POLITICAL SCIENCE
Tom describes himself as an independent and he has never been a member of either the Republican or the Democratic party. He has stated in multiple accounts that he always votes for the best candidate, regardless of his political affiliation. How would you best describe Tom?
A swing voter
How many years are there between national conventions?
4
Jason currently receives TANF for himself and his two young children. How many years during his lifetime can he receive these benefits?
5 years
How do 527 groups differ from PACs?
527 groups cannot donate or work with a campaign, while PACs can.
How many total Electoral College votes are there?
538
How much money must an individual raise or spend before they are required to register with the Federal Election Commission?
$5,000
Almost all states award their Electoral College votes according to this method:
'Winner takes all', meaning the candidate with the most popular votes gets all of that state's electoral votes
From 1964-2008, incumbents in Congress won over _____ of elections.
85%
How many justices are there in the United States Supreme Court?
9
The Voting Rights Act was passed in _____.
1965
Full racial balance in Topeka, Kansas, schools was reached in _____.
1998
The Second Amendment was most recently interpreted in:
2010
How many Electoral College votes are needed to win a presidential election?
270
According to this chart, what was the unemployment rate during the peak of the business cycle?
3%
How old must one be to run for the Senate?
30
You have a list of people that includes some of their most basic traits. Which of the following individuals is most likely to be a supporter of the Republican Party?
A 35-year-old white male
You have a list of people that includes some of their most basic traits. Which of the following individuals is most likely to be a supporter of the Democratic Party?
A 40-year-old female from New York
Based on the 2014 configuration of Congress, which of the following individuals was most likely to be a member?
A 57-year-old white male
Which of the following cases would NOT be heard by a federal circuit court?
A California-based citizens' group wants to challenge California's marijuana laws
Which of the following is an example of an impeachable offense?
A Supreme Court justice having connections with interest groups that fund him, which can be interpreted as bribery.
When the House of Representatives and the Senate disagree on changes to be made to a bill, what is the course of action?
A conference committee is set up in order to reach a consensus.
John Clemence is a popular member of a large political party who has spent a long time as a member of the country's main legislative house. He often disagrees with the leadership and refuses to vote with the majority of the party due to his own beliefs, but he will still have the support of his party in the upcoming election. In which of the following systems is this likely to occur?
A congressional democracy
Which of the following is an example of bias by labeling?
A congressman attends the Muslim wedding of a close friend. A newspaper reports on his attendance, calling the congressman an 'Iraqi sympathizer.'
Which of the following is NOT an example of an economic interest group?
A group of citizens trying to sponsor a book drive for community youth centers
A member of Congress in the House of Representatives has prepared a bill that he believes will significantly increase private expenditure by decreasing taxes. He wants to introduce his bill, so he will place it in a special box that is called _____.
A hopper
A government has only those powers the people have expressly given to it. Which of the following best describes such a government?
A limited government
Which of the following is the best example of the media acting as a platform?
A live, televised version of a presidential debate where candidates had the opportunity to discuss and debate policy.
Once nominated, a candidate for federal judgeship must be confirmed. Which of the following steps is necessary for the candidate's confirmation?
A majority of the U.S. Senate must vote to approve the nomination.
Which of the following is a measure that the framers of the U.S. Constitution took in order to keep the Supreme Court unbiased?
A provision that justices salaries be set by statute.
Which type of interest group exists to promote the best interests of the overall community and the good of the nation?
A public interest group
Which of the following individuals is eligible for SSDI benefits?
A recently disabled worker.
You have joined a group that is fighting for the protection of the environment because you wanted to meet new people and share your experience of how the air was fresh while climbing Mt. Everest. Which of the following motivated you to join?
A solidary incentive
This legal doctrine recognizes that the individual states and the federal government have sovereignty. As such, it allows prosecution at both the state and federal level without violating double jeopardy:
Dual sovereignty
Which problem of bureaucracy occurs when multiple bureaucratic agencies seem to be doing the very same thing?
Duplication
In which stage of life does most political socialization occur?
During childhood
In the post-Cold War years, foreign service agents were likely to have a more difficult job than earlier agents because:
During the Cold War, the U.S. could identify its enemy more easily
Tina is a single parent with four children who works for minimum wage. Which of the following tax credits does she qualify for?
EIC
What was the basis for the Supreme Court's original ruling on Brown v. Board of Education in 1954?
Even if the tangible aspects of schools may be equal, the intangible aspects of separating children by race could never be reversed
Your favorite presidential candidate is appearing on a television talk show. You learn that your least favorite candidate will be on the same show the next day. The television station is likely honoring the _____.
Equal Time Rule
The 'Title IX' amendment to the Civil Rights Act prohibits gender discrimination in education. It's best known for providing college sports opportunities for women. This is an example of:
Equality
What is a government MOST likely to do to protect the interests of agricultural businesses?
Establish price guarantees
Which courts may serve both as appellate courts and trial courts?
Federal district courts
This legal doctrine, established through the U.S. Constitution, creates a separation of powers between the federal government and the individual state governments:
Federalism
How are electoral votes divided?
According to congressional districts
Which of the following is NOT true concerning a proportional representation system?
All parties represented in the government are represented in equal number.
Which of the following is an attempt made by the government to reform the bureaucracy?
All the answers are correct
Which of the following is part of public policy?
All the answers are correct
Based on disturbance theory, which answer choice provides an example of why might an interest group form?
All the answers are correct.
Which of the following goals do the rules of American politics accomplish?
All the answers are correct.
All of the following are functions of political parties EXCEPT:
Allowing the party in power to determine all public policy
Sometimes a group will file a 'friend of the court' brief in order to pursue a particular cause, even though the group is not a party to the lawsuit. This type of brief is known as a:
Amicus curiae brief
A Democratic member of Congress is trying to pass a bill that will decrease greenhouse gas emission by 3%. He is trying to get the support of a Republican from a coal-producing state, who has stated that he is willing to support the bill if it includes a clause that states: 'If a certain district has a slower economic growth than the national average, that district will have a 3-year delay from reaching the goals specified in this bill.' What is this phrase called?
An amendment
What type of case can NOT be heard in the United States Supreme Court?
An appeal from a U.S. district court
Which of the following explains the federal appeals process?
An appellant first appeals to the Federal Court of Appeals through a legal brief, and then to the U.S. Supreme Court through a writ of certiorari
Which of the following cases can originate in a federal district court?
An employee in California loses a discrimination suit in state court and wishes to appeal
A prisoner is sentenced to life in prison after leaking secret NSA documents. Which of the following might allow him to be released from prison?
An executive pardon
This is one of the oldest and best-known American polling organizations. It is known for publishing timely public opinion research on a multitude of topics.
Gallup
Which of the following is NOT an example of a special interest group?
General Motors
How would someone who understands the American belief in equality and is on the lookout for violations of this principle, interpret the story of a hardworking high school student who applied but was not accepted to any college?
As a non-violation of the equality principle since the student was given the opportunity to apply.
How are primary elections defined?
As the elections where a party chooses its nominee for a political office.
Which of the following is NOT an example of studying voter behavior?
Attempting to understand why a person who voted for the Democratic Party committed a crime in a large city where there is a stable financial situation.
Which of the following refers to an individual's or group's right to use power by making decisions, giving directives, and demanding compliance?
Authority
Which of the following is NOT an assumption made by pluralist theory?
Groups don't always play by the 'rules of the game'
Which U.S. government agency handles most of the federal housing programs?
Housing and Urban Development
Which of the following is NOT a mechanism for political change?
Bialignment
To show that not all people in a political party have to agree on an issue, which of the following is an example of a group of Democrats who disagree with the majority of the party on fiscal policy?
Blue Dog Democrats
For three quarters in a row, economic growth increased by 3%, 5% and 7%. As it was close to the election, the government did not try to stabilize the growth. In the last quarter of the year, the economy drastically fell by 5%. Which of the following best describes such an occurrence?
Boom and bust cycle
The president wants a brand new aircraft carrier as commander-in-chief, but Congress doesn't. Congress doesn't agree with the president's plan and thinks his actions should not be carried out. How can Congress stop him?
By denying funding
How does the court system monitor the bureaucracy?
By making sure that the bureaucracy follows the law and protecting citizens from bureaucratic abuses
The President of The United States of America receives a bill. Which of these is a way the President veto the bill?
By not signing it within a ten day period when Congress happens to adjourn within those ten days.
