POS 100 Exam #1
The law-enforcing branch of government is known as the a. executive branch. b. legislative branch. c. judicial branch. d. federal branch. e. republican branch.
A. executive branch.
The power of Congress to charter a bank is an example of what type of power? a. Inherent b. Implied c. Derived d. Reserved e. Enumerated
B. Implied
The Great Compromise provided for a. a two-chamber legislature with equal representation for all states. b. a two-chamber legislature with equal representation for all states in one chamber and population-based representation in the other. c. a one-chamber legislature with representation based on population. d. a two-chamber legislature with representation based on population. e. upper-house members elected separately from lower-house members.
B. a two-chamber legislature with equal representation for all states in one chamber and population-based representation in the other.
According to the Declaration of Independence, when a government fails to secure the people's unalienable rights, a. the people may use any nonviolent method of protest against it. b. it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it. c. the people still owe the government their loyalty. d. Options A, B, and C are true. e. None of the above is true.
B. it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it.
Article I of the Constitution refers to the a. Preamble. b. legislative branch. c. executive branch. d. judicial branch. e. None of the above is true.
B. legislative branch.
The broad, basic definition of government given by the text is a. the use of force to benefit an elite. b. legitimate use of force within specified geographic boundaries to control human behavior. c. citizens participating in community decisions. d. taking from each according to his or her ability and giving to each according to need. e. leaders controlling power and authority
B. legitimate use of force within specified geographic boundaries to control human
The chief obstacle to ratification of the Constitution by the states was a. the power it granted to tax. b. the omission of a bill of rights. c. its failure to abolish slavery. d. the lack of court structure below the Supreme Court. e. inclusion of the plural executive.
B. the omission of a bill of rights.
The following state in 2006 became the first state to require its citizens to buy health insurance or face a penalty: a. Texas b. New York c. Massachusetts d. Wisconsin e. California
C. Mass
Which of the following states was not present at the Second Continental Congress' vote for independence? a. Delaware b. Massachusetts c. Rhode Island d. North Carolina e. Georgia
C. Rhode Island
The Tenth Amendment gives what level(s) of government additional unwritten powers? a. Local b. National c. State d. Both options A and C are true. e. Both options B and C are true.
C. State
A proponent of states' rights and enumerated powers would be more likely to quote the _________ to the Constitution. a. First Amendment b. Eighth Amendment c. Tenth Amendment d. Fourteenth Amendment e. Sixteenth Amendment
C. Tenth Amendment
A citizen's group gathers enough signatures on a petition to force a popular vote on a statewide lottery proposal. This proposal would represent a(n) a. recall election. b. referendum. c. initiative. d. popular law. e. citizen's proposal.
C. popular law
According to the text, the concept of order encompasses a. preserving life. b. protecting property. c. maintaining patterns of social relationships. d. Options A, B, and C are true. e. None of the above is true.
D. Options A, B, and C are true.
Congressional redistricting occurs once every __________ years. a. two b. four c. six d. ten e. fifty
D. Ten
The 2000 Supreme Court case Bush v. Gore upheld the principle of a. dual federalism. b. states' rights. c. the Tenth Amendment. d. a nationalist interpretation of federalism. e. Options C and D are true.
D. a nationalist interpretation of federalism.
Formula grants and project grants are both types of _________ grants. a. block b. formula c. carry d. categorical e. user
D. categorical
Examples of public goods are a. social welfare programs. b. nonprofit organization programs. c. police protection. d. education, sanitation, and parks. e. the armed forces.
D. education, sanitation, and parks.
The Federalist papers were written by a. Alexander Hamilton. b. John Jay. c. John Adams. d. James Madison. e. Options A, B, and D are true.
E. Options A, B, and D are true.
While always a part of the federal arsenal, federal grants-in-aid grew at an astonishing pace a. during the 1860s. b. during the 1870s. c. during the 1890s. d. during the 1930s. e. during the 1960s.
E. during the 1960s.
The text suggests that there are _________ forces that may be pushing authoritarian governments toward democratization. a. religious b. moral c. philosophical d. ethical e. economic
E. economic
The "necessary and proper" clause of Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution is an example of a(n) "__________ clause." a. confederal b. states' rights c. judicial d. dual e. elastic
E. elastic
Under Chief Justice John Marshall, the early Supreme Court generally a. preserved states' rights. b. lessened trade powers between the states. c. issued conflicting decisions about the balance between national and state power. d. remain silent about federalism issues. e. increased national power.
E. increased national power.
The primary contribution of the Federalist papers is a. they serve as the collective writings of theorists. b. to assert independence from England. c. their insights into the roots of the American Revolution. d. their ideas supporting the Bill of Rights. e. their insight into the meaning of the Constitution.
E. their insight into the meaning of the Constitution.
Including the Bill of Rights, __________ amendments have been added to the Constitution: a. ten b. nineteen c. seventeen d. fifty-four e. twenty-seven
E. twenty-seven
Which of the following philosophers is usually associated with socialism? a. Karl Marx b. Montesquieu c. John Locke d. Milton Friedman e. Albert Einstein
A. Karl Marx
How likely are voters to participate in state and local elections compared with national elections? a. Less likely b. More likely c. Equally likely d. No clear pattern e. More likely if the issues are known and made clear to voters in advance
A. Less likely
The __________ Amendment prohibited slavery. a. Thirteenth b. Fourteenth c. Nineteenth d. twenty-sixth e. None of the above is true.
