American Politics Final Review
The system of shared powers, divided between a central government and the states, is called ________. a.) the electoral college b.) federalism c.) statism d.) checks and balances e.) the separation of powers
b.) federalism
The practice of ________ means that district boundaries have been purposefully drawn to unfairly advantage one group or party. a.) proportional representation b.) gerrymandering c.) balloting d.) incumbency e.) recall
b.) gerrymandering
The ________ of the First Amendment protect(s) an individual's right to believe and practice whatever religion he or she chooses. a.) establishment clause b.) free association clause c.) free exercise clause d.) religious freedom restoration clause e.) privileges and immunities
C.) free exercise clause
Which of the following is NOT a key factor affecting one's level of participation? a.) age b.) income c.) geographic region d. education e. occupation
C.) geographic region
Which of the following statements about young people is true? a.) Although many young people feel that they can solve problems in their communities, most express a deep cynicism about politicians. b.) Although many young people feel that they cannot solve problems in their communities, they express strong feelings of trust in politicians. c.) Many young people feel that they can solve problems in their communities and express strong feelings of trust in politicians. d.) Many young people feel that they cannot solve problems in their communities and express a deep cynicism about politicians. e.) Whatever their feelings about the political process, young people participate in politics more than any other group in American society.
A.) Although many young people feel that they can solve problems in their communities, most express a deep cynicism about politicians.
Why does the marketplace of ideas often have a moderating effect on people's opinions? A.) Given constant exposure to other people's ideas, it is almost impossible for one not to modify one's own viewpoints B.) Moderate ideas usually have the best financial backing and the greatest publicity C.) The most popular ideas are usually the most moderate ones D.) Those who shop in the marketplace of ideas typically start with moderate view-points E.) Moderate ideas are always closest to the truth and, therefore, are most successful in the marketplace of ideas
A.) Given constant exposure to other people's ideas, it is almost impossible for one not to modify one's own viewpoints.
The constitutional authority of Congress to forbid discrimination in employment is based on the a.) power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce. b.) equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. c.) privileges and immunities clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. d.) Thirteenth Amendment. e.) Tenth Amendment.
A.) Power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce
In contemporary American politics, solid support for the Republican Party comes from the ________. a.) South and Mountain West b.) South, Northeast, and Midwest c.) Northeast, Midwest, and West d.) Northeast, Midwest, and Southwest e.) Northeast and South
A.) South and Mountain West
The term gender gap refers to A.) differences in political opinions between men and women B.) differences in education and income levels for men and women C.) differing levels of political participation between the genders D.) differences in fundamental political values held by men and women E.) differences in the amount of attention elected officials give to men and women in their campaign speeches
A.) differences in political opinions between men and women
When New York Times reporter Judith Miller was jailed in 2005, it illustrated that a.) the press has no constitutional right to withhold information in court. b.) prior restraint can still be allowed in cases of national security. c.) journalists are held to a higher standard of libel than average citizens. d.) parodies are not protected speech. e.) journalists can be punished for reporting inaccurate information on political stories.
A.) the press has no constitutional right to withhold information in court
What was the purpose of California's Proposition 187? a.) It barred unauthorized immigrants from voting. b.) It barred unauthorized immigrants from receiving most public services c.) It barred unauthorized immigrants from ever receiving green cards. d.) It attempted to limit unauthorized immigration at the border through the use of racial profiling. e.) It attempted to limit unauthorized immigration at the border by building a wall between California and Mexico.
B.) It barred unauthorized immigrants from receiving most public services
What bloc of voters has recently been called "the sleeping giant"? a.) African Americans b.) Latino Americans c.) Asian Americans d.) middle-class whites e.) upper-class whites
B.) Latino Americans
Which of the following statements is true with regard to Latino Americans? A.) Latino Americans are more likely than African Americans to perceive that America is racist society B.) Latino Americans are less likely than African Americans to perceive that America is racist society C.) Immigration policy is not very important to Latino Americans D.) First-generation Spanish-speaking immigrants do not share a group affinity E.) Second and third generation Latino Americans are more likely to consume Spanish-language news than first-generation Latino Americans
B.) Latino Americans are less likely than African Americans to perceive that America is a racist society
___ is the core political value most highly prioritized by American conservatives A.) Democracy B.) Liberty C.) Equality D.) Family E.) Justice
B.) Liberty
The following are all concerns raised by the growing popularity of online news EXCEPT a.) a decline in investigative journalism. b.) a reduction in the diversity of perspectives that can potentially be heard c.) a negative impact on political knowledge. d.) a decrease in political tolerance. e.) uneven quality in news content.
