CLEP American Government
The Writ of Habeas Corpus a) protects individuals from being held without being charged. b) allows individuals to appeal capital sentences. c) guarantees an individual's right of religious expression. d) prevents the use of cruel and unusual punishment. e) grants appellate jurisdiction to federal courts for Constitutional issues.
The correct answer is A. A Writ of Habeas Corpus demands that a prison official bring an inmate to the court to determine if he is imprisoned lawfully or if he should be released from custody. The Writ of Habeas Corpus was important enough to be part of the original body of the Constitution and has been an important limit on state abuses of power by the federal court system.
America's form of government is best described as a) republican. b) aristocratic. c) parliamentary. d) unitary. e) egalitarian.
The correct answer is A. Although based on the principles of democracy, America's government is republican—the people elect officials to represent them in government.
Which of the following interest groups might make use of litigation rather than lobbying to advance their interests? a) Prisoners b) Unions c) Corporations d) Senior Citizens e) Educators
The correct answer is A. Although organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union lobby for prisoners rights, litigation remains the most viable tactic for the majority of inmates.
An increased focus on national rather than local issues on radio, television, and other mass media has a) caused Americans from different regions to share similar ideas and perspectives. b) caused a divergence of political beliefs and attitudes across America. c) reduced public interest in foreign affairs. d) limited the influence of the media on domestic politics. e) pushed the political parties away from the political center.
The correct answer is A. Before the advent of radio and the other mass media, much political news focused on local issues. Larger audiences have caused national issues to be treated in the media. Today, most Americans watch some form of national news. This has caused a convergence of ideas and perspectives and the development of a more national rather than regional identity among the public.
The role of caucuses in Congress is to a) promote group interests through legislation, policy, and pressure on the agencies. b) measure existing support for a bill before the House of Representatives makes a binding vote on it. c) muster support before an election cycle. d) bind members to vote for or against legislation prior to the full House of Representatives vote. e) block the passage of legislation by denying the opposition a simple majority.
The correct answer is A. Caucuses are informal organizations of individual congressional representatives with like interests or constituencies. Members work together to promote the interests of the groups they represent through legislation, policy, and pressure on government agencies. Caucuses may represent everything from agriculture to tourism and often cross-party lines.
One of the objectives of "Jim Crow" laws was to a) disenfranchise Americans of color. b) limit soft-money contributions. c) empower southern blacks. d) protect the economies of southern states. e) desegregate southern schools.
The correct answer is A. Jim Crow laws were designed to prevent people of color in the south from threatening the traditional political and economic dominance of southern whites. These laws enforced segregation in practically every aspect of daily life including the workplace, education, and public facilities.
Federal district court judges are a) nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. b) nominated by the Chief Justice and confirmed by the Senate. c) elected by standing judges of the same circuit. d) nominated by a senator and confirmed by the entire Senate. e) elected by the citizens of the district in which they will serve.
The correct answer is A. Judges of the Federal Court system—Supreme Court justices, court of appeals judges, and district court judges—are nominated by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate. This process is outlined in the Constitution and neither the public nor the judiciary itself can be formally involved in the process.
The view that the Supreme Court should interpret the Constitution or laws to advance social goals is known as a) judicial activism. b) judicial restraint. c) judicial review. d) judicial conservatism. e) judicial liberalism.
The correct answer is A. Judicial activism is the philosophy that judges in the federal court system can and should seek to address important social issues that elected officials have not addressed. This is typically done by carefully choosing to hear cases in which a decision will right a perceived social wrong. The opposite judicial philosophy is known as judicial restraint.
An agreement between two or more members of Congress for reciprocal support in passing unrelated legislation is known as a) logrolling. b) filibustering. c) pork barreling. d) gerrymandering. e) reapportioning.
The correct answer is A. Members of Congress often support each other based on a simple promise of "I'll vote for 'x' if you vote for 'y.'" This practice of making these informal promises of support is called logrolling. Party leaders and whips keep track of vote debts between party members and use them to gain support when important party-sponsored legislation must be passed.
How has the expansion of cable and satellite television affected the President's ability to influence American public opinion? a) It has increased the President's power to influence public opinion. b) It has not affected the President's ability to influence public opinion. c) It has reduced the President's power to influence public opinion. d) It has sharply decreased the President's power to influence public opinion. e) It has eliminated the President's ability to influence public opinion.
The correct answer is A. Modern media technology has made it possible to follow the President's every movement twenty-four hours a day. The President, therefore, has greater access to the public and a greater ability to influence their opinions than at any point in the nation's history.
The concept embodied in the Constitution of separating the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government was promoted by which philosopher? a) Baron de Montesquieu b) David Hume c) John Locke d) Sir Isaac Newton e) Sir Francis Bacon
The correct answer is A. Montesquieu argued for the specialization and balancing of governmental powers. Like Locke, Montesquieu's thinking greatly influenced America's emerging democracy.
