Deck 1: Understanding American Politics

Question 1

When the authors say that political process matters,they mean that we should pay attention to both the rules that decision makers must follow and the political actors who participate.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The free rider problem occurs because people can share in the benefits of a public good whether or not they helped provide it.This is one reason we need government to take action in some policy areas.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The debate over the debt ceiling was ultimately one about the size of the federal budget and illustrates how partisan differences can be easily overcome when Congress is simply willing to split the differences between the Republicans' and the Democrats' ideal positions.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The debate over raising the debt ceiling was difficult to resolve because:

A)the agency, Standard & Poor's, lowered its ratings on U.S. federal bonds
B)it involved compromise on not only government spending but also policy
C)a bipartisan committee's recommendations failed to receive congressional approval
D)most Americans were not following the issue, making it difficult for members of Congress to know what position to take
E)President Barack Obama and Speaker John Boehner dislike one another

Question 5

Cultural issues have become the dominant source of conflict in American politics and had a major effect on the outcome of the 2008 presidential election.

Question 6

The way that people make decisions about politics is similar to how they make decisions in other areas of their lives.An example of this is that many voters form judgments about candidates by focusing on the candidates' appearance,including ethnic background,gender,or age.

Question 7

James Madison was concerned about the possibility of tyranny by a faction imposing its will on the rest of the nation.

Question 8

Race and gender are significant in American elections because they remain important sources of political disagreements and identity politics,which can influence individual voting behavior.

Question 9

The political controversy involving the debt ceiling in the summer of 2011 illustrates how a divided government prevents bipartisan compromises from being reached.

Question 10

Compared to most European democracies,the United States has been relatively free of class-based politics.This means that economics is NOT an important source of political conflict.

Question 11

All nations have some form of government because:

A) government provides for national defense and protects against tyranny by the majority
B) government provides order and helps to promote the general welfare
C) government ensures there is justice and freedom from want
D) government ensures economic prosperity for the nation as a whole and protects civil liberties for individuals
E) government is needed for membership in the United Nations and to be recognized by other nations

Question 12

The Greek philosopher,Aristotle,developed a classification scheme for governments that was based on three distinguishable types:

A) constitutional systems, presidential systems, and parliamentary systems
B) unitary systems, federal systems, and confederations
C) monarchy, aristocracy, and polity
D) rule by none, rule by one, and rule by law
E) executive, legislative, and judicial systems

Question 13

The debt-ceiling negotiations in the summer of 2011 illustrate how:

A)the president is often able to outflank his congressional opponents
B)leaders in Washington, DC are out of touch with the American public
C)interest groups and big money donors dominate American politics
D)politics is about conflict and compromise
E)the differences between Democrats and Republicans in Congress are minimal and are often exaggerated by the mass media

Question 14

The issue of abortion,in which there is no national consensus on when to allow abortions,is a good example of why conflict is inevitable in politics.

Question 15

Federalism divides power and allocates different responsibilities to local,state,and national governments.

Question 16

The Treasury Department issues bonds to:

A)print and coin money
B)offset the U.S. trade deficit
C)regulate the banking industry
D)protect the integrity of the stock market
E)fund the federal government when its expenditures exceed its revenues

Question 17

Debt-ceiling negotiations in the summer of 2011 were difficult because there were partisan differences in Congress that reflected real policy divisions among American citizens.

Question 18

Politics occurs only in the context of government decision making.

Question 19

Politics is conflictual because politicians rarely listen to the common-sense voices of the American public.

Question 20

The main reasons we have government are to provide order and to ensure a relatively high level of economic equality.

Question 21

Which of the following is an example of a public good?

A) the interstate highway system
B) a new business that creates jobs in a community
C) food produced by local farmers
D) volunteering time to a political campaign
E) a tourist attraction such as Disney World

Question 22

For James Madison,the notion that government is necessary depended strongly on:

A) his belief that people are self-interested
B) his belief that direct democracy was the only legitimate way to make collective decisions
C) his desire to see the United States move in a direction different from nations in Europe
D) his view that people were willing to sacrifice freedoms to make democracy work
E) his belief that factions could only be eliminated through force

Question 23

The federal government works to address problems such as environmental pollution and product safety because:

A) "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" are threatened
B) individuals acting alone would make these problems worse
C) of the failure of the free market to provide such public goods
D) the federal government's obligation to provide order
E) state and local governments are not charged with the responsibility of promoting the general welfare

Question 24

Which of the following is a reason that there is conflict in politics?