B.) a reduction in the diversity of perspectives that can potentially be heard
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act, passed by Congress in 1993, was an attempt to a.) recognize Judeo-Christianity as the unofficial religion of the United States. b.) give more protection to religious freedoms than the Supreme Court allowed. c.) establish a federal school voucher program. d). permit prayer in public schools. e.) limit the kinds of religious ceremonies that non mainstream religious organizations conducted at their services
B.) give more protection to religious freedoms than the Supreme Court allowed
When journalists focus on a candidate's relative standing in the polls instead of substantive issues they are demonstrating ________ coverage. a. bandwagon b.) horse race c. momentum d. lame duck e. dog show
B.) horse race
Which of the following is the best definition of soft money? a.) money collected through illegal donations b.) money contributed directly to political parties and other organizations at the state and local levels for political activities that are not regulated by federal campaign spending laws c.) nonmonetary donations made to a party for use of privileges such as airplanes and hotel rooms that are not officially considered income d.) money that is left over after the election e.) money that is contributed by a candidate to a political party in order to receive the party's support in an upcoming election
B.) money contributed directly to political parties and other organizations at the state and local levels for political activities that are not regulated by federal campaign spending laws
The complex set of beliefs and values that, as a whole, form a general philosophy about the government is called ____ A.) public opinion B.) political ideology C.) political socialization D.) political efficacy E.) political sophistication
B.) political ideology
Despite its widespread availability, ________ typically provide(s) the least depth of news coverage. A.) Radio B.) television C.) the internet D.) newspapers E.) magazine
B.) television
Nearly ________percent of Americans lack high-speed Internet access in their homes. a.) 5 b.) 15 c.) 33 d.) 50 e.) 62
C.) 33
On average, more women vote for ________ candidates and more men vote for ________ candidates a.) Republican; Republican b.) Republican; Democratic c.) Democratic; Republican d.) Democratic; Democratic e.) Independent; Independent
C.) Democratic; Republican
Which of the following statements about political opinion if FALSE? A.) Race, income, and education cause important differences in opinion B.) The poor are generally more supportive of economic and social programs than the wealthy C.) The poor are generally less supportive of economic and social programs than the wealthy D.) Whites and blacks have differing views on racism E.) Women are more opposed to military intervention than men
C.) The poor are generally less supportive of economic and social programs than the wealthy
What is one of the main differences between those who have gone to college and those who have not? A.) Those with a college education are less likely to believe that women and men should have equal roles B.) Those with a college education are more likely to believe that abortion should never be allowed C.) There is a higher level of political participation among those with a college education D.) There is lower level of political participation among those with a college education E.) Those with a college education are more likely to believe that the United States should not concern itself with other nation's problems
C.) There is a higher level of political participation among those with a college education
The development of media giants with access to a variety of media holdings raises the question of whether A.) local newspapers are no longer a viable source of news. B.) the level of censorship and manipulation of news media by the federal government will increase. C.) there is enough competition among the media to produce a diverse set of views and opinions D.) there is a large enough audience for all of the news media sources that have proliferated in the last decade. E.) government has the authority to regulate corporations that are so large.
C.) There is enough competition among the media to produce a diverse set of views and opinions
Which of the following is true of trust in government? A.) People have more trust in government today than in the 1960s B.) Republicans have most trust in government than Democrats C.) Very low trust in government is a reality in contemporary politics D.) Very high trust in government is reality in contemporary politics E.) Americans had more trust in government when George W. Bush was president than during John F. Kennedy's tenure
C.) Very low trust in government is a reality in contemporary politics
The term public opinion is used to describe a.) the president's collected speeches and writings during his term in office. b.) the analysis of events broadcasted by reporters during the evening news. c.) beliefs and attitudes toward different issues, events, and people d.) the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions. e.) political debates that take place between citizens in public settings.