A. Thirteenth
_________ requires foreigners who are not citizens living in the United States to register with the government and carry their registration papers. a. U.S. Law b. Nevada Law c. Montana Law d. California Law e. Oregon Law
A. U.S. Law
A confederation can best be described as a. a loose association of independent states. b. a government without a monarch. c. a government ruled by a dictator. d. a form of socialism. e. smaller units of government controlled by a larger government unit.
A. a loose association of independent states.
A result of the Second Continental Congress was a. the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. b. a plan for the Boston Tea Party. c. a brief reconciliation with Britain. d. the decision to create thirteen colonies. e. increases in colonial taxes paid to England.
A. the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
The primary goal of Federalist No. 10 was to demonstrate that the new government a. would not fall under the dominance of any one faction. b. would, if unopposed, become a tyranny. c. would eventually overwhelm the states. d. would honor the Bill of Rights. e. could be abolished if England chose to ignore it
A. would not fall under the dominance of any one faction.
The compact among the thirteen original colonies that established the United States in 1777 was known as the a. Constitution. b. Articles of Confederation. c. Declaration of Independence. d. Fundamental Orders of the Republic. e. Democratic Convent.
B. Articles of Confederation.
According to Thomas Hobbes, author of Leviathan, the proper objective of government is to ensure a. freedom. b. order. c. a functioning economy. d. public goods. e. free and fair elections.
B. Order
Federalism is a combination of which two ideas? a. Unitary and oligarchy structures b. Unitary government and a confederation c. A confederation and autocracy d. Elitism and a confederation e. Majoritarian democracy and a unitary government
B. Unitary government and a confederation
The complexity of the American federal system encourages a. majoritarian democracy. b. pluralism. c. a high level of popular participation. d. government stagnation. e. conservative reactions by most registered voters.
B. pluralism.
The broad, basic definition of politics given by the text is a. the restriction of human freedom in the name of national sovereignty. b. the authoritative allocation of values for a society. c. the struggle for economic self-interest. d. rule by the people. e. the manipulation of public opinion by government.
B. the authoritative allocation of values for a society.
Federalism, or the division of power between a national government and regional units, stands in contrast t o a. pluralism. b. unitary government. c. republican government. d. autocratic government. e. majoritarian government.
B. unitary government.
Which document proclaimed, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights"? a. Locke's Second Treatise of Government b. The Treaty of Lisbon c. The Declaration of Independence d. The Articles of Confederation e. The Constitution
C. The Declaration of Independence
John Locke's views on government are expressed in a. Leviathan. b. The Social Contract. c. Two Treatises on Government. d. Common Sense. e. Utopia.
C. Two Treatises on Government.
The power of the president to veto laws is an example of a. federalism. b. implied powers. c. checks and balances. d. separation of powers. e. enumeration.
C. checks and balances.
Franklin Roosevelt's four freedoms included all of the following except a. freedom of speech. b. freedom from fear. c. freedom from inequality. d. freedom of religion. e. freedom from want.
C. freedom from inequality.
Under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, several states are required to submit redistricting plans to the a. House. b. Senate. c. Congressional Budget Office. d. Department of Justice. e. Supreme Court.
D. Department of Justice.
By 2012, members of the European Union (EU) agreed to greater central authority over their respective economies, with the exception of a. Sweden. b. France. c. Germany. d. Great Britain. e. Italy.
D. Great Britain
Which of the following statements regarding dual federalism is incorrect? a. It aims to decentralize government and shift power to the states. b. It recognizes the importance of local rather than national standards. c. It allows the people a choice of policies under which to live. d. It grants states and the federal government powers not specifically found in the Constitution. e. None of the above is true.
D. It grants states and the federal government powers not specifically found in the Constitution.
Conservatives strongly a. favor free enterprise. b. argue against government job programs. c. want to preserve traditional patterns of social relations. d. Options A, B, and C are true. e. None of the above is true
D. Options A, B, and C are true.
The Articles of Confederation failed because a. they did not provide an effective means for the government to raise money. b. they did not include an independent leader to direct the government. c. they did not give the government the power to regulate commerce. d. Options A, B, and C are true. e. None of the above is true.
D. Options A, B, and C are true.
According to the New Jersey Plan, how was representation to be structured in Congress? a. There would be population-based representation in both houses. b. There would be one house, and representation in it would be based on population. c. States would have equal representation in one house and population-based representation in the other. d. There would be one house, and all states would have equal representation in it. e. Representation was to be based on the three-fifths compromise
D. There would be one house, and all states would have equal representation in it.
School uniforms are sometimes held up as policies that promote both equality and order more than freedom; equality because they minimize differences in income, and order because they minimize conflicts and distractions. In this way, school uniforms might be especially favored by a. liberals. b. libertarians. c. conservatives. d. communitarians. e. capitalists.
D. communitarians
The following group values both equality and order more than freedom, and its members support both affirmative action and laws that restrict pornography: a. communists b. libertarians c. socialists d. communitarians. e. capitalists
D. communitarians.
Unless they are impeached, federal judges serve a. for two years. b. for ten years. c. for twenty years. d. for life. e. on the grace of the executive.
D. for life.
The process of redrawing boundaries for electoral jurisdictions is known as a. reapportionment. b. realignment. c. redistribution. d. redistricting. e. redesign.
