PLSC Midterm
The Equal Protection Clause in the ___________________________ declares that no state can "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." -Bill of rights -19th Amendment -14th Amendment -Equal Rights Amendment
14th Amendment
The American Civil Liberties Union group on your campus has organized a protest against capital punishment. The civil liberties issue they are basing their protest on is the -1st Amendment right to assembly -5th Amendment eminent domain provision -14th Amendment due process clause -10th Amendment state rights argument
1st Amendment right to assembly
Before Brown v. Board of Education, what was the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's strategy to abolish segregation? -Seeking court-ordered student busing -integrating public schools -Achieving the "equal" portion of "separate but equal." -integrating public facilities
Achieving the "equal" portion of "separate but equal."
Income inequality might be less troubling to the average American if poverty ________. -Were more prevalent -Affected social groups equally -Was not a natural component of capitalism -did not influence political conflict
Affected social groups equally
Which of the following is true of Americans and equal rights? -A large majority of todays americans support retroactive attempts to rectify inequality -The large majority of Americans have always supported the idea of inequality for all people in the United States -Americans' belief in equal rights has historically translated into a belief in equal opportunity. -Americans' beliefs in equal rights is essentially the belief in equal rewards
Americans' belief in equal rights has historically translated into a belief in equal opportunity.
In 2008, what decision did the Supreme Court make regarding the right to bear arms? -States have to allow individuals to possess firearms because of the 2nd amendment -An armed citizenry should be able to protect its freedom by force if necessary -An individual is permitted to purchase firearms is appropriate paperwork is filed -An individual has the right to possess firearms to use for lawful purposes, such as self-defense.
An individual has the right to possess firearms to use for lawful purposes, such as self-defense.
the powers of the national government that are specifically enumerated in the Constitution can be found -Tenth Amendment -Article 1, section 8 -Article 4 -The bill of Rights
Article 1, section 8
What is the relationship between values and beliefs? -Values are less important than beliefs -Beliefs can justify values. -vales can justify beliefs -values and beliefs are the same thing
Beliefs can justify values.
The Constitution was amended almost immediately after it was adopted because many citizens feared they did not have enough protections. The first ten amendments are referred to as the -Magna Carta -Bill Of Right -Congressional Record -Decloration of Independence
Bill Of Right
You are a state governor, and are looking for a federal grant to help patch up numerous different aspects of education reform in your state. Which of the following grant types would you most likely seek out? -Block grant -Fixed formula grant -Categorical grant -Grant-in aid
Block grant
If individuals sought to apply for US citizenship today they could receive an application from_____ -The federal Protective Service -Customs and Boarder Protection -Immigration and Customs Enforcement -Citizenship and Immigration Services
Citizenship and Immigration Services
The "race to the bottom" problem often arises when local governments ________ -Compete to attract businesses by lowering taxes -Re-zone residential districts to allow multi-family homes -lower their standards enough that they receive federal aid -raise taxes on incoming businesses to r=generate revenue
Compete to attract businesses by lowering taxes
When national, state, and local governments work together to exercise policy responsibilities, this is a charcateristic of the________ model of federalism -Cooperative -coercive -fiscal -competitive
Cooperative
Citizen initiatives are often backed by "special interests," the representatives of which are known as lobbyists. In the case of business interests, which of the following would lobbyists be most likely to advocate? -Increased government regulation of business -Government deregulation of business -Decreased taxes for homeowners and lower- and middle -income Americans -Decreased privitzation of industries and sectores normally controlled by the government
Government deregulation of business
Which of the following best illustrates the difference between democratic ideals and political realities in American society? -Democratic ideals exist before political realities and are the basis for the existence of those realities -There are no differences. Democratice ideals and political realities are the same thing. -Democratic ideals are what people believe American government and society are based on. But the political reality is that we live in an elitist society. -Democratic ideals are represented by America's belief individual dignity, equality, popular participation in government, and majority rule. Political realities are represented by how or whether those ideals are actually in practice.
Democratic ideals are represented by America's belief individual dignity, equality, popular participation in government, and majority rule. Political realities are represented by how or whether those ideals are actually in practice.
__________________ conditions in Mexico and elsewhere in Central America continue to fuel immigration, legal and illegal, to the United States. -Military -Federal -Economic -Sociological
Economic
Why does capitalism often lead to democracy? -A capitalist country can't be successful if it is not democratic -Economic freedom inspires demands for political freedom. -Capitalism cannot exist or function in a non-democratic country -To trade with other democracies a country must be democratic
Economic freedom inspires demands for political freedom.
