Transcript
INTRODUCING GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA
Multiple Choice Questions
Which of the following statements about youth participation in the U.S. is TRUE?
More than one-half of Americans under the age of 30 say that they rarely follow politics.
Young people score higher on political knowledge surveys than do older Americans.
Younger Americans are more likely to vote than are older Americans.
Young people today score better on political knowledge tests than did young people in the early 1970s.
All of these are true.
Answer: a
According to Michael Delli Carpini and Scott Keeter, all of the following are strong reasons for staying informed about political affairs EXCEPT
fostering civic virtue.
helping citizens identify policies that will benefit them.
easing the burden placed on journalists and media organizations charged with educating the public.
promoting active participation in politics.
helping citizens incorporate policy information into their voting behavior.
Answer: c
The most common form of political participation is
protest.
lobbying.
writing editorials.
voting.
running for political office.
Answer: d
Which of the following best describes a linkage institution?
A channel through which people’s concerns become a political agenda
A location to express a political opinion
Formation of a special interest group
An environment where one learns about the political process
A gathering of people to represent a public opinion
Answer: a
Linkage institutions are
political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda.
issues that attract serious attention of public officials.
branches of government charged with taking action on political issues.
choices that governments make in response to political issues.
systems of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.
Answer: a
A law passed by Congress and the adoption of a regulation by an agency are both examples of
public policies.
interest groups.
red tape.
exercises in public opinion.
majoritarian politics.
Answer: a
The principle that, in a democracy, choosing among alternatives requires the majority’s desire to be respected is called
majority rule.
minority rights.
representation.
pluralism.
enlightened understanding.
Answer: a
The theory that argues that group competition results in a rough approximation of the public interest in public policy is
hyperpluralist theory.
balance-of-power theory.
elite-and-class theory.
pluralist theory.
bureaucratic theory.
Answer: d
The condition occurring when interests conflict and no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy is called
divided government.
hyperpluralism.
policy gridlock.
separation of powers.
federalism.
Answer: c
A set of values widely shared within a society is referred to as
liberalism.
political culture.
public policy.
politics.
government.
Answer: b
That the U.S. government is more limited and smaller than other advanced industrialized countries is a reflection of the strength of _________ economic policies.
populist
pluralist
laissez-faire
elitist
corporatist
Answer: c
The political philosophy supporting the rights of average citizens in their struggle against privileged elites is known as
liberalism.
laissez-faire.
libertarianism.
populism.
pluralism.
Answer: d
Which of the following is NOT one of the ways that America may be experiencing a culture war, as understood by Wayne Baker?
A loss over time of traditional values associated with religion
A loss over time of traditional values associated with family life
An unfavorable comparison with the citizens of other countries in terms of key values such as patriotism
The division of society into opposed groups with irreconcilable moral differences
The growth of more centrist positions among the American population
Answer: e
The sum total of the value of all the goods and services produced in a year in a nation are collectively referred to as
gross domestic product (GDP).
national debt.
national deficit.
laissez-faire economics.
national surplus.
Answer: a
Which of the following is true of the United States?
Social Security consumes a greater share of the national budget than does defense spending.
National defense consumes a greater share of the national budget than does Social Security spending.
Medicare spending is the single largest item in the federal budget.
Aid to state and local governments consumes the largest share of the federal budget.
National defense spending consumes the largest share of the federal budget.
Answer: a
True/False Questions
Since 2008, the number of young Americans aged 18–29 has exceeded older Americans on measures of political engagement.
Answer: FALSE
Public goods are things that everyone shares, such as clean air.
Answer: TRUE
Americans’ preferences and interests are communicated to policymakers in government through linkage institutions.
Answer: TRUE
The closer the correspondence between representatives and their electoral majority, the closer the approximation of democracy.
Answer: TRUE
Elite theory contends that class is the major dividing line in politics and that the upper-class elite pull the strings of government.
Answer: TRUE
Increased technical knowledge of complex contemporary issues casts doubt on the traditional democratic notion that ordinary citizens have the good sense to reach sound political judgments around which government can act.
Answer: TRUE
When interests conflict, which they often do, no coalition may be strong enough to form a majority and establish policy—this can lead to a policy gridlock.
Answer: TRUE
New Hampshire’s state motto, “Live Free or Die,” is an example of Americans’ belief in egalitarianism as a central component to the American creed.
