question

Which political activity is most directly connected with the idea of popular sovereignty?

answer

Voting

question

The phrase "One person, one vote" describes which of the following concepts?

answer

Political Equality

question

North Korea is an example of which form of government?

answer

Totalitarianism

question

All citizens are theoretically equal under the law.

answer

True

question

The state of nature is a condition of peaceful coexistence.

answer

False

question

The primary purpose of politics is to manage scarce resources.

answer

True

question

Americans tend to support the idea of equality of opportunity over equality of results.

answer

True

question

Thomas Hobbes believed that government's only job was to provide order, but Locke theorized government had responsibilities beyond this. What else did he argue that government should provide?

answer

Life, Liberty & Property

question

Which of the following is an example of a policy that is consistent with negative liberty?

answer

A law regulating the volume that music can be played at.

question

Positive Liberty states that your rights end when they infringe on the rights of others.

answer

False

question

A series of 85 political papers written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison in support of ratification were called the

answer

Federalist Papers

question

What are the three types of all political power?

answer

Executive, Legislative, Judicial

question

America's first form of government was

answer

Articles of Confederation

question

The Great Compromise resolved many issues present at the Constitutional Convention. Chief among these issues was what?

answer

Representation

question

The division of power among several branches of government is known as

answer

Separation of Powers

question

A governmental structure that gives each of the three branches some degree of oversight and control of each other is called

answer

checks & balances

question

The Bill of Rights were added to the Constitution at the insistence of what group?

answer

Anti-Federalists

question

The enumerated powers are a specific list of the powers of Congress. What clause supplements these powers and enhances the power of Congress?

answer

Elastic Clause

question

According to Thomas Jefferson the most dangerous branch of government is

answer

Congress

question

________ is empowered to make all federal laws

answer

Congress

question

Thomas Jefferson based the original draft of the Declaration of Independence on the idea that England's government had violated the social contract with the American colonies.

answer

True

question

Popular Sovereignty is the idea that government derives its power from the people.

answer

True

question

The Bill of Rights establishes

answer

a set of liberties that cannot be easily taken away.

question

Which of the following figures had the greatest influence on the constitution?

answer

James Madison

question

The Tyranny of the Majority occurs when the majority exercises their power at the expense of the minority.

answer

True

question

The Supremacy Clause establishes which of the following?

answer

The supremacy of the national government and the Constitution over state governments

question

Proponents of the "devolution revolution" argue that

answer

the authority of state governments should be expanded

question

In situations of conflict between state and national law, national law prevails due to

answer

the supremacy clause

question

The right to regulate for the public health and welfare of its citizens are reserved to the states by the

answer

Tenth Amendment

question

The commerce clause is used to justify federal regulation of

answer

all of the above

question

Another term for the powers granted to states in the 10th Amendment are the

answer

Reserved Powers

question

Under dual federalism which of the following is most true?

answer

State and Federal powers were clearly separated

question

The president who was elected to office partly due to a promise to return power to the states was

answer

Ronald Reagan

question

It is argued that Federalism does which of the following?

answer

Promotes liberty

question

McCullough v. Maryland dealt with what constitutional issue?

answer

Supremacy Clause

question

The clause that ensures that judicial decrees and contracts made in one state will be binding and enforceable in another is called the ________ clause.

answer

full faith & credit

question

Under the Constitution, national and state governments

answer

are accountable to the people

question

Concurrent powers are powers shared by governments.

answer

True

question

Creative federalism's main goal was to reduce red tape

answer

False

question

U.S. vs. Lopez cautioned lawmakers to not interpret the commerce clause too broadly, but has had little real effect on federal power.

answer

True

question

Gibbons v. Ogden helped to develop the meaning of the commerce clause

answer

True

question

The Devolution Revolution has not had a lasting effect on the nature of federalism.

answer

True

question

Warrantless searches are

answer

constitutional under certain circumstances

question

What is the function of the grand jury?

answer

To determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial

question

The Eighth Amendment prohibits

answer

cruel & unusual punishment

question

Where secular law conflicts with religious belief, freedom of religion is

answer

often denied

question

The establishment clause has been said to

answer

erect a wall of separation between church & state

question

Under the ________ Amendment, the police may search things in plain view, the person arrested, and things under the arrestee's immediate control.

answer

Fourth

question

A person's right to a speedy trial would be violated if they were forced to wait three years before trial.

answer

False

question

The First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law abridging freedom of speech." Yet, the Supreme Court has ruled that it is constitutional to restrict some types of speech, such as

answer

inciting speech

question

The doctrine of incorporation required states to immediately begin honoring the bill of rights.

answer

False

question

The standard that illegally seized evidence can not be used at trial is known as the

answer

exclusionary rule

question

The determination of whether or not material is obscene is typically left up to the judgment of local standards.

