question

One of the Recommendations of the Great Compromise was a ______________ _____________.

answer

bicameral legislature

question

Under the New Deal more control went to the _____________ ___________.

answer

federal government

question

What describes the common standard for Supreme court justices?

answer

All have law degrees

question

The Constitution has much language that is vague and often hard to interpret for exact meaning. How have the problems created by such language been solved?

answer

Through the practice of judicial interpretation in state and federal courts.

question

Since 1975, Americans' confidence in the Congress, the presidency, business, and industry has ________.

answer

declined

question

Which department responsible for national security sits closest to the president inthe hierarchical bureaucracy?

answer

the department of defense

question

The function of political ideology that provides standards with which to judge social conditions, political institutions, and events is ________.

answer

evaluation

question

The Pentagon Papers dealt with ________.

answer

a documented history of United States involvement in the Vietnam War that the government wanted kept secret

question

The ________ has direct control over the appointment of thousands of federal jobs.

answer

the president

question

President Obama's approval of California's limits on greenhouse gasses that were stricter than the EPA's national limits is an example of ________.

answer

progressive federalism

question

In a winner-take-all primary the candidate who gets the most votes in a state secures all of that state's _______.

answer

delegates

question

What is the budgetary process sometimes called?

answer

appropriations

question

Which of the descriptions below best characterizes the most significant concern over judicial activism?

answer

That the justices can use their personal preferences to set policy.

question

What is the central function of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?

answer

It is to investigate complaints and enforce rules about workplace discrimination.

question

Congress's so-called "implied powers" are directly derived from ________.

answer

enumerated powers

question

In 1944, the Supreme Court declared race a suspect classification that demanded strict judicial scrutiny. How did this rule affect Korematsu v. U.S., which challenged the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II?

answer

The internments were ruled permissible because of the threat these nationals posed during wartime.

question

According to critics of pluralism, which of the following is most likely to take advantage of the American political system?

answer

a wide range of diverse and and competing interest groups

question

When the Supreme Court upheld a state law requiring police officers to retire at a certain age, it meant that ________.

answer

the Supreme Court was placing age in the non-suspect classification category

question

Which political institution was most responsible for putting civil rights goals on the nation's policy agenda?

answer

the courts

question

Which president ordered a blockade of southern ports without congressional approval?

answer

Abraham Lincoln

question

Political knowledge and political participation have a reciprocal effect on each other because ________.

answer

the two elements reinforce each other

question

Which of the following lists best describes the working conditions in the Senate?

answer

More prestige, minority party plays a larger role, leaders have only a few formal powers, nonhierarchical, members may serve on two or more major committees.

question

During his first term, Barack Obama subscribed to a system of ________, in which policy matters are decided at the federal level when a consensus on federal standards can be reached, and otherwise deferred to the states.

answer

progressive federalism

question

Representatives from nine of the thirteen colonies met in New York City to write a detailed list of violations by the crown. This 1765 meeting is known as the ________.

answer

stamp act congress

question

If a township mayor and the state governor worked with a national government agency to solve a problem with large implications, such as a failing energy grid, it could be said that the problem is being solved through ________.

answer

cooperative federalism

question

According to the Constitution, what is the main purpose of a vice president?

answer

to succeed the president in case of death or incapacitation.

question

Sandra Day O'Connor was a Supreme Court justice appointed by President Reagan who believed in ________.

answer

states' rights

question

Local governments do not have powers under the Constitution. They are governed by state governments as detailed in ________.

answer

Dillon's Rule

question

What is the contribution limit to a candidate per election under BCRA?

answer

2,500

question

The political opinions of women and men are most likely to be very divergent on ___ _____

answer

social issues

question

In order to be legal, a search warrant must specify ________.

answer

the area to be searched and what police are searching for

question

The Constitution was ratified by ________.

answer

each state

question

To improve electability, the candidate will hire a(n) ________ who brings technologies, strategies, and services to the campaign.

answer

campaign consultant

question

The United States' first written constitution was known as the ________.

answer

The Articles of Confederation

question

The full faith and credit clause________.

answer

requires states to honor each others official acts

question

The ________ has the power of impeachment.

answer

House of Representatives

question

Which of the following campaigns may be eligible for public funds?

answer

Presidential campaigns

question

The Supreme Court has considered the constitutional right to keep and bear arms __ ______.

answer

both a collective right and an individual right to self-defense.

question

Which of the following is an example of speech or press that is currently unprotected by the First Amendment according to the Supreme Court?

