AP Gov: Unit 1
The constitutional amendment process requires a. the exercise of judicial review. b. extraordinary majorities. c. a simple majority. d. the exercise of executive privilege. e. unanimity in the proposal phase.
B
A citizen's group gathers enough signatures on a petition to force a popular vote on a statewide lottery proposal. This proposal would represent a(n) a. recall election. b. referendum. c. initiative. d. popular law. e. citizen's proposal.
C
The struggle to devise a new constitution at the Constitutional Convention represented an attempt to find an appropriate balance between a. freedom and equality. b. structure and power. c. equality and order. d. majoritarian and pluralist democracy. e. freedom and order.
E
Before it could take effect, the Constitution had to be ratified by the following number of states: a. 13 b. 8 c. 10 d. 9 e. 5
D
Capitalism is best described as a(n) a. economic system in which the means of production are owned by the state. b. system that guarantees rights of speech and political participation. c. system in which the use of property is controlled by majority will. d. economic system in which production and property are privately owned, with a minimum of government interference. e. good idea in theory but not practically applicable.
D
The following refrain was heard from some 20,000 protesters, many of them women, in October of 1932 as they demanded repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment: a. "Stop the war." b. "No taxation without representation." c. "Let women vote." d. "We want beer." e. "Impeach Hoover."
D
The Articles jealousy guarded a. commerce. b. state sovereignty. c. freedom to travel. d. property rights. e. executive power.
B
Which metaphor best describes cooperative federalism? a. A layer cake b. A sponge cake c. A fruitcake d. A marble cake e. A bundt cake
D
Congress exercises a potential check on the judicial branch through its constitutional power to a. create or eliminate lower federal courts.. b. appoint federal judges. c. remove federal judges that declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. d. eliminate the U.S. Supreme Court. e. none of the above
A
Money awarded for broad, general purposes is called a ____ grant. a. block b. formula c. carry d. categorical e. user
A
A constitutional clause that allows for a broad interpretation of implied powers is known as a(n) ____ clause. a. earmark b. reciprocal c. rudimentary d. elastic e. ornate
D
A central question in the McCulloch case was whether or not Congress had the power to a. institute a peacetime draft. b. establish a national bank. c. regulate commerce along major waterways. d. investigate the executive branch. e. remove one of its own members.
B
After the Constitution was amended to permit the federal government to levy a progressive income tax, government could more effectively further the goal of a. social order. b. social equality. c. economic freedom. d. minority rights. e. redistribution.
B
Construction of the massive interstate highway system a. was accomplished by the states working cooperatively. b. gave the national government leverage to regulate many behaviors indirectly related to highway travel. c. was resisted by the states as an infringement on traditional areas of state jurisdiction. d. had little impact on the flow of interstate commerce. e. created serious uniformity problems in each state's quality of construction.
B
Federalism is a combination of which two ideas? a. Unitary and oligarchy structures b. Unitary government and a confederation c. A confederation and autocracy d. Elitism and a confederation e. Majoritarian democracy and a unitary government
B
Federalism, or the division of power between a national government and regional units, stands in contrast to a. pluralism. b. unitary government. c. republican government. d. autocratic government. e. majoritarian government.
B
In order to understand political ideology, we must look at both the scope of governmental action and a. the size of the republic. b. its purpose. c. its relation to other governments. d. related bureaucracies. e. elite attitudes.
B
Opponents of the Constitution demanded inclusion of the Bill of Rights because they feared abuse of power by a. government at all levels. b. the national government. c. state governments. d. local police forces. e. England.
B
The Bill of Rights consists of the first ____ amendments to the Constitution. a. five b. ten c. fifteen d. twenty e. twenty-two
B
What kind of grant-in-aid allows the recipient of the grant the least discretion in determining how to spend the money? a. Formula grant b. Categorical grant c. Block grant d. HEW grant e. Focused grant
B
Which metaphor best describes dual federalism? a. A sponge cake b. A layer cake c. A fruitcake d. A marble cake e. A pineapple upside-down cake
B
Home rule is a. the right of the federal government to protect its own shores against foreign invasion. b. the authority of states to enact federal programs as they wish. c. the right of municipal governments to enact their own legislation in certain administrative areas. d. a person's right to defend his or her property as he or she sees fit. e. a local government's ability to tax those people who shop within that local government's boundaries.
