AP Gov-5.4-5.7
The concept of realignment refers to changes in A the United States system of international alliances B the social bases of the parties' voting support C the media's criticism of the president and Congress D spending priorities in the federal budget E the rate of voter participation
B the social bases of the parties' voting support
Source: The National Election Studies, Center for Political Studies, University of Michigan. The table above supports which of the following conclusions? A plurality of the people has consistently supported the Democrats. Support for the two major parties increased slightly between 1952 and 1994. The largest percentage increase in political identification between 1952 and 1994 occurred among independents. A I only B II only C III only D I and II only E I, II, and III
C III only
Which of the following is the best explanation for the trend in voting behavior after the 2000 election? A Many states lowered their voting age after 2000, which led to an increase in Democratic Party voters. B Most younger voters who were Democrats in the 1980s became more conservative as they grew older and ended up supporting Republicans after 2000. C The events that shaped the generation turning 18 after the year 2000 tended to create more liberal-minded voters who supported Democrats. D Most younger voters after 2000 adopted political positions that were opposed to their parents' point of view.
C The events that shaped the generation turning 18 after the year 2000 tended to create more liberal-minded voters who supported Democrats.
The graphic illustrates which of the following statements about political parties? A Federalism leads to a multiparty system in which at least three parties generally compete for control of local, state, and national governments. B The founders refused to join political parties because they agreed that parties were contrary to the public interests, so parties did not form until well after the ratification of the Constitution. C There is an ongoing debate between political parties over the power and scope of the federal government, even as economic and demographic changes have altered party coalitions. D The Constitution settled the debate over the power of the federal government, but political parties formed nonetheless to help Congress organize itself over regional interests.
C There is an ongoing debate between political parties over the power and scope of the federal government, even as economic and demographic changes have altered party coalitions.
The development and persistence of the two-party system in the United States is best accounted for by A the Twelfth Amendment B proportional representation C multimember legislative districts D single-member legislative districts E strong party loyalty of elected representatives
D single-member legislative districts
Which of the following is an accurate comparison between the relative functions and electoral success of the two major political parties (Democratic and Republican) and third parties?
Major Parties: The rules of the electoral college favor the major-party candidates in presidential elections. Third Parties: Winner-take-all voting districts hinder the electoral success of third-party candidates.
Which of the following activities by interest groups best illustrates attempts to educate members of Congress on public policy? A A green energy group sending a research report to congressional offices B A law-reform group sending alerts to its members encouraging them to contact their representatives C A single-issue group holding a rally in Washington to show support for their cause D A PAC giving contributions to the reelection campaigns of members of Congress
A A green energy group sending a research report to congressional offices
The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) urges its members to take action in support of what they term "animal friendly" legislation through their website. In addition to providing information about important issues that legislators may vote on, the nonprofit organization also describes the best ways to contact a legislator and tips on how best to interact with lawmakers. Which of the following is being illustrated in the scenario? A Interest groups sometimes form around a narrow set of issues with the goal of impacting policy making. B Interest groups lacking funding can overcome the free-rider problem by proposing legislation on their website. C Interest groups work to mobilize citizens and members of Congress to form an iron triangle. D Interest groups post messages on social media to request donations from members.
A Interest groups sometimes form around a narrow set of issues with the goal of impacting policy making.
The National Education Association (NEA) is an organization of teachers, administrators, and other educators who work together to advance the interests and impact of public education. One of the NEA's goals is to support public education by ending government funding of voucher programs that promote school privatization. Vouchers give parents financial incentives to send their children to private schools rather than having children attend local public schools. Which of the following strategies would be the most effective way to achieve the NEA's goal of furthering the interest of public education? A Lobby members of congressional committees to vote against all legislation that would support school voucher programs. B Petition Congress to hold an oversight hearing of the Department of Education on private and public school funding. C Increase membership in the NEA by offering new members financial benefits. D Request that the Supreme Court to declare the school voucher and privatization programs unconstitutional.
A Lobby members of congressional committees to vote against all legislation that would support school voucher programs.
Which of the following describes the result in a winner-take-all, single-member-district plurality system? A The candidate who receives the most votes in the election wins. B The candidate must receive at least 51% of the votes to win. C The top two vote-getters compete in a run-off election. D A political party must receive 51% of the votes to win all of the seats in the district. E The party that receives the most votes in the election wins the seat and selects the party member who will fill the seat.
A The candidate who receives the most votes in the election wins.