answer

Fighting words

question

Which of the following statements about independent regulatory commissions is accurate?

answer

Regulatory commissions today do not enjoy the same freedom from political pressures that the commissions created before 1960 enjoy.

question

Under the evaluation function of ideologies, ideologies_________.

answer

provide standards for evaluating social conditions and political institutions and events

question

Why do push polls continue to be used by candidates despite their unscientific,biased purpose?

answer

Trying to give voters negative opinions of opposing candidates is a common political tactic.

question

If false or biased information about public policies and political leaders is provided by the news media, ________ cannot be said to exist.

answer

popular sovereignty

question

In 2012, the average population of a U.S. House district was ________.

answer

more than 700,000

question

The most powerful predictor for candidate preference among voters is ________.

answer

political party identification

question

What is one way in which interest groups educate the public?

answer

Produce issue-oriented ads

question

Which of the following is the most likely reason that a polling firm would use a filter question as part of a survey?

answer

To identify respondents who lack knowledge about the issue

question

Based on Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society, funds from the national government given to state or local governments are referred to as ________.

answer

grants

question

Collective goods are those that cannot be withheld from anyone. Which of the following is an example?

answer

clean air

question

What was the importance of the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. the Board of Education?

answer

State-mandated segregation of public schools was declared unconstitutional

question

Lobbying refers to ________.

answer

influencing public policy by contacting public officials

question

In 1991, the Supreme Court upheld a state ban on nude erotic dancing in Indiana, on the basis that it qualified as ________ according to the state's standards, and thus was unprotected by the First Amendment.

answer

obscenity

question

A process by which presidents generally allow senators from the state in which a judicial vacancy occurs to block a nomination simply by registering their objection is called ________.

answer

senatorial courtesy

question

Under ________ government, a small group of elite exercise unlimited power over individuals in all aspects of life.

answer

totalitarian

question

Which of the following cases of the Supreme Court continues to generate the most controversy?

answer

Roe v. Wade

question

Concern about civil rights protections for women and racial minorities ________.

answer

was a comparatively late development in the United States, and most major advances were not evident until well into the twentieth century

question

A key member of a candidate's staff is the ________, who runs the operation at both the state and national levels and may be the only paid staffer.

answer

campaign manager

question

Colonial leaders believed that one of the greatest dangers of the abusive use of government power would be ________.

answer

destroying individuals' liberty

question

The importance of the equal protection clause is demonstrated by its ________.

answer

widespread use by the civil-rights movement through the court pathway

question

Who does the bulk of the voter canvassing for a campaign?

answer

volunteers

question

Women, American Indians, and Latinos all used the ________ pathways to gain the right to vote and to produce laws against discrimination in employment, education, and other contexts.

answer

grassroots mobilization and court

question

How might the Twenty-Second Amendment affect a popular president's tenure in office?

answer

By preventing them from running for reelection

question

Why did the Framers create the electoral college?

answer

Because they didn't trust the masses to elect the president directly

question

A person who identifies as a ________ believes that the state should have extensive control over the personal and economic liberties of its people.

answer

statist

question

The enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act is an example of ________, as states normally could control education legislation under the Tenth Amendment.

answer

preemption

question

The Supreme Court case NY Times v. Sullivan established the free speech standard to include all but ________.

answer

civil rights violations

question

The drawing of a legislative district's boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent is referred to as ________.

answer

gerrymandering

question

With regard to American federalism, the impact of the Civil War was to ________.

answer

enact the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to reunite the country

question

Throughout their tenure, most presidents have tended to ________.

answer

lose popularity

question

By law, Congress cannot pass federal programs without debating on how to pay for them under ________,

answer

the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

question

An advantage of in-person surveys is that ________.

answer

surveyors can interact with respondents on a more personal basis, resulting in higher completion rates

question

Which of the following is an example of a case that cannot be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court?

answer

A state court decision based solely on state law and its original intent

question

Opinion makers ________.

answer

seek to communicate their political ideas to others

question

How did the Federalists address fears about an all-powerful, centralized government to sway opinion toward ratifying the Constitution?

answer

They promised to create a bill of rights.

question

The separation of powers in the national government outlined in the Constitution is a foundation of our government. It mandates separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Which of the following is an essential characteristic that makes the system effective?

answer

The branches are constitutionally equal and independent.

question

________ can informally amend the Constitution.

answer

Judicial interpretation

question

The boards directing independent regulatory agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, ________.