Which of the following statements regarding judicial review is correct -It was first asserted in the case of Gibbons v. Ogden -It is defined in legislation passed in 1789 -It is not mentioned in the constitution -It was first established in the U.S under the Articles of Confederation
It is not mentioned in the constitution
What reasoning would a democratic government have for saying its use of force is legitimate? -It is necessary to maintain a free market -It is the government's duty to uphold the social order. -The government is never legitamately allowed us to use force -People do not have to be compliant to any laws for which they did not vote
It is the government's duty to uphold the social order.
The notion that tiny leadership minorities stifle the masses' indirect influence on political decisions applies to which theory? -Republican Theory -Democratic Theory -Elitism Theory -Pluralist Theory
Elitism Theory
Which would most liberal democrats in America today support? -Decreasing government power in economic affairs -Decreasing government power in regulating the economy -Expanding government power in regulating social conduct -Expanding government power in economic affairs and civil rights
Expanding government power in economic affairs and civil rights
____________ is a set of widely shared values and beliefs about who should govern, for what ends, and by what means. -Political socialization -Industrialization -Political Culture -Core beliefs
Political culture
Unlike Democracy, ______ asserts the supremacy of the state or race over individuals. -Capitalism -Fascism -Marxism -Socialism
Fascism
The division of powers between the NATIONAL AND STATE governments is known as -Federalism -representative republicanism -constitutionalism -checks and balances
Federalism
Under the Articles of Confederation, political power and authority ultimately rested with the ________ -British Parliament -Continental Congress -Individual state Governments -U.S national Government
Individual state governments
The Constitution gave Congress the power to regulate commerce and prohibited the states from imposing tariffs on goods shipped across state lines. How did this help merchants? -It allowed merchants to offer lower prices to buyers in their own states -It created a common market that stimulated trade among the states -It allowed the federal government to impose high tariffs on goods shipped between states -It created a common market that stimulated trade among the states
It created a common market that stimulated trade among the states
What is the importance of classical liberalism in America? -The idea o classical liberalism is responsible for the development of the social welfare state in america -It views on equality are what have kept the U.S together for over two centuries -The idea of classical liberalism lead to the colonization of America by Europeans -It motivated America's founders to declare their independence from England and establish a republic.
It motivated America's founders to declare their independence from England and establish a republic.
In 1787, what did the Constitution stipulate about slavery? -It stated that slaves cannot vote till 1850 -It stated that slaves would be counted as full persons, but not be able to vote -It prohibited the transportation of slaves till 1808 -It recognized and protected slavery.
It recognized and protected slavery.
In addition to formal amendments, the constitution has changed in other ways since it was written in 1787. For example, the fourteenth amendment's provision for "equal protection under the law" has been applied to ending segregation, giving women the right to choose an abortion, and giving equal weight to each persons vote. This type of amendment to the constitution is a result of_________ -Judicial -National -Congressional -State
Judicial
Which of the following responsibilities was one of the central purposes of the constitution? Protecting intellectual property rights -Regulating elections -Establishing bankruptcy laws -Levying Taxes
Levying Taxes
Your roommate wants the government to play a very limited role in social and economic issues. Given these views, which political value is your roommate likely to view as most important? -Liberty -Democracy -Security -Morality
Liberty
WikiLeaks released classified documents about the Afghanistan war. The U.S. government tried to stop this information from being published. If the government had been successful, what would this censorship have been called? -Shield Laws -Libel -Prior Restraint -Slander
Prior Restraint
Why has the voting strength of Mexican Americans never matched their numbers in the population? -They are prohibited from voting by membership in unrecognized labor unions -Under Ceasar Chavez, the United Farm Workers organized a boycott of voting -Many Mexican Americans are indocumentados. -There median income is so low that they can't afford to vote
Many Mexican Americans are indocumentados.
_____ would be consider an income transfer -Public education -Public transportation -Medicare -National Defense
Medicare
Because of the national governments governing authority, state laws are the only valid as long they do not contradict a federal lae that governs the same area. This dichotomy is covered in which part of the Constitution? -11th Amendment -Interstate Commerce Clause -National Supremacy Clause -Partial Preemption Clause
National Supremacy Clause
The massive federal public works programs developed under Franklin Roosevelt that expanded the role of the federal government in response to the great depression were collectively referred to as the -New Deal -Great society -Great Reformation -Food work Program
New deal
Why does the government, rather than private companies, provides so many public services? -Private companies lack the resources to provide a service to the entire population. -The private sector is too motivated by profit to be reliable provider of public goods -Private companies have stakeholders to answer to, which makes it difficult to provide public goods -Federal law prevents private companies from providing public goods, except when necessitated by national crisis
Private companies lack the resources to provide a service to the entire population.
