ap gov unit 1
Which of the following is argued by James Madison in The Federalist paper number 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. D. Participatory democracy is the surest way to prevent tyranny. E. The elimination of the causes of factionalism is the best protection against tyranny.
A. A system of republican representation helps to limit the excesses of factionalism.
Which of the following powers allows both the federal and state governments to make policies involving taxation? A. Concurrent powers B. Exclusive powers C. Implied powers D. Enumerated powers
A. Concurrent powers
Which of the following public policy problems is most likely to result from the situation shown in the chart? A. Government employees may become responsible for larger bodies of regulation than they can effectively monitor. B. Regulations may apply to an increasingly small portion of industry as the economy grows. C. Governmental hiring patterns may draw too many educated workers from the private sector. D. The influence of special-interest groups may increase as the number of federal employees grows. E. Increases in the number of federal employees may necessitate the construction of new and expensive federal facilities.
A. Government employees may become responsible for larger bodies of regulation than they can effectively monitor.
Members of Congress receive many phone calls, meeting invitations, and e-mails from various competing interest groups asking for support on their preferred public policies. This situation best exemplifies which of the following models of democracy? A. Pluralist B. Politico C. Elitist D. Trustee
A. Pluralist
The Declaration of Independence states "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." This was a revolutionary change from the system of British monarchy, which was based on the divine right of kings. For which of the ideals of democracy does this quote provide a foundation? A. Popular sovereignty B. Federalism C. Separation of power D. Limited government
A. Popular sovereignty
The author explains that the powers given to each branch "sometimes appear to swing like a pendulum" from one branch to another. Which of the following best describes how these shifts ensure that constitutional government is functional? A. Separation of powers divides responsibilities and authority between branches, which allows each branch to be checked by the other two branches to ensure accountability. B. The coequal branches have power evenly distributed between them and are not permitted to check another branch of government. C. The greatest power resides within the legislative branch of government, but the legislature can give this power to the executive branch. D Each branch of government is elected by the people, which ensures that they all reflect the preferences of the population.
A. Separation of powers divides responsibilities and authority between branches, which allows each branch to be checked by the other two branches to ensure accountability.
Of the following, which has been used most to expand the power of the national government? A. The commerce clause of the Constitution B. The habeas corpus clause of the Constitution C. The bill of attainder clause of the Constitution D. The First Amendment E. The Fifth Amendment
A. The commerce clause of the Constitution
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 rule of law.
A. The national government lacked an effective power to raise revenue.
Which of the following best describes Madison's primary concern about representative government? A. Those who seek to represent the people may be tempted to act in their own interests instead. B. A truly representative government will quickly become too large to function effectively. C. Local government is ineffective because there are not enough competitive factions. D. Long term lengths may lead to political representatives who are disengaged from their constituents.
A. Those who seek to represent the people may be tempted to act in their own interests instead.
Which of the following is a method by which Congress is likely influencing state policy being depicted in the cartoon? A. Unfunded mandates B. Selective incorporation C. Legislative oversight D. Block grants
A. Unfunded mandates
Brutus was an example of an Anti-Federalist because he A. believed a centralized government posed a major threat to individual rights B. argued that a national military force was needed to deal with insurrections C. argued that the laws passed by the national government were supreme over state laws D. believed that compromise between the branches of government would ensure a limited government
A. believed a centralized government posed a major threat to individual rights
All of the following were concerns about the Articles of Confederation that led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 EXCEPT A. dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties B. fear for the stability of the central government C. desire to promote trade among the states D. the need to give the central government the power to levy taxes E. dissatisfaction with the central government's ability to provide for national defense
A. dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties
Which of the following accurately characterizes the main difference between elite theories and pluralist theories of politics in the United States? A. Elite theories concentrate on the role of interest groups; pluralist theories emphasize the role of individuals. B. Elite theories argue that a single minority dominates politics in all 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 stress the limits in the number and effectiveness of such access points. E. Elite theories view government as efficient; pluralist theories view it as slow and wasteful.