How does Congress hold the bureaucracy accountable?
By passing laws that affect the bureaucracy
The Governor of Illinois decides he'd like to raise the minimum wage in his state. Before releasing any other information, his press secretary tweets: 'Governor to help millions by supporting wage increase.' This is an example of _____.
Immediate connection
Brian watched a television news report about conflicts in Iraq. Before this, he didn't know much about this issue. This is an example of which media role?
Informing
Which of the following is correct regarding redistricting?
It is the process of drawing new district lines after the apportionment process is over.
Which of the following is NOT true about how the government protects the U.S. economy?
It primarily uses monetary policy to avoid boom and bust cycles
Why is a strong economy important to national security?
It provides resources to support national security and also provides economic security to the population.
When the Supreme Court declared that the states did not have the right to regulate interstate commerce, they were practicing which principle?
Judicial nationalism
Sometimes judges and justices interpret statutes or the Constitution strictly, emphasizing the limited nature of the court's power. This is known as:
Judicial restraint
The Supreme Court has the power to declare laws unconstitutional. This power is known as:
Judicial review
Which of the following BEST describes a function of local government?
Local governments are responsible for organizing and running entities such as law enforcement, libraries, parks and city utilities.
Which of these is NOT a commonly cited institutional barrier to participation in the political process?
Long voting lines
How would the Federal Reserve implement an expansionary monetary policy?
Lowering the reserve rate
Which president advocated the Great Society?
Lyndon B. Johnson
Which of the following is a strategy that requires the utilization of WMDs?
MAD
Which Medicare program provides coverage for prescription drugs?
Medicare Part D
In general, which of the following is NOT correct concerning how politics and regulation intersect?
Newer regulatory agencies have a more narrow scope.
The _____ act made Jim Crow laws illegal, and was passed in _____.
Civil Rights; 1964
Which of the following was an unnecessary foreign policy objective of the U.S. after the end of the Cold War?
Containment
There are many reasons why people choose to participate in the political process. Which of the reasons listed is NOT a commonly cited reason why people choose to participate?
Contentment
What are the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines categorized as?
Conventional Forces
With this system, federal and state government responsibilities are highly intertwined. The government entities worked together to administer social programs. This best describes which of the following?
Cooperative federalism
What type of analysis is commonly used in the selection and implementation step of creating public policy?
Cost-benefit analysis
When choosing whether or not to vote, we assume voters weigh the sacrifices against the advantages, which is known as:
Cost-benefit analysis
John is talking to a coworker in the state legislature office who is complaining that what started as a joint project of the state and federal government is completely dependent upon federal funding. Thus, this project is completely dependent upon the federal government. What is this an example of?
Creative federalism
There is a series of anti-drug TV ads that are part of a larger crime-prevention campaign. Which policy is that campaign associated with?
Criminal justice
The president is attempting to resolve a very sensitive matter regarding Turkey. He has had some difficulties with Congress and knows that they probably won't support his plans. Which of the following is an action he can NOT implement to resolve the crisis?
Declare war
Which of the following is a likely goal of a foreign government interest group?
Decreasing tariffs between the U.S. and South Korea
A general is preparing to hold military exercises in order to display the arsenal the United States has at its disposal. What policy is this most associated with?
Defense policy
Tamara explains to her little sister that in the U.S. citizens take part in the government through their elected representatives. What key American concept is Tamara explaining?
Democracy
Block grants from the federal government are given to the states, which have discretionary power on how to use the funds. This describes:
Devolution
Which landmark court case expressly stated that the Second Amendment allows individual citizens to keep and bear arms?
District of Columbia v. Heller
What type of jurisdiction applies to cases between residents of different states?
Diversity jurisdiction
A significant problem in one district is that only 7% of small businesses export products. This loss in revenue causes many of them to declare bankruptcy in the first three years of starting their business. A policymaker is trying to evaluate the impact of increasing the export capacity of small businesses. Which of the following is a key question the policymaker should ask in evaluating the project?
Does the selected solution solve the problem?
Which of the following was the first system of federalism in the United States?
Dual federalism
Which of the following does NOT describe a political party?
Only has an opinion on one central issue
How would you define closed voting in primary elections?
Only voters registered with that particular political party may vote.
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has commenced an investigation into certain activities of the Central Intelligence Agency. What authority grants the Senate this power?
Oversight Power
We can't expect everyone to vote. However, if everyone stops believing in the power of voting, the democratic process ceases. This is an example of which principle?
Paradox of participation
Because of federalism, more people have the opportunity to take part in our government and in our nation's decision making. This value is known as:
Participation
Which of the following contributed to the Americans with Disabilities Act becoming a law in 1990?
Protests against inaccessible public transportation and lack of representation of disabled persons in the legislature and education
Which of the following is NOT a goal of the U.S. government that can be accomplished by fiscal policy?
Providing moderate long-term interest rates
The host of a popular daytime radio show ignores his guest's use of profanity during their lively on-air conversation. This violates the FCC's _____.
Public Decency Standards
Sally knows the presidential election is this Tuesday, but she's not sure where to go to vote. She checks an article in her local newspaper and then finds directions using the Internet. This is an example of which media role?
Public educator
Which of the following is an example of a political scandal?
Richard Nixon using the FBI and CIA in order to illegally monitor the conversations of his political opponents
The right to keep and bear arms is included in which amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
Second
Thomas lives in a multi-party system with proportional representation. He is thinking of some of the advantages and disadvantages of living in such a system. What might he consider to be an advantage?
People are better able to vote in accordance with their complex individual belief systems.
Based on the assumption that Saddam Hussein's regime possessed WMDs, the U.S.-led attack on Iraq is one of the most common examples of _____.
Preemptive defense
Which of the following was NOT a U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War?
Preemptive war doctrine
Which of the following positions has a term limit of two terms?
President
What does 'PAS' stand for?
Presidential appointments with Senate confirmation
Mary is one of the president's secretaries. People often refer to her as one of the PA's. What does that stand for?
Presidential appointments without Senate confirmation
You are watching a documentary about Congress. One of the phrases you often hear is 'term of Congress'. As you don't know a lot about politics, you want to find out more. Which of the following will you probably discover?
That a term of Congress is divided into two separate sessions, one for each year Congress is serving.
Why are governmental powers shared between the federal government and state governments?
The U.S. Constitution created federalism.
You have plenty of responsibilities regarding the stability of the political and legal system of the United States. Formally, one of your tasks is nominating federal judges. Which of the following are you?
The U.S. President.
Which of the following interpreted the Second Amendment to apply to the states as well as the federal government in 2010?
The U.S. Supreme Court
The middle level of the federal court system is comprised of:
The U.S. circuit courts
The lower level of the federal court system is comprised of:
The U.S. district courts
Thomas is a member of Congress from Ohio's second district. He wants to introduce a bill that will provide emergency support for Ohio, which needs help due to a flood. Which is the first obstacle his bill must pass?
The committee
Why did the framers of the U.S. Constitution include a provision making it difficult to remove a judge from his or her job?
The framers wanted the courts to have freedom from influence by politics.
An incumbent Congressman received 200 letters from people in his district where they questioned why he voted for a bill that increased taxes. He has sent personal letters to all of them to explain his stance on the issue, as well as to 800 other people in his district, without having to pay postage. This is an example of which of the following?
The franking privileges
What is the name of the election where the general voting public chooses between political parties' presidential nominees?
The general election
In which of the following is voter turnout generally higher?
The general election, because the results are more important.
When a presidential decision is made in the best interests of the nation, that decision should best benefit which of the following?
The general public
A member of Congress is talking to a friend and says: 'My main goal is to get reelected. After that, it's making sure my party is behind me. Only after that do I plan on introducing new laws in the House.' The member of Congress had to resign after that statement was made public. What should he have had as his first priority?
The primary purpose of a member of Congress is introducing new laws.
A researcher wants to know the public's opinion about a new government regulation. He chooses to poll ten people that he finds eating together at a restaurant. Which of the following statements is true about this poll?
The poll will have a sampling error.
The president made a speech in which he said: 'Our great nation will do everything possible to find a peaceful solution. I will personally speak to anyone willing to come to the table and try to find a compromise in order to avoid further conflict, even by issuing any executive order that might help the process. But if no compromise is achieved, I will be forced to commence military actions and declare war as these are clearly not people who can be reached by rational argument.' Which of the elements contained within this speech is NOT a reflection of the president's powers?