Which of the following statements about the trend is correct according to the line chart? A The ideological difference between Southern and Northern Democrats in the House of Representatives has decreased since 1973. B Republicans in the House of Representatives have gradually become more liberal since 1981. C Southern Democrats in the House of Representatives have historically always been more conservative than Northern Democrats. D There are less regional differences in the House of Representatives among Republicans than Democrats.
A The ideological difference between Southern and Northern Democrats in the House of Representatives has decreased since 1973.
Based on the data in the chart, which of the following best explains a likely impact of third-party votes in the 2016 election? A The third-party vote in the three states depicted in the chart helped Donald Trump acquire enough electoral votes to win the election. B The third parties were able to gain seats in Congress because of the large number of votes they received in the three states depicted in the chart. C The third-party vote counts in the three states depicted in the chart forced the election to a tie, forcing the House of Representatives to cast the deciding vote. D The third-party vote counts forced the three states depicted in the chart into runoff elections to decide who would be the winner of each state.
A The third-party vote in the three states depicted in the chart helped Donald Trump acquire enough electoral votes to win the election.
Which of the following is true of amicus curiae briefs? A They are used by interest groups to lobby courts. B They are used exclusively by liberal interest groups. C They are used exclusively by conservative interest groups. D They are now unconstitutional. E They are the means by which a litigant seeks Supreme Court review of a lower court decision.
A They are used by interest groups to lobby courts.
Since 1972, voters in presidential elections have A become more focused on individual candidates B increasingly based their votes on televised candidate debates C become more influenced by party platforms D become more likely to focus on local rather than national conditions E become more likely to rely on print media for information
A become more focused on individual candidates
An interest group is most likely to have influence in Congress when the issue at stake A is narrow in scope and low in public visibility B is part of the president's legislative package C has been dramatized by the media D engages legislators' deeply held convictions E divides legislators along party lines
A is narrow in scope and low in public visibility
An interest group would likely have the greatest influence on policy matters involving A narrow issues, only a few interest groups, and technical information B broad, highly visible national issues C broad foreign policy issues D major constitutional questions about civil rights and liberties E areas in which members of Congress have considerable expertise and commitment
A narrow issues, only a few interest groups, and technical information
Which of the following best accounts for the lack of success generally encountered by minor political parties in electing members to the House or Senate? A Political action committee (PAC) contributions are restricted by law to the two major parties. B General elections in the United States are based on the winner-take-all principle. C House and Senate rules exclude members of minor parties from organizing coalitions with the major parties. D The public has great faith in the two major political parties. E Some states outlaw minor political parties.
B General elections in the United States are based on the winner-take-all principle.
"Any candidate using Facebook can put a campaign message promising one thing in front of one group of voters while simultaneously running an ad with a completely opposite message in front of a different group of voters. The ads themselves are not posted anywhere for the general public to see (this is what's known as 'dark advertising'), and chances are, no one will ever be the wiser. That undermines the very idea of a 'marketplace of ideas,' says Ann Ravel, a former member of the Federal Election Commission who has long advocated stricter regulations on digital campaigning. 'The way to have a robust democracy is for people to hear all these ideas and make decisions and discuss," Ravel said. 'With microtargeting, that is not happening.'" Julia Carrie Wong, "'It Might Work Too Well:' the Dark Art of Political Advertising Online," The Guardian, March 19, 2018. Which of the following scenarios reflects the most direct effect of the practice described in the passage on the electoral process? A State legislatures will redraw the boundaries of electoral districts to group like-minded voters together. B Political parties will rely increasingly on social media advertising to reach different coalitions of voters. C Political campaigns will operate with greater transparency regarding the sources of their financing and advertising. D Political parties will play a greater role in recruiting qualified candidates capable of effectively communicating their party's policy agenda to potential voters.
B Political parties will rely increasingly on social media advertising to reach different coalitions of voters.
Which of the following statements regarding political parties is true based on the graphic? A The Democratic Party has consistently favored states' rights. B The Republican Party initially emerged as an antislavery political party. C Regional interests have not played a major role in any of the party systems. D The Democratic and Republican Parties were the two major parties during the First Party System.
B The Republican Party initially emerged as an antislavery political party.
Which of the following is the most accurate statement about political parties in the United States? A Parties increasingly identify themselves with coherent ideologies to attract large blocs of voters. B The percentage of voters identifying themselves as either Democrats or Republicans has been declining since the 1970's. C National party organizations are generally the strongest party organizations. D It is increasingly difficult for third parties to gain more than two percent of the popular vote. E Most candidates prefer to run as independents rather than as Democrats or Republicans.