D. redistricting.
The Bill of Rights is at the core of our a. procedural theories of democracy. b. majoritarian theories. c. participatory theories of democracy. d. substantive theories of democracy. e. representative theories of democracy.
D. substantive theories of democracy.
The vast majority of recent preemptions have focused on a. environmental protection. b. judicial appointments. c. Internet commerce. d. terrorism. e. Options A and D are true.
E. Options A and D are true.
Controlling for population, which of the following countries has the highest number of public sector workers at all levels of government? a. Norway b. France c. United States d. Germany e. Poland
A Norway
The U.S. Constitution contains about _________ words. a. 4,300 b. 11,500 c. 17,500 d. 36,000 e. 52,000
A. 4,300
Using a one-dimensional model, arranged from the most government to the least government, which of the following is the correct ordering of political philosophies? a. Anarchism, Libertarianism, Liberalism, Totalitarianism b. Socialism, Totalitarianism, Anarchism, Libertarianism c. Totalitarianism, Socialism, Libertarianism, Anarchism d. Libertarianism, Anarchism, Totalitarianism, Socialism e. Socialism, Libertarianism, Anarchism, Totalitarianism
A. Anarchism, Libertarianism, Liberalism, Totalitarianism
Which of the following is not an essential premise of dual federalism? a. The Constitution is the creation of the people of the United States. b. The national government rules by enumerated powers only. c. The national government has a limited set of constitutional purposes. d. Each government unit, both nation and state, is sovereign within its sphere. e. The relationship between nation and state is best characterized by tension.
A. The Constitution is the creation of the people of the United States.
Suppose Congress funds elementary education by giving states a grant that the states then designate the specific educational programs to receive these funds. This is an example of a ________ grant. a. block b. formula c. carry d. categorical e. user
A. block
The Greek word demos, which is the root of the term democracy, means a. common people. b. power. c. participation. d. foundation or base. e. order.
A. common people.
Congress exercises a potential check on the judicial branch through its constitutional power to a. create or eliminate lower federal courts. b. appoint federal judges. c. remove federal judges that declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. d. eliminate the U.S. Supreme Court. e. None of the above is true
A. create or eliminate lower federal courts.
Someone who believes that the elastic clause of the Constitution should be narrowly interpreted is most likely to endorse the concept of _________ federalism. a. dual b. cooperative c. creative d. implied e. restrictive
A. dual
American colonists in the eighteenth century under Great Britain a. enjoyed freedoms denied most other people in the world at that time. b. had considerable economic liberty but saw their freedom of speech and assembly restricted. c. had freedoms of speech and assembly but saw their access to trade and professions restricted. d. were relatively free except they were compelled to follow the official religion of the British crown. e. saw their religion, economic liberties, and freedoms of speech and assembly all severely restricted by the British government.
A. enjoyed freedoms denied most other people in the world at that time.
In 1995, the Supreme Court concluded that Congress had overreached the legitimate bounds of the commerce power when Congress tried to regulate the possession of _________ in or near a school. a. guns b. pornography c. prescription drugs d. beer e. All of the above are true.
A. guns
The Constitution did not give Congress the authority to establish the Internal Revenue Service. Congress did so, however, to implement its power to "lay and collect taxes." This is an example of the use of a(n) __________ power. a. implied b. delegated c. reserved d. expressed e. inherent
A. implied
The primary issue that Occupy Wall Street protestors pushed was a. income inequality. b. high unemployment. c. corruption in the housing industry. d. media bias. e. student college loan reform.
A. income inequality.
An organized group that seeks to influence government policy is called a(n) a. interest group. b. pluralist group. c. elite group. d. oligarchy. e. substantive group.
A. interest group
An American who opposes affirmative action laws and also opposes laws that ban sexually explicit publications is likely to be a a. libertarian. b. conservative. c. liberal. d. totalitarian. e. capitalist.
A. libertarian.
Franklin Roosevelt's freedom of speech and freedom of religion are synonymous with a. liberty. b. order. c. rights. d. "freedom from." e. equality.
A. liberty.
The "unalienable rights" identified by the Declaration of Independence are a. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. b. freedom of speech, press, and assembly. c. life, liberty, and property ownership. d. the right to own property and bear arms to protect it. e. equality, liberty, and equal protection.
A. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In general, libertarianism a. opposes all government action except that which protects life and property. b. supports government action to protect public morals. c. supports a strong government role in the economy. d. encourages government-initiated programs to help the needy. e. seeks to destroy inequities in government programs.
A. opposes all government action except that which protects life and property.
A consistent set of values and beliefs about the proper purpose and scope of government is a(n) a. political ideology. b. public good. c. original dilemma. d. system of government. e. political attitude
A. political ideology.
In 2010 Congress passed the Affordable Health Care Act that: a. required nearly all Americans to buy health coverage or pay a penalty. b. nationalized health care into a government-run model. c. gave uninsured Americans a $10,000 voucher to help purchase private health insurance. d. created a government-funded public health plan to compete with private insurers. e. mandated that no private health plan cost more than $20,000.
A. required nearly all Americans to buy health coverage or pay a penalty.
A republic is a government a. resting on the consent of the governed through their representatives. b. based on majority law. c. ruled by two political parties. d. ruled by a monarch. e. divided by two opposing cultures but ruled by one ruler.