C
In 2010, the following accounts for nearly 50% of national government grants to the states: a. highway funding b. education funding c. health care funding d. national security funding e. immigration funding
C
In keeping with the supremacy clause, Article VI requires that all national and state officials, elected or appointed: a. have a religious affiliation b. pay taxes c. take an oath to support the Constitution d. own property e. be a practicing attorney
C
The Constitution is written in language that is a. clear and precise to avoid misinterpretation. b. frequently misinterpreted by scholars. c. deliberately vague as a result of compromise that allows for flexibility. d. vague and awkward because of the limited education of the framers. e. enumerated and flexible so as to avoid constitutional challenges
C
The Constitutional article that enabled Alaska and Hawaii to become states is a. Article VI. b. Article III. c. Article IV. d. Article VIII. e. Article V.
C
The constitutional provision that allows Congress to override the president's veto is an example of a. federalism. b. implied powers. c. checks and balances. d. separation of powers. e. enumeration.
C
Supporters of the Constitution named themselves a. Republicans. b. Democrats. c. Sons of Liberty. d. Antifederalists. e. Federalists.
E
The Supreme Court's interpretation of the commerce clause has historically a. served to preserve states' rights. b. lessened trade powers between the states. c. had no consistent effect on national and state power. d. left the balance of power between the national and state governments unchanged. e. served to increase national power.
E
The effect of national emergencies and judicial interpretations on federalism has been to a. solidify the original constitutional balance between state and national governments. b. create many more local governments with supreme governing powers. c. increase the power of the states. d. decrease the authority of all levels of government. e. increase the power of the national government.
E
The primary contribution of the Federalist papers is a. as the collective writings of theorists. b. to assert independence from England. c. as historical documents of the time. d. their ideas supporting the Bill of Rights. e. their insight into the reasons for constitutional provisions.
E
Which political philosopher inspired the phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence? a. Thomas Jefferson b. Adam Smith c. Karl Marx d. Boris Yeltsin e. John Locke
E
An autocracy is a political system ruled by a. a few. b. one individual. c. the military. d. a majority. e. a few powerful, wealthy individuals.
B
Antifederalists attacked the proposed Constitution on the grounds that a. it was not democratic enough. b. the national government it created was too weak. c. the national government it created was too strong. d. it created an independent judiciary. e. too much authority was enumerated.
C
Since the fall of the Somali government in 1991, warlords have feuded over territory, and today the current government controls only a portion of the capital, Mogadishu, and Somali pirates seize ships off its shore with impunity. This is an example of a government failing to provide the following: a. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness b. socialism c. order d. democracy e. equality
C
The best contemporary example of an oligarchy would be a(n) a. multiparty democracy. b. personal dictatorship. c. military dictatorship. d. hereditary monarchy. e. elite interest society.
C
In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson's statement that "all men are created equal" is similar to which theorist's belief that government is based on the "consent of the governed"? a. James Madison b. John Adams c. John Hancock d. Joseph Ellis e. John Locke
E
The ancient Greeks classified governments as autocracies, oligarchies, or democracies based on a. the fundamental purposes for which the government was instituted. b. the extent of government power. c. the types of elected officeholders. d. the kinds of decisions the government was responsible for. e. the number of citizens involved in governing.
E
The constitutional provision found in Article I, Section 8, which gives Congress the means to execute its powers, is an example of what type of power? a. Inherent b. Implied c. Derived d. Reserved e. Enumerated
E
The state of nature refers to a. order without equality. b. regulation without leadership. c. order without conflict. d. government without values. e. society without government.
E
Under separation of powers, the U.S. system keeps power among branches balanced by enabling one branch to counter the actions of another by the use of a. federalism. b. republicanism. c. authority. d. economic manipulation. e. checks and balances.
E
At the Constitutional Convention, the institution of slavery a. was opposed by some but preserved in order to maintain unity among the states. b. was heartily approved of by all the delegates. c. was not considered important enough to discuss. d. was abolished for violating the fundamental principles of the new nation. e. was provided protection in a separate document.