C.)beliefs and attitudes toward different issues, events, and people
Which of the following statements about the digital divide is NOT true? a.) Inequality in access to political information online is an important public policy issue. b.) A lack of interest is a primary reason elderly Americans are offline. c.) Cost is a primary reason the poor are offline. d.) All racial and ethnic groups in the United States are equally likely to have online access. e.) Racial minorities and younger Americans are likely to access the Internet through mobile devices such as cell phones, even if they lack home access
D.) All racial and ethnic groups in the United States are equally likely to have online access
What was the main cause for dropping the legal voting age to eighteen? a.) Young American citizens effectively organized and protested for the right to vote. b.) It had been one of the civil rights movement's important goals. c.) The Constitution mandated that the draft age be equivalent to the voting age. d.) Government officials hoped it would lead to a decline in disruptive student protests. e.) A decision by the Supreme Court justices determined that voting requirements based on age were unconstitutional.
D.) Government officials hoped it would lead to a decline in disruptive student protests
Which of the following is true about high school students in public schools? a.) High school students have the same free speech rights as adults. b.) The justices have always provided a broad protection of free speech rights for high school students. c.) both a and b d.) High school students have conditionally protected speech e.) High school students have no free speech rights whatsoever.
D.) High school students have conditionally protected speech
A socialist is someone who believes that A.) government should be very active in providing universal health care but very inactive in all other spheres B.) government should be very active in providing universal education but very inactive in all other spheres C.) government should be very active in promoting national defense but very inactive in all other spheres D.) government should be very active in many spheres in order to reduce economic and social inequality E.) government is wasteful and should be limited to as few spheres of activity as possible
D.) government should be very active in many spheres in order to reduce economic and social inequality
It is likely that eliminating state-level voter registration laws would a.) decrease voter turnout among younger people. b.) decrease voter turnout among older people. c.) decrease voter turnout among all voters. d.) increase voter turnout among younger people. e.) have no effect on voter turnout among any group.
D.) increase voter turnout among younger people
The fact that Democratic Party leaders have become more liberal and Republican Party leaders more conservative is important because A.) it has made the gender gap much smaller B.) Republicans have become less hawkish over time C.) Democrats have become more hawkish over time D.) partisans in the public tend to rely on party leaders for cues on the appropriate positions to take on major political issues E.) partisans in the public no longer rely on party leaders for cues on the appropriate positions to take on major political issues
D.) partisans in the public tend to rely on party leaders for cues on the appropriate positions to take on major political issues
Which of the following statements about the relationship between public opinion and government policy is most accurate? A.) Public opinion always shifts in opposition to government policy once the policy has been implemented. B.) Public opinion always shift in favor of government policy once the policy has been implemented C.) Shifts in public opinion almost never lead to changes in government policy D.) Shifts in public opinion always lead to changes in government policy E.) Although there is no-to-one correlation between public opinion and government policy, shifts in public opinion on particular issues frequently lead to changes in government policy
E.) Although there is no one-to-one correlation between public opinion and government policy, shifts in public opinion on particular issues frequently lead to changes in government policy.
________ are areas of personal freedom with which governments are constrained from interfering. a.) Civil rights b.) Political rights c.) Electoral rights d.) Civil and political discourse e.) Civil liberties
E.) Civil Liberties
Which of the following terms describe America's fundamental political values? A.) liberal and conservative B.) Republican and Democrat C.) internationalist and isolationist D.) independent and moderate E.) liberty, equality of opportunity, and democracy
E.) liberty, equality of opportunity, and democracy
Ten years after Brown v. Board of Education (1954), ________ percent of black children in the Deep South attended school with white children. a.) 1 b.) 20 c.) 33 d.) 55 e.) 80
a.) 1
The fact that interest groups favor the wealthy and well educated can be understood as a reflection of what eternal dilemma in American politics? a.) Liberty is often inconsistent with equality. b.) Democracy has not been helpful in reducing the number of factions. c.) There are no efficient means of organizing the working class in the United States. d.) Organized associations and groups inhibit freedom. e.) It is difficult to have majority rule and also protect minority rights.
a.) Liberty is often inconsistent with equality.
Which of the following statements best describes the motivations of the Founders in writing the U.S. Constitution? a.) The Founders' primary goal was to devise a system consistent with the dominant philosophical and moral principles of the day while also promoting commerce and protecting private property from radical state legislatures. b.) The Founders' primary goal was to devise a system that would lead to their own personal enrichment. c.) The Founders' primary goal was to devise a system of direct democracy that maximized popular sovereignty. d.) The Founders' primary goal was to devise a system that concentrated authority in one branch of government. e.) The Founders' primary goal was to devise a system that ended slavery.
a.) The Founders' primary goal was to devise a system consistent with the dominant philosophical and moral principles of the day while also promoting commerce and protecting private property from radical state legislatures.