The Framers of the Constitution set forth key functions of government, guaranteeing basic conditions of life for citizens. Which of these functions would an organization such as the Environmental Protection Agency work to fulfill? -Establishing Justice -Providing for the common defense -Promoting the general Welfare -Ensuring domestic tranquility
Promoting the general Welfare
_______, _____________, and _________ are all arguments against the idea of American exceptionalism. -Gender inequality, Over crowded prisions, reliance on foreign oil -Race and caste; dependence on trade; the social welfare state -Race, Income inequality, poor math scores -religiosity, idealism, liberalism
Race and caste; dependence on trade; the social welfare state
You are a political officeholder who has provided a large part of your electorate based on your stance on a key issue. Which of the following technique might the public employ to show that they will not tolerate your position or actions any longer -Progressive reform -Recall -Referendum -Re-vote
Recall
A meaningful explanation of the American governmental system must include which of the following ideals? -Every citizen having a direct say in the governmental actions -Equality of income for all individuals -Access to higher Education for all individuals -Recognition of the dignity of all individuals.
Recognition of the dignity of all individuals.
In what way are today's classrooms different as a result of the Supreme Court's historic decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954)? -Schools are more alert because of federally provided school lunches -Schools have more modern textbooks -Schools can no longer discriminate based on race. -Students have access to computers and technology
Schools can no longer discriminate based on race.
Which of the following best explains why the Court did not allow student-led prayers at school-sponsored events? -Students might feel pressured into doing the prayers even if they had no personal desire to do so. -A majority of students opposed the prayers -The prayers were led by students and this is not constitutionally acceptable -The students involved did not attend the school where the prayers were held
Students might feel pressured into doing the prayers even if they had no personal desire to do so.
The Constitution gives the government significant control over interstate commerce. Which one of the following is most likely reason the Framers did this? -Such regulation was a feature of many other countries at that time -Such regulation would decrease competition between states and foster economic growth. -They wanted to make the states more subservient to the national government -they wanted a steady source of tax income for the national government
Such regulation would decrease competition between states and foster economic growth.
_________ is an example of public policy -agenda setting -talking politics -running for office -taxation
Taxation
Compare the process of ratification of the Constitution to the process for approving changes to the Articles of Confederation. -The Articles of Confederation required that only nine of the states had to approve the change whereas the ratification process of the constitution that all the states vote in favor of passage -The Articles of Confederation had to be ratified by a voter of the state legislature but the Constitution required a vote of the members of the Constitutional Congress -The Articles of Confederation required that all states approve an amendment while the ratification process for the Constitution required that only nine states approve the document. -The Articles of Confederation required a direct vote or referendum to pass a change ratification of the constitution required a vote by the state legislatures
The Articles of Confederation required that all states approve an amendment while the ratification process for the Constitution required that only nine states approve the document.
The Plessy v. Ferguson ruling ushered in the Jim Crow era in the South. How was this era brought to a close by the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964? -The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it legal to deny anyone the right to vote -The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination in the workplace, regardless of the type of business involved -The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed any form of discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of race or color. -The Civil Rights Act of 1964 mandate separate but equal but separate facilities
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed any form of discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of race or color.
The Supreme Court ruled against the posting of the Ten Commandments in a Kentucky court house, but allowed the display of a 6-foot high monument of the Ten Commandments in front of the Texas state capital. The monument was a part of a collection of about 40 monuments on display. Which of the following reconciles the two decisions? -The Texas was solely religious, but the Kentucky display "serves a mixed but primarily nonreligious purpose" -The Texas was created by a judge, but the Kentucky was created by a state legislature -The Kentucky was created by a judge, but the Texas was created by a state legislature -The Kentucky display was solely religious, but the Texas display "served a mixed but primarily nonreligious purpose."
The Kentucky display was solely religious, but the Texas display "served a mixed but primarily nonreligious purpose."
Which of the following would provide legal equality to certain groups in the United States? -Eliminating the electoral college so every vote counts -Lowering the age to 16 to allow more ppl to vote -The passing of Equal Rights Amendment to protect against gender discrimination -Passing more laws to protect the rights of those accused of terrorism
The Passage of the Equal Rights Amendment to protect against gender discrimination
Although there is no widely accepted income criterion in the definition of middle class, the federal government defines poverty level based on _________ -The number of people when request public assistance each year -the number of people on welfare -the number of food banks open in the U.S -The annual cash income required to maintain a decent standard of living.
The annual cash income required to maintain a decent standard of living.
Why would distrust in the government lead to greater disagreements in politics?