The power to declare war
With what we know about trends in U.S. environmental policies throughout the 21st century, which of these administrations is MOST likely to acknowledge the legitimacy of the science on climate change?
The president favors regulation of major energy industries as a way to force compliance with environmental standards.
A foreign country complains that you are emitting excessive greenhouse gases and not taking into account environmental sustainability. Which of the following could be used to defend your rule over your territory?
The principle of total sovereignty
A criminal defendant cannot afford the services of an attorney nor act as her own legal counsel. What recourse does she have under her procedural rights?
The right to be represented by an attorney despite an inability to pay
Modern day advocates for people with disabilities continue to focus on all of the following goals EXCEPT:
The right to marry others with disabilities
Why did the Revolutionary War break out in 1775 and which document officially ended the Revolutionary War in 1783?
The war was spawned by the Patriot movement, with an initial goal of fighting for the rights of colonists. The war ended after the ratification of the Treaty of Paris.
Any political party outside of the established Republican and Democratic parties is referred to as a(n):
Third party
What do political parties and interest groups have in common?
They are both formally organized groups.
Which of these is a feature of lower state courts?
They are courts of general jurisdiction
Who were the plaintiffs in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954?
Thirteen parents on behalf of their children
Which of the following is a characteristic of state constitutions?
They are regularly replaced and amended.
What is a major criticism of price guarantees?
They encourage overproduction
Why was freedom of religion so important to the original European settlers to the U.S.?
They had been persecuted religiously in their own countries.
Which of the following is NOT a popularly cited reason why eligible voters choose not to vote?
They had problems with voter registration
What was one of the reasons that the original British colonists left Europe for America?
They wanted the right to speak publicly and freely about their political opinions without fear of severe punishment
How would the public LIKELY vote in a congressional election if the economy is performing poorly under a 'conservative' Congress?
They will vote for the opposition party
Why must a candidate file a statement of candidacy?
To set up a campaign committee to raise and spend funds on campaigning.
Which of the following cases would be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court?
Two states in a dispute over water rights from a river that flows between them
All of the following are social insurance programs in the United States, EXCEPT:
Welfare
Identify in which of the following cases you wouldn't be able to donate as much money as a result of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002:
You are a banker and you want to give the national party of your choice money for activities not subject to federal limits, also known as soft money.
There are currently around 865 federal judges. You are a journalist and believe that one of them is highly corrupt. How should you try to remove him from office?
You should voice your arguments against him, hoping that he will resign in shame or that an impeachment process will be started.
Which case stated that amendments to the U.S. Constitution implied a right to privacy?
Your Answer Griswold v. Connecticut
Sarah can't help but feel that her vote in the upcoming election really isn't going to count for anything. To her, the whole election process seems rigged in favor of the rich. She's decided it's just not worth participating in the election. Sarah's situation illustrates nonparticipation stemming from _____.
alienation
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that _____.
all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights
Hispanics gained the right to have voting information in Spanish via _____.
an amendment to the Voting Rights Act of 1965
African Americans and women _____.
are not the only minority groups fighting for civil rights in the U.S.
The Supreme Court has decided that the federal law stating that smoking in public is not permitted is in line with the constitution. Can the state of California still allow smoking in public?
No, because a state law cannot go against an existing federal law.
Juan wants to know the opinion of the college student population regarding the use of student loans to cover college costs. In order to do this, he decides to ask eight of his closest friends what they think about the topic. Will the results of this poll be valid?
No, because he did not choose a representative sample.
You are a candidate for a congressional seat in Ohio. The president is up for reelection and wants to campaign with you. His current approval ratings are around 20%, and he just enacted a very unpopular tax reform. Should you call him to give a speech at one of your campaign rallies?
No, you should try to distance yourself from the president's bad performance and indicate the strengths of your own program.
The president decides that Freddie would make a great U.S. ambassador to France. What should the president do in order to make Freddie the ambassador to France?
Nominate Freddie and then do what he can to promote Freddie in hopes that the Senate will confirm Freddie.
Congress is currently NOT responsible for which of the following?
Nominating Supreme Court judges
How many votes does a candidate need to have in order to become a member of the U.S. Senate?
None of the answers are correct
Which of the following members of the U.S. judiciary branch does NOT serve a life term?
None of the answers are correct.
Which of the following is correct?
None of the theories completely explain the current state of American politics
You are a respected member of the community who has volunteered at the local dog shelter for many years. You minored in political science and have an M.B.A. in economics. You decide you want to run for political office. As you have been working as a teacher, you don't have that much money, nor connections to donors. Which of the following is a factor that might hamper your campaign?
Not having the funds to finance your campaign may be a significant problem
A key American belief is that citizens are in partnership with their government. Within this relationship, the government guarantees rights to the citizens, and the citizens have responsibilities to the government. This belief about our political system is called _____.
civic duty
The Necessary and Proper Clause empowers Congress with the ability to make all laws that are necessary and proper for carrying into execution the laws that are enumerated in the Constitution. This is where we derive the _____ of Congress.
implied powers
A bill may be introduced _____.
in either the House of Representatives or the Senate
The privacy right of marriage would not necessarily protect _____.
incarcerated criminals
Tom receives a tax credit for installing solar panels on his home. This is an example of _____ regulation.
incentive
The set of ideals and positions a political party has are called its _____.
political platform
The process by which people form their ideas about politics is known as _____.
political socialization
The president is up for reelection and is disappointed in a recent survey indicating that just 50% of the public perceived him as honest and trustworthy --- down from a 70% rating three years ago. He knows he is seen unfavorably by the media. The president needs to work on his _____.
public image
In 2012, a majority of the citizens of Puerto Rico voted for statehood. Based on this information we can infer that in Puerto Rico the _____ is that statehood is the best political status for the island.
public opinion
Government-set objectives relating to the health, welfare and safety of a population and the actions taken to achieve those objectives are covered by _____.
public policy
Brown v. Board of Education involved the issue of _____.
race-based equal protection
All of the following are ways that the Federal Reserve can affect the money supply except _____.
raising and lowering tax rates
The government's restriction and control over business practices is called _____.
regulatory policy
You have been asked to summarize the effect of The Pendleton Act of 1883 for a class presentation. Basically, you will describe how The Pendleton Act:
replaced the spoils system with a selection process based on merit.
Under the procedural right to a jury trial, selection of the jurors _____.
should return an anonymous jury of the defendant's peers
In 1789, government bureaucracy in the United States was _____.
small, with only three departments staffed by a few men
A measure of an individual's or a family's economic and social position based on education, income and occupation is called _____.
socioeconomic status
A bureaucrat is defined as _____.
someone who works in a bureaucracy
Over the course of U.S. history, the balance of power between the federal government and the states has _____.
swung back and forth between the federal government and the states as the Supreme Court has changed
Sunshine Solar receives a $2,000 reduction on its federal taxes for each solar-energy installation it performs. This is an example of a _____.
tax credit
The right to remain silent implies _____.
that the defendant is protected from testifying against himself
A U.S. student who wanted to consult a document outlining our civil liberties would consult:
the Bill of Rights.
The Supreme Court is charged with protecting our civil liberties via _____.
the Constitution.
The birth of the two-party political system happened with the formal emergence of _____.
the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
The roots of today's federal public assistance programs originated during _____.
the Great Depression
The American bureaucracy implements the _____ and _____ made by elected officials.
laws, policies
The formal structure and organization of a political party is _____ than that of a Fortune 500 company.
less rigid
Marge is running for public office. Her opponent suggests (falsely) on the evening news that Marge used state money to fund her personal vacation. Her opponent's accusation is an example of _____.
libel
The notion of a separation of powers and the system of checks and balances promoted by the U.S. Constitution are two examples of _____ in the United States.
limited government
The jurisdiction of U.S. federal courts is _____.
limited to cases that challenge the constitutionally-reserved power of the federal government
An interest group is an organized group of individuals with common _____ who are actively trying to influence policy makers.
objectives
People who influence the opinions of others by openly and publicly expressing their ideas are known as _____.
opinion leaders
Several members of Congress noted that a government agency was working far below its correct level of efficiency. They decided to significantly decrease its budget and were supported by a majority of Congress. This is an example of _____.
oversight
The theory that states that society is divided along class lines and the only group with real power is the upper class is known as _____.
elitist theory
The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution conferred citizenship upon birth, an act that protected the rights of newly freed slaves. This and other Amendments ensure the _____ of U.S. citizens.
equality
Overregulation is usually a result of the government wishing to promote _____.
equity
In a direct democracy, _____.
every member of the society participates directly in the political process
The U.S. Supreme Court decides issues related to the division of _____ and _____ powers.
federal; state
If potential congressional candidates perceive that national forces like economic performance are not favorable, then _____
good candidates may not run.