Why have politicians always favored using subsidies to promote certain economic activities? a.) They can be treated as benefits that can be widely spread in response to many demands. b.) They are generally cheaper than other forms of government support. c.) Recipients are always required to pay back the subsidies. d.) Congress does not have to pass legislation in order to provide subsidies. e.) They are paid for through international tariffs rather than personal income taxes.
a.) They can be treated as benefits that can be widely spread in response to many demands.
What has been one of the most pressing questions concerning socioeconomic status? a.) Why has the level of participation in politics not increased as a result of the rising level of education among Americans? b.) Why do recent immigrants display a higher level of political participation than second- and third-generation Americans? c.) Why is Catholic American participation consistently higher than that of Protestant Americans? d.) Why do citizens in coastal cities tend to have a voting rate approximately 5-7 percent higher than citizens in landlocked states? e.) Why have rising income levels not increased the number of people who are willing to make monetary contributions to political candidates?
a.) Why has the level of participation in politics not increased as a result of the rising level of education among Americans?
McDonald v. Chicago (2010) was significant because it a.) applied the Second Amendment to state governments for the first time. b.) rejected the idea that the Second Amendment applies to state governments. c.) concluded that the Second Amendment applies only to state governments and not to the federal government. d.) banned assault rifles in the United States. e.) upheld the state of Illinois's restrictions on gun ownership by former felons.
a.) applied the Second Amendment to state governments for the first time.
The written opinions of appellate courts have been described as halfway between ________ and ________. a.) common law; statutory law b.) stare decisis; administrative rule making c.) civil law; constitutional law d.) public law; private law e.) common law; public law
a.) common law; statutory law
Pork-barrel legislation a.) deals with specific projects and their location within a particular congressional district b.) deals with specific agricultural subsidies c.) funds efforts to increase the levels of America's meat exports. d.) grants a special privilege to a person named in the bill. e.) orders state governments to implement a program without providing funding for doing so.
a.) deals with specific projects and their location within a particular congressional district
What were government officials trying to accomplish when they called for the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act to create an additional database that would record contractors who have legal or contract violations? a.) providing adequate government oversight for an increasingly expanding force of in-dependent contractors b.) creating a national database to make it easier for the government to collect tax revenues from government contractors c.) creating a national database to make sure that government contractors do not have any conflicts of interest with high-ranking public officials d.) creating a better system so that the government can find contractors to perform government jobs more quickly e.) increasing the number of contractors available to work for the government
a.) providing adequate government oversight for an increasingly expanding force of in-dependent contractors
In a federal system, governmental responsibilities are a.) shared by both state and federal authorities. b.) provided by local government agencies. c.) under the complete authority of state governments. d.) the sole responsibility of the federal government e.) carried out by private corporations and religious organizations.
a.) shared by both state and federal authorities.
Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act a.) was a valuable tool for the women's movement in the 1960s and 1970s be-cause it prohibited gender discrimination. b.) was a valuable tool for the women's movement in the 1960s and 1970s be-cause it added the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution. c.) significantly hurt the women's movement in the 1960s and 1970s because it only outlawed discrimination on the basis of race. d.) significantly hurt the women's movement in the 1960s and 1970s because it required government to treat men and women differently in many areas of public policy. e.) had no effect on the women's movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
a.) was a valuable tool for the women's movement in the 1960s and 1970s be-cause it prohibited gender discrimination.
United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) is an important case because the justices declared that a.) the Exclusion Act was unconstitutional. b). anyone born in the United States was entitled to be a citizen. c.) Asian American children could not go to school with white students. d.) English was not the official language of the United States. e.) the 1965 Immigration Act was unconstitutional.
b). anyone born in the United States was entitled to be a citizen.
A citizen can currently give no more than ________ per candidate for federal office per election in a given two-year election cycle. a.) $1,000 b.) $2,600 c.) $5,000 d.) $25,000 e.) $117,500
b.) $2,600
What did the Supreme Court justices decide in Kelo v. City of New London (2005)? a.) Police officers must have probable cause before searching someone loitering on the street. b.) A city can seize land from private owners and transfer it to another private owner as part of a redevelopment program. c.) Individuals have restricted rights to free speech when they are on the property of private shopping malls. d.) City governments cannot establish their own school districts. e.) Using trained police dogs to look for drugs in cars stopped at roadblocks is unconstitutional.
b.) A city can seize land from private owners and transfer it to another private owner as part of a redevelopment program.