B The percentage of voters identifying themselves as either Democrats or Republicans has been declining since the 1970's.
"Any candidate using Facebook can put a campaign message promising one thing in front of one group of voters while simultaneously running an ad with a completely opposite message in front of a different group of voters. The ads themselves are not posted anywhere for the general public to see (this is what's known as 'dark advertising'), and chances are, no one will ever be the wiser. That undermines the very idea of a 'marketplace of ideas,' says Ann Ravel, a former member of the Federal Election Commission who has long advocated stricter regulations on digital campaigning. 'The way to have a robust democracy is for people to hear all these ideas and make decisions and discuss," Ravel said. 'With microtargeting, that is not happening.'" Julia Carrie Wong, "'It Might Work Too Well:' the Dark Art of Political Advertising Online," The Guardian, March 19, 2018. Which of the following political processes or behaviors is most directly affected by the development described in the passage? A Party-line voting in Congress B Voter mobilization C Campaign finance reform D Regional party realignments
B Voter mobilization
The three points of an iron triangle include A an independent agency, a state, and a member of Congress B an administrative agency, an interest group, and a congressional committee C a cabinet department, an interest group, and the House majority leader D a regulatory commission, a corporation, and the White House Office E the Executive Office of the President, an interest group, and a Senate committee
B an administrative agency, an interest group, and a congressional committee
Since the early 1980s, the Republican Party platform has been increasingly influenced by A environmental activists B evangelical Christians C civil libertarians D labor unions E active military officers
B evangelical Christians
One of the best strategies that interest groups can use to achieve their goals is A pressing for changes in high-profile public policies B lobbying members of Congress to make small changes in existing policy C using the judiciary to invalidate federal legislation D encouraging states to use their Tenth Amendment rights and ignore federal law E running candidates for office
B lobbying members of Congress to make small changes in existing policy
The free rider problem occurs when A interest groups seek public funding to advance their special interests B people benefit from an interest group's efforts without making any contribution C elected officials provide government services for those who have helped their campaigns D political campaigns manipulate the news media in order to obtain free advertising E congressional candidates win elections because they belong to the party of a popular president
B people benefit from an interest group's efforts without making any contribution
The bar graph shows the National Rifle Association's spending on Democratic and Republican candidates over several decades of election cycles in support of gun ownership rights. How could a visual best be created to better understand how the spending of the NRA compares to that of gun control proponents? A A line graph that compares the amount that gun control proponents gave to Democrats over time B A table that shows how much each member of Congress received in contributions from both gun control advocates and the NRA C A pie chart that tallies total spending by both the NRA and gun control proponents since 1992 D The graph that includes information regarding important gun control laws that have been passed since 1992
C A pie chart that tallies total spending by both the NRA and gun control proponents since 1992
Which of the following exemplifies the free-rider problem for interest groups? A A supporter of the Second Amendment who is a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) B A bird enthusiast who contributes to the Sierra Club to receive a free bird-watching guide C A teacher who does not join the local teachers union but receives a salary negotiated by the union D A 50-year-old woman who joins the AARP to get a discount card
C A teacher who does not join the local teachers union but receives a salary negotiated by the union
For which of the following tasks would using the bar graph as currently designed be the LEAST helpful? A Comparing whether the National Rifle Association (NRA) prefers Democrats or Republicans B Tracking the campaign spending of the NRA over time C Calculating the election cycle spending based on the intervals shown on the vertical axis D Determining which years the NRA spent the most money on elections
C Calculating the election cycle spending based on the intervals shown on the vertical axis
Which of the following best explains the ideological shifts of the Southern Democrats, as shown in the line chart? A Republicans have become more liberal over time, forcing Southern Democrats to also become more liberal. B Voters have been less willing to identify as Republican or Democrat, leading to a greater number of partisan candidates. C Conservative Republicans have been more successful at winning seats in the South, replacing many of the conservative Democrats. D Ideology has become less important to voters during elections, permitting Southern Democrats to endorse more conservative positions over time.
C Conservative Republicans have been more successful at winning seats in the South, replacing many of the conservative Democrats.