A. resting on the consent of the governed through their representatives.
A person who favors government ownership of some basic industries and a strong government role in directing the economy, but also some private ownership of productive capacity, would best be labeled as a a. socialist. b. capitalist. c. totalitarian. d. libertarian. e. moderate
A. socialist
The lines that define congressional districts are usually drawn by a. state legislatures. b. state governors. c. U.S. Senators. d. a state's congressional delegation. e. the House Judiciary Committee.
A. state legislatures.
From the 1930s to the mid-1990s, a. the Supreme Court tended to support expansion of national authority. b. the Supreme Court considered issues of federalism to be "political questions" beyond the scope of the Court's jurisdiction. c. the Supreme Court consistently resisted the expansion of national power. d. the Supreme Court wavered unpredictably on the issue of national authority. e. the Court issued decisions that made the division of powers in federalism difficult to ascertain.
A. the Supreme Court tended to support expansion of national authority.
Shays's Rebellion indicated the a. urgent need to maintain domestic order. b. unpopularity of the new national taxes. c. inability of the British to maintain a border presence. d. continuing threat to the United States from the Native Americans. e. ongoing religious conflicts between American Protestants and Catholics.
A. urgent need to maintain domestic order.
Which metaphor best describes dual federalism? a. A sponge cake b. A layer cake c. A fruitcake d. A marble cake e. A pineapple upside-down cake
B. A layer cake
By 2012, _________ grants consumed nearly 50 percent of national government grants to the states. a. general government b. health c. transportation d. education e. Homeland Security
B. Health
Under the Constitution, if no candidate wins a majority of the electoral vote, then the president will be selected by the a. Supreme Court. b. House of Representatives. c. Senate. d. nation's governors. e. free vote of the nation's electors.
B. House of Representatives.
"Great Society" is a term associated with the ________ administration. a. Kennedy b. Johnson c. Eisenhower d. Nixon e. Carter
B. Johnson
"Let the end be legitimate, let it be within the scope of the constitution, and all means which are appropriate" is part of the broad Supreme Court interpretation of the elastic clause in the case of a. Marbury v. Madison. b. McCulloch v. Maryland. c. Gibbons v. Ogden. d. United States v. Lopez. e. Printz v. United States.
B. McCulloch v. Maryland.
A group of delegates to the Constitutional Convention proposed a powerful national government to replace the weak confederation of states. This was known as the a. Marshall Plan. b. Virginia Plan. c. New Jersey Plan. d. Connecticut Compromise. e. Grand Compromise
B. Virginia Plan.
Which of the following is not a question asked by procedural democratic theory? a. Who should participate in decision making? b. What democratic outcomes violate the rights of minorities? c. How much should each participant's vote count? d. How many votes are needed to reach a decision? e. Options B and D are true.
B. What democratic outcomes violate the rights of minorities?
The Great Depression represented a shift away from _________ and toward _________. a. cooperative federalism; dual federalism b. dual federalism; cooperative federalism c. the elastic clause; the Tenth Amendment d. the supremacy clause; the Tenth Amendment e. Options A and C are true.
B. dual federalism; cooperative federalism
Many protestors from the Occupy Wall Street movement argued that American government was best described by a. substantive democracy. b. elite theory. c. pluralist theory. d. the interest group model. e. majoritarian theory
B. elite theory
The idea that the most important government decisions are made by an identifiable and stable minority that shares certain characteristics is called a. substantive democracy. b. elite theory. c. pluralist theory. d. the interest group model. e. aristocracy.
B. elite theory
Government's "modern dilemma" is how best to balance a. order and equality. b. equality and freedom. c. freedom and order. d. equality of opportunity and equality of outcome. e. chaos and structure.
B. equality and freedom.
A central question in the McCulloch case was whether or not Congress had the power to a. institute a peacetime draft. b. establish a national bank. c. regulate commerce along major waterways. d. investigate the executive branch. e. remove one of its own members.
B. establish a national bank.
Social order is usually defined as a. the degree of equality in society. b. established patterns of authority and traditional modes of behavior. c. the pattern of economic ownership. d. the methods by which government enforces its authority. e. mechanisms for disagreement with government.
B. established patterns of authority and traditional modes of behavior.
Shays's Rebellion consisted of a. Massachusetts residents protesting New Hampshire's import tax on their state's products. b. farmers trying to prevent foreclosure on their property for debts and taxes owed. c. Massachusetts residents protesting the national government's tax on liquor. d. Bostonians throwing British tea into Boston Harbor. e. tobacco farmers protesting tariffs on their crops.
B. farmers trying to prevent foreclosure on their property for debts and taxes owed.
Money paid by one level of government to another level of government to be spent for a given purpose is called a a. primary grant. b. grant-in-aid. c. transfer grant. d. carry grant. e. user grant.
B. grant-in-aid.
A country abiding by the principle "one man, one vote" is practicing a. representative democracy. b. political equality. c. equal suffrage. d. substantive democracy. e. a "free and fair" election system.
B. political equality.
An alleged weakness of the majoritarian democratic model is its a. reliance on public opinion polls, which tend to fluctuate over time. b. reliance on the American public to be knowledgeable and participatory. c. insistence that political parties represent the true opinion of the public. d. failure to require elected officials to follow voters' wishes. e. exclusion of interest groups from issue formation.
B. reliance on the American public to be knowledgeable and participatory
One primary challenge to democratization in Iraq after the overthrow of dictator Saddam Hussein is a. the lack of a functioning oil economy. b. religious conflict between Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam. c. the continued crackdown on open protest of the government. d. the resurgence of the Ba'ath Party as a democratic force. e. the failure to establish a free and independent press.