The government is responsible for executing public policies. If people believe government is corrupt, they will question all government action, leading to greater disagreements over how things should be done.
___________________________ has been particularly important for the advancement of civil rights. -The election of new representatives -pressure from professional boycotts -Cultural change -The mobilization of masses of people
The mobilization of masses of people
Which of the following is an example of checks and balances -Under the Senates filibuster rules, a minority of members of can block action on a bill - The president can veto a bill that has been passed by congress -A citizen must be 35 years old to hold the office of president -police must read suspects their rights before arresting them
The president can veto a bill that has been passed by congress
The Three-Fifths Compromise involved slavery and appointing representation in congress. Which of the following is the best explanation of the southern position in the debate? -The south preferred that each slave counts as a person for purposes of representation in the House, but not for taxation -The south preferred that slaves not count as people for purposes of representation in the House as well as for voting in elections -The south prefered that slaves not be counted for purposes of representation , because slaves were considered as property -The south preferred that each slave be allowed to vote for members of the house of representatives
The south preferred that each slave counts as a person for purposes of representation in the House, but not for taxation
Which of the following statements describes a strength and a weakness of the Articles of Confederation -They helped the new US government win independence during a long war but did not establish a system of taxation to pay the cost of fighting the war -They had the power to regulate interstate commerce but did nothing to encourage national unity -They established a strong central government to control domestic uprisings but did not establish an effective national army or navy -They established a currency system but did not establish a postal system
They helped the new US government win independence during a long war but did not establish a system of taxation to pay the cost of fighting the war
Which of the following choices best explains the principle concern of the framers as they wrote the Constitution? They worried that without individual liberties there would be no point to the American Revolution -They worried more about state government intrusions on individual freedom than national government intrusion -They worried that the states would act as on against the federal government more than they worried about inducible actions -They worried more about national government intrusions on individual freedom than about state government intrusions
They worried more about national government intrusions on individual freedom than about state government intrusions
An exchange student tells you that, in her country, an elite group holds all political power and tells the citizens what they can think, say, and do. What kind of government does her country have? Totalitarian -Totalitarian -Indirect democracy -Representative democracy -Authoritarian
Totalitarian
You want to purchase a hand gun, but you are told that you will have to follow the Brady Law. This means that you will have to -make sure the dealer is state licensed -register with he Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives -Wait for five days to purchase it -record the serial number of the firearm
Wait for five days to purchase it
When does the Constitution allow Congress and the states to suspend the writ of habeas corpus? -In an election year -When public safety demands it because of rebellion or invasion -When a majority of justices rule that they are allowed to do so -When the public demands it through referendum
When the public safety demands it because of rebellion or invasion.
An editor of the weekly campus newspaper needs to decide whether or not to print an article that's highly critical of the state senator. Can he or she print the article without legal repercussion? -Yes, the freedom of the press is protected by the 2nd Amendment. -Yes, freedom of press is protected by the shield of laws -Yes, the freedom of the press is protected by the 1st Amendment. -No, freedom of press is limited by the need to provide balances coverage
Yes, the freedom of the press is protected by the 1st Amendment.
In which of the following examples would you be engaging in nonviolent civil disobedience to protest a tuition increase at your school? -You send a letter to the colleges Board of trustees -You file a lawsuit alleging that the University violated its obligations under state law -You write a letter to your schools editor of the school paper that argues against the increase -You participate in a sit-in that takes over the college president's office.
You participate in a sit-in that takes over the college president's office.
An example of eminent domain is -a city purchasing land to expand the freeway -ordinances regulating land use -court proceeding to determine land values -an office management company purchasing land for an office complex
a city purchasing land to expand the freeway
When the term democracy is defined only as ___________, it means widespread popular participation and rule by majority and offers little protection for individual liberty -equality under the law -a substantive value -a decision- making process -the legal right to vote
a decision- making process
The attempt to return many functions of the federal government to the state level has been called -a return to separation of powers -an evolution revolution -a return to state control -a devolution
a devolution
In order to address past discrimination and ensure a diverse environment in school, a university may institute admission policies based on _______________________. -The grandfather clause -affirmative action -literacy test -due process
affirmative action
If you were living under a unitary system of government, _______. -Power would be dispersed between the national and state levels -all power would be concentrated at the national level -all power would be concentrated in a single-person executive -all power would be concentrated at the state level
all power would be concentrated at the national level
To survive strict scrutiny, race-based government action must _____________________________________________________. -be narrowly tailored to serve a compelling government interest. -have broad popular support -be a long-standing remedy -have a rational basis
be narrowly tailored to serve a compelling government interest.