________ occurs when a voter must be registered with a party prior to voting in that party's election. a.) An open primary b.) A closed primary c.) A majority system d.) The Australian ballot e.) A referendum
b.) A closed primary
Which of the following kinds of cases are not likely to be accepted by the Supreme Court? a.) Cases in which the federal government is an appellant. b.) Cases that address state laws but that do not raise constitutional issues. c.) Cases that raise important questions about civil rights. d.) Cases that involve conflicting decisions by federal circuit courts. e.) Cases that raise important questions about civil liberties.
b.) Cases that address state laws but that do not raise constitutional issues.
Which of the following statements best describes the history of American federalism? a.) There has always been a clear and non-controversial allocation of responsibilities between the states and the federal government. b.) Throughout American history, there has been considerable debate about the allocation of responsibilities between the states and the federal government. c.) Debates over the responsibilities allocated to the states and to the federal government first occurred in the 1980s. d.) Debates over the responsibilities allocated to the states and to the federal government ended with the Civil War. e.) Debates over the responsibilities allocated to the states and to the federal government ended immediately after the Great Depression.
b.) Throughout American history, there has been considerable debate about the allocation of responsibilities between the states and the federal government.
Lobbying is a.) an attempt by an individual or group to influence the passage of legislation by exerting indirect pressure, through advertisements and media coverage, on members of Congress or a state legislature. b.) an attempt by an individual or group to influence the passage of legislation by exerting direct pressure on members of Congress or a state legislature c.) an attempt by an individual or group to influence the passage of legislation by exerting indirect pressure, through phone calls or e-mails, on members of Congress or a state legislature. d.) the act of working on a re-election campaign. e.) making illegal campaign contributions to government officials.
b.) an attempt by an individual or group to influence the passage of legislation by exerting direct pressure on members of Congress or a state legislature
The Tea Party movement is a.) an official third party that challenges both Democrats and Republicans in national elections. b.) an organized challenge to incumbents in the Republican Party by the most conservative wing of the Republican Party c.) an organized challenge to incumbents in the Democratic Party by the most liberal wing of the Democratic Party. d.) an offspring of the Green Party that runs for state and local office in many Mid-western states. e.) the now defunct party that gave way to the Republican Party at the end of the "Second Party System."
b.) an organized challenge to incumbents in the Republican Party by the most conservative wing of the Republican Party
The first and most famous test for determining when the government could intervene to suppress political speech was called the ________. a.) speech plus test b.) clear and present danger test c.) strict scrutiny test d.) Lemon test e.) imminent lawless action test
b.) clear and present danger test
Legally enforced segregation in public schools is a form of ________ discrimination. a.) de facto b.) de jure c.) stare decisis d.) suspect e.) intermediate
b.) de jure
The best description of the ideal of pluralism is that a.) the public good should always trump individual interests. b.) interests should be free to compete with each other for governmental influence. c.) interest groups are factions that endanger liberty. d.) democracy is best served by legalizing but regulating the influence of interest groups. e.) interest groups are factions that endanger political and economic equality.
b.) interests should be free to compete with each other for governmental influence.
When a coalition of credit card companies form an interest group called the Partnership to Protect Consumer Credit, this indicates that a.) credit card companies are interested in the public good. b.) private interests are hiding behind the ideals of public interests c.) public interest groups are now actively involving private corporations. d.) the free-rider problem does not apply to private corporations. e.) the credit card companies lack solitary benefits to offer their customers.
b.) private interests are hiding behind the ideals of public interests
For the presidential primaries, most but not all state parties use what type of election? a.) winner-take-all b.) proportional representation c.) majority rules d.) the unitary system e.) plurality
b.) proportional representation
During the late nineteenth century, the equal protection clause was a.) used as a strong tool for engineering racial equality. b.) severely limited in scope by the Supreme Court. c.) ruled to be unconstitutional. d.) more strongly defended by individual states than by the federal government. e.) not implemented because of a lack of tax revenue.
b.) severely limited in scope by the Supreme Court.
