Political Scienceacademic

What is the main goal of interest groups from policymakers? A. Policy that is beneficial for their groups B. Information that benefits their groups C. Preservation of the status quo D. Unlimited access to the policymakers

What does "promote the general welfare" mean? How might a government "promote the general welfare"?

The earliest primaries are held in which two states? A. Maine and New Hampshire B. New Jersey and Iowa C. Ohio and New Hampshire D. New Hampshire and Iowa

These Republican supporters of New York City boss Roscoe Conkling were strongly opposed to civil-service reform. A) Stalwarts B) Progressives C) Radicals D) Independents

Why do you think only 27 amendments have been added to the Constitution since its ratification, even though thousands have been proposed? If you had to pick one amendment as the most important, what would it be and why?

Which answer best describes political socialization? A. The process by which a person forms his or her ideas about politics B. A term used to describe the very first time a person votes C. Being willing to compromise with members of the opposite party D. Not being willing to compromise with members of the opposite party

Explain the four types of committees: Standing committee Joint committee Conference committee Select committee

Which of the following best describes the US government? A. Executive rule B. Dictatorship C. Direct democracy D. Representative democracy

When a Constitutional Amendment is interpreted, it is: A. disparaged B. developed C. construed D. enumerated

How is the Speaker of the House determined? A. The representative with the longest tenure in the House is the Speaker of the House. B. The President selects the Speaker of the House from the majority party in the House. C. The elected leader of the majority party in the House is the Speaker. D. The Vice President of the United States is also Speaker of the House.

What is the main purpose of government? A. Make laws that give the majority of power to elected officials B. Allow the people to rule without any formal system of control C. Provide safety and protection by creating laws and regulations D. Maintain authority over its citizens through public policies

The Great Compromise included all of the following EXCEPT: A. The legislature, or law-making body, of the United States would be bicameral, consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate. B. The legislature, or law-making body, of the United States would be unicameral, consisting of a Senate and a Supreme Court. C. Regardless of its size, large or small, each state would have two Senators, thus making the states equal in power in the Senate. D. Each state would have a number of representatives – determined by the population of that state – in the House of Representatives.

Which of the following is the best definition of federalism? A. A constitutional arrangement by which two or more levels of government share formal authority over the same area and people. B. A loose association of states constitutionally created by a strong central government. C. A loose association of states with mutually recognized compacts but no central government. D. A constitutional arrangement concentrating power in a central government.

How are the Constitutions of Florida and the United States different? A. The U.S. Constitution requires a balanced budget. B. The U.S. Constitution doesn't have a Bill of Rights. C. You can't amend the Florida Constitution. D. Florida's Constitution can be amended by 60% of its residents in statewide elections.

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? A. Freedom of religion and life B. Speedy trial and fair punishment C. Liberty and the pursuit of happiness D. Voting and free press

What is a formal agreement between the heads of two or more sovereign states? A. Secretary B. Executive Agreement C. Treaty D. Attorney General

Discuss the positive and negative impacts of the anti-war movement.

Give an example of "Consent of the Governed."

In Federalist No. 10, James Madison is concerned about the dangers of factions because:_________

An oligarchy can be like a dictatorship. True or false? Explain why.

What is the difference between categorical grants, block grants, and unfunded mandates in the area of federalism?

What is the primary goal of interest groups? A. Ensuring that the group's beliefs are represented in public policy B. Encouraging the regulation of political action committees C. Developing new methods of charging interest D. Informing the American public about candidates for office

Which statement best describes new federalism? Federal authorities gradually shift power back to the states. State and federal government work together to make federal policy. Power is specified and shared between federal and state government. The federal government comes up with creative ways to expand its power.

Describe the basic difference between utopian socialism and Marxism.

In his "Two Treatises of Government," John Locke argued that: A. No group of people has the right to dissolve civil society. B. The theory upholding the absolute, divine right of kings was unassailable. C. Legitimate government authority is conditional and contractual. D. Kings should rule society absolutely, as fathers rule households. E. Wealth should be distributed equally among all members of society.

By tradition, when does the presidential campaign begin? A. With the New Hampshire primary B. When a candidate is officially nominated at the national convention C. After a candidate has gained enough electoral votes in the primaries D. In September, following the national convention

The number of electoral votes a state gets depends on A) the number of registered voters in the state. B) the number of votes cast in previous elections. C) the number of members in both houses of the state legislature. D) the number of Senators and representatives the state has in Congress.

Who chooses the prime minister? A. The House of Lords B. The House of Commons C. Direct election by voters D. The monarchy

Which statement best defines a communist government? A. A communist government gives power to multiple branches. B. A communist government is an autocracy. C. A communist government is led by one political party. D. A communist government allows for limited voting.

Widespread gerrymandering can affect both state and national policy by: A. Increasing the number of laws passed each year due to greater cooperation by elected officials at each level. B. Increasing voter turnout and making elected officials more accountable to the citizens of each state. C. Increasing the chances of one party enacting its platform in state legislatures and the House of Representatives. D. Increasing cooperation between state and national governments to pass and enforce similar laws.

Which of the following is the best definition of federalism? A. A form of government where the citizens must approve all decisions before they can take effect B. A form of government where power is concentrated in one central government C. A form of government where power is concentrated among the regional governments and the central government has very little power D. A form of government where power is divided between regional governments and a central government

What was the rationale for granting life tenure to Supreme Court justices? Is this precedent still applicable in the 21st century? (Be sure to include arguments from the article "Debate: Should Supreme Court Justices Continue to Have a Life Tenure?" in Upfront, 9/2/13, pg. 22.)

The New Jersey Plan supported the idea of A. bicameral legislation. B. equal representation. C. multi-cameral legislation. D. parliamentary government.

What kind of government did Antifederalists want to develop? A. Protection of the rights of the individual B. A confederation of small "republic" states C. Rule by the elite D. A strong executive branch E. Concentrated powers for the national government

A major criticism of the electoral college is that it: Limits the influence of the two-party political system. Allows a president to be elected without a majority of the popular vote. Forces each political candidate to campaign in every state. Makes the federal election process too expensive.

Direct democracy is best defined as: A. a state of continual revolution B. the system that allows people to vote by telephone or over the internet C. a system that allows citizens to vote directly for laws and policies D. the competition between interest groups for governmental power E. a system that allows citizens to elect representatives who play a significant role in governmental decision-making

"What is the purpose of the phrase ""secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity"" in the U.S. Constitution's preamble? ""We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

The process of approving the Constitution is best described as _______.

"A legislature is at the heart of a: A) representative democracy B) oligarchy C) anarchical provisional D) direct democracy"

"Critical elections in the United States typically have occurred: A. As a result of a temporary shift in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties. B. Whenever a third party has secured more than fifteen percent of the presidential vote. C. Each time a Republican has been elected President. D. When voter turnout has declined significantly from the previous election. E. When groups of voters have changed their traditional patterns of party loyalties."