The Constitution allows the federal government to do all of the following EXCEPT: a) Change state boundaries b) Tax imports c) Tax exports d) Overturn state laws e) Impose taxes
The correct answer is A. None of the original states would have accepted that the federal government has the power to change state boundaries. They were wary of excessive federal power.
Which of the following Amendments to the United States Constitution were repealed? I. The 18th Amendment (Prohibition) II. The 4th Amendment (Search and Seizure) III. The 19th Amendment (The Right to Vote) a) I only b) II only c) I and II only d) II and III only e) I, II, and III
The correct answer is A. The 18th Amendment—prohibiting the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages—was repealed with the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. It was the only Amendment to the Constitution to be repealed.
All bills to raise government revenue must originate in the a) House of Representatives. b) Senate. c) Senate Budget Committee. d) Department of the Treasury. e) Internal Revenue Service.
The correct answer is A. The Constitution gives only the House of Representatives the right to introduce legislation to raise government revenues. Departments and agencies may provide input on legislation under consideration, but they cannot introduce legislation. The Senate cannot introduce bills to raise government revenue.
The Constitution gives Congress the power to a) declare war. b) command U.S. armed forces. c) appoint ambassadors. d) negotiate treaties. e) nominate federal judges.
The correct answer is A. The Constitution grants Congress the exclusive right to declare war. Over time, the Executive branch has eroded this power by entering combat without a formal declaration of war.
Which of the following is responsible for the conservation of America's natural resources? a) Department of the Interior b) Department of Justice c) Department of State d) Department of the Treasury e) Environmental Protection Agency
The correct answer is A. The Department of the Interior is responsible for most federally owned lands including those of the National Parks Service. It is also responsible for protecting wildlife through the Fish and Wildlife Service. Although the Environmental Protection Agency plays an important role in protecting the environment, it does not have the broad powers and responsibilities of the Department of the Interior.
The United States Constitution grants the right to a) not be tried twice for the same offense. b) a trial by jury in all civil and criminal cases. c) vote for all citizens of the age 21 or older. d) reasonable health and medical care. e) be indicted by a grand jury.
The correct answer is A. The Fifth Amendment of the Bill of Rights protects citizens from being tried twice on the same charge.
All of the following departments are headed by a secretary EXCEPT: a) Justice b) State c) Interior d) Transportation e) Energy
The correct answer is A. The Justice Department is headed by the Attorney General. The Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the law and defending the interests of the United States.
According to law, the President of the United States must be a) at least 35 years old. b) a college graduate. c) wealthy enough to afford a campaign. d) unconnected to a religion. e) a lifelong resident of the United States.
The correct answer is A. The President of the United States must be at least 35 years old, according to the Constitution. Other requirements are that the person must be a native-born American citizen and at least 14 years a resident of the United States.
In the mid-term elections following a President's inauguration, his party tends to a) lose seats in Congress. b) gain seats in Congress. c) lose House of Representatives seats but gain Senate seats. d) lose Senate seats but gain House of Representatives seats. e) lose control of Congress.
The correct answer is A. The President's party tends not to gain seats in Congress during the mid-term elections. The mid-term elections under President George W. Bush were an exception. The last time that a President's party gained seats in the Senate was in 1982, and no President had gained backing in the House since the Civil War.
The state officer typically responsible for overseeing federal elections at the state level is the a) Secretary of State. b) Attorney General. c) State Auditor. d) Governor. e) State Treasurer.
The correct answer is A. The Secretary of State is appointed by the Governor to supervise the election process. For example, in the controversial 2000 presidential election, it was Florida's Secretary of State Katherine Harris (appointed by Governor Jeb Bush) who was responsible for making sure that Florida's election was free, fair, and impartial.
The Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction in a dispute between a) two states. b) two multinational corporations. c) a foreign and an American citizen. d) a foreign and an American corporation. e) political parties.
The correct answer is A. The Supreme Court is the only judicial body that may hear disputes between states. A small number of cases are brought directly to the Supreme Court each year without going through lower levels of the federal or state court system. Cases that qualify are known as "original jurisdiction" cases since they are defined in the Constitution.
The strongest factor contributing to an individual's political socialization tends to be a) family. b) peers. c) media. d) school. e) religion.
The correct answer is A. The family environment is the dominant factor in the political socialization of an individual. Children tend to adopt the same political perspectives as their parents as well as the same party affiliation.
The power of judicial review grants the Supreme Court the ability to a) overturn or modify the enforcement of laws that violate the Constitution. b) evaluate all judicial appointments prior to Senate consent proceedings. c) edit bills under consideration prior to enactment. d) consider all state laws for constitutionality prior to their enactment. e) rate the effectiveness of all federal laws and regulations.
The correct answer is A. The primary power of the Supreme Court is its ability to challenge the constitutionally of state and federal laws. If a law is declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, it cannot be fully enforced until it is revised.
Normally, a bill that is tabled by a congressional committee will a) not be acted upon. b) be dealt with following the recess. c) be amended before being sent back to Congress. d) be vetoed by the President. e) not be amended prior to resubmission.