Answer: FALSE
Most Americans are proud of the United States in its fair and equal treatment of all groups.
Answer: TRUE
The tax burden in the United States is far higher than it is in most other democratic countries.
Answer: FALSE
CHAPTER EXAM
Multiple Choice Questions
According to Michael Delli Carpini and Scott Keeter, political knowledge is important because it
fosters civic virtues.
helps citizens identify policies that would benefit them.
promotes active participation in politics.
All of the above are true.
None of the above is true.
Answer: d
Who claimed that there has never been, nor ever will be, a people who are politically ignorant and free?
Thomas Jefferson
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Ronald Reagan
Bill Clinton
George W. Bush
Answer: a
Which of the following statements is TRUE of the relationship between age and political knowledge as suggested by data from the National Election Studies?
Americans aged 45–65 had higher levels of political knowledge in 2008 than in 1972.
Americans younger than age 30 had higher levels of political knowledge in 2008 than they did in 1972.
Since 1972, all Americans’ political knowledge has decreased.
Since 1972, all Americans’ political knowledge has increased.
Americans age 65 and older display higher levels of political knowledge in 2008 than they did in 1972.
Answer: c
Which of the following is TRUE of voter turnout in the United States?
The youth vote in 2008 erased the age gap in voter turnout between young Americans and older Americans.
The youth surge in the 2008 election was due in large part to increased turnout among minorities; for the first time ever, young African Americans had a higher turnout rate than did young whites.
Turnout rates for the young have generally been going up, while turnout among people over 65 years of age has generally been going down since 1972.
Young adults age 18–29 report higher levels of interest in keeping up with politics when compared to older adults.
All of the above are true.
Answer: b
Which of the following statements helps explain the link between youth voter turnout and changes in media communication and technology?
The current generation is the first to grow up in a media environment with few shared experiences.
The proliferation of television channels makes it easier for young Americans to avoid exposure to politics.
Most young Americans have not developed habits of following the news.
Young people today have never known a time when most citizens paid attention to major political events.
All of the above are true.
Answer: e
The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society are collectively called
government.
the separation of powers.
federalism.
power.
politics.
Answer: a
An example of a public good is
national defense.
a toll road.
food stamps.
a college education.
medical care.
Answer: a
Harold Lasswell’s definition of politics is
“who gets what, when, and how.”
“what gets done, then, and now.”
the authoritative allocation of the gross national product, or GNP.
voting in a duly constituted election.
joining a political party.
Answer: a
The who of politics includes voters, candidates, groups and parties; the what refers to the
media organizations that cover voters, candidates, groups, and parties.
institutions that respond to voters, candidates, groups, and parties.
substance of politics and government—benefits and burdens.
procedures through which voters, candidates, groups, and parties get what they want.
winners and losers.
Answer: c
The media usually focus on the ____ of politics.
“who”
“what”
“when”
“how”
“why”
Answer: a
______ is the process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time.
Democracy
The policymaking system
A constellation
The bureaucracy
Government
Answer: b
Which of the following is an example of a linkage institution?
Political parties
Interest groups
Elections
The media
All of these are examples of linkage institutions.
Answer: e
The __________ describes those issues that attract serious attention from public officials and policymakers.
backburner
policy agenda
bureaucracy
policymaking process
gatekeeper
Answer: b
Which of the following is NOT a policymaking institution according to your textbook?
Congress
The presidency
The courts
The bureaucracy
The media
Answer: d
Another name for a law passed by Congress is a(n)
budgetary choice.
regulation.
bill.
congressional statute.
presidential action.
Answer: d
Public policy
is specifically defined as government action.
only relates to democracies.
is not relevant unless it is coupled with political culture.
includes all decisions and nondecisions made by government.
only emerges through formal legislative procedures.
Answer: d
The U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan resulted from a
congressional statute.
presidential action.
court decision.
budgetary choice.
regulation.
Answer: b
What kind of public policy involves the legislative enactment of taxes and expenditures?
Congressional statute
Presidential action
Court decision
Budgetary choice
Regulation
Answer: d
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
The authors of the U.S. Constitution were wary of democracy and doubted the ability of ordinary Americans to make informed judgments about what government should do.
Most people in most democracies around the world believe that although democracy has its faults, it is the best form of government.