President reagan reduced the amount of federal funds provided to state an local governments primarily by transforming categorical grants into -grants-in aid -program grants -block grants -formula grants
block grants
Populism was a political movement that managed to -Increase the number of representatives in Congress -bring the process of initiative and referendum to many midwestern and western states. -pave the way for women gaining the right to vote -bring attention to corruption on the supreme court
bring the process of initiative and referendum to many midwestern and western states.
The landmark abortion decision on Roe v. Wade was based on an earlier decision __________________________________ -about new medical standards in women health care -about gender equality -concerning freedom of religion -concerning the right to privacy for married couples
concerning the right to privacy for married couples
Throughout history, America's most vexing and polarizing political concern has been _______________. This continue to remains true today. -equality -Eliminating the electoral college -Affirmative action in the field of education -seperation of church and state
equality
Challenges to religion in public life based upon the _____ are increasingly being raised by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union -Declaration of independence -Twenty-Sixth Amendment -First amendment -Thirteenth Amendment
first amendment
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were primarily intended to benefit ___________________________________________. -Women -Disabled War veterans -American indians -former slaves in the South
former slaves in the South
The largest percentages of federal grants to states and localities is in the area of _____________ -Defense -education -transportation -health
health
Most of the world's governments in 1787 were ruled by ______ -parlimentary systems -presidents -hereditary monarchs -two house legislatures
hereditary monarchs
Some people say that the government is the only institution that can take a life "legitimately." What is another example of a legitimate government use of force in the United States? -Impose union dues -deny citizens voting rights -restrict where specific groups of people can live -impose traffic violations
impose traffic violations
Direct democracy is based on the use of _______ to bypass the standard legislative process -seperation of powers -initiative and referendum -impeachment -recall
initiative and referendum
De facto segregation ____________________________________________________. -was outlawed by Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of education -Was outlawed by the Supreme Court in Plessy v. Ferguson -is more common in the South than the North -is more common in the North than the South
is more common in the North than the South
Two important conditions for political stability in a country are? - A capitalist economic system and a clearly defined political culture -Popular and charismatic leadership and a strong economy -legitimacy of the government and a strong, well defined political culture -a powerful central government and a strong military
legitimacy of the government and a strong, well defined political culture
The Supreme Court's opinion on libel in relation to the 1st Amendment is that it is _______________________. -Protected as symbolic speech -protected as freedom of expression -not protected -Considered obscene not protected
not protected
One of the main reasons that direct democracy is nearly impossible at the national level is the -number of people who live in the United States -Language included in state constitutions that forbids it -Lack of technology to count every vote -diversity of interests in the U.S
number of people who live in the United States
The 5th amendment focuses on -the right to assemble -the right to bear arms -reproductive rights -property rights
property rights
Many Americans oppose large numbers of immigrants in the US because they worry these immigrants would mostly hurt the economy by ______ -draining all the educational resources in schools -taking over the highest paying jobs in the country -providing cheap labor and driving wages down -increasing the crime rate
providing cheap labor and driving wages down
In competitive federalism, local government or states compete with each other for_______ -government grants -residents and business and tax revenue -sovereighty -recognition
residents and business and tax revenue
How does the government function under dual federalism -the federal government assumes greater fiscal responsibility -the state government assumes greater fiscal responsibility -powers are split between two branches of government -states and the national government each remain autonomous within their own spheres
states and the national government each remain autonomous within their own spheres
The motto "In God We Trust," which appears on the US currency is an example of ______ -The breadth of Conress's federal government power under the commerce clause of the Constitution -The founders decision to declare Christianity as the official national religion -public concerns about inflationary pressures on the money supply -the important role that religious belief plays in the American Public life
the important role that religious belief plays in the American Public life
The Supreme Court has ruled that -there is no constitutional right to physician-assitsted suicide -liberty does not include the right to suicide -liberty includes the right to suicide -liberty includes the right to physician-assisted suicide
there is no constitutional right to physician-assitsted suicide
The best example of an outcome that political scientists try to explain is -voter turnout -the reasons members of congress are paid specific wages -the history of political parties -the periodic change of the states representative in congress
voter turnout
Documents like the Magna Carta, the Mayflower Compact, and the Colonial Charters set the precedent for the Constitution because they ...... -were written contracts by the governed defining governmental powers -granted royal commissions to companies to establish governments -were drafted at the first continental Congress -were drawn up by King james of England
were written contracts by the governed defining governmental powers
The Anti-Federalists felt that the national government _______ -was the natural progression from the Articles of Confederation -needed the power of the purse to be effective -would be too distant from the people to represent their interests. -was necessary to expand commerce and equality in the U.S
would be too distant from the people to represent their interests.