Under the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution, the right to a speedy trial _____.
guarantees that the defendant has to be publicly tried without unnecessary delay
The state of the economy refers to:
how healthy the country's finances are as a whole and how a person views their personal finances
The beliefs, values and principles that serve as a guide for a country's conduct abroad are known as national _____.
ideals
Sabotage, vandalism, wiretapping, forgery, and any act of terrorism are all considered to be _____, a last resort that is highly discouraged.
illegal participation
Mark wants to run for city council but he needs 200 signatures in order to be placed on the ballot. Mark doesn't have time to get 200 people to sign, so he has 20 friends each sign the petition 10 times. This is an example of:
illegal participation.
The incentive that banks offer in return for use of a depositor's money is called _____.
the interest rate
Article I of the Constitution establishes _____.
the legislative branch of the government, the Congress.
Lobbyists are members of _____.
None of the answers are correct
Which of the following individuals is associated with new federalism?
Ronald Reagan
What event brought an end to the bipolar world that existed during the Cold War?
The collapse of the Soviet Union
The ruling of Brown v. Board of Education resulted in all of the following EXCEPT _____.
The end of inequality and racial prejudice in the workplace
Which of the following rights for women is the only one protected by the U.S. Constitution?
The right to vote
Bureaucratic agencies _____.
can be subject to legal action
The rate banks pay to borrow money from the Fed is called the _____ rate.
discount
The citizens of the U.S. represent many different cultures, races, ethnicities and religions. This principle of American political culture is known as _____.
diversity
The federal government's use of taxation and spending policies to affect overall business activity is called _____.
fiscal policy
All of the following parties can appeal the decision of a federal trial EXCEPT _____.
the government, after a verdict of not guilty
A candidate is:
the person running for political office
The right of same-sex couples to receive federal benefits was granted _____.
when the Defense of Marriage Act was struck down
The first birth control clinic opened in _____ in New York and focused on women's health and reproductive rights. This laid the foundation for _____.
1916; Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Which amendment made the Bill of Rights applicable to the states?
14th
The number of seats apportioned to a particular state is currently being reevaluated. This occurs every ten years. What is the basis for this process?
A decennial census
Which of the following recipients is likely entitled to SSI benefits?
A disabled person
Which of the following describes a law that does not violate the Free Exercise Clause?
A law prohibiting polygamy
Which of the following describes a law that does not violate the Establishment Clause?
A law requiring the state to provide textbooks to all students regardless of whether they attend a religious school or not
During the years in between national conventions, who takes care of national party business?
A national committee
Which of the following is associated with bias by selection of sources?
A news outlet produces a story about a divisive issue, quoting only people who support one side of the issue.
How is a decision made in the Federal Court of Appeals?
A panel of three judges reviews the case and renders a decision
In the race for your congressional district seat, David Jones won 300,000 votes, which was 45% of the total vote, Mark Thompson won 298,000 votes, which was 44% of the total vote, and John Ceder won 20,000 votes, which was 11% of the total vote. For the next term, David Jones will represent your district in Congress. Evidently, your district uses which of the following electoral systems?
A plurality
Which of the following is NOT an example of broadcast media?
A politician speaks to a gathering of people during a campaign.
Which of the following requires Senate approval?
A treaty
How would you describe the political party system of the United States?
A two-party system.
Which of the following is a case of affirmative action?
A university offers a number of scholarships that are only available to African-American or Latino students
Which of the following is political participation?
All of these are political participation
Which of the following can influence public opinion?
All of these can influence public opinion
Which of the following are functions of third parties?
Address new issues and take away votes from one party candidate or another
The president wants to pass one of his appointments in the Senate. What is this process called?
Advice and consent
The Federal Reserve has noticed that expenditures are decreasing and that the number of loans requested has decreased significantly. What will they aim to do to increase the number of loan requests?
Aim for the market to have moderate long-term interest rates
Which of the following encompasses the national security interest?
All of the answers are correct
Which of the following is a potential hazard that the bureaucracy can run into as it goes about its daily routine?
All of the answers are correct
Which of the following is a characteristic of a bureaucracy?
All of the answers are correct.
Which of the following is an example of how interest groups achieve their goals?
All of the answers are correct.
Which of the following is part of the national interest?
All of the answers are correct.
Which of the following represents a disadvantage for smaller political parties in a plurality system?
All of the answers are correct.
Why is trade fundamental to national security policy?
All of the answers are correct.
Which of the following is an example of an equity goal?
All of the choices are correct.
Which of the following was established by Article I of the United States Constitution?
All of the choices are correct.
How can a third party in politics be formed?
All of these answers are correct
Which of the following was a component of post-Cold War foreign policy?
All of these answers are correct
In order to run as an Independent candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, the candidate must _____
All of these are correct
Which of the following is FALSE regarding campaign financing?
An individual can spend up to $32,400 on his/her own political campaign each year.
_____ are typically retained by a presidential candidate during election season to cull a public image that will connect with the voters.
Analysts
Which two presidents ushered in the formation of the second evolution of the two-party system in the United States?
Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams
What's the best description of a special interest group?
Any group, person or entity that seeks to influence government policy to align with the group's narrow interests.
Which of the following statements is true?
Approximately 1 in 10 Americans are part of the federal bureaucracy.
Congress has the authority to lay and collect taxes from the American people. Which of the following provides Congress with that capacity?
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution
A Democratic President has finished their two terms in office. The Democratic nominee is considering whether to invite the current president on the campaign trail. How should the nominee BEST make this decision?
Based on the incumbent's performance.
Paul the policymaker believes that the main problem of his community is the very high number of drug users. He thinks the cause of the problem is that many police officers turn a blind eye to recreational drug use. Why is this an example of problem identification?
Because a policymaker has defined the issue and has an understanding of the cause of the issue.
A political action committee (PAC) is supporting the congressional race of a major political party. It has spent over $50,000 on negative advertisement against the other candidates. It's donated over $2,000 to a candidate in New Hampshire and over $10,000 to a candidate in Florida. It has also directly donated $12,500 to the party it supports. Why did this PAC break the law?
Because it donated more than $5,000 to a candidate.
Why doesn't a non-incumbent have as much success with media appearances as an incumbent?
Because it looks like he is campaigning
John Stanford is a Democratic candidate in the 2020 Presidential election. Thomas, a Republican, wants to vote for him because of John's recent speech in which he indicated that, if elected, he would make sure that the number of incidents involving the use of automatic weapons would decrease. Which of the following best describes why Thomas chose to vote for John?
Because of John's stance towards a political issue which, in this case, is gun control.
Your friend, James, considers himself a Republican. In the last presidential election, he voted for the candidate of the Democratic Party. Why is this an odd occurrence?
Because party identification usually leads to 90% of people voting for the party they support.
Several reporters approach the governor as he exits a meeting. They shout questions, asking about his plan to deal with prison overcrowding. He replies, 'I don't have time for this.' One reporter prints that the governor isn't concerned about prison overcrowding and won't make the time to correct the issue. Why is this an example of bias by spin?
Because the reporter interpreted an objective fact in a subjective manner
Jack is an environmental activist. One of his closing lines at a rally was, 'Both the president and Congress should strive to do more for the environment. They should stay clear of interest groups that are preventing progress and actively funding the re-election of any legislator who will say that global warming is a myth.' Why was it correct for Jack to mention these people and institutions?
Because they are all key players in the development of environmental policy.
Jane is a presidential adviser in the time of the 2008 Global Economic Crisis. The president is asking her if he should use fiscal policy in an attempt to combat the effects of the crisis. Why does she likely tell him yes?
Because using fiscal policy can be effective during a time of heavy recession.
Thomas Smith is a teacher in a country that has a parliamentary political system. He thinks that he could make a difference in Parliament. Which of the following can place him in the position to campaign for a seat in Parliament?
Being selected by a major political party
Which chamber of Congress must approve a bill?
Both the Senate and the House
Legislative gridlock, in which a lack of coordination and cooperation between parties hinders governmental progress, happens in which type of political system?
Both two-party and multi-party political systems.