answer

True

question

A newspaper publishing leaked government documents would most likely

answer

be allowed to publish the documents.

question

The second amendment has been interpreted to

answer

All of the above

question

O.J. Simpson's fifth amendment rights against double jeopardy were not violated when he was tried in civil court after being found not guilty of murder.

answer

True

question

The fifth amendment's guarantee of a right to an attorney

answer

may be interpreted to require that the attorney appointed be competent.

question

African Americans tend to feel the government should attempt to address the issue of economic equality.

answer

True

question

Hispanics tend to be opposed to abortion.

answer

True

question

Whites tend to believe the justice system is inherently unfair.

answer

False

question

Hispanics patterned their civil rights movement after which of the following groups?

answer

African Americans

question

Former slaves were granted citizenship as well as the "privileges and immunities" thereof, and states barred from depriving anyone of "life, liberty or property without due process of law" through the ________ Amendment.

answer

fourteenth

question

Slavery was banned by the ________ Amendment.

answer

thirteenth

question

The right to vote was granted to all people regardless of race and gender by the thirteenth amendment.

answer

False

question

What was Chief Justice Taney's ruling in Dred Scot?

answer

That the plaintiff was a slave and could not petition the Court

question

What action did President Eisenhower take to force the Arkansas governor to de-segregate public schools?

answer

Brought the Arkansas national guard under his control

question

In 1955, the Montgomery bus boycott began with the intent of ending segregation on public transport. The catalyst for the boycott was a black person who was arrested for refusing to give up a seat to a white person. The name of this person was

answer

Rosa Parks

question

Plessy v. Ferguson established which of the following policies?

answer

jim crow

question

The legal and social fights against Jim Crow were sometimes in conflict.

answer

True

question

Sit-ins were

answer

non violent protests against segregation.

question

A woman typically has a right to an abortion

answer

until viability of the fetus.

question

Public support for the rights of homosexuals has

answer

increased slowly over time.

question

Which of the following are examples of groups not protected under the ADA?

answer

pregnant women

question

Affirmative Action policies are typically prohibited from setting aside spots exclusively for minority candidates.

answer

True

question

Which of the following is an agent of political socialization?

answer

All of the above

question

All polls contain errors. In order to determine how reliable a poll is, one must determine the

answer

Sampling error

question

Public Opinion matters in democracy because of the concept of

answer

popular sovereignty

question

In the 2000 election, the media initially declared Al Gore the winner over George W. Bush. This call was made using

answer

exit polls

question

Most polls are

answer

telephone polls

question

When conducting a poll, all members of the target population must have an equal chance of selection.

answer

True

question

Sample size is not a major consideration when constructing a poll.

answer

False

question

An example of push polling would be

answer

a pollster emphasizing one choice over another

question

Women are much more likely to support abortion than men.

answer

False

question

People tend to become more ideologically conservative as they age.

answer

True

question

African Americans tend to feel the government should attempt to address the issue of economic equality.

answer

True

question

Hispanics tend to be opposed to abortion.

answer

True

question

Whites tend to believe the justice system is inherently unfair.

answer

False

question

A demagogue would be expected to blame the problems of a country on factors beyond anyone's control.

answer

False

question

What is the key difference between those who have gone to college and those who have not?

answer

There is a higher level of political participation among those with a college education.

question

Recent studies by political scientists have shown that

answer

the average American exhibits little knowledge about political institutions, processes, or leaders.

question

Primaries are

answer

an election to determine which candidate a political party will run for office.

question

Initiative is a process

answer

where citizens propose and vote on state laws.

question

Referendum is a process

answer

where the legislature proposes laws and citizens approve them.

question

Recall is a process

answer

to allow the public to remove officeholders before their re-election.

question

Actual popular vote totals are used to determine the winner of the presidential election.

answer

False

question

Incumbents tend to win elections. What is an incumbent?

answer

A person currently holding elected office.

question

Men are more likely to vote than women.

answer

False

question

Whites are more likely to vote than minorities.

answer

True

question

Voter registration is automatic in America.

answer

False

question

Voter turnout in America is

answer

All of the above.

question

The economic theory of voting states that people with higher incomes are more likely to vote.

answer

False

question

Which of the following groups would be considered to be "unrepresented"

answer

felons

question

Which of the following would be an example of a professional organization?

answer

A group representing the interests of teachers

question

Political Action Committees essentially allow individuals to donate money to a candidate beyond what allowed by law.

answer

True

question

Iron Triangles are criticized because they leave which group out of the policy process?

answer

The people

question

Madison's theory of pluralism cautions against allowing too many factions to express themselves in society.

