gov exam 1 homework questions

In comparison with city councilors or mayors, city managers lack this: a. Any power to "get things done." b. Direct democratic accountability. c. Training and credentials.

b. Direct democratic accountability.

Which of the following statements is most nearly correct? a. States are unitary governments, so they can reorganize local government as they want. b. States may be unitary governments but, realistically, reorganization of local government needs to be a bottom-up process. c. Home rule effectively shields local governments from reorganization by state government.

b. States may be unitary governments but, realistically, reorganization of local government needs to be a bottom-up process.

A split executive system involves: a. There being two simultaneous mayors who alternate making decisions. b. The executive powers being split between several executive offices that have some independence from each other. c. Splitting decision-making between different members of the city council.

b. The executive powers being split between several executive offices that have some independence from each other.

You read a social media post by a friend that reads, "I disagree with the Texas law allowing people to carry a concealed weapon in public without a permit." That friend is sharing his/her/their ____ about gun policy. a. value b. attitude c. ideology d. public opinion

b. attitude

Home rule is a classification that applies to a. counties b. incorporated municipalities c. unincorporated municipalities d. both a and b, but not c

b. incorporated municipalities

Which of the following is NOT an endogenous source of influence on an individual's political beliefs and opinions? a. gender/gender identity b. parents' beliefs c. race/ethnicity d. social/economic class

b. parents' beliefs

What role do third parties play in American politics? a. they win elections b. they siphon off votes from major parties c. they pressure major parties to adopt new issues

b. they siphon off votes from major parties c. they pressure major parties to adopt new issues

According to Christopher Berry, special-purpose governments are often the result of a rational planning b mandates from state government c interest group politics d public opinion

c interest group politics

Of the following, which is an example of the types of linkage institutions? a. National Budget restrictions b. The Constitution c. Elections d. None of the above

c. Elections

In Abbott v. Burke, the plaintiffs argued that the state of New Jersey's school finance system created disparities in expenditure per-pupil between wealthy and poor school districts. Which clause in the US constitution does this violate? a. Exception Clause b. Privileges Clause c. Equal Protection Clause d. Funding Clause

c. Equal Protection Clause

What type of Texas local government is primarily responsible for public health decisions during a pandemic? ___

county governments

The minimum population required to qualify for home rule in Texas is ____

5000

Which of these facts likely contribute to the low turnout in local elections (select all that apply). a. Elections held at unusual times of the year. b. Low voter knowledge of the candidates in local races. c. The unimportance of local politics for major social outcomes. d. The meager size of local government.

a. Elections held at unusual times of the year. b. Low voter knowledge of the candidates in local races.

What is land use regulation? a. Government determining the potential structures built on and uses of land within their jurisdiction. b. Government determining who may own different pieces of land. c. Government taking land for public use.

a. Government determining the potential structures built on and uses of land within their jurisdiction.

Paul Peterson's argument implies that more centralized systems of government are likely to spend ____ on public welfare and social services a. More b. Less

a. More

In Texas, county "courts," headed by county "judges" can be a misnomer, because: a. The court is primarily a legislature, not a judicial body. b. The court is actually an appellate review court, not a trial court. c. The court actually serves as a collection of local mayors in the county.

a. The court is primarily a legislature, not a judicial body.

The U.S. Constitution sets the power balance between: a. The federal and state governments. b. The federal and municipal government. c. The federal, state, and municipal governments.

a. The federal and state governments.

The policy areas where the Portland Metro Service District has jurisdiction are primarily: a. developmental b. redistributive c. allocational

a. developmental

Which of the following are "correlates" of voting? Select all that apply. a. income b. education c. institutional constraints d. geography

a. income b. education

Select all of the following that are important roles the media plays in a healthy democracy. a. informing the public b. investigating the government c. entertaining the public d. interpreting political information e. presenting unbiased information

a. informing the public b. investigating the government d. interpreting political information

What type of interest group is a teachers' union? a. membership group b. individual institution c. business/trade association d. government e. private individual

a. membership group

What are some of the ways citizens participate in their government? a. voting b. writing letters to their representatives c. protests d. attending public meetings

a. voting b. writing letters to their representatives c. protests d. attending public meetings

Which of the following statements about Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is most correct? a. It shows that special-purpose government is a viable solution to metro politics. b. It shows that public transportation can offset self-segregation. c. It shows that solutions to issues that cross city and county lines in metro areas can be achieved, but it is complicated and takes time. d. DART has failed to achieve its purpose.

c. It shows that solutions to issues that cross city and county lines in metro areas can be achieved, but it is complicated and takes time.

What is the most important single tax financing school districts? a. Gasoline b. Income c. Property d. Sales

c. Property

Imagine you were instantly transported to a random city somewhere in the United States. Without knowing anything else about the city, if you were asked to find the most important person for the day to day operation of the city, who should you ask for? a. The mayor b. The chair of the city council c. The city manager

c. The city manager

Which of the following about conservatives is true a. They oppose abortion, strict gun control laws, same sex marriage and limited government b. They support same sex marriage and the removal of restrictions on abortion rights. c. They oppose abortion, strict gun control laws same sex marriage, but support limited government and free-market economy d. None of the above

c. They oppose abortion, strict gun control laws same sex marriage, but support limited government and free-market economy

It is perfectly legal under the U .S. Constitution to have zoning laws that have the effect of discrimination based on: a. race and ethnicity b. religion c. income and wealth d. none of the above

c. income and wealth

Charles Tiebout argues that competition among cities in a metropolitan area can lead to: a. greater prosperity and happiness b. confusion and conflict c. more efficient spending on local public goods d. none of the above

c. more efficient spending on local public goods

For a poll to be considered scientifically reliable, what feature must it include? a. scientists b. media coverage c. random selection d. unbiased wording

c. random selection

Leapfrog development is driven by the decisions of a. local government b. consumers and homeowners c. real estate developers

c. real estate developers

Annexation refers to combining a. a city and a county b. two special-purpose governments c. two cities or two counties or a city and an unincorporated area d. two metropolitan areas e. a special-purpose government and a city or county

c. two cities or two counties or a city and an unincorporated area

Which amendment of the US Constitution reserves the powers not granted to the federal government to the states? a. Sixth Amendment b. Fifth Amendment c. Twelfth Amendment d. None of the above

d. None of the above

Why do several companies, who are otherwise market competitors, come together to form a trade association? a. they can all benefit from the same governmental policies b. they often have common issues affecting an entire industry c. they can increase their influence by speaking with one voice (aka strength in numbers) d. all of the above

d. all of the above

Based upon Image 6.3 and the discussion of the media's role above, which of the media's major roles does "analysis" constitute? a. informing the public b. investigating the government c. entertaining the public d. interpreting political information e. presenting unbiased information

d. interpreting political information

A political party has state control when it holds the Senate and the governorship true or false

false

True or False: Independent school districts in Texas are created by a petition of voters in the affected area

false

True or False: Voters in a presidential primary are voting directly for their preferred candidate.

false

True or false: Special-purpose governments are governments that address problems crossing city or county lines.

false

Votes cast in a caucus are anonymous. true or false?

false