A union member is unsatisfied with the function of bureaucracy in the U.S. He has written to the president, Congress and the courts, hoping that they can somehow manage to increase the level of bureaucratic accountability. Which of them should he NOT have contacted as they have no impact on bureaucratic accountability?
Bureaucratic accountability is the responsibility of all of these divisions of government.
Which of the following hypothetical candidates meets the constitutional qualifications for president?
Businessman Walter Schwartz, age 45, was born in the United States to an American-born mother and a Canadian father. He has resided in the U.S. for 15 years.
How does command and control regulation limit the amount of pollution emitted by a coal-burning plant every year?
By subjecting the coal-burning plant to fines and closure if it emits pollutants beyond the maximum limit given.
The U.S. federal government is divided into three branches, with each branch responsible for fulfilling specific governmental needs while remaining dependent on the other two. Moreover, each branch has the authority to review and restrain the operations of the other two branches. This is known as:
Checks and balances
In an interview, a candidate was asked about his religious views and replied: 'I represent the largest religious group in the United States.' If the candidate was correct, which religion does he belong to?
Christianity
Larry sues his homeowner's association because they told him he couldn't fly his American flag. Larry believes this is a violation of his 1st Amendment rights. Larry loses in district court and asks for his case to be reviewed. What kind of court will hear his case?
Circuit court
Which of the following is NOT an example of the way democracy is exercised in the modern political system of the United States?
Citizens selecting a Supreme Court justice
This is an obligation that is social, not legal, to participate in the political process.
Civic responsibility
Rights provided to everyone, no matter their race, religion, or sexual orientation, are called:
Civil Rights
The _____ Movement focused on the rights of African Americans.
Civil Rights
You're a journalist who researched and wrote an article about the unrealistically large budgets of several government agencies. Due to the fact that your article was read by a great deal of people, the government had to react. Who was responsible for conducting the hearing that eventually resulted from your research?
Congress
Which of the following statements is true?
Congress creates bureaucratic agencies and departments and enables them to act, especially through funding.
Which of these is a major difference between Congress and Parliament when creating a law?
Congress has a harder time passing laws.
Which of the following is a party committee in Congress that provides funds to members and would-be-members in Congress?
Congressional campaign committee
What are the members of the Electoral College called?
Electors
Our Bill of Rights evolved from laws in which country?
England
Throughout the 21st century, what has consistently been the United States' public stance on environmental issues?
Environmental issues are a major priority.
Which of the following are the two phases and the two turning points of the business cycle?
Expansion and recession, peak and trough
Which of the following should the government use when it wants to increase demand for goods?
Expansionary fiscal policy.
All of the following answer choices accurately describe the concept of freedom of the press EXCEPT:
Freedom of the press has not changed in context or content since it was first created
The final evolution of the two-party political system happened during the term of which U.S. President?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Which of these Supreme Court decisions would be considered judicial activism?
Going against precedent and ruling that unlimited corporate contributions to political candidates is in the nation's best interests
Which of the following does NOT describe an interest group?
Has members who do not have to agree on all issues
Thomas is polling people in his state to get a sense of their general political views. He polls all of the shoppers that exit an upscale furniture store. How could Thomas change his polling tactics in order to reduce sampling errors?
He could poll in a location that attracts a more diverse group of shoppers.
What is one of the reasons an incumbent has better success with fundraising?
He has connections with donors.
A Democratic president is trying to pass a law that will increase restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions. He has the support of the general public and thinks that the law should pass Congress because he has talked to key figures in the Republican Party and gained their support. However, the law fails to pass Congress. Which of the following should the president have done?
He should have made sure that he had the backing of the Democratic Party, because support from either side of Congress should not be taken for granted.
Brent is consulting with his attorney because he feels his First Amendment rights were recently infringed upon. Which of the following situations could Brent be referring to?
He was not allowed to speak at a city council hearing because of his controversial views
What is the purpose of the Federal Election Campaign Act?
It governs the financing of federal elections.
Which of the following statements is true?
In a democracy, citizens must be treated with respect and be able to voice their opinions without feeling intimidated.
Congress passed two bills concurrently due to pressure from the oil lobby and from a civil interest group. One bill enacted federal fines for excessive greenhouse gas emission, while the other increased the overall threshold of greenhouse gases each company could emit by 75%. Such contradictions best support which of the following?
Hyperpluralist theory
Which problem of bureaucracy occurs when bureaucratic agencies become little empires with the tendency to rack up costs, pursue vague goals, and outlive their usefulness?
Imperialism
Which of the following is correct?
In 2014, there were 158.6 million females in the United States. 83 served in the House and 20 in the Senate.
Where does Congress meet?
In the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
How are bills in the House of Representatives introduced differently than bills in the Senate?
In the House of Representatives, the bill is introduced by placing it in the hopper, while in the Senate, chamber leadership call on the legislator to introduce the bill.
Which of the following is a difference between the electoral systems of the U.K. and the United States?
In the U.K., the Prime Minister is chosen by the members of Parliament.
Any means of communication intended to reach a general, public audience is known as _____.
Mass media
Your grandfather is telling you a story about your ancestors. He tells you that one of your ancestors served in the Second Continental Congress. In which of the following times did your ancestor serve?
In the time of the first governing body of the U.S.
You are an adviser to the Federal Reserve. Select which of the following is a goal that monetary policy should NOT strive towards nor have influence over?
Increasing inflation indefinitely
You are having a conversation with a friend and when asked about your political affiliation, you reply: 'The same as most Americans.' This means you are affiliated with which of the following?
Independents
Who is protected by the right to keep and bear arms?
Individual citizens
Which of the following scenarios is caused specifically by the Fourteenth Amendment?
Individual states cannot pass legislation that would derail civil rights, such as a reintroduction of slavery.
Bill reads about a candidate's polling numbers on the online page of the New York Times. Which is the most specific way to describe how he gained this information?
Internet media
What is the difference between the Iron Triangle and issue networks?
Issue networks are more flexible, as members come and go as policies and issues change and evolve
Which of the following statements regarding the confrontation clause is FALSE?
It allows the defendant the right to always question his/her own witnesses
Why is divided government significant to the U.S. political system?
It allows the individual branches of government to keep the power of the other branches equally balanced and in check.
A numbered bill is taken up by committee. Which of the following is NOT true about the committee?
It always sends the bill back to chamber for voting.
What happens to economic output as measured by GDP during a recession?
It contracts for at least six months.
Which of the following describes the Separation of Powers doctrine?
It divides powers evenly between the legislative, judicial and executive branches.
Which of the following is true about current U.S. environmental policy?
It employs command and control regulations as well as incentive regulations.
Which of the following is NOT true about print media?
It includes online newspapers, social media, and other electronic journalism
Steve sues his employer in federal district court because he believes the employer discriminated against him, thereby violating his constitutional rights. Why is this an example of original jurisdiction?
It involves federal law.
Which of the following statements is correct regarding a primary?
It is a preliminary election used to determine a party's nominee for a specific office.
Which of the following is true about the right to privacy?
It is constantly changing.
Which of the following is NOT correct regarding a multi-party system?
It is more likely that the will of the majority will dominate over that of minority groups.
Why is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 especially important?
It is the first U.S. civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities
How did the Supreme Court react to the FEC limits on corporate funding of independent political broadcasts?
It struck down the limits, claiming they violated freedom of speech.
A pollster asks you, 'Are you in favor of the death penalty for serial killers?' What's wrong with this public opinion polling question?
It's not objectively worded.
_____ laws made racial segregation legal.
Jim Crow
The effectiveness of a president's image is typically gauged through the use of which of the following?
Job approval ratings
Linda asked her father who he thought was the best U.S. president. Her father insisted that the greatest president was also the most popular during the time he served. Which of the following presidents is he referring to?
John F. Kennedy
Which of the following presidents, who served during the second evolution of the two-party system, was largely supported by banking and commercial interests?
John Quincy Adams
This is a statistical measurement of how accurately the results of a poll reflect the real views of the population.
Margin of error
Barry has been chosen to give a presentation on the American belief in the right to be free as long as another's rights aren't harmed. A good term for Barry's topic is _____.
Liberty
Mary decides she'd like to run for mayor. She posts the information on Facebook along with an offer for a free newsletter subscription to anyone who clicks the thumbs up button. Within a few hours, she sees that her approach has been widely successful. Mary is attempting to bring positive attention to her run for office through _____.