A
How likely are voters to participate in state and local elections compared with national elections? a. Less likely b. More likely c. Equally likely d. No clear pattern e. More likely if the issues are known and made clear to voters in advance
A
In 1995, the Supreme Court concluded that Congress had overreached the legitimate bounds of the commerce power when Congress tried to regulate the possession of ____ in or near a school. a. guns b. pornography c. prescription drugs d. beer e. All of these
A
Someone who believes that the elastic clause of the Constitution should be narrowly interpreted is most likely to endorse the concept of____ federalism. a. dual b. cooperative c. creative d. implied e. restrictive
A
The Constitution did not give Congress the authority to establish the Internal Revenue Service. Congress did so, however, to implement its power to "lay and collect taxes." This is an example of the use of a(n) ____ power. a. implied b. delegated c. reserved d. expressed e. inherent
A
The Supreme Court first declared that the courts have the power to overturn government acts that conflict with the Constitution in a. Marbury v. Madison. b. Hamilton v. Burr. c. Hammer v. Dagenhart. d. Barron v. Baltimore. e. McCulloch v. Maryland.
A
The lines that define congressional districts are usually drawn by a. state legislatures. b. state governors. c. U.S. Senators. d. a state's congressional delegation. e. the House Judiciary Committee.
A
The primary goal of Federalist 10 was to demonstrate that the new government a. would not fall under the dominance of any one faction. b. would, if unopposed, become a tyranny. c. would eventually overwhelm the states. d. would honor the Bill of Rights. e. could be abolished if England chose to ignore it.
A
When compared with the U.S. Constitution, most American state constitutions a. are longer and more detailed. b. are shorter and less specific. c. have been amended less frequently. d. vary greatly in text and subjects. e. provide more enumerated protections.
A
Which of the following best summarizes the decisions of the Supreme Court in regard to the powers of the national government? a. From the 1930s to the mid-1990s, the Supreme Court tended to support expansion of national authority; recently, it has been placing limits on that authority. b. The Supreme Court has considered issues of federalism to be "political questions" beyond the scope of the Court's jurisdiction. c. The Supreme Court has consistently resisted the expansion of national power. d. The Supreme Court has wavered unpredictably on the issue of national authority. e. The decisions have made the division of powers in federalism difficult to ascertain.
A
Which of the following is not an essential premise of dual federalism? a. The Constitution is the creation of the people of the United States. b. The national government rules by enumerated powers only. c. The national government has a limited set of constitutional purposes. d. Each government unit, both nation and state, is sovereign within its sphere. e. The relationship between nation and state is best characterized by tension.
A
Globalization can be seen as a threat to a. commercial activity. b. national sovereignty. c. capitalism. d. liberalism. e. socialism.
B
The Constitution requires ____ to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed" under ____ power. a. the Supreme Court; implied b. the president; enumerated c. police officers; express d. Congress; incorporated e. the bureaucracy; superseding
B
The basic premise of federalism is that a. supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses. b. two or more governments share power and authority over the same land and people. c. supreme political authority remains with the states. d. a national government has ultimate sovereignty over a country's land and people. e. state and local governments may not exercise powers of their own that are independent of the national government.
B
The chief obstacle to ratification of the Constitution by the states was a. the power it granted to tax. b. the omission of a bill of rights. c. its failure to abolish slavery. d. the lack of court structure below the Supreme Court. e. inclusion of the plural executive.
B
The complexity of the American federal system encourages a. majoritarian democracy. b. pluralism. c. a high level of popular participation. d. government stagnation. e. conservative reactions by most registered voters.
B
The general conclusion of the Supreme Court in United States v. Lopez was that a. the Second Amendment forbids any government restriction on the right to bear arms. b. there are limits to the national government's ability to regulate behavior based on the commerce clause. c. schools are exclusively a state and local responsibility. d. the right to bear arms extends even to those who are not legal adults. e. entities of the state do not have ability equal to that of the state itself to successfully challenge national law.
B
According to the first national census, in 1790, about ____ percent of the American population lived in slavery. a. 2 b. 9 c. 18 d. 25 e. 35
C
By the 1990s, a particular problem emerged regarding the number of ____ mandates. a. bilateral b. overly-specific c. unfunded d. conflicting e. ambiguous
C
Critics of dual federalism argue that if the national government is really a creation of the states, as those supporting dual federalism claim, it is:. a. a creation of all of the states. b. a creation of conservative states c. a creation of only the original thirteen states d. a creation of nation states e. a creation of global states
C
Dual federalism is the practice of a. allowing state governments to compete aggressively with one another for federal funds. b. close cooperation between the states and the federal government. c. allowing the states and the federal government to exercise power separately in areas of legitimate concern to them. d. continually increasing the power of the federal government. e. establishing one government authority within another of equal size.
C
Federalism is able to unify diverse groups of people because it a. provides a strong center around which all citizens can unify. b. requires a formal constitution. c. does not require citizens to be ruled by majorities from different regions and with different interests. d. allows for secession when a minority group feels threatened. e. ensures a uniform result by upholding one national standard.
