOT be considered a contemporary challenge to American democracy? A) complexity of the issues B) the threat of communism C) the use of money in politics D) political participation rates E) diversity
b
Which of these is a linkage institution? a. The president's cabinet b. USA Today c. The House of Representatives d. The ambassador to France e. All of the above
b
________ arise when people disagree about a problem or a public policy choice made to combat a problem. A) Revolutions B) Social Crises C) Political Issues D) Governments E) Wars
b
_________ is the process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time. a. Democracy b. A policymaking system c. A constellation d. The bureaucracy e. Government
b
Governments in the modern world, whether democratic or not, are similar in doing all of the following EXCEPT a. Maintaining a national defense b. Providing public services c. Protecting citizens' civil liberties d. Providing public goods e. Collecting taxes
c
All Governments a. Have written constitutions b. have a legislature c. provide services d. have a president e. are elected
c
All governments a. Ensure safety on the high seas and promote free enterprise b. Hold elections c. Provide public goods and socialize citizens into the political and social system d. Maintain national parks and a national defense e. Guarantee a capitalist economy and collect taxes
c
All of the following are ingredients of a pluralistic democracy EXCEPT A) group competition for policy benefits. B) bargaining and compromise. C) majority rule. D) multiple access points to policymakers. E) separation of powers.
c
One of the primary reasons for the comparatively small scope of American government is A) liberalism. B) pluralism. C) judicial review. D) capitalism. E) individualism.
e
PAC stands for A) Partisan Assistance Contribution. B) Party Affairs Council. C) Policy Advisory Commission. D) Politically Active Constituency. E) Political Action Committee.
e
Parties and interest groups a. Determine which issues are on the policy agenda b. Are not particularly interested in the policy agenda c. Have no effect on the policy agenda d. Determine the congressional agenda e. Work hard to get the issues they want on the policy agenda
e
Public policy is defined as a A) policy directed at more than one person. B) course of action to solve a problem. C) set of rules and regulations issued by a government agency. D) course of action by a political party. E) choice that government makes in response to an issue.
e
Representation refers to A) majority rule. B) all policy views being included in political debate. C) the protection of minority rights in a pluralist system. D) electing office-holders in fair and free elections. E) the correspondence between the few leaders and the many followers in a democracy.
e
The United States national government spends about ________ a year. A) $4 billion B) $250 billion C) $1,000,000,000,000 D) $500 billion E) $2.8 trillion
e
The ability of groups to prevent the government from taking actions adverse to their interests leads to what the text calls A) Dahlʹs ʺideal democratic process.ʺ B) elite dominance. C) budget deficits. D) enlightened understanding. E) policy gridlock.
e
Those who argue that the United States is in the midst of a culture war argue that Americans are becoming increasingly A) isolationist. B) secular. C) hypocritical. D) egalitarian. E) polarized.
e
Voter turnout matters because: a. Federal funds are allocated on the basis of the number of voters in a congressional district b. It makes our country look better c. It makes citizens feel better d. Better candidates are selected when more people vote e. Politicians pay more attention to those who vote than those who do not vote
e
Which of the following is most fundamentally critical of American democracy? A) traditional democratic theory B) democratic negativism C) pluralist theory D) critical democratic theory E) elite and class theory
e
Which of the following statements best describes voter turnout in the United States? a. Among democratic nations, the United States leads the world in voter turnout b. Voter turnout in the United States is constitutionally mandated c. Voters are usually a microcosm of the entire body of American citizens d. Most American voters consider politics as critical to their interests e. The United States has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the world.
e
Which of these is NOT a criterion of traditional democratic theory, as formulated by Robert Dahl? A) freedom of speech and press B) One person gets one vote. C) Citizenship must be open to all within a nation. D) Those who participate in political organizations must be representative of the general population. E) Citizens must make rational choices.
e
Which of these is NOT considered a challenge to democracy by the textbook? A) the diversity of the American people B) the level of political participation by Americans C) PACs D) the specialization of knowledge held by experts E) the tendency of the American political system to change rapidly
e
In evaluating American democracy, hyperpluralists A) claim that competing groups vying for power make for generally efficient, honest government. B) claim that society is governed solely by an upper-class elite. C) claim that too many influential groups cripple governmentʹs ability to govern. D) believe that the public interest is nearly always translated into public policy in the United States. E) none of the above
c
Pluralist theory contends that in the United States A) society is governed solely by an upper-class elite. B) too many influential groups cripple governmentʹs ability to govern. C) many groups vie for power with no one set of groups dominating. D) the many members of Congress dominate a singular official such as the president. E) because most citizens fail to pay attention to serious issues, government has become an elite institution.
c
Politics is defined by Harold Lasswell as a. Conflict in society b. The excercise of power c. who gets what, when, and how d. a course of action to solve a problem e. The resolution of conflict in a way that serves the public
c
Single-issue groups a. Are rapidly losing prominence in American politics b. Usually run their own candidates for public office c. Have little sympathy for compromising d. Help facilitate the construction of a cohesive national public policy e. are highly regarded by political scientists for their contributions to democracy
c
The Declaration of Independence says that ʺall men are created equal.ʺ Which aspect of the American creed does this suggest? A) Individualism B) Egalitarianism C) Liberty D) Capitalism E) Populism
c
The United States government owns ________ of the land in the United States A) all B) 5 percent C) one-third D) 2 percent E) none
c
The effects a policy has on people and problems is called A) policy outputs. B) policy implementation. C) policy impacts. D) policy issues. E) policy agenda.