Liking
Which of the following is an example of the watchdog role of the media?
Linking President Richard Nixon to the Watergate burglary scandal.
Interest groups exert their influence by engaging in what type of practice?
Lobbying
Which of the following was the initial focus of the civil rights movement for disabled persons?
Making public places physically accessible to people with disabilities
The ability of the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down legislation that is unconstitutional was confirmed in:
Marbury v. Madison
All of the following statements are correct, EXCEPT:
National ideals, missions and national interests are always in sync.
The U.S. government is revising its policy against terrorism, cyber-warfare and other external threats. Which of the following best describes this policy?
National security policy
You are at a lecture where someone says: ''The members of Congress are representatives of the American peoples' religious views, background, and opinions.'' Which of the following differentiates the general public from members of Congress?
On average, more members of Congress have a college degree.
Keith is a potential candidate for spot on the Supreme Court. Where should he focus his lobbying efforts in order to reach the office he desires?
On both the president and Senate
What term best describes the members of the president's political party?
Partisan constituency
Revenue used to fund social insurance programs in the United States is generally funded by which of the following?
Payroll taxes
If you were an attorney working on the Brown v. Board of Education case, you would need to refer to the previous U.S. Supreme Court ruling on school segregation, which was _____.
Plessy v. Ferguson
What was the effect of Plessy v. Ferguson on the Equal Protection Clause?
Plessy v. Ferguson weakened the influence of the Equal Protection Clause, due to the fact that it permitted segregation and codified the 'separate but equal' doctrine.
A system of beliefs that is used to justify a policy action is called what?
Political ideology
The U.S. President wants the Armed Forces to support peacekeeping efforts in the Central African Republic. A civil war is currently being fought there, and the Security Council of the U.N. has given permission for an intervention. If the president agrees to support this effort, he is MOST likely acting to accomplish a(n) _____.
Political objective
Which of the following is a term for a group of dedicated people who come together to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy?
Political parties
Which of the following is characteristic of a political party's organization and structure?
Political parties are organized in a less rigid manner than most Fortune 500 companies
Businesses that measure public opinion through strategic methods are known as:
Polling organizations
This doctrine says that the source of governmental power comes from the will of the people. As such, self-government stems from this doctrine:
Popular sovereignty
Which of the following is an example of an efficiency goal?
Preventing one company from setting a price without having to face competitors.
Which of the following is contrary to the Democratic party's educational policy preferences?
Privatization of student loan financing
You live in a country where the number of legislative seats allocated to each political party is determined according to the vote percentages won by each political party in an election. What is this system of representation called?
Proportional representation
Connor used to work in the law office of one of the presidential candidates. Connor thinks the candidate is unethical and doesn't want them to be elected. Connor writes a letter expressing his opinion and posts it to his Facebook page and his Twitter feed. This is an example of which media role?
Public voice
If the government wants to pull the country out of a period of heavy recession they should do all of the following EXCEPT:
Raise taxes and decrease government spending
Which general principle assumes that people make logical decisions that provide them with the greatest benefit in their best self-interest?
Rational choice theory
What happens to real GDP, prices and unemployment at the peak of a business cycle?
Real GDP grows, prices rise, and unemployment is low.
Your grandfather is telling you that he thinks there needs to be a change in the way the Republican Party is approaching the electorate. He is telling you about how it was done in the past when many voters switched party allegiance, which caused long-term shifts in the political process. What process is your grandfather describing?
Realignment
In the United States, debates about environmental policies are most often connected to debates about _____.
Regulation
Many environmental issues have become partisan issues in the United States, including _____ versus _____.
Renewable energy; traditional extraction-based energy
Supreme Court justices and federal judges are appointed for life terms. However, these appointments are conditioned upon which of the following?
Serving with good behavior
All of the following are ways that the U.S. government promotes the economic interests of businesses, EXCEPT:
Setting up heavy regulations
Callie is browsing her Facebook feed. She notices that several of her friends are sharing articles from an organization called The Society for the Rehumanization of American Music. She goes to the organization's website and realizes she agrees with what they have to say about bringing imagination and soul back to modern music. Callie starts supporting and promoting their efforts. Callie's political attitude has been shaped through _____.
Sharing
What historical issue destroyed the Whig/Democratic party system?
Slavery
A presidential candidate called John Smith sends most of his messages through Twitter. He also tries to maintain an active account on Facebook. These are his two main ways of communicating with voters. This means that he primarily relies on which of the following?
Social media
Which of the following policies is primarily focused on the general welfare of a country's citizens?
Social policy
All of the following governmental departments are part of a municipality EXCEPT:
Tax assessor
_____ reduce the amount of taxable income a business has to report.
Tax deductions
In order to file a lawsuit, a group must show that it has enough connection to the case to support its participation as a party to the case. This is known as having:
Standing
Which of the following statements is true?
State constitutions preceded the United States Constitution
Which of the following principles is used when the courts look to the legislative history of a statute in order to determine what the legislative body intended when they passed the law?
Statutory interpretation
Which one of the following is NOT a weapon of mass destruction?
Stealth Bombers
James believes that the best way for the country to move forward is to ensure sustainable development and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, he has petitioned for a hearing with the Supreme Court to question whether several laws that increase the limits of greenhouse gas emission for large companies are constitutional. What is this an example of?
Strategic litigation
Joan is a fourteen-year-old who has not worked a day in her life. Her parents recently died. They both worked. What social insurance benefit is available to her?
Survivors insurance benefits
The National Women Suffrage Association was founded by:
Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
You are writing an essay about the history of slavery in the U.S. Which of the following will you note as the amendment that ended slavery?
The 13th Amendment
Why should American citizens expect to deal with the consequences of their actions even as they are considered to be sovereign in their own lives?
The American belief in individual responsibility
How is the Americans with Disabilities Act related to the Rehabilitation Act?
The Americans with Disabilities Act is based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
The president is considering who will serve as a Supreme Court justice. Which clause gives them this right?
The Appointments Clause
Which of the following documents served as our nation's first constitution?
The Articles of Confederation
Economists recognize that the economy doesn't grow smoothly, but in regular patterns. Which of these terms best describes this?
The Business Cycle
The transition from the second evolution of our two-party system (Whigs and Democrats) to the current system of Democrats and Republicans began just prior to what war?
The Civil War
Because of which of the following are most governmental powers left to the states?
The Constitution's Tenth Amendment
This document established American colonists' sovereignty and independence from Great Britain:
The Declaration of Independence
What two clauses encompass the concept of separation of church and state?
The Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause
Which of the following is the BEST explanation for the largely unrestricted violence and adult content found on the Internet?
The FCC does not regulate the Internet or paid cable programming
There is a protest against the FDA. One of the protesters has stated that: ''The FDA is not accountable to the president, to the courts, to Congress and, ultimately, not even accountable to the American people.'' Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the FDA?
The FDA is accountable to the president, Congress, the courts and the American people.
Which of the original two major political parties centered around the formation of a strong centralized government?
The Federalists
If you were to write an essay on First Amendment protections, which of the following would be the BEST statement to include in your introduction?
The First Amendment protections for freedom of speech, press, and assembly are important in modern day society and have mostly remained unchanged.
If a news organization wants to do a story on the allocation of federal grant money, which of the following would be most helpful?
The Freedom of Information Act
Which historical event ushered in the final evolution of our two major political parties?
The Great Depression
What are the two bodies of Congress?
The House of Representatives and the Senate
A teacher's union is working with several members of Congress as well as the American Association for Higher Education and Accreditation in order to best determine what criteria need to be fulfilled in order for a student to enroll into college. Once they make up their mind, they will agree on a bill and try to push it through Congress. Which of the following best describes such a cooperation?
The Iron Triangle
Which of the following acts is the first modern federal environmental law?
The National Environmental Policy Act.
Why was the power of the federal government increased as a result of the New Deal?
The New Deal's ambitious social programs and additional banking and commerce regulations provided more responsibility for the federal government.
In the 1930s, President Roosevelt created a plan known as _____, which was designed to _____.
The New Deal; steady the nation's financial situation
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave American women the right to vote in 1920?
The Nineteenth Amendment
Following the Civil War and Reconstruction, how were political parties based geographically?
The Republicans dominated the North, and the Democrats dominated the South.
The United States never became a member of the League of Nations. Which of these would have had to ratify the treaty for the U.S. to join such an organization?