Those who believe in the theory of ________ maintain that the government's role in regulating the economy should be focused on lowering taxes and creating incentives for a more productive and efficient use of re-sources. a.) Keynesianism b.) supply-side economics c.) fiscalism d.) inflation e.) laissez-faire capitalism
b.) supply-side economics
After World War II, which government institution first began drawing attention to the problem of racism in America? a.) the Supreme Court b.) the White House c. Congress d. state governments e. the State Department
b.) the White House
Since 1973, the right to an abortion has been a.) upheld and expanded b.) upheld but narrowed in scope c.) overturned by the Supreme Court. d.) unchanged because the Supreme Court has not heard another case involving abortion. e.) repealed by a constitutional amendment.
b.) upheld but narrowed in scope
________ federalism is evidenced when federal officials establish environmental standards that every state must follow. a. Cooperative b. Dual c. Regulated d. "Marble cake" e. Home rule
c. Regulated
Approximately ________ is needed for a candidate to have a reasonable chance of winning a seat in the House of Representatives. a.) $50,000 b.) $100,000 c.) $500,000 d.) $5,000,000 e.) $10,000,000
c.) $500,000
In order to have reliable information about the costs and impact of economic policies, Congress created the ________. a.) Federal Reserve Board b.) Office of Management and Budget c.) Congressional Budget Office d.) Congressional Oversight Commission e.) Congressional Research Service
c.) Congressional Budget Office
What was the main reason that Alexander Hamilton did NOT want a bill of rights? a.) He wanted the national government to have as much power as possible. b.) He believed that too many individual liberties destroyed the trust between citizen and government. c.) He believed it was unnecessary for a national government that possessed only specifically delegated powers. d.) He believed a bill of rights would make the Constitution too specific and cumbersome. e.) He believed a bill of rights would lead to many frivolous lawsuits.
c.) He believed it was unnecessary for a national government that possessed only specifically delegated powers.
What is a referendum? a.) It is the congressional election held between presidential elections. b.) It is the right and power to vote. c.) It is the practice of voting directly for proposed laws d.) It is the process by which a party selects its candidates for the general election. e.) It is the process by which voters are allowed to remove state officials from office before their terms expire.
c.) It is the practice of voting directly for proposed laws
What would be the most likely outcome if federal governmental officials were to cease all economic regulation? a.) The marketplace would work more efficiently and quickly. b.) The marketplace would favor the more numerous workers rather than corporate interests. c.) The marketplace would fall into chaos. d.) The marketplace would globalize more quickly. e.) The marketplace would stabilize.
c.) The marketplace would fall into chaos.
Many interest groups are initially organized because a.) most state-level government agencies will only negotiate policy implementation with organized groups. b.) funding opportunities provided by the federal bureaucracy encourage collective action. c.) a political entrepreneur with a strong commitment to a particular set of goals believes a group will promote his or her goals and enhance his or her political influence. d.) activists realize that it is easier to form an interest group than it is to engage in other forms of political participation. e.) a politician has lost an election and wants to challenge the results.
c.) a political entrepreneur with a strong commitment to a particular set of goals believes a group will promote his or her goals and enhance his or her political influence.
When Richard Nixon employed his "southern strategy," he a.) used the FBI to help collect secrets and blackmail southern Democratic leaders. b.) ignored the southern states in favor of voters in the Midwest and Northeast. c.) appealed to disaffected white voters in the South d.) referred to the break-in at the Watergate complex e.) appealed to black southerners who had recently mobilized for civil rights.
c.) appealed to disaffected white voters in the South
The most consistently powerful nongovernment actors in determining economic policy are ________. a.) labor unions b.) environmental groups c.) business organizations d.) foreign nations e.) private citizens
c.) business organizations
Which three types of factors influence the decisions of voters at the polls? a.) wealth, education, and issues b.) advertising, partisan loyalty, and personality c.) partisan loyalty, issues, and the characteristics of candidates d.) advertising, debates, and issues e.) honesty, partisan loyalty, and wealth
c.) partisan loyalty, issues, and the characteristics of candidates
A filibuster allows members of the Senate to a.) refer a bill to multiple committees. b.) avoid a conference committee. c.) prevent a vote on a bill by speaking continuously on the floor d.) call into question any action of the executive branch. e.) add amendments to any bill at any time.
c.) prevent a vote on a bill by speaking continuously on the floor
State ballot access laws, such as registration fees and petition requirements, have the effect of a.) increasing the number of people who are willing to vote for third-party candidates. b.) reducing the number of people who are willing to vote for third-party candidates. c.) reducing the number of third-party and independent candidates who can run for office d.) increasing the number of third-party and independent candidates who can run for office. e.) decreasing the importance of soft money in election campaigns.
c.) reducing the number of third-party and independent candidates who can run for office
In Lawrence v. Texas (2003), the Supreme Court justices a.) upheld a state law banning private homosexual activity. b.) granted gays and lesbians status under the equal protection clause. c.) struck down a state law criminalizing homosexual conduct. d.) denied that homosexuals were a protected class under the Fourteenth Amendment. e.) ruled that gays and lesbians should be allowed to legally marry.
c.) struck down a state law criminalizing homosexual conduct.