C
In assigning the powers of government, the Constitution a. identifies the powers the states and national government share. b. lists the powers of the national government but does not address the powers of the states. c. lists the powers given to the national government and the powers denied the states and leaves all other powers to the states. d. specifically identifies all of the powers of the national and state governments. e. enumerates national, state, and local government powers specifically, including all powers that each level of government may not exercise.
C
The Tenth Amendment gives what level(s) of government additional unwritten powers? a. Local b. National c. State d. Both state and local e. Both national and state
C
The framers of the Constitution intended ____ to be the strongest branch(es) of government. a. the executive branch b. the judiciary branch c. Congress d. the executive and the judiciary branches e. None of these
C
The main argument against the need for a bill of rights was that a. the national government would be weakened if limits on its powers were listed. b. states could use the power of nullification if national laws violated individual liberties. c. the Constitution established a government of limited powers; because the government was not given the power to regulate individual liberties, no bill of rights was necessary. d. the states could easily withdraw from the Union if the national government violated individual liberties. e. the design of the institutions of government would preclude them from abusing rights anyway.
C
A notable trend in the backgrounds of recent presidents is experience as a a. U.S. Senator. b. member of the U.S. House of Representatives. c. state legislator. d. governor. e. judge.
D
A power not specifically mentioned in the Constitution but necessary if another specific grant of power is to be carried out is called a(n) ____ power. a. assigned b. general c. enumerated d. implied e. concurrent
D
Congressional redistricting occurs once every ____ years. a. two b. four c. six d. ten e. fifty
D
The assignment in the Constitution of lawmaking, law-enforcing, and law-interpreting functions to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches respectively is known as: a. judicial review. b. direct democracy. c. inherent powers. d. a separation of powers. e. none of the above.
D
The following is an incorrect description of the cooperative federalism model: a. National and state agencies typically undertake government functions jointly rather than exclusively. b. The nation and states routinely share power. c. Power is not concentrated at any government level or in any agency. d. The functions and responsibilities of the national and state governments are clearly defined. e. An expansive view of the Constitution's supremacy clause.
D
The key principle argued in the case Marbury v. Madison was a. national supremacy. b. slavery. c. the application of the necessary and proper clause. d. judicial review. e. the application of the elastic clause to the federal government.
D
The names of more than 20 percent of the world's political parties contain some variation of the word a. conservative. b. republican. c. socialist. d. democracy. e. freedom.
D
Which of the following best identifies the basis for state representation in the electoral college? a. Population b. Number of senators c. Number of representatives in the House d. Number of representatives in Congress e. Geographic size of each state
D
Which of the following statements regarding dual federalism is incorrect? a. It aims to maintain important powers in the state. b. It allows people a direct vote in policy making. c. It maintains some policy areas are more appropriately national. d. It grants states and the federal government powers not specifically found in the Constitution. e. None of these
D
A proponent of states' rights would argue that a. cooperative federalism is preferable to dual federalism. b. the national government is illegitimate. c. states' rights are always subservient to the national government's due to the need for variation in governing levels. d. the states should hold exclusive sovereignty over American citizens. e. the national government's powers should be interpreted narrowly.
E
According to John Marshall's decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the elastic clause might be interpreted to mean that Congress can take a particular action not specified in the Constitution if that action is a. approved by both houses of Congress. b. strictly related to accomplishment of a national priority. c. requested by a state government. d. generally in the public interest. e. plainly adapted to achieving a legitimate constitutional end.
E
If a state's drinking laws allowed eighteen-year-olds to drink alcoholic beverages in violation of the federal government's age requirement of twenty-one, the federal government's age restriction would supersede the state's law based upon the a. hold harmless clause. b. elastic clause. c. establishment clause. d. implied law clause. e. supremacy clause.
E
Republicanism is a form of government in which power a. is divided between the state and national levels. b. is concentrated in one political party. c. is divided among three branches. d. is separated between some elected and some appointed government officials. e. resides in the people and is exercised by their elected representatives.
E
Although they are instruments of majoritarian democracy, initiatives are often sponsored by a. government officials. b. interest groups. c. members of the judiciary. d. foreign multi-national corporations. e. small numbers of average citizens.
B
An American who opposes government activism but supports government surveillance of telephone conversations to fight terrorism is likely to be a a. libertarian. b. conservative. c. liberal. d. socialist. e. Communist.