The Senate
John lost his case in the lower court, so he appealed and his case was heard in the appellate court. He won the case there, but the other party in the case wants to appeal. Which court will this appeal go to?
The State Supreme court
What is the stance of the United States in terms of international or multinational environmental treaties and agreements?
The United States participates in many global environmental initiatives and strives to be seen as a leader.
A congressman wants to replace one of the most significant bills regarding veteran housing. He complains that he is constantly encountering administrative difficulties, which prevent him from passing his new bill. One of the main advantages of the new bill is that it will not require money from the federal budget. What part of this situation provides an example of red tape?
The administrative barriers to passing the bill
Which of the following refers to the administrative organization that handles the day-to-day business of a government or society?
The bureaucracy
Which of the following best defines the bureaucracy?
The bureaucracy is the administrative organization that handles the day-to-day business of the government.
A survey was conducted in which voters were asked about the most important factor in deciding who they would vote for. 40% of them answered that they wanted an educated person, 24% said it was important that the candidate be truthful and candid, 22% wanted the person to be modest, and 14% said the party to which the candidate belonged was most important to them. Which of the following issues does this survey identify as the most important factor for voters?
The candidate's personal attributes
Tim Watson is one of the members of a group of Democrats that will pick the next presidential nominee. This group will decide for whom the delegates will vote for at the national party convention. What is this group called?
The caucus
Why would a defendant appeal a case to the state appellate court?
The defendant lost a case in a lower court.
Which of the following BEST defines federalism?
The division of power between the federal government and the individual state governments.
Which of the following will most likely cause an incumbent to lose a reelection battle?
The economy falling by more than 5%.
George and Al are the Republican candidates for president and vice-president. What will start at the national convention for George and Al?
The election campaign
Republicans and Democrats both agree on which of the following concerning education policy?
The end goal
Which of the following organizations do Republicans believe SHOULD NOT have much of a role in the development of elementary and secondary education policy?
The federal government
Which of the following was NOT reflected in the criticism of devolution in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005?
The federal government was primarily responsible for evacuating state residents during natural disasters
In a representative democracy, _____.
The members of a society vote for leaders to represent them in the decisions and actions of the political process.
What has the largest influence on a voter's decision?
The voter's background.
Who speaks on behalf of an entire political party on a national level?
The national chairperson
The President of the U.S. is trying to decide whether or not he should impose economic sanctions on Russia. He fears that this may increase tensions, but believes that it is the right thing to do. Which of the following should he base his decision on?
The national interest of the U.S.
Bill wants to become the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party. How would you best describe the process of securing his party's support and endorsement in the general election?
The nomination campaign
Which of the following is a current trend in American politics?
The shift in political power from the majority of voters to a few specific groups
Which of the following states is apportioned with the most seats in Congress?
The state with the highest population
Which of the following BEST illustrates the division of power in the U.S. based on federalism?
The states handle education, while the federal government administers the country's national defense
Steve was pulled over for speeding. His car was then searched, and the police found a gun that he was not permitted to have. Steve was found guilty in trial court but believes his constitutional rights were violated because the police did not have a warrant or probable cause to search his car. Although Steve's lawyer brought this up during the trial, the evidence was not presented. What must Steve's attorney prove to the Federal Court of Appeals?
The trial court made a legal error
Which of the following best describes who will be on the ballot in the main presidential election?
The winners of the various party elections, plus any official independent candidates recognized by that state.
Since the creation of the United States of America, power in Congress has bounced back and forth between the political parties. One era is especially associated with voting along party lines as well as granting increased power to the Speaker and sunshine reforms, such as open hearings. Which of the following years belongs in that era?
The year 1992
The most successful third party candidate to run for president was _____.
Theodore Roosevelt
Why can a child pornographer be charged with a crime for distributing pornographic materials even though free speech is a guaranteed civil liberty under the U.S. Constitution?
There are certain types of speech that are not protected by civil liberty.
The Equal Protection Clause required constitutional backing primarily because _____.
There were concerns that some states would ignore the Civil Rights Act of 1866 if it wasn't obligatory and supported by the Constitution
What happens when there are conflicts between the legislative and executive branch in a Parliamentary system?
There would likely be significant problems because the interconnections between the branches require cooperation.
What is the significance of the First Amendment freedom of religion clauses never having been amended?
These clauses are of supreme importance to all U.S. citizens.
How does our freedom of assembly under the First Amendment relate to U.S. elections?
This protection entails the right to peacefully assemble to express opinions or political beliefs
What is the function of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?
To investigate and impose penalties for gender and race discrimination
Which of the following people supported the formation of the Democratic-Republican party?
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
In 2018, John Wayne, a teacher, is running against 6-term and current member of Congress, Thomas Jones, for the seat in the Texas fourth congressional district. John knows he is the underdog, so he is going to have a former Texas senator, Gerard Thorne, who now owns a business company, speak during his rally. Who is the incumbent in this story?
Thomas Jones
Choose which of the following is an example of option identification as a step of the policy process?
Tim's team knows that the country's main problem is the high public debt. They are trying to determine whether they should implement austerity measures, ask for a research study to determine how to best combat the debt or ask for a loan from the International Monetary Fund.
What is the purpose of the Equal Protection Clause?
To ensure that all are granted the same treatment under the Constitution
Under federalism, 'equality' means:
Treating people in such a way that the outcome for each person can be the same
If Congress passes a law that the president believes is against good foreign policy, what's his most effective and constitutionally permissible course of action?
Veto the law
Which of the following BEST reflects an example of individualism?
Valuing individual rights above those of the government
How was the political system impacted when candidates began presenting themselves on television in the 70's?
Voters began placing a higher value on a candidate's personality
Why is incumbency an advantage in Congressional elections?
Voters know an incumbent candidate's achievements and record
In which of the following scenarios would it be a good idea for the government to implement a deflationary fiscal policy?
When the government believes that the drastic rise in the economy is not realistic or sustainable, and they fear a boom and bust scenario in the near future.
Which of the following is an example of bureaucratic conflict?
When a state government legalizes a drug that the federal government has declared illegal
Which of the following is an example of gerrymandering?
When someone manipulates district lines in order to ensure a Congressman is re-elected.
When could a party appeal a state case to the U.S. Supreme Court?
When the case involves the U.S. Constitution and the party has exhausted all state appeals
How can the president hold the bureaucracy accountable?
Working with the Office of Management and Budget to monitor the bureaucracy
A presidential candidate previously served in Congress for her state for five terms. Does she still need to be worried about name recognition?
Yes, because while her state may know her, for a presidential election, the whole country needs to know who she is.
When a party is dissatisfied with a lower court's decision and wishes to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the party must first file _____.
a Writ of Certiorari
Sometimes the states are required to follow a U.S. federal regulation in order to receive federal funding in that particular area. This rule is known as _____.
a condition of aid
During a campaign, it is much easier for _____ to deflect blame than a presidential candidate.
a congressional candidatea congressional candidate
Bureaucracy is defined as _____.
a large administrative organization that handles the day-to-day business of a government or society
The Clean Water Act, a federal law that regulates water pollution in the United States, is an example of _____.
a mandate
The Senate is discussing a treaty about greenhouse gas emission. They add a clause that would enable the United States to back out of the treaty if economic growth decreases by 1% in two successive quarters. This is an example of _____.
a reservation
The president has the authority to _____.
appoint members of the bureaucracy and reorganize the bureaucracy
Civil rights _____.
are considered the basic rights that all humans should have
Many media outlets have reported extensively on the long wait times for veterans seeking medical attention through VA hospitals. Several of those outlets neglected to cover the federal corruption and bureaucratic difficulties that led to the poor care of veterans. This is an example of _____.
bias by omission
Conservatives and liberals have very different views on healthcare reform. A news station places a story featuring the conservative point of view at the top of its newscast, while placing a short story on the liberal point of view at the end. This is an example of _____.
bias by placement
There are two ways a minor political party can be formed. One method involves being developed from scratch out of purely ideological beliefs. The other occurs when a party _____.
breaks off from one of the major political parties because of ideological differences.
Political participation that involves traditional or expected activities is known as _____.
conventional participation
Our U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights are based on principles that place emphasis on the good of the people, allowing their participation while protecting their individual rights. These principles are known as _____.
democratic principles
Due to the terrible manner in which a particular company treats animals, several interest groups are trying to organize a boycott on buying stock from this company. This is an example of _____.
indirect lobbying
Barry would normally vote in a presidential election, but this year he is attending graduate school in another state and the whole process for getting an absentee ballot seems overwhelming. Barry and many of his fellow graduate students decide they'll just skip this election. Barry's non-participation is caused by a(n) _____.
institutional barrier
With regard to civil liberty rights in modern society, the Supreme Court _____.
is continually analyzing and interpreting those rights.
