AP Gov Quiz Practice Questions

Public policies emerge from compromises reached among competing groups

Which of the following statements reflects a pluralist theory of American politics? A) American politics is dominated by a small elite. B) Public policies emerge from cooperation among elites in business labor, and government. C) Public policies emerge from compromises reached among competing groups D) American politics is dominated by cities at the expense of rural areas E) The American political arena is made up of isolated individuals who have few group affiliations outside the family.

The creation of a strong national government

Which of the following was the most important effect of replacing the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution of 1787? A) The protection of free speech B) The guarantee of states' rights C) The establishment of direct democracy D) The creation of a strong national government E) The establishment of judicial review

As a practical matter, the laws of the national government ought to have supremacy over state laws.

The next most palpable defect of the subsisting Confederation, is the total want of a SANCTION to its laws. The United States, as now composed, have no powers to exact obedience, or punish disobedience to their resolutions, either by pecuniary [fines], by a suspension or divestiture of privileges, or by any other constitutional mode. There is no express delegation of authority to them to use force against delinquent members; and if such a right should be ascribed to the federal head, as resulting from the nature of the social compact between the States, it must be by inference and construction... There is, doubtless, a striking absurdity in supposing that a right of this kind does not exist. . . Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 21 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 laws.government ought to have supremacy over state laws.

The federal government can pass laws that allow it to fine or tax individuals directly.

The next most palpable defect of the subsisting Confederation, is the total want of a SANCTION to its laws. The United States, as now composed, have no powers to exact obedience, or punish disobedience to their resolutions, either by pecuniary [fines], by a suspension or divestiture of privileges, or by any other constitutional mode. There is no express delegation of authority to them to use force against delinquent members; and if such a right should be ascribed to the federal head, as resulting from the nature of the social compact between the States, it must be by inference and construction... There is, doubtless, a striking absurdity in supposing that a right of this kind does not exist. . . Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 21 In the passage, Hamilton is concerned that under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government does not have sufficient constitutional powers to gain compliance from state governments. Which of the following is a way that the Constitution allows the federal government to address this problem? A)The state governments have reserved powers under the Tenth Amendment. B) The federal government is not permitted to coin money. C) The federal government can pass laws that allow it to fine or tax individuals directly. D) A Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution to protect individual civil liberties.

The federal government can withhold highway funds from states that do not raise the age to drink alcohol to 21.

The next most palpable defect of the subsisting Confederation, is the total want of a SANCTION to its laws. The United States, as now composed, have no powers to exact obedience, or punish disobedience to their resolutions, either by pecuniary [fines], by a suspension or divestiture of privileges, or by any other constitutional mode. There is no express delegation of authority to them to use force against delinquent members; and if such a right should be ascribed to the federal head, as resulting from the nature of the social compact between the States, it must be by inference and construction... There is, doubtless, a striking absurdity in supposing that a right of this kind does not exist. . . Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist 21 Which of the following scenarios illustrates a solution for the problem of getting states to comply with federal government policies, as described in the passage? A) The federal government can withhold highway funds from states that do not raise the age to drink alcohol to 21. B) The federal government can place a tax on any goods that an individual regularly transports across state borders. C) Both the states and the federal government have the power to issue income taxes. D) A constitutional amendment can be passed to override a Supreme Court decision.

pluralism

The theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in government, resulting in healthy democratic compromise and balance, is called A) elite power politics B) socialism C) pluralism D) rational choice E) institutionalism

I and III

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.

Emphasizes both national sovereignty and federalism.

Unlike the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution does which of the following? A) Restricts the ability of Congress to tax. B) Restricts the ability of Congress to establish an army or navy. C) Establishes a unitary form of government. D) Emphasizes state sovereignty over national sovereignty. E) Emphasizes both national sovereignty and federalism.

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 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.

A large republic

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

dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties

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

economic equality

American political culture is characterized by strong popular support for all of the following EXCEPT A) the rule of law B) limited government C) individual liberty D) equality of opportunity E) economic equality

increase the economic powers of the central government

As originally ratified, the United States Constitution included provisions designed to A) limit the importation of foreign manufactured goods B) increase the economic importance of the agrarian sector relative to that of the manufacturing sector C) increase the economic powers of the central government D) expand the states' powers to regulate their own commerce with foreign countries E) guarantee the states a greater role in economic policy-making

believed a centralized government posed a major threat to individual rights

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

C) Limited Government

In 1974, the House of Representatives approved a resolution granting the Judiciary Committee authority to investigate impeachment of President Nixon for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. Which constitutional ideal of democracy is demonstrated in this scenario? A) Popular sovereignty B) Judicial review C) Limited government D) Federalism

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

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.

By creating a large republic, the new constitution made it less likely that a faction could gain enough power to completely dominate.

In The Federalist 10, James Madison argued that the new constitution would help control faction by doing which of the following? A) By creating a large republic, the new constitution made it less likely that a faction could gain enough power to completely dominate. B) The new constitution had significant limits on the freedom of expression, thereby limiting the ability of factions to organize. C) The new constitution gave political parties specific powers in the government which limited their influence. D) The use of the electoral college and the indirect election of senators would limit the influence that factions could wield.

natural but controllable by institutions

In The Federalist No. 10, James Madison argued that factions in a republic are A) a more serious threat if the republic is large B) natural but controllable by institutions C) not likely to occur if people are honest D) prevented by majority rule E) prevented by free elections

the fragmentation of political power in a large republic

In The Federalist papers, James Madison argues that political liberty is best protected by A) a written constitution B) a small republic with a parliamentary system C) a small democracy with a unitary government D) well-regulated militias controlled by state governments E) the fragmentation of political power in a large republic

are undesirable but inevitable in a free nation

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

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

Of the following, the most significant difference between the Constitution of 1787 and the Articles of Confederation was that the Constitution A) made states sovereign over the national government, while the Articles were based on national sovereignty B) was difficult to amend, while the Articles included an easier process requiring approval by a simple majority of states C) provided for a presidential system of government, while the Articles provided for a parliamentary system of government D) created a dominant national executive, while the Articles established a dominant national legislature E) provided for a strong national government with many powers, while the Articles created a weak central government with few independent powers

It is an agreement in which the government promises to protect the natural rights of people.

Which of the following describes the social contract theory as advanced by John Locke? A) It is an agreement between political actors to maintain their grip on power. B) It is an agreement in which the government promises to provide a minimum standard of living to citizens. C) It is an agreement in which the government promises to protect the natural rights of people. D) It is an agreement between economic elites to maintain a stable economy. E) It is an agreement in which the government outlines socially acceptable norms of political behavior.

state sovereignty

The Articles of Confederation implemented the A) a strong national government B) a unified system of taxes C) universal suffrage D) an independent judiciary E) state sovereignty

A) Popular Sovereignty

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

The scope of power of the central government

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

B) protecting individual property rights

The framers of the Constitution all believed that one of the primary functions of government is A) educating citizens B) protecting individual property rights C) protecting new immigrants from persecution D) expanding the borders of the nation E) ensuring that anyone accused of a crime has the right to legal representation

a representative republic

The framers of the Constitution intended to establish A) a representative republic B) a direct democracy C) an authoritarian state D) a socialist democracy E) a parliamentary republic

The supremacy clause, which gives the federal government supremacy over states

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) Achieving income equality

Which of the following is NOT a trait of a liberal democracy? A) Holding regular, frequent, and competitive elections B) Protecting minority rights C) Having a lively and free press D) Achieving income equality E) Guaranteeing equality in voting

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

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.