The correct answer is A. When a committee tables a bill, it effectively kills the bill; the bill will not be acted upon.
Most states have a) bicameral legislatures. b) unicameral legislatures. c) professional full-time legislatures. d) term limits for legislators. e) campaign spending limits for legislators.
The correct answer is A. With the exception of Nebraska, all state legislatures are bicameral.
After hearings are complete, a congressional subcommittee will usually determine a bill's future in final deliberations known as a) an open-door session. b) a markup session. c) a closed-door session. d) a joint resolution session. e) a full house session.
The correct answer is B. After hearings are concluded and all relevant information is collected, the subcommittee will meet in a "markup" session to determine what recommendation will be forwarded to the full committee, or if the bill should be "tabled" so that no action is taken.
Which of the following explain why the founders of the Constitution decided upon a bicameral rather than a unicameral legislature? I. It balanced the interests of low- and high-population states by giving smaller states a voice in the Senate that their low populations would not grant them in the House of Representatives. II. Either legislature could block legislation approved by the other, thereby strengthening the American system of checks and balances. III. The House of Representatives was granted responsibility for domestic affairs while the Senate specialized in America's relations with the rest of the world. a) I only b) I and II only c) II and III only d) III only e) I, II, and III
The correct answer is B. At the Constitutional Convention, delegates from the heavily populated states wanted proportional representation while delegates from the less populated states feared that their voices would not be heard. The Constitution created a House of Representatives based on proportional representation and a Senate in which each state had equal representation. The bicameral system also strengthened the system of checks and balances because passage of legislation required cooperation between the two legislatures. Although Senate ratification of treaties and the House initiation of tax legislation seem to imply international and domestic focuses respectively, these considerations were not part of the Constitution.
Since the Second World War, presidential approval ratings have generally a) risen gradually until mid-term elections then fallen between election cycles. b) declined gradually after inauguration through to the end of the administration. c) increased gradually from inauguration through to the end of the administration. d) fallen dramatically after mid-term elections then risen. e) risen dramatically after inauguration through to the end of the administration.
The correct answer is B. Barring a war or other major event, presidential approval ratings tend to fall gradually over time as groups of voters become less satisfied with the President. After election, most Presidents enjoy an approval rating that is actually higher than the support they enjoyed in the presidential election. However, each of a President's actions tends to alienate some supporters and over time his popularity tends to fall.
The power of a cabinet member within a department may be limited if a) the economy is faltering and unemployment and prices rise. b) career administrators do not fall in line with their politically appointed supervisor. c) they are assigned to a department concerned with domestic affairs. d) their constituents demand too many political favors. e) other cabinet members have stronger political ties with the President.
The correct answer is B. Cabinets are often put together for political rather than purely administrative reasons. Bureaucrats who have built their careers within an agency may have different beliefs and expectations than their politically appointed bosses. As a result, it is difficult for even skilled cabinet secretaries to affect radical change in the departments they run.
The number of representatives from each state to serve in House of Representatives is determined by a) the State Legislatures; state legislatures then define congressional voting districts acting within constraints set down by Congress and the Supreme Court. b) the Congress; state legislatures then define congressional voting districts acting within constraints set down by Congress and the Supreme Court. c) the Department of Commerce's decennial census; federal district courts then determine the congressional districts within the states. d) the Department of State's decennial census; federal district courts then determine the congressional districts within the states. e) the Senate; state legislatures then define congressional voting districts acting within constraints set down by Congress and the Supreme Court.
The correct answer is B. Congress fixes the size of the House of Representatives and the procedure to apportion House seats among the states. State legislatures are then responsible for defining the voting districts that will elect congressional representatives. The Supreme Court and Congress try to limit redistricting and reapportionment that appears to be enacted for purely political ends. Although Congress uses data from the Department of Commerce's census, the Department itself plays no role in the process.
The governmental system of dividing power between a central government and several regional governments is known as a) democracy. b) federalism. c) republicanism. d) oligarchy. e) colonialism.
The correct answer is B. Federalism is characterized by a sharing of power between local and national levels. In America, power is divided between the states and the federal government in Washington, DC.
The "wall of separation" that the Constitution maintains between church and state is contained in the a) free exercise clause. b) establishment clause. c) incorporation doctrine. d) community standards clause. e) due process clause.
The correct answer is B. In 1947, the Supreme Court held in Everson v. Board of Education that the wording of the First Amendment, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion," should be broadly applied to keep church and state separate. This "wall of separation" prohibits prayer in school and public funding for religious education.
When Congress authorized the President to eliminate individual elements from proposed legislation, it was known as a a) presidential prerogative. b) line item veto. c) Executive decision. d) legislative veto. e) subpoenaed document.
The correct answer is B. In the past, Congress authorized the President to veto specific elements of proposed legislation without vetoing an entire bill. The intent was to help the President limit government waste by removing unnecessary spending attached to essential bills. However, the line item veto gives a great deal of power to the Executive branch and was ruled unconstitutional but the Supreme Court.
