Deck 19: Politics in the United States by Austin Ranney and Thad Kousser

Question 1

Weak party discipline and low levels of cohesion

A)are prevalent in parliamentary systems.
B)rarely occur in the U.S.Senate.
C)are based in the personal culpability of the representatives.
D)are Congressional themes throughout U.S.history.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

There is some basis for claims of American exceptionalism.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Government regulation over television and radio is much more restrictive than print media.This is a consequence of

A)campaign advertisements.
B)misuse of electronic media.
C)the scarcity doctrine.
D)the immediate nature of television.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The higher education system of the United States has traditionally been designed to

A)create an elite.
B)be privately run.
C)give as many people as possible a chance for an education.
D)teach and support the appropriate moral values of American citizens.

Question 5

Advocates of such policies as bilingual education,printing voting ballots and government documents in several different languages,and including the contributions of other cultures to American life envision U.S.society as a(n)

A)melting pot.
B)conflictual nation.
C)integrative nation.
D)patchwork quilt.

Question 6

The Civil War settled the question of whether the United States was

A)a convenient alliance among independent sovereign states.
B)a single sovereign nation.
C)a federation.
D)to have a capitalistic economic system.

Question 7

The United States Constitution

A)is one of the newest.
B)is the oldest still in effect.
C)was written at the same time as the English Constitution.
D)is contemporary with many other European country constitutions.

Question 8

Social Security is considered by most Americans to be a waste of money.

Question 9

The United States federal government relies on income taxes for the majority of its revenue.

Question 10

The American system of government is the only democracy in the world to have

A)distinct personnel.
B)judicial appointments and elections.
C)direct primaries.
D)separation of powers.

Question 11

Between 1970 and the late 1990s,most immigration came from Eastern Europe and Russia.

Question 12

Because the United States has a unequitable trade balance and net negative revenue sources,it is defined as a(n)

A)post-industrial society.
B)first-world country.
C)service economy.
D)debtor nation.

Question 13

Which of the following problems did the founders seek to avoid in creating the U.S.Constitution?

A)tyranny of the poor,but not tyranny of the rich
B)tyranny of the rich,but not tyranny of the poor
C)tyranny of the minority,but not tyranny of the majority
D)tyranny of the majority and tyranny of the minority

Question 14

The unique geography of the United States has historically encouraged isolation.

Question 15

Voting turnout in the United States is

A)lower than other countries in every respect.
B)generally higher than other countries.
C)comparatively lower or higher depending on the allowance of difficulty in the voter registration process.
D)the only means of measuring political participation.

Question 16

"Checks and balances" in the United States' political system refer to

A)the separate functions of the different branches of government.
B)the standards by which members of Congress are chosen.
C)the legal requirements for running for president.
D)the means by which each branch keeps the other two from usurping their constitutional powers.

Question 17

Divided government

A)does not significantly weaken the federal government's ability to make policy.
B)is a significant handicap to policymaking.
C)seems to have no effect whatsoever.
D)allows foreigners to have undue influence.

Question 18

In an open primary

A)voters do not have to make a public choice of the primary in which they will vote until election day.
B)voters can choose a candidate for each office,regardless of party.
C)there is no party registration and voters can vote in whichever party primary they choose.
D)only persons pre-registered as members of a particular party can vote.

Question 19

The major purpose of direct primaries is to

A)select candidates.
B)contribute to the party platform.
C)raise funds.
D)provide a forum for political debate.

Question 20

Currently in the United States,the largest expenditure in the federal budget is for

A)defense.
B)education.
C)foreign aid.
D)Social Security.

Question 21

Independent internet sites are regulated as much as TV and radio in the U.S.

Question 22

The main tactic of lobbyists is buying votes.

Question 23

The major agent shaping Americans' political socialization is the church.

Question 24

The president of the United States is elected directly by the citizens of the United States.

Question 25

When compared with the citizens of Great Britain,Spain,Italy,France,and Germany,American citizens are more likely to express pride in their country.