Deck 1: Understanding American Politics

Question 1

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

A) a belief that all people were basically good
B) a belief that the laws of nature gave kings the right to rule by divine right
C) life without any existing government
D) a world in which people lived in harmony
E) the idea that a society without government was best because it was how the "state of nature" intended things to be

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The trend in the United States in recent years has been toward the decriminalization of marijuana.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

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.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

What are the two main, broad purposes of government?

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

Question 5

America is an example of a representative democracy.

Question 6

Cultural issues include social spending on the poor and proper taxation levels.

Question 7

Compared to most European democracies, the United States has been relatively free of class-based politics because economics is not an important source of political conflict in America.

Question 8

In recent years, Washington and Colorado have become the first two states to do what?

A) offer a path to citizenship for illegal residents
B) guarantee a minimum income to all residents
C) abolish the use of the death penalty
D) legalize abortion
E) decriminalize possession of marijuana

Question 9

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.

Question 10

James Madison was concerned about the possibility that no faction would be able to gain a majority and thus the government would not function.

Question 11

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 12

Politics occurs only in the context of government decision making.

Question 13

Federalism refers to the division of power across the local, state, and national levels of government.

Question 14

To the Founders, equality was the central principle of the new government.

Question 15

The "tossed salad" version of assimilation is most consistent with which view of American racial and ethnic relations?

A) the melting pot approach
B) multiculturalism
C) racial separatism
D) elitism
E) pluralism

Question 16

The main reasons we have government are to provide order and to promote the general welfare.

Question 17

Politics is conflictual because politicians rarely listen to the commonsense voices of the American public.

Question 18

The free rider problem occurs because people can share in the benefits of a public good whether or not they helped provide it.

Question 19

The way that people make decisions about politics is similar to how they make decisions in other areas of their lives.

Question 20

Conflict is inevitable because there are some issues, such as abortion, where there is no national consensus and no compromise position.

Question 21

America predominantly uses which form of democracy?

A) representative
B) direct
C) totalitarian
D) libertarian
E) multicultural

Question 22

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

A) part of the "brutish state of nature."
B) a stage in the evolution of government.
C) unfortunate but inevitable and outside the scope of government to prevent.
D) the best possible outcome given the desires of a majority of the people.
E) an example of the tyranny of a faction imposing its will on the rest of the nation.

Question 23

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 24

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 25

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) through powers specified in the Declaration of Independence.

Question 26

If people decide there is a problem worth solving that requires the creation of a public good, government involvement 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 on their own.
C) of positive externalities that make the good otherwise undesirable.
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 27

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 28

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

A) his belief that people are self-interested and could not be trusted to rule themselves.
B) his belief that direct democracy was the only legitimate way to make collective decisions.
C) his desire to see the United States serve as a functioning colony of Great Britain.
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 29

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 long-standing divisions separating voters in the eastern and the western parts of the country.
E) There is no national consensus on some issues, nor is there a compromise position on every issue.

Question 30

How does equality contribute to resolving conflict in the political system?

A) People respect the system more if they believe they are going to be treated equally.
B) By promising equal outcomes, politicians have ensured everyone is satisfied.
C) Conflict can only exist when people are being treated differently.
D) Multiculturalism reinforces equality of opportunity in America.
E) Social issues are more contentious than issues about equality.

Question 31

John disagrees with a decision of the government and expresses his view in an article in the local newspaper. This is an example of which American political value?

A) liberty
B) equality
C) democracy
D) fraternity
E) multiculturalism

Question 32

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, the Department of the Interior, and the State Department.

Question 33

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.
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 34

Which of the following did the Founders cite in the Constitution as a reason to have a government?

A) to secure liberty
B) to enshrine a two-party system
C) to provide a basic standard of living
D) to protect individuals from themselves
E) to conquer territory, build empires, and promote national interests around the world

Question 35

What is politics?

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 36

The idea that every person should have the same chance to realize his or her potential is most consistent with which American political value?

A) liberty
B) equality
C) democracy
D) fraternity
E) multiculturalism

Question 37

Which three American political values resolve conflict in the political system?