B. Elite theories argue that a single minority dominates politics in all policy areas; pluralist theories argue that many minorities compete for power in different policy areas.
Which of the following ideals of democracy is reflected in the procedure for apportionment in the House of Representatives? A. The federal government represents states equally. B. Government is based on the consent of the governed. C. Leaders in Congress are among the most well-informed in society. D. Political power is distributed between the national government and state governments.
B. Government is based on the consent of the governed.
Under the Articles of Confederation, which of the following were true?I. Congress could not tax the states directly.II. The executive branch of government exercised more power than Congress.III. Congress was a unicameral body.IV. States were represented in Congress proportionally according to population. A. I and II B. I and III C. I and IV D. II and III
B. I and III
In 2015, the United States Supreme Court decided the case Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which ruled that states must recognize 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 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.
Which of the following best describes the influence of social contract theory on the Constitution of the United States? A. The framers favored a direct democracy in which citizens voted on all major political decisions. B. The framers attempted to legitimize the Constitution through an appeal to popular sovereignty. C. The framers intended for the Constitution to limit individual rights and liberties. D. The framers believed that a strong central government was necessary to control the chaotic relationships between the individual states.
B. The framers attempted to legitimize the Constitution through an appeal to popular sovereignty.
In the early part of the twenty-first 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. However, these efforts have been unsuccessful. Which of the following statements best explains why these efforts have been unsuccessful? 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.
The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to A. prevent states from taxing agencies of the federal government B. reserve powers to the states C. restrict the application of judicial review D. allow for the burning of the flag as an expression of protest E. limit the use of the legislative veto
B. reserve powers to the states
The clause in the United States Constitution that states that federal law will prevail in the event of a conflict between federal and state law is known as the A. necessary and proper clause B. supremacy clause C. presentment clause D. confrontation clause E. equal protection clause
B. supremacy clause
Which of the following is an example of the constitutional design of checks and balances? A. The federal government requires state governments to provide unemployment insurance. B. The Supreme Court overturns a lower court's ruling on the application of the Fourth Amendment. C . The Senate rejects a president's nomination for secretary of state. D. The Federal Communications Commission revokes the license of a radio station for hate speech. E. The Office of Management and Budget rejects a proposed regulation of air quality standards.
C . The Senate rejects a president's nomination for secretary of state.
Which of the following is an example of checks and balances? A. An unpopular Supreme Court ruling can be overturned by a majority vote of both houses of Congress. B. A rule issued by a bureaucratic agency may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. C. A filibuster in the Senate can be ended with a cloture motion that has the support of 60 senators. D. A treaty negotiated by the president with a foreign government must be approved by a majority vote of the House.
B. A rule issued by a bureaucratic agency may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
According to the chart, in which of the following years (approximately) did the number of federal military personnel fall below that of federal civilian personnel? A. 1960 B. 1970 C. 1990 D. 2000
C. 1990
According to James Madison, which of the following best controls the effects of faction? A. Direct democracy B. The popular election of state judges C. A large republic D. Property requirements for eligibility to work E. The creation of a merit-based civil service
C. A large republic
The process shown in the diagram is outlined in which of the following parts of the United States Constitution? A. Article I B. Article II C. Article V D. Article VI
C. Article V
South Carolina passed a law to increase the state tax on gasoline to help fund repairs on highways and bridges. The state tax is in addition to the federal tax on every gallon of gasoline that is sold. Which of the following constitutional provisions does this scenario illustrate? A. Delegated powers B. Reserved powers C. Concurrent powers D. Exclusive powers
C. Concurrent powers
Which of the following policies involves more state spending than federal spending? A. Military policy B. Social security C. Education D. Medicare E. Veterans affairs
C. Education
Which of the following best captures the author's argument regarding the forms of democracy? A. Pluralist democracy, which seeks to shield elites from popular opinion, functions best when individual citizens do not participate in the process. B. Participatory democracy, which emphasizes limited participation, marginalizes those who do not have the economic means to participate. C. Pluralist democracy, though it involves groups at different stages of the process of developing policy, excludes a significant portion of the population. D. Participatory democracy, which emphasizes expanded participation, creates too much conflict within the system.