A) Politicians are naturally argumentative and generally have disagreeable personalities.
B) Polls indicate that the American public wants conflict in politics, so elected officials oblige.
C) The United States has a long history of class-based conflict.
D) There are deep and longstanding divisions separating voters in red states and blue states.
E) There is no national consensus on some issues nor is there a compromise position on every issue that will attract widespread support.

Question 25

A free rider problem occurs when:

A) a faction tries to capture control of government
B) a public good is provided by government
C) everyone fails to work toward a common goal because they are each willing to let someone else do the work
D) the market provides a good by making it free of charge
E) the government offers "bailouts" to failing corporations that come at the expense of taxpayers

Question 26

Which of the following did the Founders of the U.S.Constitution cite as a reason to have a government?

A) to secure liberty
B) to ensure a two-party system
C) to guarantee a basic standard of living for all citizens
D) to protect individuals from making poor decisions that may cause harm to themselves
E) to conquer territory, build empires, and promote national interests around the world

Question 27

The division of power between the national government and the state and local governments is called:

A) constitutionalism
B) federalism
C) the separation of powers
D) republicanism
E) pluralism

Question 28

When the federal government attempts to tackle a problem,such as assisting the poor,the sick,or the aged,it is acting:

A) under its constitutional power to provide order
B) under its constitutional power to promote the general welfare
C) through powers specified in the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution
D) through powers specified in the Bill of Rights
E) outside of its constitutional powers

Question 29

A system of checks and balances:

A) gives each branch of the national government some power over the others
B) ensures that majority rule prevails in all instances against a vocal minority or faction
C) provides limits on what government can do to individual citizens
D) divides the national government into separate branches, each with different responsibilities
E) creates a faster and more efficient policy-making process

Question 30

Politicians who make bargains to resolve political conflict:

A) are typically the ones with the least political power
B) are usually trying to enact at least some policy change
C) are betraying their principles
D) usually are well-liked by their colleagues but are not respected by their colleagues
E) are rarely reelected by the voters in their state or district

Question 31

Although James Madison believed in the necessity of ________,he feared a government that would ________.

A) a strong government; not represent majority interests
B) a weak national government; not stand up against the states
C) a strong government; oppress those in the minority
D) a constitutional monarchy; be dominated by factions
E) a direct democracy; become dominated by the nation's wealthy elite

Question 32

If people decide there is a problem worth solving that involves a public good,government action is necessary because:

A) majority factions will try to ensure that the good works only for themselves
B) it is difficult for individuals to provide common resources through their own good will
C) it ensures a fair and democratic process
D) citizens would be able to sue the government in federal court
E) lawmakers take a pledge to act on these problems upon being sworn into office

Question 33

If one group took power and established an official state religion,James Madison would describe the situation as:

A) part of the "brutish state of nature"
B) a stage in the evolution of government
C) unfortunate, but acceptable, if the majority of people desired this
D) the inevitable result of human nature, which government is powerless to control
E) an example of the tyranny of a faction imposing its will on the rest of the nation

Question 34

What did British philosopher,Thomas Hobbes,mean by the term state of nature?

A) Hobbes was referring to his belief that all people were basically good.
B) Hobbes was referring to his belief that the laws of nature gave kings the right to rule by divine right.
C) Hobbes was referring to the lack of organization among people who have no government.
D) Hobbes was referring to a world in which people lived in harmony with other living creatures, conserved natural resources, and respected the environment.
E) Hobbes was referring to his belief that a society without government was the best society because it was how the "state of nature" intended things to be.

Question 35

In the United States,factions are controlled by:

A) the judicial branch
B) laws that allow the government to prohibit some extreme groups, associations, and political parties from organizing
C) laws that restrict dangerous, violent, and treasonous actions
D) the many powers given to the president of the United States by the Constitution
E) a large and diverse republic in which there is a separation of powers

Question 36

Despite pressure to find political compromises,such compromises do not always occur because:

A) politicians fail to listen to the public
B) legislators are more interested in partisan bickering
C) the need to make trade-offs can mean no policy option satisfies a majority
D) some elected officials simply do not care about the general good
E) the president of the United States often intervenes to prevent compromise

Question 37

The separation of powers refers to:

A) a division of authority within Congress, so that not all legislators do the same things
B) the division of authority between the national and state governments
C) providing each part of government with some power over the others
D) dividing a government into different branches with distinct areas of authority
E) the government's dual responsibility of protecting the rights and freedoms of individuals while also providing for the safety and security of the larger society

Question 38

________ are likely to disappear quickly from the political agenda,while ________ often take a long time to resolve.

A) Conflictual issues; valence issues
B) Social issues such as abortion; national issues
C) Consensus issues; conflictual issues
D) Campaign issues; state and local issues
E) Fiscal issues such as taxes; defense issues such as military intervention or war

Question 39

The U.S.Constitution states that the national government must "insure domestic Tranquility." How does the U.S.government perform that function?