In non-partisan elections for state or local government offices, a) political parties may not contribute to campaigns. b) ballots do not list party affiliations. c) most voters are independents. d) incumbent candidates run unopposed. e) candidates cannot be registered members of any political party.
The correct answer is B. Non-partisan elections simply remove the party labels from candidates. Candidates can maintain their private party affiliations, but their names will appear on the ballot without a party designation.
Which of the following does NOT actively lobby Congress? a) Labor unions b) Political parties c) Corporations d) Foreign governments e) Senior citizens
The correct answer is B. Political parties do not lobby Congress. Most interest group lobbies are created specifically to petition Congress to change or maintain specific government policies or laws.
Which of the following functions is NOT performed by political parties in the American system? a) Helping to connect the people with their government b) Increasing the diversity of viewpoints represented in the political arena c) Stimulate and focusing public discussion d) Promoting candidates and voter participation e) Helping resolve political conflicts and promoting national unity
The correct answer is B. Political parties in the American system tend to limit the expression of extreme views. Instead, the two parties tend to move towards the political center, causing more extreme views to be underrepresented.
Which of the following were weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? I. The government lacked the power to compel states to honor national obligations. II. The government had no powers of taxation. III. It failed to provide the authority to negotiate peace with England. a) I only b) I and II c) I, II, and III d) II and III e) III only
The correct answer is B. The Articles of Confederation provided for a weak national government without powers of taxation or the ability to force reluctant states to live up to their obligations. However, it did provide for a unified foreign policy and the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
Which of the following would be an unconstitutional action by a state government? a) Signing an extradition treaty with another state b) Banning the sale of goods from a foreign country c) Regulating tobacco sales d) Setting a minimum age for the consumption of alcohol e) Regulating electricity usage by industry
The correct answer is B. The Constitution grants the federal government the exclusive right to negotiate treaties for trade and security. Banning goods from a given country would usurp federal authority and would be unconstitutional.
The United States Constitution was opposed by which group? a) Abolitionists b) Royalists c) Nationalists d) Smaller states e) Federalists
The correct answer is B. The Constitution satisfied the smaller northern states by promising them equal participation in the Senate and the southern states by giving them greater power in the House of Representatives. Royalists supported the crown's right to control America and would oppose any American Constitution.
Most Americans believe that a) the needs of the individual should be subordinate to those of the community. b) everyone should enjoy equal opportunities for personal and material success. c) the government should provide free healthcare for all citizens. d) the government rather than industry should be responsible for national economic development. e) Congress rather than the President should determine foreign policy.
The correct answer is B. The Declaration of Independence states that all men should have the rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Today, most Americans take these words to mean that every American should enjoy equal opportunities for personal and material success.
The Department of Commerce promotes a) domestic aggregate demand and supply. b) international trade and economic growth. c) fair prices and stable markets for producers and consumers. d) improved technology through research, development, and demonstration. e) better working conditions and improved relations between labor and management.
The correct answer is B. The Department of Commerce is primarily concerned with ensuring the competitiveness of the U.S. economy. The Department provides businesses with information, administers programs to protect U.S. firms from unfair international competition, and provides standards of measure for U.S. industry.
According to the Supreme Court, First Amendment free speech protections do not apply to a) the desecration of the American flag. b) obscenity. c) protests, rallies, or strikes against the democratically elected government. d) sexual content acceptable by community standards. e) verbal or written attacks on public figures.
The correct answer is B. The First Amendment protects all forms of free speech except obscenity. The argument is that obscenity has no redeeming value and is non-political in nature. There is no need for it to be protected by the Constitution.
Which of the following is NOT part of the Executive Office of the President? a) National Economic Council b) Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare c) Office Management and Budget d) National Security Council e) Office of National Drug Control Policy
The correct answer is B. The agencies that make up the Executive Office of the President work for the "institution" of the Presidency rather than for the sitting President. There is nothing "bipartisan" about them. Agencies within the EOP help the President to follow developments within an increasingly complicated government. Their employees conduct research and inform the President.
Which department has the largest number of career government professionals working abroad? a) Department of Transportation b) Department of Defense c) Department of State d) Department of Commerce e) Department of Justice
The correct answer is B. The greatest number of Americans career government professionals working abroad work for the Pentagon and the Department of Defense. Many Americans also work within embassy and diplomatic missions abroad for the Department of State. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and National Security Agency (NSA) employ many Americans overseas.
According to The Federalist Papers, in which of the following ways did the Articles of Confederation allow the majority to overrule the minority? I. A majority of the states could prevent the passage of new legislation to strengthen the confederacy. II. Nine of thirteen states, rather than a majority of the people, could control foreign affairs. III. The popular election of a powerful executive threatened the less populous states. a) I only b) II only c) I, II and III d) II and III e) III only
The correct answer is B. Under the Articles of Confederation, foreign relations could be controlled by a block of nine or more states voting together. A single state could block legislation, making it very difficult for a stronger confederation to develop. There was no provision for a powerful executive.