C. Pluralist democracy, though it involves groups at different stages of the process of developing policy, excludes a significant portion of the population.
Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of the political cartoon? A. State governments have used the Tenth Amendment to override the federal government's mandates. B. State governments are unwilling to share their budgetary surpluses with other states. C. State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent. D. The fiscal irresponsibility of state governments has led to increased federal regulation on their budgetary priorities.
C. State governments prefer federal funding but do not want federal oversight over how the money is spent.
The debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists were primarily about which of the following issues? A. The right of the people to rebel B. The existence of slavery C. The scope of power of the central government D. The need to establish a standard currency E. The representation of large and small states
C. The scope of power of the central government
Which of the following is a fundamental element of the United States Constitution? A. Recognition of the centrality of political parties in government B. Direct election of members of the executive branch C. An executive branch that is more powerful than the legislature D. Emphasis on a unitary system of government E. Division of government authority across political institutions
E. Division of government authority across political institutions
Which of the following constitutional principles most directly addresses the relationship between the national and state governments? A. Checks and balances B. The Bill of Rights C. Separation of powers D. Representation E. Federalism
E. Federalism
The Connecticut (Great) Compromise provided for A. all revenue bills to originate in the Senate B. all judicial appointments to be nominated by the president C. the elimination of the importation of slaves D. an electoral college and rules for the removal of the president E. a bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation
E. a bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation
Which of the following sections of the United States Constitution most concerns Madison according to the passage? A. Article I, Section 10—"No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws. . . ." B. Article II, Section 1—"No Person except a natural born Citizen . . . shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States." C. Article III, Section 1—"The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office." D. Article I, Section 2—"The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature."
D. Article I, Section 2—"The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature."
Based on The Federalist 21, which of the following arguments about government would Hamilton likely agree with? A. The national government, by natural right, has more power than the state governments. B. Separation of powers means that the national government is limited to passing only legislation that all the states want. C. Under federalism, the states retain more power than the national government. D. As a practical matter, the laws of the national government ought to have supremacy over state laws.
D. As a practical matter, the laws of the national government ought to have supremacy over state laws.
Which of the following is a model of democracy that emphasizes the role of interest groups in advocating for public policy? A. Participatory democracy B. Elitist democracy C. Majoritarian democracy D. Pluralist democracy
D. Pluralist democracy
Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies Madison's argument in The Federalist 46 ? A. An individual who is paying income taxes to both state and federal government B. States enforcing certain laws along interstate highways, such as laws banning the use of mobile phones while driving C. Congress increasing spending on national defense so that each state does not have to spend money on defense programs D. States passing laws that allow increased legal use of marijuana even though federal law prohibits marijuana
D. States passing laws that allow increased legal use of marijuana even though federal law prohibits marijuana
Arizona enacted an immigration law in 2010, claiming the legislation complemented existing federal law. The Obama administration disagreed, claiming the state law conflicted with national law. Which clause of the Constitution did the Supreme Court most likely use to strike down a section of the state law? A. Commerce clause B. Necessary and proper clause C. Full faith and credit clause D. Supremacy clause
D. Supremacy clause
Which of the following was a direct outcome of the Three-Fifths 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.
Which of the following features of the United States Constitution would most concern the author of Brutus 1? A. The Bill of Rights, which protects individual liberties and states' rights B. The reservation of any power not given to the federal government to the states C. The two-year term for members of the House of Representatives D. The supremacy clause, which gives the federal government supremacy over states
D. The supremacy clause, which gives the federal government supremacy over states
In The Federalist papers, James Madison expressed the view that political factions A. should be nurtured by a free nation B. should play a minor role in any free nation C. are central to the creation of a free nation D. are undesirable but inevitable in a free nation E. are necessary to control the masses in a free nation
D. are undesirable but inevitable in a free nation
