Question 1

The potential development of a third party prevents the two major parties from being responsive to the demands of the people.

Accepted Answer

The potential development of a third party can actually pressure the two major parties to be more responsive to the demands of the people, as they must adapt and address these demands to prevent losing support to a third party.

Question 2

A two-party system seldom shows sharp and clear-cut differences in program or principle.

Accepted Answer

In a two-party system, parties often aim to appeal to a broad range of voters, which can lead to less distinct differences in their programs or principles compared to multi-party systems where parties can cater to more specific ideologies.

Question 3

The government of the United States is both a democracy and a republic.

Accepted Answer

The United States is both a democracy because the power is ultimately held by the people and a republic because the power is exercised through elected representatives.

Question 4

American voters have a much higher percentage of voter participation in elections than voters in Britain.

Accepted Answer

Voter turnout in the United States is generally lower than in the United Kingdom. In recent elections, the UK has seen higher percentages of voter participation compared to the US.

Question 5

Roughly estimated, there are approximately 100,000 people in the U.S. who could be considered the political and economic elite of our society.

Accepted Answer

While the exact number is unknown, it is estimated that there are around 100,000 individuals who hold significant political and economic power in the U.S. as part of the elite class.

Question 6

Pressure groups play an important role in trying to shape public opinion.

Accepted Answer

Pressure groups aim to influence public opinion by raising awareness of specific issues or advancing particular causes. They may engage in activities such as lobbying, demonstrations, or media campaigns to increase public support for their goals. Through these efforts, pressure groups are able to shape public opinion and influence policy decisions.

Question 7

The direct democracy approach is least used in California, as exemplified by the recall of Governor Gray Davis and election of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003.

Accepted Answer

The direct democracy approach was actually used in California in the recall of Governor Gray Davis and election of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003, through the use of a ballot initiative process where voters could sign a petition to trigger a recall election and subsequently vote on a replacement candidate.

Question 8

President Gerald Ford originated the term military-industrial complex.

Accepted Answer

The term "military-industrial complex" was actually originated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his farewell address in 1961.

Question 9

In the 2008 election, Senator Barack Obama promised to abide by the limits and accept federal money but then decided not to accept the money when he discovered he could raise more money through private donations.

Accepted Answer

This is true. Obama initially said he would accept public funding, but ultimately chose not to in order to take advantage of unlimited fundraising potential from private donors.

Question 10

Under the 1974 federal election laws, individual contributors could only give $1,000 to a candidate's primary general election campaign, whereas a PAC could give $5,000.

Accepted Answer

This was true under the 1974 Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), which limited individual contributions to $1,000 per candidate per election cycle and PAC contributions to $5,000 per candidate per election cycle. These limits have since been adjusted for inflation and there have been additional changes to campaign finance laws.

Question 11

The press, or fourth estate, has freedom inherent in the constitution and is also free from influence from private pressure groups and businesses.

Accepted Answer

While the press, or fourth estate, has freedom inherent in the constitution (in many countries), it is not completely free from influence from private pressure groups and businesses. These entities can exert influence through advertising dollars, ownership of media outlets, and other means.

Question 12

One of the ways electorates in democracies throughout the world have had their ballot power weakened is the limitation of categories of those who can hold office.

Accepted Answer

By limiting the categories of individuals who can hold office, certain segments of the population may be excluded from political participation and representation. This can weaken the power of the electorate to fully exercise their voting rights and influence political outcomes.

Quiz 16: Democratic Government in the United States