B
By signing the Declaration of Independence, the rebels a. placed themselves under house arrest. b. committed an act of treason. c. excommunicated the king. d. put themselves in the state of nature. e. denounced British tax authority.
B
Government policies pose dilemmas because they usually lead to a. the triumph of order over freedom. b. difficult choices among conflicting values. c. infringement of the rights of some group. d. conflict between the rich and the poor. e. economic benefit to one of the interested parties.
B
In forging a new government, the biggest concern of the colonial revolutionaries was a. selecting an executive committee. b. limiting its powers. c. making it as democratic as possible. d. creating a strong central government. e. determining freedoms and rights to be protected.
B
John Locke's social contract theory was embodied in a. the Boston Revolution. b. the Declaration of Independence. c. the Intolerable Acts. d. None of these e. All of these
B
Larger states benefited most under what plan? a. The Articles of Confederation b. The Virginia Plan c. The New Jersey Plan d. The Great Compromise e. The Connecticut Compromise
B
One weakness of the substantive model of democracy is that a. not everyone participates in decision making. b. there is no agreement regarding which policies are democratic. c. the government is less responsive to its people. d. terrible inequities occur in the wealthiest class. e. minority groups are easily defeated.
B
Democratization is the a. process of moving from procedural to substantive democracy. b. process of institutionalizing the rules of procedural democracy and establishing substantive democratic policies. c. act of electing leaders in a way that conforms to the criteria of substantive democracy. d. process of moving from a demand to a market economy. e. requirement that freedoms by written covenant.
B
Public goods can best be described as benefits and services a. provided by a particular segment of society for its own benefit. b. provided by government to benefit all citizens. c. voluntarily performed by citizens for the benefit of all. d. produced by a free-market economic system. e. created through public taxation.
B
The American system allows for the will of the majority to be blocked by a. a declaration of martial law. b. the Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court. c. the lack of institutional mechanisms for gauging public opinion. d. no means. e. majority rule.
B
The Great Compromise provided for a. a two-chamber legislature with equal representation for all states. b. a two-chamber legislature with equal representation for all states in one chamber and population-based representation in the other. c. a one-chamber legislature with representation based on population. d. a two-chamber legislature with representation based on population. e. upper-house members elected separately from lower-house members.
B
The division of authority in the U.S. Constitution among competing branches and levels of government has encouraged the development of a. elitism. b. majoritarian democracy. c. indirect democracy. d. pluralism. e. divided government institutions.
D
A libertarian is likely to believe a. laws should not define the minimum drinking age. b. marijuana should not be criminalized. c. helping the needy should be a matter of individual choice. d. government should not own and control industry. e. All of these
E
According to pluralist theory, group struggle is democratic if a. the outcomes of the struggle are in the popular interest. b. certain larger groups are provided with more representation than smaller groups. c. all citizens are organized into groups. d. all groups win a fair share of decisions. e. all groups are allowed to participate.
E
Although the United States is a capitalist country, the government does intervene in the economic arena, primarily through a. central planning for industry. b. ensuring equal access to wealth. c. government ownership of some key industries. d. controlling public access to goods and services. e. regulating private businesses.
E
Compared with majoritarian thought, the pluralist model of democracy shifts the focus of democratic decision making from ____ to ____. a. organized groups; the mass electorate b. representatives; voters c. procedures; substance d. substance; procedures e. the mass electorate; organized groups
E
Conservatives are more likely to support a. smaller government budgets. b. free enterprise. c. less regulation of business. d. fewer government programs. e. All of these
E
Each citizen having one vote demonstrates a. equality of opportunity. b. social equality. c. a republic. d. mandated freedoms. e. political equality.
E
International organizations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations a. refused to recognize national sovereignty among member nations. b. officially denied sovereignty to non-member states. c. gave no recognition to states claiming sovereignty after World War II. d. denied the importance of sovereignty in numerous resolutions. e. explicitly respected national sovereignty as a guiding principle.
E
Liberals are more likely to favor generous government support for a. education. b. wildlife protection. c. public transportation. d. a whole range of social programs. e. All of these
E
New England town meetings are an example of a. substantive democracy. b. oligarchies. c. representative democracy. d. civil democracy. e. participatory democracy.
E
Of the following major objectives of government, the most recent one is a. providing public goods. b. maintaining order. c. defending order. d. maintaining defense against external enemies. e. promoting equality.