c
There is a trememdous gap between youth and the elderly in all of the following EXCEPT: a. Political participation b. Political interest c. Volunteering d. Media use e. Political Knowledge
c
Two of the most important principles of democratic theory are majority rule and A) the plurality rule. B) judicial review. C) minority rights. D) majority restraint. E) Robertsʹ Rules of Order.
c
Which of the following is NOT a contemporary theory of democracy? A) hyperpluralism B) class theory C) democratic centralism D) pluralism E) elite theory
c
Which of the following is NOT one of the cornerstones of an ideal democracy? A) a constitution B) effective participation C) economic equality D) Citizen control of the Agenda E) equality in voting
c
A key question that confronts government regarding different public policy choices is A) whether an appropriate linkage institution is willing to frame a policy. B) which is the most complicated one to deal with. C) which is the least complicated one to deal with. D) whether or not government should do anything about them. E) all of the above
d
A means of selecting policymakers and or organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the publicʹs preferences is A) government. B) politics. C) public administration. D) democracy. E) all of the above
d
According to hyperpluralists, the increasing caseloads of federal and state courts demonstrate A) the high status of attorneys in the United States. B) the inability to control the bureaucracy in implementing policy. C) that groups are more likely to appeal to different institutions in order to gain policy benefits. D) the expanding scope of government in the United States. E) the increasing complexity of our social networks.
d
Many elite and class theorists believe that ________ of Americans control most government policy decisions. A) 5 percent B) a majority C) the vast middle class D) 1 percent E) 10 percent
d
One advantage of the Internet for democracy is that it a. Provides less information than newspapers b. Makes it easy to avoid political topics c. Will provide more political information to political elites d. Makes it easier for citizens to communicate directly with government e. None of the above
d
Political knowledge: a. Is greater among youth than elderly b. Is not that important in a democracy c. Is generally high in the United States d. Fosters political tolerance e. None of the above
d
The most fundamental element of democratic theory is A) ʺpower to the people!ʺ B) government efficiency. C) equality. D) majority rule. E) access to information.
d
The nature of groups and the government in hyperpluralist theory is A) strong government and strong groups. B) weak groups and strong government. C) weak groups, strong elites, and weak government. D) strong groups and weak government. E) too few groups result in the creation of many governments.
d
The overall set of shared values in a society is known as A) individualism. B) value added voting. C) populism. D) political culture. E) collectivism.
d
The theory that argues that group competition results in a rough approximation of the public interest in public policy is A) hyperpluralist theory. B) balance of power theory. C) elite and class theory. D) pluralist theory. E) bureaucratic theory.
d
The theory that sees wealth as the basis of power is the A) democratic theory. B) hyperpluralist theory. C) Jeffersonian theory. D) elite and class theory. E) pluralist theory.
d
The ʺpower of the fewʺ in the United States today is likely to refer to A) high-level bureaucrats. B) elected officials. C) property holders. D) technical experts. E) a silent majority.
d
Things that are indivisible, nonexclusive, and that everyone can share are called a. intangible property b. socialized c. communist d. public goods e. community property
d
When compared with the rest of the world, America has a relatively low a. Number of offices up for election b. Number of candidates who seek office c. Frequency of elections d. Voter turnout in elections e. All of the Above
d
Which of the following individuals have suggested that pluralist theory is less descriptive of American politics than in the past? A) Anthony King B) Robert Dahl C) Alexis de Tocqueville D) Robert Putnam E) Thomas Jefferson
d
Which of the following is NOT a linkage institution? a. Political parties b. The media c. Interest groups d. Congress e. All of these are linkage institutions
d
Which of the following statements about a government's policy agenda is FALSE? a. When you vote, you are partly looking at whether a candidate shares your agenda or not. b. Bad news gets an issue on the policy agenda more quickly than good news. c. When people confront government officials with problems to be solved, they are trying to influence the governmentʹs policy agenda. d. A governmentʹs policy agenda tends to remain constant over time. e. None of the above; all are true
d
A choice that government makes in response to some issue on its agenda is called a. Selective selection b. A law c. stimulus-response d. rational choice theory e. public policy
e
An interest group so single-minded that its members often vote on only one issue, ignoring a politicianʹs stand on everything else, is known as: a. A one-issue group b. a uni-issue group c. a hot-button group d. a mono-issue group e. a single-issue group
e
In a democratic society, parties, elections, interest groups and the media are all examples of ________ between the preferences of citizens and the government's policy agenda a. Cross-pollination b. Inputs and outputs c. Ideological bridges d. Obstacles e. Linkage institutions
e
Many politicians believe that single-issue groups a. Are essential to democracy b. Stimulate the political system to solve public policy problems c. Complicate efforts to seek the middle ground on various issues d. Do not affect policymaking e. Play a unifying role in American politics
e