Why are unfunded mandates so popular for Congress? a) Unfunded mandates improve relationships between representatives and their constituencies. b) Representatives can satisfy constituents without being obligated to find funding. c) Most representatives have served at the state level and wish to return favors. d) State agencies are more efficient and flexible than the federal bureaucracy. e) State problems are best solved at the state level.
The correct answer is B. Unfunded mandates are laws passed by Congress that require the states to act at their own expense. While these measures are very unpopular with state officials, representatives under pressure from constituents benefit politically from this passing-of-the-buck.
All of the following aspects of Congress affect the legislative process EXCEPT: a) Parties b) Committees c) Hours d) Rules e) Staff
The correct answer is C. Each of the answer choices directly affects the legislative process. There are no mandated hours during which Congress must be open or closed.
Which category of interest groups has been the strongest and most effective in lobbying Washington? a) Ideological interest groups b) Religious interest groups c) Economic interest groups d) Government interest groups e) Single-issue interest groups
The correct answer is C. Economic interest groups were the first to organize and to begin the systematic lobbying of Washington officials. Economic interest groups include industrial lobbies and professional organizations such as the American Medical Association.
Spending determined by the number of qualified recipients and their legally determined need is called a) supplemental spending. b) deficit spending. c) entitlement spending. d) essential spending. e) discretionary spending.
The correct answer is C. Entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and Veterans' benefits have no set spending limits. Total spending on entitlements is determined only by the number of citizens qualifying for benefits and their needs.
Over the last five presidential elections, women have tended to a) vote for Republican Party candidates. b) ignore military issues important to male voters. c) vote for Democratic Party candidates more often than men do. d) vote in fewer numbers than men do. e) register to vote in fewer numbers than men do.
The correct answer is C. In recent presidential elections, women have tended to vote for Democratic presidential candidates more often than men do.
Which of the following is the largest interest group in the United States? a) The American Medical Association (AMA) b) The National Rifle Association (NRA) c) The United Auto Workers (UAW) d) The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) e) The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
The correct answer is D. More than 35 million U.S. senior citizens are members of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), making it the nation's largest interest group.
James Madison proposed to deal with the threat of political factions by a) encouraging greater party membership. b) providing civic education to the electorate. c) dividing authority among different governmental institutions. d) strengthening the Executive and Judiciary at the expense of the Congress. e) prohibiting the formation of political parties.
The correct answer is C. In the Federalist Papers, Madison argues that a bicameral legislature is less susceptible to the violence of factions—particularly when the two bodies are as different as the House and Senate. He believed that the popular nature, shorter terms, and greater turn-over in the House would naturally put it at odds with the more patrician Senate. He felt it would be difficult for a faction to obtain a dangerous two-thirds majority in both houses.
The concept of "popular sovereignty" as incorporated in the Constitution was first promoted by which philosopher? a) Thomas Hobbes b) Jean Jacque Rousseau c) John Locke d) John Stewart Mill e) Jeremy Bentham
The correct answer is C. Locke argued that the public should have the power to remove a legislator that didn't act for the public good. Hobbes' conception of popular sovereignty was much more limited than that which is incorporated in the Constitution.
Which group of Americans were the last to receive the right to vote? a) African Americans b) Women c) Americans between the ages of 18 and 21 d) Native Americans e) Asian Americans
The correct answer is C. Prior to 1971, only citizens 21 years or older could vote. The 26th Amendment extended the right to vote to all Americans of 18 years of age and older.
Who were the authors of the Federalist Papers? a) John Adams, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson b) Samuel Adams, John Jay, and John Quincy Adams c) Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay d) James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson e) Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson
The correct answer is C. The Federalist Papers—authored by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay—provided arguments for a stronger federal government.
What explains the relatively high likelihood that the Supreme Court will overturn a decision if it chooses to hear an appeal? a) The Supreme Court judges cases by a more exacting standard than the lower courts. b) The Supreme Court tries to motivate Congress to enact new legislation by striking down outdated laws. c) The Supreme Court places the highest priority on hearing cases where it is clear that errors have been made. d) Since Supreme Court members are non-elected, they are able to oppose popular legislation and policy. e) The Supreme Court is more divided than circuit courts or state courts.
The correct answer is C. The Supreme Court has a very heavy caseload. The Justices must prioritize cases; therefore, they tend to hear those cases in which they feel errors have been made.
A temporary panel that works to reconcile different final House and Senate versions of a bill is known as a) a joint committee. b) a quorum. c) a conference committee. d) an executive session. e) a pro-forma session.
The correct answer is C. When there are differing Senate and House versions of legislation, a conference committee will attempt to create a compromise bill. Their final report must be adopted by a majority vote in both bodies before it can be sent to the President to be signed into law or sent back to Congress with a veto.
