Question 1

Elections:

Accepted Answer

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 officeF) B) and D)
G) A) and B)

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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 powersF) C) and E)
G) B) and E)

Question 3

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.

Accepted Answer

The authors are suggesting that governme...

Question 4

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.

Accepted Answer

James Madison's quote suggests that huma...

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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 statesF) A) and D)
G) B) and E)

Question 6

A conservative is likely to favor:

Accepted Answer

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 environmentF) A) and B)
G) None of the above

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

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.F) A) and D)
G) B) and D)

Question 8

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?

Accepted Answer

It is not inevitable for racial, ethnic,...

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

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 needF) A) and B)
G) D) and E)

Question 10

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?

Accepted Answer

The media often divide the map of the Un...

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

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 worldF) None of the above
G) All of the above

Question 12

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.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 13

Politics occurs only in the context of government decision making.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

The separation of powers refers to:

Accepted Answer

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 societyF) All of the above
G) B) and C)

Question 15

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to favor:

Accepted Answer

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 behaviorF) A) and D)
G) B) and C)

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

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 welfareF) C) and E)
G) A) and E)

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

A)   partisan identity
B)   ideology
C)   conservative viewpoint
D)   cultural identity
E)   progressive worldviewF) A) and E)
G) C) and D) B

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

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 WorldF) None of the above
G) A) and B)

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

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 eliteF) B) and D)
G) A) and B) C

Question 20

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.

Accepted Answer

Congressman John Dingell's observation s...

Exam 1: Understanding American Politics

Elections:

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified

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.

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The authors are suggesting that governme...
View Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
James Madison's quote suggests that huma...
View Answer

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

Correct Answer
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A conservative is likely to favor:

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

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
It is not inevitable for racial, ethnic,...
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Which of the following is part of the economic values of the United States?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The media often divide the map of the Un...
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Which of the following did the Founders of the U.S.Constitution cite as a reason to have a government?

Correct Answer
verified

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.

Correct Answer
verified
True

Politics occurs only in the context of government decision making.

Correct Answer
verified

The separation of powers refers to:

Correct Answer
verified

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to favor:

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified
B

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

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified
C

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Congressman John Dingell's observation s...
View Answer

Exam 1: Understanding American Politics

Elections:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe authors are suggesting that governme...View AnswerShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIJames Madison's quote suggests that huma...View AnswerShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A conservative is likely to favor:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIIt is not inevitable for racial, ethnic,...View AnswerShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe media often divide the map of the Un...View AnswerShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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.

Correct AnswerverifiedTrue

Politics occurs only in the context of government decision making.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The separation of powers refers to:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to favor:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedB

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedC

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AICongressman John Dingell's observation s...View AnswerShow Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The authors are suggesting that governme...
View Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
James Madison's quote suggests that huma...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
It is not inevitable for racial, ethnic,...
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The media often divide the map of the Un...
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
True

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
B

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified
C

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Congressman John Dingell's observation s...
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