A) It does so through law-enforcement agencies that include the FBI, the National Guard, and the Department of Homeland Security.
B) It does so through military protection provided by the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force.
C) It does so through the system of checks and balances outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
D) It does so through the powers granted to the president of the United States in Article II of the U.S. Constitution.
E) It does so through agencies that include the Justice Department and the State Department.

Question 40

Politics are defined as:

A) anything that happens involving a political campaign or election
B) the process that determines the decisions made by government
C) the behavior of public officials acting in self-interest
D) bickering and conflicts over government policies
E) the totality of all government activities

Question 41

In the U.S.Senate,cloture gives the minority party some power over government policy.This is an example of:

A) why political parties are detrimental to American democracy
B) why the U.S. Senate is considered the "people's body"
C) how rules and procedures affect politics and political outcomes
D)why the U.S. budget deficit has grown in recent years
E) why the U.S. system is more democratic than the parliamentary systems in Europe

Question 42

A person who agreed with the melting-pot approach to racial and ethnic relations would be likely to support:

A) stricter rules for immigrants to be eligible to vote in U.S. elections
B) English as the country's official language
C) amnesty for illegal immigrants currently living in the United States
D) bilingual public education
E) affirmative action programs

Question 43

Liberals tend to support which of the following views?

A) Government involvement in social welfare should be limited.
B) There should be greater government regulation of economic markets.
C) A pro-life position on the abortion issue
D) Government should end all restrictions and regulations on trade with foreign nations.
E) An amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting same-sex marriage.

Question 44

Which of the following is an important issue to values voters?

A) the growing gap between the rich and the poor
B) the teaching of evolution in public schools absent the perspective of creationism or intelligent design
C) continuing the war in Afghanistan to fight terrorism
D) improving health care for seniors by strengthening Medicare
E) protecting collective-bargaining rights for teachers, police, and firefighters

Question 45

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to favor:

A) regulation of business to promote worker safety
B) regulation of business to promote product safety
C) lower taxes and less spending on social policies
D) higher taxes and less spending on social policies
E) fewer restrictions on individual behavior

Question 46

The federal government is considered by many to be large because:

A) there is rampant political corruption in Washington, DC
B) its activities touch on the everyday lives of Americans in many different ways
C) Democrats have controlled Congress for most of the last two decades
D) members of Congress spend too much money on their campaigns
E) state and local governments have been weakened recently by the courts

Question 47

An important realm of economic conflict in the United States today is:

A) trade policy differences between northern and southern states
B) Democrats' and Republicans' commitment to capitalism
C) Democrats' and Republicans' positions on redistributive tax policy
D) Democrats' and Republicans' positions on campaign finance reform
E) current policy differences between northern and southern states

Question 48

Over time,the United States has experienced:

A) an increase in stratification by class
B) a departure from free-market principles in its overall economic philosophy
C) a sharp increase in political corruption
D) an economic decline that now places the United States third in the word in gross domestic product, behind China and Germany
E) increases in violent political movements

Question 49

The federal government consists of:

A) every elected official, party chair, and lobbyist in the United States
B) the president, members of Congress, the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, and all citizens who vote in elections
C) 10 million employees, including contractors and postal service workers
D) an annual fiscal budget of about $1,000 per every person living in the United States
E) an annual fiscal budget of about $40,000 per every person living in the United States

Question 50

The abortion issue is conflictual because:

A) citizens like to fight
B) politicians are inherently unwilling to compromise
C) the differences are rooted in self-interest, ideology, and personal beliefs
D) talk-radio hosts and others in the media manufacture conflict where none would otherwise exist on the issue
E) most Americans hold only the most extreme positions on the issue

Question 51

Elections:

A) are democratic only if citizens who vote know the details of each candidate's issue positions
B) usually provide clear policy mandates
C) allow voters to give fellow citizens the power to enact laws
D) provide a check on the power of special interests
E) are no longer considered by most scholars to be "free" and "fair," given the huge costs now associated with running for public office

Question 52

Which of these groups tends to vote for Republicans more often than for Democrats?