B. religious conflict between Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam.
The idea that the people agree to establish rulers for certain purposes, but they have the right to resist or remove rulers who violate those purposes, is also known as a. socialism. b. social contract theory. c. republicanism. d. the revolutionary right. e. confederalism.
B. social contract theory
After the Constitution was amended to permit the federal government to levy a progressive income tax, government could more effectively further the goal of a. social order. b. social equality. c. economic freedom. d. minority rights. e. redistribution.
B. social equality.
The Bill of Rights consists of the first __________ amendments to the Constitution. a. five b. ten c. fifteen d. twenty e. twenty-two
B. ten
According to the text, "it is hard to imagine a government framework better suited [than the Constitution] to __________." a. the majoritarian model b. the pluralist model c. procedural theory d. substantive theory e. republican theory
B. the pluralist model
The general conclusion of the Supreme Court in United States v. Lopez was that a. the Second Amendment forbids any government restriction on the right to bear arms. b. there are limits to the national government's ability to regulate behavior based on the commerce clause. c. schools are exclusively a state and local responsibility. d. the right to bear arms extends even to those who are not legal adults. e. entities of the state do not have ability equal to that of the state itself to successfully challenge national law.
B. there are limits to the national government's ability to regulate behavior based on the commerce clause.
One weakness of the substantive model of democracy is that a. not everyone participates in decision making. b. there is no agreement regarding which policies are democratic. c. the government is less responsive to its people. d. terrible inequities occur in the wealthiest class. e. minority groups are easily defeated
B. there is no agreement regarding which policies are democratic.
Democratization is the a. process of moving from procedural to substantive democracy. b. transition from an authoritarian form of government to a democratic one. c. act of electing leaders in a way that conforms to the criteria of substantive democracy. d. process of moving from a demand to a market economy. e. requirement that freedoms and rights be protected by written covenant.
B. transition from an authoritarian form of government to a democratic one.
The basic premise of federalism is that a. supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses. b. two or more governments share power and authority over the same land and people. c. supreme political authority remains with the states. d. a national government has ultimate sovereignty over a country's land and people. e. state and local governments may not exercise powers of their own that are independent of the national government.
B. two or more governments share power and authority over the same land and people.
The ________ Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. a. First b. Second c. Fourth d. Eighth e. Thirteenth
C. Fourth
The concept of democracy was initially defined centuries ago in ancient a. Syria. b. Egypt. c. Greece. d. Rome. e. India
C. Greece
The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil led to all but which of the following expansions of national power? a. The USA-PATRIOT Act b. The creation of the Department of Homeland Security c. The Immigration Security Act d. expanded wireless wiretapping of Americans suspected of terrorist ties e. All of the above are true.
C. The Immigration Security Act
A popular election is the primary mechanism for democratic government in which model? a. Substantive democracy b. Procedural democracy c. The majoritarian model d. The pluralist model e. The integrated model
C. The majoritarian model
Which of the following is not a power granted to the president under the Constitution? a. The power to make treaties b. The power to appoint government officers, diplomats and judges c. The power to declare war d. The power to veto e. The power to convene Congress
C. The power to declare war
A key component of the Virginia Plan was a. equal legislative representation for all states. b. that essential powers would be kept within the states. c. a strong national legislature. d. an executive who would have absolute veto power over legislative actions. e. strong states' rights.
C. a strong national legislature.
Under the Constitution, the slave trade a. was banned. b. was guaranteed only for Southern states. c. could be ended after twenty years. d. was not mentioned. e. was initially condemned, but this language was removed to win support from Southern delegates to the Convention.
C. could be ended after twenty years.
The 2007 European Reform Treaty did all but a. plan for an European Union president. b. create a diplomatic service under a single foreign-affairs head. c. create a centralized debt-refinancing agency for indebted countries. d. drop state-like symbols and terminology. e. reduce the number of areas requiring unanimity among member nations.
C. create a centralized debt-refinancing agency for indebted countries.
The controversial 1993 Brady bill a. criminalized the distribution of medical marijuana. b. outlawed abortions in the third trimester of a pregnancy. c. created a national system to check the background of gun buyers. d. required local law enforcement officials to investigate the immigration status of detainees. e. forbade states from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states.
C. created a national system to check the background of gun buyers.
Federalism is able to unify diverse groups of people because it a. provides a strong center around which all citizens can unify. b. requires a formal constitution. c. does not require citizens to be ruled by majorities from different regions and with different interests. d. allows for secession when a minority group feels threatened. e. ensures a uniform result by upholding one national standard.
C. does not require citizens to be ruled by majorities from different regions and with different interests.
When one person has the same chance to succeed in life as another, this is called a. equality of outcome. b. political equality. c. equality of opportunity. d. social order. e. equality of results.
C. equality of opportunity.
Equality of outcome is often said to be similar to the concept of a. civil liberties. b. "freedom of." c. government-supported rights. d. social order. e. political equality
C. government-supported rights.
The oldest objective of government is a. preserving the state of nature. b. supporting economic growth. c. maintaining order. d. promoting social equality. e. guaranteeing the security of citizens.
C. maintaining order.
All of the following are principles of procedural democracy except a. government responsiveness to public opinion. b. universal participation. c. minority rights. d. majority rule. e. political equality.