E
Pluralism is most likely to be found where the government structure is a. hierarchical. b. rapidly changing. c. centralized. d. unorganized and chaotic. e. decentralized.
E
Since 1789, the typical constitution has lasted about ____ years. a. 165 b. 140 c. 98 d. 52 e. 17
E
The Constitution was written in a. 1492. b. 1704. c. 1812. d. 1776. e. 1787.
E
The Declaration of Independence was based on input from many people, but its primary author was a. James Madison. b. John Quincy Adams. c. Benjamin Franklin. d. George Washington. e. Thomas Jefferson.
E
The last item in the original draft of the Declaration of Independence focused on a. taxation. b. representation in parliament. c. shipping. d. the quartering of soldiers. e. slavery.
E
The procedural view of democracy is most concerned with a. the level of popular participation in decision making. b. the equality of government decisions. c. minority protections. d. the impact of government decisions. e. how government decisions are made.
E
Thomas Hobbes supported a strong central government because a. he hoped to gain a position of power within that government. b. he thought such a government could end inequality by redistributing property. c. he knew the basic motivations of people were evil. d. he believed that the nobility was inherently superior to the masses. e. he believed that only a strong government could restrain people's selfish, animal instincts.
E
When the authors say that we live in an era of "globalization," they mean that citizens and nations are increasingly a. peace loving. b. industrialized. c. commercialized. d. belligerent. e. interdependent.
E
Whereas majority rule is defined as decision making by 50 percent plus one person, ____ is defined as decision making by most participants. a. rule by the people b. assention c. political equality d. universal participation e. plurality rule
E
Which of the following represents a principle of procedural theory? a. Social equality b. Representative democracy c. Guaranteed civil liberties d. Discrimination protection e. Responsiveness
E
A person who favors government ownership of some basic industries and a strong government role in directing the economy would best be labeled a a. socialist. b. capitalist. c. totalitarian. d. libertarian. e. moderate.
A
A republic is a government a. resting on the consent of the governed. b. based on majority law. c. ruled by two political parties. d. ruled by a monarch. e. divided by two opposing cultures but ruled by one ruler.
A
A result of the Second Continental Congress was a. the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. b. a plan for the Boston Tea Party. c. a brief reconciliation with Britain. d. the decision to create thirteen colonies. e. increases in colonial taxes paid to England.
A
For the United States, the core substantive principles of democracy are embedded in a. the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the Constitution. b. the traditions and conscience of the people. c. colonial charters. d. Article I of the Constitution. e. legislative resolutions from state legislatures.
A
If all citizens in a society are given access to higher education, but a particular social class experiences a high dropout and failure rate, that society is failing to provide a. equality of outcome. b. equality of opportunity. c. equal protection under the law. d. social equality. e. economic fairness.
A
A confederation can best be described as a. a loose association of independent states. b. a government without a monarch. c. a government ruled by a dictator. d. a form of socialism. e. smaller units of government controlled by a larger government unit.
A
A consistent set of values and beliefs about the proper purpose and scope of government is a(n) a. political ideology. b. public good. c. original dilemma. d. system of government. e. political attitude.
A
In general, libertarianism a. opposes all government action except that which protects life and property. b. supports government action to protect public morals. c. supports a strong government role in the economy. d. encourages government-initiated programs to help the needy. e. seeks to destroy inequities in government programs.
A
Services that benefit all citizens and are not likely to be produced by the voluntary acts of individuals are known as a. public goods. b. Communism. c. social welfare. d. private benefits. e. volunteered materials.
A
The "unalienable rights" identified by the Declaration of Independence are a. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. b. freedom of speech, press, and assembly. c. life, liberty, and property ownership. d. the right to own property and bear arms to protect it. e. equality, liberty, and equal protection.
A
The Great Compromise resolved what issue? a. The power of large versus small states b. A strong or weak executive c. A strong upper-house legislature versus a weak one d. Representation based on an equal representation provision e. A strong or weak national court system
A
The Greek word demos, which is the root of the term democracy, means a. common people. b. power. c. participation. d. foundation or base. e. order.
A
The Greek word kratos, one of the roots of the word democracy, means a. power. b. authority. c. common man. d. rule. e. form.
A
The concept of pluralism rests on the premise that a. modern society consists of many groups that share economic, religious, ethnic, and cultural interests. b. government should be responsive to the will of the majority as expressed through free elections. c. government is always responsive to organized interest groups. d. most people belong to interest groups. e. responsibilities for participation and representation are best met by elected representatives.
