Social Inequality US Ch. 9 Exam

Entitlement programs primarily benefit the poor. True False

False

The antitrust legislation and government regulatory agencies establish during the Progressive Era were successful in curbing the political influence and power of large corporations. True False

False

The overall tax burden for Americans is significantly greater than it is in other Western industrial societies. True False

False

The study of how opportunity structures are shaped by public policies is an example of political economy True False

True

Which of the following served to fundamentally changed the role of the federal government, including an enormous expansion in the taxes it collected? a. The development of a welfare state b. The institution of a progressive income tax c. The entry of the US into World War II d. The institution of a flat tax

a. The development of a welfare state

Welfare benefits for the poor reached a peak in which decade? a. 1950s b. 1960s c. 1970s d. 1980s e. 1990s

b. 1960s

Which of the following is an example of a regressive tax? a. The federal income tax b. Social Security taxes c. Sales taxes d. Capital gains tax e. All of the above

b. Social Security taxes

Supply-side economic policies have the same effect on the distribution of wealth and income as _____________ a. Progressive taxation policies b. Welfare for the poor c. Regressive taxation policies d. All of the above e. None of the above

c. Regressive taxation policies

Which of the following is NOT an example of corporate welfare? a. The 1872 Mining Act b. Government protection of financially troubled corporations c. Sales taxes d. Trade restrictions

c. Sales taxes

In which decade did changes in fiscal policy result in substantial redistribution of income upward? a. 1950s b. 1960s c. 1970s d. 1980s

d. 1980s

If middle-class Americans wanted to lessen income and wealth inequality, they could _______________ a. Join labor unions b. Advocate for a more progressive income tax c. Insist the welfare state be expanded d. All of the above e. None of the above

d. All of the above

In which of the following ways can government act to influence the distribution of income and wealth in society? a. Through taxation b. Through tax spending c. Through regulation d. All of the above e. None of the above

d. All of the above

Which of the following factors helps account for the differences between the US and other capitalist industrial societies in their welfare states? a. Citizens in other societies trust their governments more b. Americans have a stronger believed in individualism c. Labor unions are stronger in other countries d. All of the above e. None of the above

d. All of the above

Which of the following illustrates the role of the government in promoting the growth of the middle classes in the United States? a. The Morrill Act of 1854 b. The Homestead Act of 1862 c. The G.I. Bill of Rights d. All of the above e. None of the above

d. All of the above

Of the following, which are the major recipients of government social welfare programs today? a. The poor b. Corporations c. The upper classes d. The middle classes

d. The middle classes