C. minority rights.
Government units that administer cities or towns are also known as a. school districts. b. county governments. c. municipal governments. d. special districts. e. urban governments.
C. municipal governments.
Originally, the Constitutional Convention's purpose was to a. eliminate the power of the Second Continental Congress. b. overturn articles amended by the Second Continental Congress. c. revise the Articles of Confederation. d. file a formal tax protest with England. e. adopt a new constitution.
C. revise the Articles of Confederation.
Western Europe's experience with democratic socialism demonstrates that a. government control of the economy is incompatible with freedom and participation. b. socialism and freedom can be combined in theory but not in practice. c. socialism can be practiced along with personal freedoms and democratic participation. d. socialism can exist only where it is imposed by military force. e. equality of opportunity cannot be realized.
C. socialism can be practiced along with personal freedoms and democratic participation.
A government pursuing laissez-faire policies would a. regulate economic competition to ensure basic fairness. b. promote fairness for the least-advantaged members of society. c. take a hands-off attitude toward the economy. d. regulate the economy in the interest of efficiency and equality. e. write new legislation creating requirements for businesses.
C. take a hands-off attitude toward the economy.
A greater percentage of the United States population died or was wounded during the Revolution than in any other U.S. conflict except a. the Seven Years' War. b. the War of 1812. c. the Civil War. d. World War II. e. the Vietnam War.
C. the Civil War.
The power to coin money belongs to _________ and the power to grant divorces belongs to _________. a. the states; both the states and the federal government b. both the states and the federal government; the states c. the federal government; the states d. the states; the federal government e. the federal government; both the states and the federal government
C. the federal government; the states
When selecting the president, each state has a number of electors equal to a. the size of its population divided by the national population. b. all the other states' number of electors. c. the number of its representatives in Congress. d. the size of its population divided by the number of its eligible voters. e. its number of local units of government.
C. the number of its representatives in Congress.
The constitutional provision that made cooperative federalism possible is a. Article V on amending the Constitution. b. the interstate commerce clause. c. the supremacy clause. d. the Tenth Amendment. e. the elastic clause.
C. the supremacy clause.
The United States Constitution was written in a. 1607. b. 1683. c. 1713. d. 1787. e. 1824.
D. 1787
Before it could take effect, the Constitution had to be ratified by__________ states: a. 13 b. 8 c. 10 d. 9 e. 5
D. 9
Which metaphor best describes cooperative federalism? a. A layer cake b. A sponge cake c. A fruitcake d. A marble cake e. A bundt cake
D. A marble cake
Which of the following statements regarding the New Deal era is incorrect? a. The period was crucial in reshaping federalism in the United States. b. The size of the national government and its budget increased tremendously. c. The general welfare became a legitimate concern of the national government. d. Congress temporarily claimed extra constitutional powers to meet the national emergency. e. All of the above are true.
D. Congress temporarily claimed extra constitutional powers to meet the national emergency.
The _________ protects against excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment. a. First Amendment b. Second Amendment c. Fourth Amendment d. Eighth Amendment e. Thirteenth Amendment
D. Eighth Amendment
A 2010 Arizona immigration law did all but which of the following? a. It criminalized the failure to carry immigration documents. b. It required police to determine a person's immigration status during a "lawful stop," if there was reasonable suspicion existed that person was an illegal. c. It cracked down on those who hire, transport or shelter illegal aliens. d. It required the state of Arizona to deport any illegal immigrants it apprehended. e. All of the above are true.
D. It required the state of Arizona to deport any illegal immigrants it apprehended.
President Obama was able to convince Congress in February of 2009 to approve a $787 billion economic stimulus package titled a. The Great Recession Act. b. The Bank Holiday Act. c. The New Deal II Act. d. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. e. The Bailout Act.
D. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Which of the following is an incorrect description of the cooperative federalism model? a. National and state agencies typically undertake government functions jointly rather than exclusively. b. The nation and states routinely share power. c. Power is not concentrated at any government level or in any agency. d. The functions and responsibilities of the national and state governments are clearly defined. e. An expansive view of the Constitution's supremacy clause
D. The functions and responsibilities of the national and state governments are clearly defined.
Which of the following aspects of federalism is not consistent with pluralism? a. It recognizes and cultivates diverse interests. b. It recognizes the legitimacy of the states as political divisions. c. It allows people a choice of policies under which to live. d. The national government has come to rely increasingly on mandates and restraints. e. It is highly responsive to pressure from groups and entrepreneurs.
D. The national government has come to rely increasingly on mandates and restraints.
Since the 1960s, states have become more active policymakers for all but which of the following reasons? a. Governors and state legislators employ more experienced policy staff. b. Legislatures meet more days during the year. c. State elected officials receive higher salaries. d. The shrinking ability of states to raise revenue has forced states to innovate. e. The unelected officials who work in state government are better educated.
D. The shrinking ability of states to raise revenue has forced states to innovate.
Which of the following statements regarding President Obama's $787 billion economic stimulus package is incorrect? a. No Republican in the House of Representatives and only 3 Republican Senators voted for it. b. It offered direct aid to states including extended unemployment benefits and school spending. c. Several Republican governors initially rejected the money. d. Ultimately only two governors rejected the stimulus aid. e. All of the above are true.
D. Ultimately only two governors rejected the stimulus aid.
The assignment in the Constitution of lawmaking, law-enforcing, and law-interpreting functions to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches respectively is known as a. judicial review. b. direct democracy. c. inherent powers. d. a separation of powers. e. None of the above is true.