A
The following allows a person to acquire information and documents online, and also provides a medium to register opinions and complaints to government officials a. E-government. b. the Federal Communications Commission. c. the Telecommunications Act. d. the Secretary of State. e. Fox News.
A
The idea that all adults within the boundaries of a political community should be allowed to vote is known as a. universal participation. b. political equality. c. majority rule. d. plurality rule. e. suffrage.
A
The principle of responsiveness requires that legislators a. follow the general contours of public opinion. b. cast their ballots on the basis of what the people think back home. c. pay especial attention to groups that are highly organized. d. support public opinion in all matters related to electoral politics. e. consider the views of their fellow legislators more than the views of constituents.
A
There is a concerted campaign across Europe to force the United States to terminate a. capital punishment. b. abortion. c. interstate commerce restrictions. d. laws criminalizing the possession and/or use of drugs. e. police interrogations.
A
A country abiding by the principle "one man, one vote" is practicing a. representative democracy. b. political equality. c. equal suffrage. d. substantive democracy. e. a "free and fair" election system.
B
A group of delegates to the Constitutional Convention proposed a powerful national government to replace the weak confederation of states. This was known as the a. Marshall Plan. b. Virginia Plan. c. New Jersey Plan. d. Connecticut Compromise. e. Grand Compromise.
B
According to Thomas Hobbes, author of Leviathan, the proper objective of government is to ensure a. freedom. b. order. c. that the lives of citizens are protected. d. public goods. e. free and fair elections.
B
All of the following are principles of procedural democracy except a. government responsiveness to public opinion. b. minority rights. c. universal participation. d. majority rule. e. political equality.
B
The broad, basic definition of government given by the text is a. the use of force to benefit an elite. b. legitimate use of force within specified geographic boundaries to control human behavior. c. citizens participating in community decisions. d. taking from each according to his or her ability and giving to each according to need. e. leaders controlling power and authority.
B
The goal of the First Continental Congress was to a. select a leader for the army of the colonies. b. restore harmony between Britain and the colonies. c. plan further resistance to the Coercive Acts. d. declare independence from Great Britain. e. draft a new constitution.
B
The idea that the most important government decisions are made by an identifiable and stable minority that shares certain characteristics is called a. substantive democracy. b. elite theory. c. pluralist theory. d. the interest group model. e. aristocracy.
B
The method for choosing the president was designed to address which of the following concerns? a. The people's desire to have a direct voice in the selection of the chief executive b. Distrust of the judgment of the people and the small states' fears that the large states would dominate the selection process c. Large states' fears that small states would dominate the selection process d. The demand that each state have an equal voice in selecting the president e. Fear that a plural executive would possess too many powers
B
The principle of universal participation may still be met even if some adults (such as recent immigrants) are excluded from participation if this exclusion is based on a. the principle of political equality. b. practical or political reasons in a particular country. c. failure to understand the political system. d. lack of knowledge of the nation's dominant language. e. conflicts of law.
B
Those who claim that the pluralist model fits the United States better than the elite model point out that a. powerful minorities do not win major policy contests. b. no identifiable elite wins consistently over a broad range of issues. c. in the end, the public at large is the major force in policy making. d. financial resources are irrelevant in affecting public policy decisions. e. business interests control a vast majority of congressional legislation passed each year.
B
When George McGovern tried to make Watergate an issue in the 1972 election, a. he gathered considerable support among Republican voters. b. the voters either did not understand or did not care. c. he offended leaders in the Democratic party. d. the election became even closer. e. the media rebuked him for "negative" campaigning.
B
A key component of the Virginia Plan was a. equal legislative representation for all states. b. that essential powers would be kept within the states. c. a strong national legislature. d. an executive who would have absolute veto power over legislative actions. e. strong states' rights.
C
A popular election is the primary mechanism for democratic government in which model? a. Substantive democracy b. Procedural democracy c. The majoritarian model d. The pluralist model e. The integrated model
C
After the underwear bomber was thwarted from blowing up an airliner on Christmas Day, 2009, airports began using: a. armed secret agents on planes. b. no fly lists. c. full-body scanners to probe through clothing. d. only round trip tickets. e. bomb sniffing dogs.
C
An underlying assumption of the text is that perfect freedom, order, and equality can never be achieved because a. no government structure is perfectly designed. b. some political officials will always be corrupt or incompetent. c. these three values are inherently in conflict and cannot be provided simultaneously. d. these three terms refer essentially to the same thing. e. upper-class citizens do not want parity with lower- class citizens.