The vice of the groupist theory is that it conceals the most significant aspects of the system. The flaw in the pluralist heaven is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class accent. Probably about 90 percent of the people cannot get into the pressure system. The notion that the pressure system is automatically representative of the whole community is a myth fostered by the universalizing tendency of modern group theories. Pressure politics is a selective process ill designed to serve diffuse interests. The system is skewed, loaded, and unbalanced in favor of a fraction of a minority. E. E. Schattschneider, The Semisovereign People, 1960 Which of the following statements about interest groups would the author most likely agree with? A Interest groups play the important function of including more people in elections. B Interest groups undermine stability by creating too much conflict and polarization in politics. C Interest groups tend to over-represent elite interests. D Interest groups have less power in American government than political parties have.
C Interest groups tend to over-represent elite interests.
Which of the following scenarios depicts the concept of an iron triangle? A A well-funded PAC and professional campaign consultants meet with congressional Democrats to discuss strategy and campaign spending for the upcoming election. B A group of citizens mobilize to conduct a letter-writing campaign, voter registration drive, and public rally in an attempt to influence the policy decisions of lawmakers. C Lobbyists from the energy industry provide information to the Department of Energy before the department head testifies before the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House of Representatives. D A former member of Congress decides not to run for reelection and instead accepts a job as a corporate lobbyist.
C Lobbyists from the energy industry provide information to the Department of Energy before the department head testifies before the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House of Representatives.
In 1980, a small group of parents personally affected by drunk driving formed the group Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Over the past four decades, they have grown in number and have lobbied on state and local levels promoting legislation such as stricter limits on blood alcohol levels for drivers. MADD is an example of which of the following? A Political party with the goal of influencing public opinion B Social movement with the goal of influencing the federal budget C Single-issue group with the goal of impacting policy making D Bureaucratic agency implementing policy
C Single-issue group with the goal of impacting policy making
Two interest groups are competing for influence in Congress. One group represents banking institutions, while the other advocates for consumer protections. A critic of the influence of interest groups would make which of the following claims? A The interest groups will nominate a slate of candidates for office to compete against each other in the next election in order to determine which interests prevail. B The consumer protection group will appeal only to Republican leaders, while the banking interests will appeal only to Democratic leaders. C The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group. D The consumer protection group is prohibited by federal regulations from direct lobbying.
C The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group.
Based on the data in the chart and your knowledge of presidential elections, which of the following is the best strategy that Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump could have used to pull votes away from the third-party candidates, Jill Stein and Gary Johnson? A Trump or Clinton could have promised to work with members of third parties in Congress if elected. B Trump or Clinton could have agreed to appoint Stein or Johnson to Cabinet positions after the election. C Trump or Clinton could have adopted issues that were popular with Stein's and Johnson's voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin as part of their campaigns. D Trump and Clinton could have agreed to include Stein and Johnson in presidential debates to show that they were open to discussing issue important to third parties.
C Trump or Clinton could have adopted issues that were popular with Stein's and Johnson's voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin as part of their campaigns.
An election involving more than two candidates in which the person who receives the most votes is the winner is called A a majority election B a proportional election C a plurality election D a simple election E an indirect election
C a plurality election
The primary reason for the current existence of only two major political parties in the United States is that A the Constitution puts severe restrictions on other parties B third parties are usually far to the right or left, and Americans are moderates C a winner-take-all electoral system makes it difficult for new parties to emerge and survive D voters naturally think of themselves as either liberals or conservatives E presidential electors can vote for only two candidates
C a winner-take-all electoral system makes it difficult for new parties to emerge and survive
In 1987 the cooperation among the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Organization for Women (NOW), and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to defeat Robert Bork's nomination to the United States Supreme Court was an example of A impeachment B litigation C coalition building D the recall process E the initiative process
C coalition building
All of the following are commonly used by interest groups to influence the political process EXCEPT A lobbying B contributing money to candidates C nominating candidates D filing lawsuits E appealing to the public opinion
C nominating candidates
A corporate lobbyist would be LEAST likely to have an informal discussion about a pending policy matter with which of the following? A A member of the House in whose district the corporation has a plant B A member of the White House staff concerned about the issue C A member of the staff of the Senate committee handling a matter of concern to the corporation D A federal judge in whose court a case important to the corporation is being heard E A journalist for a major newspaper concerned about the issue
D A federal judge in whose court a case important to the corporation is being heard
If a researcher were interested in understanding how much the NRA spent in each state, what visual could be created to accurately display this information in the bar graph? A A table that gives details about the home states of candidates receiving money from the NRA in 1994 B An infographic that explains how the NRA has helped Republicans win elections in the South C A pie chart that shows the amount of money the NRA spent in each state since 1992 D A map showing the dollar amounts spent by the NRA in each state since 1992
D A map showing the dollar amounts spent by the NRA in each state since 1992
Which of the following is the main reason interest groups are often successful in getting legislation passed to benefit their members? A It is easy to garner support from most members of Congress on any issue. B All members of society desire the legislation that special interests pursue. C It is very easy to get legislation passed in Congress. D A narrow constituency derives the benefits from such legislation but the costs are spread broadly across the population. E Interest group activity represents the democratic process at work because individual interest groups often represent more than half the population.