D. a separation of powers
A government unit created to perform particular functions, such as fire protection and water purification and distribution is known as a. a municipal government. b. a state's taxing authority. c. a county government. d. a special district. e. an intergovernmental agency
D. a special district.
In the Printz v. United States decision, Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the five-member conservative majority, argued that federally mandated background checks by local sheriffs on gun purchases in their states violated the principle of a. new federalism. b. cooperative federalism. c. sanctions. d. dual sovereignty. e. majoritarian democracy.
D. dual sovereignty.
A constitutional clause that allows for a broad interpretation of implied powers is known as a(n) __________ clause. a. earmark b. reciprocal c. rudimentary d. elastic e. ornate
D. elastic
A referendum is best described as a(n) a. statement of legislative goals. b. do-over of a previous election. c. ballot without true competition for offices. d. election on a policy issue. e. decision that resolves a legal issue.
D. election on a policy issue.
During the 1990s, Congress prohibited private businesses from discriminating in employment, public services, and public accommodations on the basis of physical or mental disabilities. This act creates a clash between a. freedom and order. b. equality and order. c. liberty and justice. d. freedom and equality. e. equal opportunity and equal outcomes.
D. freedom and equality
In communist political systems, all land and productive facilities are a. not a concern of the government. b. in private hands and not actively protected by the state. c. held privately but protected by government authority. d. given to the state in the name of the people. e. held privately but subject to government seizure at any time.
D. given to the state in the name of the people.
A notable trend in the backgrounds of recent presidents is experience as a a. U.S. Senator. b. member of the U.S. House of Representatives. c. state legislator. d. governor. e. judge.
D. governor.
A power not specifically mentioned in the Constitution but necessary if another specific grant of power is to be carried out is called a(n) ________ power. a. assigned b. general c. enumerated d. implied e. concurrent
D. implied
One of the weaknesses of the procedural model of democracy is that a. it does not provide clear criteria on which to judge whether a government is democratic. b. its reliance on rules may lead to rigidity and inefficiency. c. it neglects the standards of classic Greek democracy. d. it permits policies that violate standards of substantive democracy. e. too much attention is paid to protecting minority rights.
D. it permits policies that violate standards of substantive democracy.
One similarity between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan was that both plans a. provided for a legislature with two houses. b. based representation on state population. c. specified the creation of a system of national courts. d. left unspecified how many people the executive might have. e. gave the executive the right to veto legislation.
D. left unspecified how many people the executive might have.
Elite theory is discredited as an explanation of American national politics because studies show that a. elitism cannot coexist with democratic elections. b. there are too few power positions in the United States to constitute an elite. c. government and business leaders generally do not cooperate with one another. d. no one identifiable group regularly prevails on different issues. e. citizens will rally to defend rights they believe are endangered by government policies.
D. no one identifiable group regularly prevails on different issues.
The text suggests that the United States fulfills the __________ model quite well. a. authoritarian b. majoritarian c. totalitarian d. pluralist e. egalitarian
D. pluralist
The power of Congress to enact laws by which the national government assumes complete or partial responsibility for a state government function is known as a. new federalism. b. sanctioning. c. policy entrepreneurship. d. preemption. e. popular sovereignty.
D. preemption.
Capitalism is best described as a(n) a. economic system in which the means of production are owned by the state. b. system that guarantees rights of speech and political participation. c. system in which the use of property is controlled by majority will. d. system of government that favors privately owned businesses. e. good idea in theory but not practically applicable
D. system of government that favors privately owned businesses.
The primary goal of Federalist No. 51 was to argue for a. republicanism. b. the control of factions. c. freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. d. the separation of powers and checks and balances. e. why a bill of rights would be dangerous for the Constitution.
D. the separation of powers and checks and balances.
Compared to citizens in other nations, Americans a. value freedom of speech less than order. b. value freedom of speech less than equality of outcome. c. value equality of outcome more than order. d. value freedom of speech more than order. e. value governmental responsiveness less than order.
D. value freedom of speech more than order
The text of the Constitution deals with slavery by referring to slaves as a. "permanent servants." b. "African natives." c. "Southern property." d. "slaves." e. "all other Persons."
E. "all other Persons."
Based on 2007 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States is home to as many as __________ local governments of different sorts. a. 300 b. 1,000 c. 10,000 d. 20,000 e. 89,000
E. 89,000
In a totalitarian regime, there is a general desire for the government to control a. business. b. labor. c. education. d. religion. e. All of the above are true
E. All of the above are true
The pluralist model assumes a. the existence of interest groups. b. a decentralized structure of government. c. ready access to public officials. d. openness to arguments for or against government policies. e. All of the above are true.
E. All of the above are true
Liberals are more likely to favor generous government support for a. education. b. wildlife protection. c. public transportation. d. a whole range of social programs. e. All of the above are true.
E. All of the above are true.
The Great Compromise was also known as the __________ Compromise because of the state delegation that initially proposed it. a. Virginia b. New Jersey c. Massachusetts d. Pennsylvania e. Connecticut
E. Connecticut
Supporters of the Constitution named themselves a. Republicans. b. Democrats. c. Sons of Liberty. d. Antifederalists. e. Federalists.