Which of the following is NOT a political influence of the American media? a) Helping establish the agenda for political discussion by choosing which issues it reports on b) Determining which political candidates the public views as viable contenders for office c) Assessing the performance of elected officials and changing the public's perceptions of their leaders d) Changing election results through exit polls e) Ruining political campaigns through negative coverage of a candidate
The correct answer is D. Although polling can lower support for failing campaigns, "exit polling" is not an example of this. In an exit poll, voters leaving the polls are asked which candidate they chose. There is no proof of this activity having influenced an election. Each of the other answer choices represents a clear political influence of the American media.
Proponents of limited government, unregulated free markets, national self-reliance, and conventional social values are best described as a) liberals. b) socialists. c) libertarians. d) conservatives. e) leftists.
The correct answer is D. Conservatives tend to favor less government involvement in the economy, strong support for the military, and government support for traditional moral values.
In what instance will the House of Representatives decide the winner of a presidential election? a) When the candidate with the most electoral votes fails to win the popular vote b) When no candidate wins a majority of the popular vote c) When a candidate wins the electoral vote but doesn't win a majority of the states d) When no candidate wins the majority of the votes in the electoral college e) When a disputed election causes uncertainty over the actual electoral vote totals
The correct answer is D. If no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the electoral college, the House of Representatives must decide which of the three candidates with the most electoral votes will become President. A disputed election will result in court cases that will then naturally be decided by the legislative branch.
The practice of submitting proposed legislation for approval by a popular vote is known as a a) plebiscite. b) gridlock. c) primary. d) referendum. e) recall.
The correct answer is D. In a number of states, legislation proposed by elected officials or the general public can become law through the referendum process. Typically, a number of signatures are required to place the referendum on the ballot and a simple majority for the referendum to pass. Although a plebiscite is also an appeal for public approval, the term has broader meaning of approval for the government as a whole and is not used in American government.
Which of the following factors is likely to be the weakest indicator of an individual's political beliefs and opinions? a) Race b) Gender c) Age d) Intelligence e) Religion
The correct answer is D. Intelligent individuals can be of any race, religion, gender, etc. Each of the other groups listed are the basis for formal and informal political organizations that foster like-minded political attitudes and beliefs.
Which of the following Supreme Court cases addressed the right to privacy? a) Hawaii Housing Authority v. Midkiff b) Bowsher v. Synar c) Korematsu v. United States d) Bowers v. Hardwick e) Gibbons v. Ogden
The correct answer is D. Michael Hardwick was a gay man from Georgia charged with committing sodomy in his own home with a consenting adult. The court ruled that the Constitution does not explicitly grant the right for homosexuals to practice their lifestyle and that laws against sodomy were Constitutional.
All of the following are Constitutional checks on executive power EXCEPT: a) The Senate must approve international treaties. b) The Senate must confirm judicial appointees. c) Congress has the power to impeach the president. d) The President cannot propose legislation. e) The Judiciary can declare Executive actions unconstitutional.
The correct answer is D. Much of the legislation enacted by Congress is proposed by the Executive. The other answer choices are constitutional checks that limit the powers of the Executive and protect the nation from tyranny.
The Constitution does NOT give Congress the authority to a) impeach and remove federal judges. b) refuse to ratify treaties negotiated by the President. c) override a presidential veto. d) pardon people convicted of federal crimes. e) raise taxes and authorize spending.
The correct answer is D. Only the President has the authority to pardon citizens who have been convicted of federal crimes.
Which of the following is NOT an example of congressional oversight? a) Committee inquiries and hearings b) Senate advice and consent for presidential nominations c) House of Representatives impeachment proceedings and Senate trials d) Override of a presidential veto e) Formal consultations with and reports from the President
The correct answer is D. Overriding a presidential veto is a power of Congress but not a power of oversight. Congressional oversight allows the legislature to keep tabs on Executive performance, prevent waste and fraud, safeguard civil rights, and collect information crucial to the law-making process
Which of the following is NOT a right of due process? a) Right to a fair and public trial conducted in a competent manner b) Taxes may only be taken for public purposes c) Right to an impartial jury d) Private property cannot be taken for public use e) Right to be present at the trial
The correct answer is D. Private property can be taken for public use under eminent domain. However, due process does require that the owners of taken property must be fairly compensated.
All of the following are reason why incumbent representatives usually win reelection to Congress EXCEPT: a) Incumbents use franking privileges to communicate with voters. b) Incumbents generate good will by getting "pork barrel" projects for their districts. c) Incumbents have large staffs to work on constituency relations. d) Incumbents always benefit from congressional redistricting. e) Incumbents receive the most money from special interest groups.
The correct answer is D. Representatives often lose support if their party is in control of their home state's legislature when redistricting occurs.
Strict constructionists interpret the Constitution a) inflexibly and disapprove of judicial restraint. b) broadly and attempt to rule in the spirit of the Constitution. c) historically and attempt to correct the shortcomings of the Constitution. d) literally and grant only those freedoms expressly cited in the Constitution. e) contextually and extend freedoms to all citizens.