D A narrow constituency derives the benefits from such legislation but the costs are spread broadly across the population.
The vice of the groupist theory is that it conceals the most significant aspects of the system. The flaw in the pluralist heaven is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class accent. Probably about 90 percent of the people cannot get into the pressure system. The notion that the pressure system is automatically representative of the whole community is a myth fostered by the universalizing tendency of modern group theories. Pressure politics is a selective process ill designed to serve diffuse interests. The system is skewed, loaded, and unbalanced in favor of a fraction of a minority. E. E. Schattschneider, The Semisovereign People, 1960 Which of the following activities would the author most likely be concerned about interest groups engaging in? A Educating and mobilizing citizens around their cause B Introducing legislation that limits the power of others C Representing broad segments of society and sparking emotional political debates D Forming iron triangles with bureaucratic agencies and congressional committees
D Forming iron triangles with bureaucratic agencies and congressional committees
Which of the following statements is best supported by the data in the table above? A Latinos are fairly homogeneous in their party identification. B Latinos have become substantially more supportive of the Democratic Party than they were in the 1950s. C The majority of Latinos probably voted for Bill Clinton in 1992. D Latinos of Cuban descent are more supportive of the Republican Party than are Latinos of Mexican or Puerto Rican descent. E Latinos of Mexican descent are less likely to consider themselves independent than are Latinos of Cuban or Puerto Rican descent.
D Latinos of Cuban descent are more supportive of the Republican Party than are Latinos of Mexican or Puerto Rican descent.
Based on the data in the chart, which of the following strategies would best help third-party candidates like Jill Stein and Gary Johnson increase their chances of winning elected office? A Allowing third-party candidates to create political action groups to raise money when campaigning in swing states B Employing campaign managers to develop get-out-the-vote strategies for campaigns in swing states C Developing strong party platforms that would attract independent and undecided voters in swing states D Lobbying state legislatures to shift from a winner-take-all system to a proportional voting system
D Lobbying state legislatures to shift from a winner-take-all system to a proportional voting system
An emerging third party is struggling to get congressional candidates elected to office. Which of the following is a feature of the American political system that would explain why the party is struggling to achieve its goal? A The free-rider problem B Candidate-centered campaigns C Voter identification laws D Single-member districts
D Single-member districts
"...If we resort to violence then one of two things will happen: either the violence will be escalated and there will be many injuries and perhaps deaths on both sides, or there will be total demoralization of the workers. Nonviolence has exactly the opposite effect. If, for every violent act committed against us, we respond with nonviolence, we attract people's support. We can gather the support of millions who have a conscience and would rather see a nonviolent resolution to problems. We are convinced that when people are faced with a direct appeal from the poor struggling nonviolently against great odds, they will react positively. The American people and people everywhere still yearn for justice. It is to that yearning that we appeal. ...When victory comes through violence, it is a victory with strings attached. If we beat the growers at the expense of violence, victory would come at the expense of injury and perhaps death. Such a thing would have a tremendous impact on us. We would lose regard for human beings. Then the struggle would become a mechanical thing. When you lose your sense of life and justice, you lose your strength...." César Chávez, "He Showed Us the Way," 1978 Which of the following best describes César Chávez' view on the use of violence versus nonviolence? A The use of violence should be the primary tactic as it will address the feelings of frustration and anger throughout the movement. B The use of violence will motivate the American people as people everywhere still yearn for justice. C The use of nonviolent actions, such as demonstrations and marches, does not bring honor to the cause and will negatively impact the movement. D The use of nonviolent actions allows more people to be involved in the movement and effect change.
D The use of nonviolent actions allows more people to be involved in the movement and effect change.