answer

serve staggered terms so that no one president can replace the entire board or commission

question

Which of the following events is attributed to dual federalism?

answer

The Great Depression

question

Which of the following is an example of a power possessed by the president that acts as a check on Congress?

answer

Vetoing bills passed by Congress

question

Party strength was affected when social services were taken over by ________.

answer

the government

question

According to the Supreme Court, classifications based on race are to be subject to _ _______.

answer

strict scrutiny

question

In the context of the federal government, departments ________.

answer

are large organizations responsible for a broad policy realm

question

Which of the following is an example of something that most Americans associate with bureaucracy?

answer

impersonality

question

What best describes the Supreme Court's primary considerations?

answer

Interpreting the Constitution, and affording due process to protect individual rights

question

Which of the following choices best describes the role of the Marshall Court in American government?

answer

The Marshall Court helped to define the constitutional relationship between state and national power, and also created an ongoing role for the Supreme Court in federalism.

question

Franklin D. Roosevelt's involvement in the congressional budgetary process paved the way for the creation of the ________.

answer

Office of management & Budget

question

Edmund Burke once said, 'Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays you, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.' This statement is an example of which type of representation?

answer

trustee representation

question

________ was the first permanent European settlement in North America.

answer

Jamestown

question

The framers of the constitution created two separate houses of Congress, each of which they expected would serve two different constituencies. Which constituency was the Senate expected to serve?

answer

states interests

question

The paradox or irony of democracy is the ________.

answer

potential for conflict between majority rule and individual freedom

question

Appellate courts usually ________.

answer

review the legal procedures of a case

question

Federal and state government disputes are heard by ________.

answer

supreme court

question

The Department of Transportation hires an outside company to build roads for a new highway. This is an example of ________________.

answer

private contracting

question

The battle between the two major political parties, Democrats and Republicans, for control of public offices is ________.

answer

party competition

question

Who is largely responsible for redrawing congressional district lines?

answer

state legislators

question

Richard Nixon left office by what method in 1974?

answer

he resigned

question

Which party approves the budgets for different agencies?

answer

congress

question

The self-imposed limitation on judicial power by judges deferring to the policy judgments of elected branches of government is called ________.

answer

judicial restraint/ review

question

Which of these is an example of a legal distinction most likely to receive strict scrutiny from the Supreme Court?

answer

A racial distinction in a marriage law

question

The communications director is responsible for ________.

answer

the candidates media strategy

question

As of 2010, 40 percent of Americans under age 25 are members of a minority group. What predictions can be made based on this evidence?

answer

b. The influence of minorities on American politics and culture will increase.

question

In creating a national government with a system of checks and balances, the Framers sought to ________.

answer

limit the ability of any branch of the national government to become too powerful

question

The Nolan Chart helps to classify citizens' political beliefs on two key dimensions: ________.

answer

economic and personal freedom

question

104. Near v. Minnesota was a landmark First Amendment decision further developing the ________.

answer

incorporation doctrine

question

105. Which of the following choices is the most in keeping with the founders' view of establishing justice in the United States?

answer

congress creates the judiciary branch

question

Arguments between supporters of Affirmative action and their opponents can best be summed up by what dichotomy?

answer

equality of opportunity versus equality of results

question

Most bureaucrats have some leeway in their ability to make choices regarding the best way to implement congressional intentions through administrative ________.

answer

discretion

question

Which of the following is an example of a conservative justice's opinion?

answer

One that tends to favor judicial restraint and overrules liberal decisions

question

The first piece of legislation requiring employers to give men and women equal pay for equal work was ________.

answer

the Equal pay act

question

Which of the following is TRUE about political action committees (PACs)?

answer

They must report their contributions to the Federal Election Commission.

question

Which of the following are the so called Civil War Amendments?

answer

13,14,15

question

Senators receive special perks and benefits while performing their official duties. Which of the following is an example of one of these privileges?

answer

A Senator can send materials through the mail at no cost, something called the franking privilege.

question

The president's appointment of Cabinet members is sometimes slowed by ________.

answer

investigations into nominees past

question

By passing regulatory legislation for which it has established goals, Congress ______ __.

answer

grants power to regulatory agencies to develop guidelines and enforce compliance

question

A Supreme Court justice who agrees with the outcome reached by the majority but not with the legal reasoning behind the decision is likely to ________.

answer

issue a concurring opinion

question

An agreement among members of a society to form and recognize the authority of a centralized government that is empowered to make and enforce laws governing the members of that society is called a(n) ________.