answer

False

question

The activities of groups and organizations that seek to influence legislation and persuade political leaders to support a group's positions is called

answer

Lobbying

question

Legally-sanctioned organizations that allow corporations, labor unions, and interest groups to raise money and make contributions to candidates in national elections are called

answer

Political Action Committees

question

Which institution is most likely to be targeted by lobbyists?

answer

Congress

question

The courts are not effective in advancing the agenda of interest groups.

answer

False

question

An example of a public mobilization campaign would be...

answer

A campaign to urge everyday citizens to write their Congressperson.

question

Interest groups often nominate and run candidates for office.

answer

False

question

Business and trade groups have the largest lobbying presence in Washington.

answer

True

question

Politicians generally cast interest groups in a positive light.

answer

False

question

Interest groups play a significant role in American politics.

answer

True

question

Free-riders are those that do not belong to a group, but benefit from its activities.

answer

True

question

The number of interest groups continues to grow in today's political climate.

answer

True

question

At a basic level, a party is a group

answer

All of the Above.

question

What was the first political party in America?

answer

Federalists

question

How often does each party hold their national convention?

answer

Every four years.

question

Which branch of government is the most heavily shaped by political parties?

answer

Congress

question

America utilizes a three party system comprised of the Democratic Party, Republican Party, and Green Party.

answer

False

question

Parties help the election process by facilitating a process to place candidates on the ballot.

answer

True

question

Which ethnic group is MOST LIKELY to identify themselves as Democrats?

answer

African Americans

question

The Democratic party focuses on all of the following issues EXCEPT

answer

tax cuts for the wealthy

question

In the 1980s Ronald Reagan added what issue to the Republican platform?

answer

"moral issues"

question

Political Parties engage in fundraising

answer

constantly.

question

Political Parties have organizations at the

answer

All of the above.

question

Which of the following issues has persisted throughout America's history?

answer

state's rights

question

Reform of the primary system led to the end of party machines.

answer

True

question

Party machines are a type of ballot box used by parties to count votes in a primary.

answer

False

question

Ronald Regan was responsible for the realignment of the Democratic Party in the 1980s.

answer

False

question

Duverger's Law states

answer

that the nature of the American electoral system pushes out third parties.

question

Which of the following is a live event where the press secretary deals directly with the press?

answer

a press briefing

question

The press has a much greater impact on certain topics, for example,

answer

events in foreign countries.

question

Media today consists of

answer

All of the above

question

The 1st Amendment of the Constitution guarantees freedom of the press.

answer

True

question

Media tends to have a larger effect on people who are uncommitted or who have very little information about issues, events, and candidates.

answer

True

question

When it comes to issues of national security the courts tend to rule in favor of government censorship of the media.

answer

False

question

It is fair to say that media is much more biased today than it has been at any time in the past.

answer

False

question

Newspaper readership has

answer

declined since the establishment of the internet.

question

Which of the following statements concerning cable news is most true?

answer

Cable news networks fill ideological "niches".

question

The internet

answer

All of the above.

question

The president's press secretary is responsible for regulating the media in America.

answer

False

question

The Watergate scandal helped to launch modern day investigative journalism.

answer

True

question

Republicans are typically more trusting of the media than Democrats

answer

False

question

The public tends to trust news sources that agree with their personal views.

answer

True

question

Content restrictions

answer

are enforced by the Federal Communications Commission.

question

Why did Thomas Jefferson argue that the media is important in America?

answer

The media can help the people keep government accountable and honest.

question

Any two house legislature is also referred to as

answer

bicameral.

question

The House of Representatives and the Senate combined have how many members?

answer

535

question

Under the Constitution, senators serve a ______ year term.

answer

10 years.

question

Under the constitution, members of the House of Representatives are directly elected for a ____ year term.

answer

2

question

Congress has managed to increase the scope of its enumerated powers through the interpretation of the

answer

necessary and proper clause.

question

The House of Representatives has the sole power to

answer

initiate revenue bills.

question

The Senate has the sole power to

answer

advise and consent on major presidential appointments.

question

In general, the House is/has _____ than the Senate.

answer

stricter rules.

question

The most powerful position in the House of Representatives is called the

answer

Speaker

question

The congressional leaders who take nose counts and try to line up members on partisan issues are called

answer

whips.

question

The presiding officer of the Senate who can vote only int he case of a tie is

answer

the vice president of the United States.

question

Committes to which proposed bills are referred and that continue from one Congress to the next are called _____ committees.

answer

standing.

question

________ do most of the work during the legislative sessions.

answer

Standing committees.

question

Halting action on a bill by engaging in unlimited debate in the Senate is called

answer

filibuster

question

Which of the following is an example of "going public"?

answer

The president appearing on CNN's Larry King Live.

question

Under the Constitution, the qualifications for president include that the president must be

answer

over 35 years old and a natural born citizen.

question

An executive order of the president

answer

all of the above.

question

One of the president's checks on judicial power is

answer

the pardon.