The _____ branch of state government includes the entire state court system.
judicial
The government of a country says that they want to create a world with less insecurity. This is part of the country's _____.
mission
The Federal Reserve controls the growth rate of the money supply through _____.
monetary policy
A law, rule or regulation made and enforced by a city government is known as a _____.
municipal ordinance
The major gathering to set the parties' political platform as well as nominate presidential and vice presidential candidates is called the _____.
national convention
A country's pragmatic, concrete objectives are known as _____.
national interest
You are an advisor to the President of the U.S. The president is uncertain whether he should intervene in a civil war that is causing the deaths of thousands of people. You ultimately advise him that his most basic task is representing the _____ and to act accordingly.
national interest
Which of the following is the concept MOST associated with patriotism?
nationalism
A system of general political traditions, customs and beliefs is known as _____.
political culture
The common beliefs in our country, such as freedom, equality and liberty, are examples of _____.
political culture
Any choice that deals with government affairs, structure or politics is known as a _____.
political decision
When deciding how power would be divided between the federal government and the states, the guiding principle used by the framers of the Constitution was for _____.
powers not specifically granted to the federal government to belong to the states
Voter turnout is greatest in _____ elections.
presidential
When the president is perceived to be performing well:
the public perceives Congress to be performing well
The privacy right of housing protects _____.
the right of an extended family to live together
The privacy right of abortion protects _____.
the woman and the fetus at different times
In the spoils system, bureaucrats were selected based on _____.
their political loyalty and party membership
Amanda lives in a beach community. Her city is considering rezoning a strip of land on the beach to allow a high-rise condominium to be built. Amanda is against the idea since there are no other high-rise buildings in her community. She participates in a small demonstration outside the city council meeting in an attempt to get council members to vote against the proposal. This is an example of:
unconventional participation
Political participation that includes activities sometimes considered to be inappropriate, but not illegal, is called _____.
unconventional participation
The results of a 2014 Gallup poll showed that most of the electorate _____.
was moderate or conservative
Stuart failed to return a loan and is currently bankrupt. According to studies, this fact _____.
will affect the way he chooses to vote
Which statement best describes democracy?
A democracy is a type of government or political system ruled by citizens who take an active role in the political process.
Based on their voting records, a civil society group has identified seven members of Congress who always vote against political finance control. After their records are published, the media starts calling these individuals 'The Corrupt Seven'. Select which lobbying technique was used in this situation.
A direct technique
Under Article III of the Constitution, which situation would the Judicial Branch be concerned with?
A dispute between the state of Arizona and the federal government over the proper scope of a law enacted by Congress.
Which of the following is NOT considered an example of direct lobbying?
A group of citizens protests the lack of gun control laws in a major city.
John has been a teacher for 20 years and has never been a member of a labor union. He has now chosen to join the teacher's union because there is a 15% discount at the shopping store he frequents for members of the teacher's union. What motivated him to join?
A material incentive
After a long, heated debate, the U.S. Congress has managed to agree upon two final versions of a gun control bill. However, each version has several contradicting stipulations. According to majoritarianism, what would be the best way to resolve the situation?
A referendum where the American people would choose
Tom is campaigning for the California fifth district. He is attempting to speak to his entire potential constituency. One of his voters is only interested in the legalization of soft drugs and does not care about any other aspects of Tom's policy. He doesn't even care if such a policy would have a negative impact on the state. Which of the following best describes such a voter?
A single-issue voter
Which of the following is a basic principle of democracy?
All of the answers are correct
The President of the United States has broken the law by using the NSA to spy on his political opponents. He refuses to resign, but Congress has started the impeachment procedure in order to remove him from office. This is an example of which of the following?
Checks and balances
How can a proposition to amend the Constitution legally be accomplished?
By a 2/3 majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
There were several murders in Washington State. The Washington State police and attorney's office have jurisdiction there, but so does the FBI. This is due to which of the following?
Because of the federalism in the United States.
Jonas lived in the United States in 1789 and was very interested in studying all aspects of the government. Why was the time Jonas lived in classified as dual federalism?
Because the national government and state governments had responsibilities that rarely overlapped
Which of the rules governing American politics tells us that the government's powers are limited by a written and defined legal framework, which is established as the highest law in the land?
Constitutionalism
This type of government is often the largest political subdivision within the state and is responsible for locally administering state laws and collecting taxes.
County government
One major difference between county governments and municipal governments is:
County governments do not have the power to create laws; municipal governments can create their own laws.
The president of a country falls ill, passing some of the presidential authority to the vice president. This transfer of certain power describes:
Devolution
_____ refers to the practice of the federal government handing over some responsibility of federal social programs to the states to administer at their discretion.
Devolution revolution
The _____ theory of political power asserts that people who have the most resources have the most political power and make decisions for society.
Elitism
Your teacher is talking about the principles of capitalism and states: 'The main role of the government in capitalism is to ensure people have the freedom they need to buy and sell their goods and services in an open and competitive market. In doing so, the government should protect the right of anybody to own property and should protect workers. However, consumer protection is not important. Free competition will root out bad products, so the government doesn't need to protect consumers.' What did your teacher say that was NOT correct?
In capitalism, you should let the competitive market protect the consumers
Which of the following statements about the history of interest groups is FALSE?Interest groups are a relatively new phenomenon in U.S. political history
Interest groups are a relatively new phenomenon in U.S. political history
Which of the following is best suited for a capitalist system?
Moderate government intervention
This legal principle says that the states can and should refuse to enforce unconstitutional federal laws:
Nullification
Ryan is an important government official working in the legislative branch. His duties include creating state legislation that can become state law, approving the state budget, and initiating tax legislation. How are Ryan's duties related to the duties of an official in the executive branch?
Officials in the executive branch are responsible for executing the laws that are created by the officials in the legislative branch.
Which of the following theories states that political power should be held by groups?
Pluralism
Which of the following best defines the ability of individuals and groups to create and enforce policies and manage public resources?
Political power
A merchant with a headquarters in Ohio sells products online to all 50 states. Who is authorized to regulate this business?
The Federal Government
Which of the following is NOT correct concerning interest groups?
The Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 heavily regulated interest group activity
Which constitutional clause places the Constitution as the highest law in the land?
The Supremacy Clause
Who or what decides whether a state's individual laws or federal laws apply in a disputed situation?
The Supreme Court
Within your state, decisions are made every day regarding issues such as state sales tax and state allocation of funds for infrastructure. Many of these decisions do not require any federal government involvement. What amendment to the constitution explains this situation?
The Tenth Amendment
If Texas were to pass a law permitting taxation of merchants who ship goods into Texas from another state, overriding a federal law that forbids this form of taxation, what would the legal ramifications be?
The U.S. Supreme Court would strike down the law
One big issue that all interest groups face is that membership recruitment becomes a problem because the benefits they achieve can be gained without joining the group. What is this called?
The free rider problem
Which of the following refers to voter participation?
The number of voters who cast a ballot in an election
Which of the following is NOT a reason why interest groups are developed and maintained?
The passing of laws that make interest groups required for the lobbying of legislation for specific interests
A labor union is trying to push through a bill in Congress that would require a $15 minimum wage at the federal level. The Chamber of Commerce and the representatives of large corporations point out the danger of such a move. All of the groups have a certain amount of power, but in the end their influence is equal and everyone's opinion is represented. This is an example of which of the following?
The pluralist theory
The president claims that he can, through the use of executive action, assume some of the authority of Congress. He claims that Congress is moving the country in the wrong direction and that he should be the one making the laws. Which of the following would such an action breach?
The separation of powers
Identify which of the following is a trait of progressive federalism?
There is a slight shift towards reclaiming power for the federal government through the use of federally supervised programs.
The Declaration of Independence was drafted in June 1776. Name the person who led the drafting committee.
Thomas Jefferson
Why is it important for state governments to work well with the federal government?
To ensure the success of large public works projects that benefit all states.
During class, John said that the state's Supreme Court is comprised of public officials holding high ranking state positions, including the governor. Instead of the state's Supreme Court, John probably meant the _____ branch.
executive