E. Federalists.
Which of the following European nations was not debt-ridden and did not suffer questions from creditors during 2012? a. Greece b. Ireland c. Italy d. Spain e. Germany
E. Germany
In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson's statement that "all men are created equal" is similar to which theorist's belief that government is based on the "consent of the governed"? a. James Madison b. John Adams c. John Hancock d. Joseph Ellis e. John Locke
E. John Locke
Which political philosopher inspired the phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence? a. Thomas Jefferson b. Adam Smith c. Karl Marx d. Boris Yeltsin e. John Locke
E. John Locke
Which of the following statements regarding cooperative federalism is incorrect? a. It is more amenable to national prerogatives. b. It is perfectly willing to override local standards depending on the issue at stake. c. It is highly responsive to pressure from groups and policy entrepreneurs. d. It blurs lines of national and state responsibility. e. None of the above is true.
E. None of the above is true.
The Constitution explicitly recognizes a. the national government. b. state governments. c. local governments. d. Options A, B, and C are true. e. Options A and B are true.
E. Options A and B are true.
In recent years, the Supreme Court has denied states the power to execute individuals who are a. mentally disabled. b. poor and uneducated. c. from broken homes. d. seventeen-years old. e. Options A and D are true.
E. Options A and D are true.
Agreement among substantive theorists breaks down when the discussion moves from civil rights to a. freedom of expression. b. social rights. c. religious rights. d. economic rights. e. Options B and D are true
E. Options B and D are true
The _________ pressed for legislation requiring cost estimates and analysis of the impact of agency regulations. a. state governors b. Interior Department c. majority of Washington lobbyists d. Congressional Budget Office e. Republicans
E. Republicans
The Declaration of Independence was based on input from many people, but its primary author was a. James Madison. b. John Quincy Adams. c. Benjamin Franklin. d. George Washington. e. Thomas Jefferson.
E. Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Hobbes's ideal form of government was a. a representative democracy. b. democratic socialism. c. the absence of any strong central authority. d. a global council of world leaders. e. a single ruler with unquestioned authority.
E. a single ruler with unquestioned authority.
Real ID, a federally mandated program that imposes security standards for states to issue driver's licenses, is an example of a. redistricting. b. a block grant. c. preemption. d. a restraint. e. an unfunded mandate.
E. an unfunded mandate.
Under separation of powers, the U.S. system keeps power among branches balanced by enabling one branch to counter the actions of another by the use of a. federalism. b. republicanism. c. authority. d. economic manipulation. e. checks and balances.
E. checks and balances.
A politician who appeals to and often deceives the masses by manipulating their emotions and prejudices is a(n) a. politico. b. delegate. c. oligarch. d. legacy. e. demagogue.
E. demagogue
According to the Freedom-Order-Equality class model, conservatives and liberals respectively a. favor states' rights and the national government. b. favor the national government and states' rights. c. both favor the national government. d. both favor states' rights. e. favor the national government or states' rights depending on the purposes of government under discussion
E. favor the national government or states' rights depending on the purposes of government under discussion
The procedural view of democracy is most concerned with a. the level of popular participation in decision making. b. the equality of government decisions. c. minority protections. d. the impact of government decisions. e. how government decisions are made
E. how government decisions are made
The Occupy Wall Street movement stalled in momentum because a. media coverage swiftly turned against the movement. b. public opinion shifted against the organizer's increasingly radical tactics. c. its organizers ran out of money. d. both leading Democrats and Republicans criticized it. e. it made little effort to build organizations and a leadership structure.
E. it made little effort to build organizations and a leadership structure.
When NATO established a no-fly zone over Libya in 2011, Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi protested that NATO had violated Libya's a. politics. b. national supremacy. c. self-control. d. domestic rule. e. national sovereignty.
E. national sovereignty.
Using a two-dimensional model of political ideology, conservatives are more likely to support a. freedom over order and equality over freedom. b. order over freedom and equality over freedom. c. equality over order and equality over freedom. d. order over equality and equality over freedom. e. order over freedom and freedom over equality
E. order over freedom and freedom over equality
According to John Marshall's decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the elastic clause might be interpreted to mean that Congress can take a particular action not specified in the Constitution if that action is a. approved by both houses of Congress. b. strictly related to accomplishment of a national priority. c. requested by a state government. d. generally in the public interest. e. plainly adapted to achieving a legitimate constitutional end.
E. plainly adapted to achieving a legitimate constitutional end.
Republicanism is a form of government in which power a. is divided between the state and national levels. b. is concentrated in one political party. c. is divided among three branches. d. is separated between some elected and some appointed government officials. e. resides in the people and is exercised by their elected representatives.
E. resides in the people and is exercised by their elected representatives.
Compared with majoritarian thought, the pluralist model of democracy shifts the focus of democratic decision making from _________ to _________. a. organized groups; the mass electorate b. representatives; voters c. procedures; substance d. substance; procedures e. the mass electorate; organized groups
E. the mass electorate; organized groups
To amend the Articles of Confederation required a a. majority vote. b. three-fifths vote. c. two-thirds vote. d. three-fourths vote. e. unanimous vote.
E. unanimous vote.
According to Madison in Federalist No. 10, the most common and durable source of factions has been a. religious disputes. b. monarchy. c. slavery. d. democracy. e. unequal distribution of property.
E. unequal distribution of property.
If an amendment to require Bible reading in public schools was passed by Congress and ratified by the states, this would be an example of a. substantive democracy. b. republican democracy. c. participatory democracy. d. religious democracy. e. procedural democracy.
E.procedural democracy.