The correct answer is D. Strict constructionists believe that the Constitution should not be "interpreted." Instead, they believe that judges should rule based on the exact text of the Constitution as written by the framers. For example, a strict constructionist would oppose a woman's right to reproductive freedom based on the argument that a "right to privacy" (as defined in Roe v. Wade) is not written into the Constitution.
Which of the following Supreme Court cases refuted the doctrine of "separate but equal"? a) Baker v. Carr b) McCulloch v. Maryland c) Garcia v. San Antonio d) Brown v. Board of Education e) Miranda v. Arizona
The correct answer is D. The 1954 case of Brown v. Board of Education overturned the 1896 ruling of Plessy v. Ferguson, which had approved the standard of "separate but equal." In Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court decided that separate schooling could never be equal and ordered that all schools be desegregated.
The Bill of Rights contains amendments related to all of the following areas EXCEPT: a) Freedom of speech b) The right to bear arms c) The right to a speedy trial d) The right to sexual freedom e) Freedom not to have soldiers stationed in one's home
The correct answer is D. The Bill of Rights does not address sexual freedom. Choice A is the 1st Amendment; Choice B is the 2nd Amendment; Choice C is the 6th Amendment; Choice E is 3rd Amendment.
The Constitution grants Congress the power to do all of the following EXCEPT: a) Borrow money for the public treasury b) Declare war c) Govern commerce among the states and with foreign countries d) Tax exports from any one state e) Coin money and set its value
The correct answer is D. The Constitution prohibits Congress from treating one state differently than the others. Taxing the exports of one state but not the others would be unfair and unconstitutional.
Which of the following statements about Miranda v. Arizona is correct? a) It declared segregation by race unconstitutional. b) It granted women the same voting rights as men. c) It declared the recitation of the Pledge of the Union unconstitutional. d) It required that citizens be informed of their rights when being placed under arrest. e) It declared that a woman's reproductive rights were included in the conception of the right to privacy.
The correct answer is D. The Miranda decision required that arresting officers read a statement describing the defendant's due process rights. These rights include the right to an attorney and the right to remain silent.
The federal and state court systems a) are distinct and deal with completely separate legal issues and jurisdictions. b) are both subordinate to federal and state constitutions. c) work together to interpret federal law and to uphold the Constitution. d) function in a parallel manner so that federal courts may receive appeals from state courts. e) have differing jurisdictions so that no federal court can hear an appeal from a state court.
The correct answer is D. The federal and state court systems work in a parallel fashion. The federal courts tend to deal with disputes between the federal government and the states; state courts tend to deal with subjects of state or local importance. State court decisions can be appealed to the federal system.
Which of the following is not a standing committee of the United States Congress? a) Agriculture b) Appropriations c) Veterans' Affairs d) Investigations e) Budget
The correct answer is D. There is no committee for investigations, although Congress may create committees to conduct investigations if the need arises. All of the other answer choices are standing (permanent) committees of both the House and Senate.
The increased concentration of mass media does which of the following? I. Narrows the range of political perspectives available to most Americans II. Lowers journalistic standards for the reporting of political issues III. Grants media owners a large amount of political influence a) I only b) II only c) III only d) I and III only e) I, II, and III
The correct answer is D. While some criticism has been made of the major networks for focusing on human interest stories rather than political news, there is little indication that concentration lowers journalistic standards. Rather, concentration threatens the diversity of views presented and may grant a dangerous amount of influence to those who have control over a large sector of the American mass media.
Why must the House of Representatives readopted rules of procedure at the beginning each new session, while the Senate has not done so since 1789? a) Unlike the House of Representatives, the Senate gives the individual states an equal say in rules as in legislation. b) The House of Representatives committee structure aggravates political infighting and leads to frequent rule changes. c) Although the Constitution outlines Senate procedure, it gives House of Representatives members the freedom to create their own rules. d) While a two-thirds majority is needed to amend Senate rules, only a simple majority is needed to change those of the House of Representatives. e) The Senate is a continuing body, while House of Representatives members must stand for election every two years.
The correct answer is E. At least two-thirds of the previous Senate will remain after each election while all Representatives must defend their seats every two years. While the rules of the Senate have changed over time, this has been done through amendments to existing rules rather than the wholesale adoption of a new set of rules. Over time, House rules have changed a great deal more than those of the Senate.
In presidential campaigns, federal matching funds are provided to a) all candidates. b) minor party candidates only. c) major party candidates only. d) winning candidates only. e) candidates who pass the fundraising threshold.
The correct answer is E. Candidates are eligible for federal matching funds after they receive at least $5,000 in contributions from individuals in twenty different states. There are no restrictions by party.
Which of the following allow the President to influence the legislative process in Congress? I. The President's access to the federal bureaucracy allows quick and effective access to experts and information. II. The President has better access to, and influence on, public opinion than does the Congress. III. The threat of a presidential veto can change a bill while it is still in committee. a) I only b) I and II only c) I and III only d) II and III only e) I, II, and III
The correct answer is E. Each of these factors contributes to the President's ability to influence the legislative process. During the twentieth century, Congress lost much of its traditional power to drive the legislative agenda, giving rise to a "presidential program" determined by the Executive.