C
Government's "original dilemma" is how best to balance a. order and equality. b. equality and freedom. c. freedom and order. d. equality of opportunity and equality of outcome. e. chaos and structure.
C
John Locke's views on government are expressed in a. Leviathan. b. The Social Contract. c. Two Treatises on Government. d. Common Sense.
C
Liberals a. are likely to use government power to maintain order. b. shy away from using government action. c. favor the use of government to foster equality. d. favor a smaller government than do conservatives. e. will use force rather than legislation to administer social welfare programs.
C
The notion of pay equity—equal pay for jobs of equal value—is an example of a. affirmative action. b. social equity. c. equality of outcome. d. equality of opportunity. e. due process.
C
The oldest objective of government is a. preserving the state of nature. b. supporting economic growth. c. maintaining order. d. promoting social equality. e. guaranteeing the security of citizens.
C
Those who support elite theory claim that the United States is governed by a relatively small class of people whose power is based on a. democratic election. b. interest group membership. c. control of wealth and corporations. d. hereditary titles. e. market share domination.
C
What constitutional crisis emerged from Shays's Rebellion? a. The conflict between farming and manufacturing interests could no longer be controlled. b. The national government intruded too easily into the states' affairs. c. Congress, under the Articles of Confederation, lacked the power to confront significant national emergencies. d. The national government, under the Articles of Confederation, was equipped to meet only naval attacks. e. The colonists already had created a new, more effective structure of government.
C
The Articles of Confederation took effect on March 1, 1781 following: a. adoption by the First Continental Congress. b. adoption by the Second Continental Congress. c. George Washington's approval. d. approval by all thirteen states e. adoption by the Constitutional Convention.
D
When a college seeks to increase minority enrollment through affirmative action, the college is trying to achieve a. freedom and order. b. equality of opportunity. c. equality of outcome. d. political equality. e. equal benefits.
C
When one person has the same chance to succeed in life as another, this is called a. equality of outcome. b. political equality. c. equality of opportunity. d. social order. e. equality of results.
C
A referendum is best described as a(n) a. statement of legislative goals. b. do-over of a previous election. c. ballot without true competition for offices. d. election on a policy issue. e. decision that resolves a legal issue.
D
According to the New Jersey Plan, how was representation to be structured in Congress? a. There would be population-based representation in both houses. b. There would be one house, and representation in it would be based on population. c. States would have equal representation in one house and population-based representation in the other. d. There would be one house, and all states would have equal representation in it. e. Representation was to be based on the three-fifths compromise.
D
Studies of the congressional agenda demonstrate that it is characterized by: a. an emphasis on legislation concerned with the poor. b. an emphasis on legislation concerned with immigration. c. an emphasis on legislation concerned with increasing taxes on the wealthy. d. an emphasis on business related legislation e. none of the above
D
Elite theory is discredited as an explanation of American national politics because studies show that a. elitism cannot coexist with democratic elections. b. there are too few power positions in the United States to constitute an elite. c. government and business leaders generally do not cooperate with one another. d. no one identifiable group regularly prevails on different issues. e. citizens will rally to defend rights they believe are endangered by government policies.
D
Examples of public goods are a. social welfare programs. b. nonprofit organization programs. c. police protection. d. education, sanitation, and highways. e. the armed forces.
D
One interesting feature of the U.S. Constitution is that it is a. one of the longest documents of its type. b. remarkably detailed and precise. c. very much like the Articles of Confederation. d. a comprehensive document of only 4300 words e. divided into only three distinct articles.
D
One of the weaknesses of the procedural model of democracy is that a. it does not provide clear criteria on which to judge whether a government is democratic. b. its reliance on rules may lead to rigidity and inefficiency. c. it neglects the standards of classic Greek democracy. d. it permits policies that violate standards of substantive democracy. e. too much attention is paid to protecting minority rights.
D
People often seem inconsistent in their political beliefs because a. they refuse to think about politics because it is too boring. b. they tend to think Communism is a better system, and so recognize the inconsistency of the current system. c. politics generally is not a valid topic of discussion for most people. d. they may favor government action to promote one value but not another. e. of their general lack of political knowledge.
D
Social order is usually defined as a. the degree of equality in society. b. the methods by which government enforces its authority. c. the pattern of economic ownership. d. established patterns of authority and traditional modes of behavior. e. mechanisms for disagreement with government.
D