A) Asian Americans
B) Cuban Americans
C) Mexican Americans
D) African American men
E) union members

Question 53

The size of the federal government's most recent annual budget was:

A) just over $100 billion
B) nearly a half a trillion dollars, or just less than $500 billion
C) almost $1 trillion
D) roughly $3.5 trillion
E) more than $15 trillion and rising

Question 54

The fact that political process matters means that:

A) elections have very little impact on legislation and public policy
B) the actions taken by the government are inevitable
C) most politicians are easily corrupted
D) lobbying the government has little impact on the laws that Congress passes
E) policies passed by government are often influenced by its rules and institutions

Question 55

A conservative is likely to favor:

A) greater regulation of business to protect workers
B) the legalization of marijuana
C) laws restricting or abolishing abortion
D) social programs to help the poor
E) government regulations to protect the environment

Question 56

Rules and procedures are important to the political process because they:

A) influence who has the power to make choices at different points in time
B) create different interests between the branches of government
C) provide a level playing field for everyone interested in politics
D) allow the average citizen to become involved in governmental politics
E) mandate that the federal government spend only what it receives in tax revenue

Question 57

A cohesive set of ideas and beliefs used for organizing the political world is a(n):

A) partisan identity
B) ideology
C) conservative viewpoint
D) cultural identity
E) progressive worldview

Question 58

Which of the following is part of the economic values of the United States?

A) workplace democracy
B) economic individualism
C) economic equality
D) the greatest good for the greatest number
E) from each according to his or her ability, to each according to his or her need

Question 59

Cultural and moral values garner attention because:

A) Democrats and Republicans largely agree on economic issues
B) economic issues are boring and unimportant to most Americans
C) recent presidential election outcomes, such as in 2008, were determined largely by cultural and moral issues
D) cultural and moral issues explain the huge differences between voters in red states and blue states
E) interest groups and activists attempt to keep cultural and moral issues at the top of the policy agenda

Question 60

The melting-pot approach to racial and ethnic relations holds that:

A) racial and ethnic groups should leave their customs behind when they immigrate to the United States
B) cultural identities do not hold much political relevance in contemporary American politics
C) the United States has a unique history of supporting the customs of ethnic and racial groups that immigrate to the United States
D) the United States cannot really assimilate new ethnic and racial groups into its already complicated cultural mix
E) affirmative action programs are needed to melt away the legacy of racism and bigotry

Question 61

What is a public good? What are the two primary reasons that the free market cannot provide a public good? What does this imply about the need for government?

Question 62

The authors suggest that government and politics touch your life on a daily basis.What do they mean by this? Do you think that it is good or bad? Explain.

Question 63

The debt-ceiling negotiations between Democrats and Republicans in the summer of 2011 dragged out over many months,making Americans frustrated with the president and Congress.Why did negotiations take so long? How does this episode illustrate the way that political outcomes are ultimately determined in American politics?

Question 64

Why do the media often divide the map of the United States into red states and blue states? How significant are the divisions between residents in red states and blue states according to the academic research of political scientists? Is there reason to be concerned about red-state and blue-state divisions? Is there reason to be concerned about political conflict in the United States more generally?

Question 65

Racial,ethnic,and gender differences are correlated with political differences.Is it inevitable for racial,ethnic,and gender differences to be tied to political interests,or is it possible for these differences to become largely irrelevant in American politics at some point? Why? What recent developments would support your argument?

Question 66

Congressman John Dingell observed,"If you let me decide procedure and I let you decide substance,I'll beat you every time." What does Congressman Dingell mean when he said this? Explain his argument.Do you agree or disagree with Congressman Dingell? Build your case by pointing to at least one example from current political events.

Question 67

James Madison wrote,"If men were angels,no government would be necessary.If angels were to govern men,neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary." Explain what this quote means and what kind of institutional controls Madison put into the Constitution as a consequence of his beliefs.

Question 68

The authors argue that conflict is an inevitable part of American politics.What are some sources of conflict in American politics? Why do the authors argue that conflict is an inevitable part of American politics?

Question 69

Americans have a long tradition of being suspicious of government.First,explain what society would be like if government were eliminated.Second,explain what the U.S.government is supposed to accomplish.In short,why do we have a government?

Question 70

What does a political scientist do? Specifically,explain the research process.How does a political scientist begin research,and what are some common research methods?