"Any candidate using Facebook can put a campaign message promising one thing in front of one group of voters while simultaneously running an ad with a completely opposite message in front of a different group of voters. The ads themselves are not posted anywhere for the general public to see (this is what's known as 'dark advertising'), and chances are, no one will ever be the wiser. That undermines the very idea of a 'marketplace of ideas,' says Ann Ravel, a former member of the Federal Election Commission who has long advocated stricter regulations on digital campaigning. 'The way to have a robust democracy is for people to hear all these ideas and make decisions and discuss," Ravel said. 'With microtargeting, that is not happening.'" Julia Carrie Wong, "'It Might Work Too Well:' the Dark Art of Political Advertising Online," The Guardian, March 19, 2018. The practice of "microtargeting" described in the passage is an even more powerful campaign tool for parties if they are able to A command greater loyalty to their party platform B attract a large audience for their national party conventions C develop a unified message that appeals to a majority of voters D collect and manage large databases of information on specific groups of voters
D collect and manage large databases of information on specific groups of voters
An electoral system based on single-member districts is usually characterized by A strong, centralized political parties and a weak executive B higher rates of voter turnout than are common in other systems C legislative representation of each party in proportion to the number of votes it receives D domination of the legislature by two political parties E ideological rather than mass-based parties
D domination of the legislature by two political parties
In the process and structure of public policy-making, "iron triangles" refer to the A bargaining and negotiating process between the President and Congress about the direction of domestic policy B dominance of corporate power in setting the national policy agenda for economic expansion C interrelationship among federal, state, and local levels of government in the policy process D networks of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process E group of presidential advisers who formulate the President's foreign policy agenda
D networks of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process
In the process and structure of public policymaking, "iron triangles" refer to the A bargaining and negotiating process between the President and Congress about the direction of domestic policy B dominance of corporate power in setting the national policy agenda for economic expansion C interrelationship among federal, state, and local levels of government in the policy process D networks of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process E group of presidential advisers who formulate the President's foreign policy agenda
D networks of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that strongly influence the policy process
Which of the following form an "iron triangle"? A President, Congress, Supreme Court B President, House majority leader, Senate majority leader C Interest group, Senate majority leader, House majority leader D Executive department, House majority leader, President E Executive department, Congressional committee, interest group
E Executive department, Congressional committee, interest group
Which of the following techniques would a corporate lobbyist be likely to use to influence political outcomes in Congress? Organizing a demonstration in Washington just because a key House vote Ensuring that the corporation's political action committee (PAC) makes donations to the campaigns of members of key committees Meeting informally with Senate aides over lunch or cocktails Bringing influential constituents to Washington to discuss important policy matters with their representatives A II only B I and II only C III and IV only D I, III, and IV only E II, III, and IV only
E II, III, and IV only
Which of the following is LEAST characteristic of the history of political parties in the United States during the twentieth century? A An increase in the number of organized interest groups B An increase in the influence of political action committee (PAC) money in congressional elections C State adoption of direct primary elections D The loss of party patronage power E The splitting of the two major parties into a multiparty system
E The splitting of the two major parties into a multiparty system
Since the 1960s, support for the Democratic Party has declined the most among which of the following groups? A Labor union members B Business leaders C African Americans D Native Americans E White southerners
E White southerners
The concept of "critical elections" is most closely associated with A the electoral college process B elections during wartime C the nomination process D economic recession E party realignment
E party realignment
Lobbyists try to influence legislators mainly through A "wining and dining" legislators B orchestrating petition drives and letter-writing campaigns C placing persuasive advertisements in the media D threatening to help the legislator's opponent in the next election E providing legislators with information on technical issues
E providing legislators with information on technical issues
An election in which there is a significant shift in the bases of electoral support from one political party to another is called a A deviating election B maintaining election C dealigning election D primary election E realigning election
E realigning election
Interest groups engage in all of the following activities EXCEPT A testifying before congressional committees B sponsoring issue advocacy ads C lobbying federal agencies D filing federal lawsuits E using the franking privilege
E using the franking privilege
Critical elections in the United States typically have occurred A as a result of a temporary shift in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties B whenever a third party has secured more than fifteen percent of the presidential vote C each time a Republican has been elected President D when voter turnout has declined significantly from the previous election E when groups of voters have changed their traditional patterns of party loyalties
E when groups of voters have changed their traditional patterns of party loyalties
Which of the following makes a correct comparison between political parties and interest groups in the United States?
Political parties recruit and run candidates in elections Interest groups seek to influence public policy