answer

social contract

question

________ was(were) eventually overturned by Brown v. Board of Education, after being upheld by Plessy v. Ferguson.

answer

the separate but equal doctrine

question

The democratic idea that every citizen should have political equality in the electoral process can be summed up in the expression ________.

answer

one person, one vote

question

The disturbance theory states that interest groups form when there are threats to the status quo. Which of the following is an example of this?

answer

A religious advocacy group forms to speak out against the breakdown of the family.

question

A________ believes in extensive government control of personal and economic liberties.

answer

statist

question

Which of these is an example of a president providing for the common defense?

answer

the 2003 invasion of Iraq

question

Which is a negative consequence of Americans' declining trust in government?

answer

Americans increasingly blame the government for society's woes.

question

The number of ________ is one explanation for low voter turnout in the United States as compared to most other industrialized democracies.

answer

elections

question

Which of the following expanded the government's right to search private property without notifying the owner?

answer

The USA PATRIOT Act

question

Poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and literacy tests were all attempts to limit ________.

answer

African American voting

question

North Korea, which is ruled by the dictator Kim Jong-Un, has a ________ style government.

answer

totalitarian

question

Politically active white women were stung by their exclusion from ________ extension of the right to vote.

answer

15th amendment

question

The Senate's role of giving advice and consent to the executive branch is an example of________.

answer

the system of checks and balances

question

A candidate running for office first needs to secure the nomination by winning over voters and party leaders through ________.

answer

the nomination campaign

question

Which statement about American democracy is true?

answer

The strength of the democracy depends on the participation of the people whose consent gives power to the government

question

Which of the following is a factor driving the length of a general election campaign?

answer

the timing of state primaries

question

The ________Court redefined contemporary federalism in the 1980s and 1990s by limiting the regulatory areas of Congress.

answer

Rehnquist

question

With whom do lobbyists work most closly?

answer

Representatives who share their interests

question

Federal district courts are not considered ________.

answer

courts of last resort

question

Ensuring equal access to voting and securing prohibitions against categorical discrimination became the central focus of the drive for civil rights in the ________.

answer

20th century

question

Which of the following factors united citizens at the time of the founding of the United States?

answer

A belief in dual citizenship

question

The opinion written by a member of the court that disagrees with the result reached by the court in the case is the ________opinion.

answer

dissenting

question

The best example of government regulation to promote the general welfare is ______ __.

answer

gathering statistics to calculate the gross domestic product

question

Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the president had to consult Congress before deploying troops overseas. Although successive presidents have used their power as commander in chief to forgo such consultation, the Resolution was adhered to when ________.

answer

President Bush sought congressional approval for the use of force against those responsible for the 9/11 attacks

question

The constitutional provision that gives Congress broad powers to legislate beyond its enumerated powers is called the ________.

answer

necessary and proper clause

question

The beginning of the Declaration of Independence asserts "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just power from the consent of the governed." This is ________.

answer

their proclamation of Independence

question

As the U.S. government grew, it instituted new agencies to administer ________ to enforce rules on trade, commerce, and industry.

answer

public policy

question

The basic three-tiered structure of the federal court system was established by _____ ___.

answer

the Judiciary Act of 1789

question

What do the Constitution and particularly the Fourteenth Amendment say about equality?

answer

All Americans are equally entitled to due process in the courts.

question

Which president "personalized the presidency" by informally addressing the public through radio?

answer

FDR

question

146. Which of the following is an example of bureaucratization at work in a government agency?

answer

Citizens are assured that they will be treated according to established rules by whomever they talk to.

question

How does the electoral college work?

answer

Each state determines how it will select its electors; electors then elect the president.

question

Despite the popular impression that policy is decided by the president and Congress and merely implemented by the federal bureaucracy, policy is, in fact, ________.

answer

also made by the bureaucracy

question

In addition to the increasing population of retirees in America, what is further compounding problems with Social Security and Medicare?

answer

Proportionally, the number of working age Americans is rapidly declining.

question

Public opinion polling suggests it is easiest for presidents to achieve congressional passage of their programs during ________.

answer

the honeymoon period

question

The system that provides for a sharing of powers between the national government and the state governments is known as

answer

federalism

question

In Texas, who has the authority to call special sessions of the legislature?

answer

the governor

question

The Boards directing independent regulatory agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, ______

answer

serve staggered terms, so that no one president can replace the entire board or commission

question

The Boards directing independent regulatory agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, ______

answer

serve staggered terms, so that no one president can replace the entire board or commission

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