Which of the following is a standing committee of Congress? a) Rights of Women b) Minorities in Education c) Social Security d) Welfare e) Education and the Workforce
The correct answer is E. Education and the Workforce is a standing committee of the House of Representatives. The committee's jurisdiction includes child labor, labor standards and statistics, and work incentive programs.
All of the following are typical stances of American liberals EXCEPT: a) Support for abortion rights b) Concern for the rights of the accused c) Resistance to state involvement with religious institutions d) Support for international organization such as the United Nations e) Opposition to the expansion of governmental activity and regulation
The correct answer is E. Liberals tend to see a larger role for the government than do traditional conservatives, particularly in the regulation of business and industry. All of the other answer choices form core beliefs of the American political left.
Which strategy has been most successful for congressional lobbyists? a) Grassroots mobilization b) Public information campaigns c) Testimony in Congress d) Endorsements of candidates for public office e) Financial contributions to political campaigns
The correct answer is E. Lobbyists for special interest groups have found campaign contributions to be the most direct and effective method to secure their objectives in Congress.
The number of electoral votes that a state possesses is determined by the a) state's population. b) number representatives that the state has in the House of Representatives. c) number of voters registered with the major parties. d) population at the time of joining the union. e) number Representatives and Senators that the state has in Congress.
The correct answer is E. The Constitution establishes that each state should have a number of electors equal to its number of representatives in the House plus two for its two senators. Since the number of House representatives is based on state population, larger states have more electors. There are currently 538 electors, and 270 are needed to win the Presidency.
The Constitution grants justices of the Supreme Court terms of a) four years. b) six years. c) ten years. d) twelve years. e) life tenure.
The correct answer is E. The Constitution grants Supreme Court justices life tenure. However, the Constitution granted Congress a check of judicial power by granting the power to impeach Supreme Court justices.
Which Executive department was created first? a) Commerce b) Defense c) Labor d) Transportation e) State
The correct answer is E. The Department of State was created in 1789. The Departments of Commerce, Labor, and Transportation were all created in the twentieth century. In 1947, the Department of Defense was made by combining the Departments of War, Navy, and Air Force.
Those calling for the adoption of the Constitution presented arguments that Federalism would do all of the following EXCEPT: a) Protect individual rights while allowing the government to work for the common good. b) Help prevent tyranny. c) Help prevent war between the states. d) Allow the states to be a testing ground for new policies and programs. e) Give the states greater sovereignty and independence.
The correct answer is E. The Federalists never promised greater powers for the states. The Constitution aimed to bind the states closer together for their mutual benefit. Each state would give up some of its sovereignty and independence in order to become part of a much greater whole.
The agency that provides Congress with evaluations of public policies is the a) Department of Justice b) Department of Commerce. c) Office of Personnel Management. d) Office of Management and Budget. e) General Accounting Office.
The correct answer is E. The General Accounting Office is the audit, evaluation, and investigative arm of Congress. It exists to evaluate the effectiveness of public policies for Congress.
Which of the following is a duty of the President of the United States? a) Overseeing special congressional committees b) Determining interest rates c) Drafting state budgets for federal programs d) Impeaching Supreme Court Justices e) Appointing representatives to foreign countries
The correct answer is E. The President is responsible for appointing ambassadors to other nations across the world, including an ambassador to the United Nations.
The major agency of fiscal policy is the a) Council of Economic Advisors. b) Office of Management and Budget. c) Export-Import Bank. d) Federal Reserve Board. e) Treasury Department.
The correct answer is E. The Treasury Department is responsible for the management of the federal debt and the printing of currency. It is the major fiscal policy agency. The Federal Reserve Board is responsible for monetary policy.
Which of the following methods may be used to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution? I. By the passage of a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress II. By the request of three-fourths of the state legislatures III. By a national constitutional convention called by Congress on the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures a) I only b) II only c) III only d) I and II only e) I and III only
The correct answer is E. The methods for proposal and ratification of Constitutional amendments differ. While support from three-fourths of the state legislatures can ratify amendments to the Constitution, this method cannot be used to propose Constitutional amendments. Amendments can only be proposed through the steps outlined in statements I and III.
All of the following are principles upon which the United States Constitution was founded EXCEPT: a) Every state is equal and the national government cannot give special rights to an individual state. b) There should be three branches of government to make, execute, and interpret the nation's laws. c) All men are equal before the law regardless of social standing. d) The best government is a government by laws not by men. e) All citizens should have the right to keep and bear arms.
The correct answer is E. The right to bear arms is the Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights; it was not a founding principle of the U.S. Constitution. All of the other answers deal with general principles of American governmental philosophy and structure rather than particular rights.
Which of the following is NOT considered a civil liberty? a) Freedom of speech b) The right of equal protection c) The right of due process d) Freedom of religion e) The right to work
The correct answer is E. There is no "right to work" included in the Constitution; it is not a civil liberty.