The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) was significant because it concluded that the a.) Constitution prohibits the government from limiting campaign spending in any way. b.) Constitution allows the government to prevent certain candidates from running campaign ads. c.) Constitution allows the government to ban political speech funded by corporations. d.) Constitution prohibits the government from regulating political speech funded by corporations. e.) "millionaire's amendment" to the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act was consistent with the Constitution.
d.) Constitution prohibits the government from regulating political speech funded by corporations.
Which of the following statements is true? A.) The Tea Party movement is more popular in New England than in the South B.) The Democratic Party is becoming more popular in the South C.) California is a solid Republican state today D.) Latino voters may shift the balance of political power in Texas in the next decade E.) Political elites are not polarized today
d.) Latino voters may shift the balance of political power in Texas in the next decade
A(n) ________ does NOT coincide with a presidential election. a.) closed primary election b.) open primary election c.) franchise vote d.) midterm election e.) referendum
d.) midterm election
The principle of "one person, one vote" was established by the Supreme Court in the ________. a.) 1790s b.) 1820s c.) 1870s d.) 1930s e.) 1960s
e.) 1960s
Which of the following statements about federal courts is most accurate? a.) The federal government does not operate a court system. b.) Federal courts hear only a small fraction of all of the civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, and their decisions are rarely important because they are not allowed to interpret the Constitution or the federal laws that govern all Americans. c.) Although federal courts hear the vast majority of all civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, their decisions are rarely important because they are not allowed to interpret the Constitution or the federal laws that govern all Americans. d.) Federal courts hear the vast majority of all civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, and their decisions are extremely important because they interpret the Constitution and the federal laws that govern all Americans. e.) Although the federal courts hear only a small fraction of all of the civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, their decisions are extremely important because they interpret the Constitution and the federal laws that govern all Americans.
e.) Although the federal courts hear only a small fraction of all of the civil and criminal cases decided each year in the United States, their decisions are extremely important because they interpret the Constitution and the federal laws that govern all Americans.
The American experience with civil rights suggests which of the following things about political change in the United States? a.) Political change can only be achieved when citizens bypass the courts and the legislatures entirely. b.) Political change is easiest to achieve when the courts and the legislatures frequently overturn each other's actions. c.) The courts are far more powerful than the legislature and therefore can advance political change on their own. d.) The legislatures are far more powerful than the courts and therefore can advance political change on their own. e.) Legislatures need constitutional authority to act from the courts, and the courts need legislative assistance to implement court orders and focus political support.
e.) Legislatures need constitutional authority to act from the courts, and the courts need legislative assistance to implement court orders and focus political support.
Which of the following is NOT one of the concerns politicians have to consider when attempting to pass regulations that seek to protect the environment? a.) Compliance with environmental regulations can be very costly. b.) Federal environmental standards are often set too high. c.) Who should bear the costs of providing environmental benefits? d.) Scientific evidence can change making some environmental regulations obsolete. e.) Public opinion overwhelmingly favors economic interests over the environment.
e.) Public opinion overwhelmingly favors economic interests over the environment.
What are political parties more capable of doing than interest groups? a.) raising money b.) providing solidary benefits c.) providing purposive benefits d.) articulating a clear and persuasive ideology e.) organizing people on a mass scale
e.) organizing people on a mass scale
Which of the following is NOT a power of the Federal Reserve Board? a.) the power to increase or decrease the interest rate it charges on the loans it extends to member banks b.) the power to control the reserve requirement c.) the power to buy and sell government securities in order to increase or decrease the supply of money in the economy d.) the power to manipulate the interest rate charge by one bank to another on loans in the federal funds market e.) the power to enforce the federal government's antitrust policies
e.) the power to enforce the federal government's antitrust policies
