Gov Ch. 8 Questions

A single event in which groups of voters switch party loyalty is known as what?

A critical election is an event in which groups of voters switch party loyalty.

Which of the following would be considered an advantage of the two-party system?

A guaranteed legislative majority would be considered an advantage of the American two-party system.

Who became the first Republican president?

Abraham Lincoln became the first Republican president upon his election in 1860.

In 2014, a plurality of Americans (39 percent) identified themselves as which of the following?

According to a 2014 survey, independents outnumbered both Democrats and Republicans, with 39 percent of Americans identifying themselves that way.

The responsible party government model suggests which of the following?

According to the responsible party government model, candidates should carry out campaign promises.

Who participated in the vote to elect Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House in 2007?

All representatives in the House participated in the vote to elect Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House in 2007.

Which of the following explains the reasons for the two-party system in the United States?

Duverger's Law explains why the two-party system is entrenched in the United States.

In his farewell address, George Washington outlined his views on which of the following?

In his farewell address, George Washington outlined his views on the spirit of party as an aspect of human nature.

Who are considered the fathers of American political parties?

Jefferson and Hamilton are considered the fathers of American political parties.

Which of the following would be considered a disadvantage of the two-party system?

Limited access to third or minor parties would be considered a disadvantage of the American two-party system.

What function do minor parties serve in the political system?

Minor parties often spotlight issues ignored by the major parties.

Which parties existed at the time of the Founding?

No political parties existed at the time of the Founding.

In the 21st century, Americans have increasingly come to identify with which of the following?

Over the last decade, more and more Americans have abandoned the two major parties and identified themselves as independents.

Party activists may be described as which of the following?

Party activists may be described as contributors of resources.

Which of the following represents a notable instance of party members working across party lines?

Party members notably worked across party lines when some Southern Democrats voted to oppose health care reform.

Which of the following tasks (among others) are party workers primarily responsible for?

Party workers are responsible for raising funds, mobilizing people to vote, and conducting research on the opposition party and its candidates. They also sometimes help recruit candidates and develop political strategies.

Which of the following is true of party workers, candidates, and members?

Party workers, candidates, and members increase party influence over government.

Which part of the Constitution discusses political parties?

Political parties are not discussed in the Constitution.

President Franklin Roosevelt responded to the economic situation of the 1930s with which of the following measures (among others)?

President Franklin Roosevelt responded to the economic situation of the 1930s with public works projects (among other things like the New Deal and legislation to improve working conditions).

Since the 1950s, Republicans and Democrats have become which of the following?

Republicans and Democrats have become more polarized since the 1950s.

The "Contract from America" succeeded in doing which of the following?

The "Contract from America" succeeded in securing the House of Representatives for the Republicans.

What does the "Solid South" refer to?

The "Solid South" refers to the Democratic Party's dominance in Southern states following the Civil War.

The 1960 presidential debate led to which of the following?

The 1960 presidential debate led to the elevation of candidate characteristics over partisan affiliation.

What action did the Blue Dog Democrats take with regard to health care reform?

The Blue Dog Democrats defied party leadership on the issue of health care reform.

The Democratic-Republican Party was most closely aligned with which of the following?

The Democratic-Republican Party was most closely aligned with the anti-Federalists.

The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1888 stipulated that public employees be hired according to what criteria?

The Pendleton Act stipulated that public employees be hired based on merit.

The RNC is which of the following?

The RNC, or Republican National Committee, is a national-level party organization.

Which event ended the era of Republican Party dominance?

The Stock Market Crash of 1929 ended the era of Republican Party dominance.

Which of the following events (among others) engendered the political uncertainty of the 1970s and 1980s?

The Watergate scandal, and President Nixon's ensuing resignation over it, contributed to the political uncertainty of the 1970s and 1980s (among other things like the Vietnam War and partisan realignment of the South).

The election of 1860 divided the country between which of the following?

The election of 1860 divided the country between Northern and Southern states.

The electoral system in the United States is characterized by which of the following?

The electoral system in the United States is characterized by single-member districts.

The era of Republican Party dominance is also known as what?

The era of Republican Party dominance is also known as the Progressive Era.

What issue caused a serious rift in the Whig Party?

The expansion of slavery caused a serious rift in the Whig Party.

The goals of the Progressive Party centered on which of the following priorities (among others)?

The goals of the Progressive Party centered on the expansion of women's suffrage (among other things like antitrust laws and environmental conservation).

How might the national committee chair try to get state and local committees to adopt policy positions?

The national committee chair may try to get state and local committees to adopt policy positions by threatening to withhold funding.

How might the party in government try to enact the party agenda?

The party in government might try to enact the party agenda by coordinating executive and legislative actions.

During the era of Republican Party dominance, the political agenda focused on which of the following issues (among others)?

The political agenda during the era of Republican Party dominance focused on women's suffrage (along with other issues).

The political party formed by Andrew Jackson is the ancestor of which of the following?

The political party formed by Andrew Jackson is the ancestor of the modern Democratic Party.

The power of which of the following appears to be increasing?

The power of the party in government appears to be increasing.

Why was the time of the Monroe administration known as the Era of Good Feelings?

The time of the Monroe administration was known as the Era of Good Feelings because electoral politics were dominated by one party, the Democratic-Republicans.

Which of the following BEST characterizes the relationship between the two major parties today?

With congressional Democrats and Republicans further apart than at any time since Reconstruction, and the electorate following suit, polarization defines the current era in American politics.