question

The name given to the scandal that ruiend Nixon's presidency was

answer

Watergate

question

The president has the power to appoint

answer

his Cabinet.

question

The president's authority over the military comes from

answer

being commander in chief

question

The responsibilities of the Office of Management and Budget include

answer

all of the above.

question

Alexander Hamilton argued that what sort of executive is necessary?

answer

an energetic executive

question

The part of government primarily responsible for the implementation of laws is

answer

the bureaucracy.

question

The president appoint ambassadors with the advice and consent of the Senate.

answer

True

question

In the early years of this country, the president tended to be much stronger than the Congress.

answer

False

question

President Johnson created pessimistic feelings toward the government by mishandling the Vietnam War.

answer

True

question

The founder of the "modern presidency" is considered to be FDR.

answer

True

question

Presidential vetoes are rarely overridden.

answer

True

question

Who is the solicitor general?

answer

The attorney that represents the United States in cases before the Supreme Court.

question

How many justices sit on the Supreme Court today?

answer

9

question

The term for Supreme Court justices and federal justices is for

answer

life.

question

Supreme Court clerks are

answer

law school graduates from prestigious schools.

question

Judicial review, the power of the judiciary to review the acts of other branches of government, was established for the national government in

answer

Marbury v. Madison.

question

Appellate courts usually

answer

review the legal procedures of a case.

question

Which of the following is NOT a power the legislative branch has over the judicial branch?

answer

The power to lower the salary of serving justices.

question

The Supreme Court decision that overturned Plessy (1896) in 1954 was called

answer

Brown v. Topeka Board of Education.

question

With the exception of the Supreme Court, the federal court system was established by

answer

Congress.

question

The first step in the process of arguing a case before the Supreme Court is to

answer

submit written arguments.

question

The Constitution contains a detailed description of the judicial branch.

answer

False

question

Which of the following are reasons the Supreme Court might agree to grant an appeal?

answer

All of the Above.

question

Opinion assignment can be used as a bargaining tactic to influence a justice's vote.

answer

True

question

The legal model states that judges make decisions based only on legal consideration.

answer

True

question

Which of the following would be a valid reason for the court of appeals to grant an appeal?

answer

The defendant claims the police did not inform him of his rights.

question

What are food stamps?

answer

Stamps given to the poor that are honored as money to buy food at supermarkets.

question

Policy adoption

answer

gives policies legal force.

question

One of the primary agenda setters for Congress is/are

answer

all of the above.

question

The intentional course of action followed by government in dealing with problems or matters of concern is called

answer

public policy.

question

Which of the following is the central problem in regards to social security funding?

answer

Over time the system will take in far less than it pays out.

question

Agenda setting is a(n)

answer

a competitive process.

question

Medicaid was designed to provide health care

answer

for the poor.

question

You qualify for unemployment benefits if you

answer

are laid off.

question

A set of problems to which policy makers believe they should be attentive is called

answer

an agenda

question

The crafting of appropriate and acceptable proposed courses of action to ameliorate or resolve public problems is called

answer

policy formulation

question

Fraud in the food stamp program is

answer

decreasing.

question

Healthcare costs are expected to

answer

increase much faster than the rate of inflation.

question

As of today the national debt is approximately

answer

$14 trillion

question

What is the tool most often used by the Federal Reserve?

answer

changing the discount rate

question

________ theorized that deficit spending by a government could supplement the total demand for goods and services and help maintain high levels of spending, production, and employment.

answer

John Maynard Keynes

question

The main responsibility of the Federal Reserve is to control

answer

the money supply.

question

A short-term decline in the economy characterized by sagging investment, falling production, and increasing unemployment is called

answer

recession.

question

The budget deficit for the upcoming budget is projected to be what?

answer

more than $1 trillion.

question

Who is the largest holder of U.S. government debt?

answer

domestic holders (including the U.S. Government itself)

question

The value of money is based on the value of precious metals.

answer

False

question

Inflation is caused by a surplus of money in the nation's money supply.

answer

True

question

A monopoly is when a company controls an entire economic industry.

answer

True

question

The U.S. often avoided participation in foreign affairs through a foreign policy of

answer

isolationism

question

The strategy of opposing Soviet expansion with military forces, economic assistance, and political influence was known as

answer

containment

question

The first peacetime military treaty organization the Americans joined was

answer

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

question

The term detente describes which of the following

answer

a reduction in tensions

question

The president's 1823 pledge that the United States would oppose any attempt by European states to extend political control in the Western Hemisphere was called the

answer

Monroe Doctrine

question

Who was our chief adversary in the Cold War?

answer

Soviet Union

question

Mutually assured destruction was United States and Soviet policy developed in the 1950s and 1960s.

answer

True

question

Congress has no role in foreign policy

answer

False

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