A) democracy, liberty, and equality
B) democracy, equality, and fraternity
C) equality, liberty, and multiculturalism
D) democracy, fraternity, and multiculturalism
E) fraternity, liberty, and multiculturalism

Question 38

It may be easy for two neighbors to agree to drain a meadow, which they possess in common, to grow crops. However, when the meadow is much larger and reaches thousands of people, the solution is more difficult because:

A) decision making is nearly impossible with so many people.
B) factions would form that would ultimately destroy the meadow for everyone.
C) the problem of the "tyranny of the majority" would be impossible to control.
D) the people involved would suffer from the "free rider problem."
E) the state of nature takes over, leading to conflict.

Question 39

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 40

We say that a good whose benefit is shared both by the primary consumer and by society, such as public education, has what?

A) negative externalities
B) general welfare restrictions
C) positive externalities
D) free rider problems
E) factional strife

Question 41

The federal government consists of:

A) elected officials, party chairs, and lobbyists.
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) registered members of a political party.
E) policymakers and certain bureaucrats.

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

Which of the following is true about elections?

A) They are democratic only if citizens who vote know the details of each candidate's issue positions.
B) They usually provide clear policy mandates.
C) They allow voters to give fellow citizens the power to enact laws.
D) They provide a check on the power of special interests.
E) They happen once a year in October or November.

Question 44

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) around $4 trillion.
E) more than $15 trillion and rising.

Question 45

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 are relatively new, only becoming important in the twenty-first century.
E) interest groups and activists attempt to keep cultural and moral issues at the top of the policy agenda.

Question 46

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 47

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 48

Which of the following is part of the modern 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 49

________ 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 50

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) women

Question 51

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
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 52

The abortion issue is conflictual because:

A) citizens like to fight.
B) politicians are inherently unwilling to compromise.
C) the differences are rooted in 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 are unaware of the issue.

Question 53

Democrats and Republicans most strongly disagree about which area of economic policy?

A) free trade
B) gold or silver standards for currency
C) redistributive tax policy
D) campaign finance reform
E) abortion

Question 54

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 55

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) lower taxes and more spending on social policies.

Question 56

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) economic decline relative to Europe.
E) increases in violent political movements.

Question 57

The political process matters because:

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 58

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) determine which interest groups are allowed to engage in lobbying.
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 59

The idea of health care for all citizens is based on which American political value?

A) liberty
B) equality
C) democracy
D) fraternity
E) multiculturalism

Question 60

All of the following are reasons the federal government is considered large EXCEPT:

A) it has a massive budget and spends many billions of dollars every year.
B) its activities touch on the everyday lives of Americans in many different ways.
C) it has 535 members in its legislature.
D) it issues tens of thousands of new regulations every year.
E) it employs millions of people.

Question 61

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 says this? Explain his argument. Do you agree or disagree with Congressman Dingell? What is one example from current or historical events that demonstrates what the congressman was talking about?

Question 62

What is a public good and what are some examples? What are the two primary reasons that the free market cannot provide a public good? Do you believe the government is an effective provider of public goods?

Question 63

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

Question 64

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 65

A libertarian 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 66

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 67

What is the difference between democracy, liberty, and equality? How do each of them help to restrain conflict in America? Which do you believe to be the most important value in American politics? Why did you choose that one and not the other two?

Question 68

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) Government should support the pro-life position on the abortion issue.
D) Government should end all restrictions and regulations on trade with foreign nations.
E) Government should add an amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting same-sex marriage.

Question 69

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. Do you believe it to be true? What kind of institutional controls did Madison put into the Constitution as a consequence of his beliefs, and are they effective?

Question 70

What are some sources of conflict in American politics? Why do the authors argue that conflict is an inevitable part of American politics? Do you agree with their argument?

Question 71

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 72

Americans have a long tradition of being suspicious of government power. Why do we have a government? What does Thomas Hobbes think would happen if we didn't have a government? Do you agree with his argument? Why or why not?

Question 73

What is the melting pot view on American racial and ethnic differences? How is this different from the multicultural, or "tossed salad," view? Which do you believe to be a more accurate representation of the way America is today? Why?

Question 74

Free and fair elections are an important part of which American political value?

A) liberty
B) equality
C) democracy
D) fraternity
E) multiculturalism

Question 75

What has been the recent trend among states with regard to marijuana? How does this demonstrate the textbook's theme that politics is conflictual? How does it relate to the idea that America is a federal system with multiple levels of government?