Government “by the people” is literally impossible in the U.S.
Democracy is a system of selecting policymakers and organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.
All of the above are true.
Answer: e
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 13
Free speech and a free press are essential to which principle of traditional democratic theory?
Equality in voting
Effective participation
Enlightened understanding
Inclusion
Citizen control of the agenda
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 14
The basic principles of traditional democratic theory include all of the following EXCEPT
equality in voting.
effective participation.
government control of information.
inclusion.
citizen control of the agenda.
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 14
Which principle of traditional democracy theory is violated in circumstances in which the wealthy have influence far exceeding what would be expected based on their numbers?
Equality in voting
Effective participation
Enlightened understanding
Inclusion
Citizen control of the agenda
Answer: e
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 14
Pluralist theory suggests that, in the United States,
society is governed by an upper-class elite.
too many influential groups cripple government’s ability to govern.
many groups vie for power with no one group dominating politics.
Congress is stronger and more influential than the presidency.
because most citizens fail to pay attention to serious issues, government has become an elite institution.
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 15
The notion that, in politics, the desires of the people should be replicated in government through the choices of elected officials is called
minority rights.
majority rules.
representation.
pluralism.
political participation.
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 15
Robert Dahl’s note that in the U.S. “all active and legitimate groups in the population can make themselves heard at some crucial stage in the process” is an expression of which theory of democracy?
Pluralist theory
Elite theory
Class theory
Hyperpluralist theory
Bureaucratic theory
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 15
Which of the following is NOT a contemporary theory of democracy?
Hyperpluralism
Class theory
Democratic centralism
Pluralism
Elite theory
Answer: c
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 15–27
The recent proliferation of interest groups would be seen as a positive development to proponents of ____ theory.
pluralist
elite
class
hyperpluralist
bureaucratic
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 15
At the center of all theories of elite domination of politics is
big business.
the Congress.
the nouveau riche.
the Trilateral Commission.
the president.
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 16
Hyperpluralists believe that the dominant players in American politics are
groups.
government officials.
the media.
rich individuals.
poor individuals
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 16–17
According to hyperpluralists, the increasing caseloads of federal and state courts demonstrate
the high status of attorneys in the United States.
the inability to control the bureaucracy in implementing policy.
that groups are more likely to appeal to different institutions in order to gain policy benefits.
the expanding scope of government in the United States.
the increasing complexity of our social networks.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 16–17
The relationship between groups and the government in hyperpluralist theory is
strong government and strong groups.
weak groups and strong government.
weak groups, strong elites, and weak government.
strong groups and weak government.
too few groups result in the creation of many governments.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 17
Escalating campaign costs pose a challenge to contemporary American democracy because
candidates have become dependent on PACs, which represent specific economic interests rather than the American people as a whole.
candidates may be more likely to pay attention to PACs because they depend on PAC contributions for reelection.
candidates’ reliance on PACs and PAC contributions makes them more likely to get involved in single-issue politics.
the influence of PAC money on the electoral process widens the gap between democratic theory and the reality of democracy in America.
All of the above are true.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 17
PAC stands for
partisan assistance commission.
party affairs council.
policy advisory committee.
politically active constituency.
political action committee.
Answer: e
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 17
The diversity of the American people is reflected in a great diversity of interests, which may pose a challenge to democracy to the extent that
it leads to lower levels of political participation.
it contributes to policy gridlock.
interests conflict and, thus, each interest uses its influence to thwart others.
it makes it more difficult for government to deliver policies that are responsive to all citizens’ needs and interests.
All of the above are true.
Answer: e
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 17–18
What unites Americans more than anything else according to your textbook?
The president
Their political culture
Participation in elections
A belief in group politics
Liberal attitudes toward immigration
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 18
The well-known phrase, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal,” in the Declaration of Independence is a statement of the principle of
communism.
egalitarianism.
individualism.
libertarianism.
republicanism.
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 18–19
Patrick Henry’s exclamation, “Give me liberty or give me death,” was an expression of which element of the American creed?
Liberty
Egalitarianism
Individualism
Populism
Laissez-faire
Answer: a
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 18
In the United States, egalitarianism includes
equality of condition.
equality of opportunity.
the absence of monarch and aristocracy.
Both b and c are true.
None of the above is true.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 18–19
One of the primary reasons for the comparatively small scope of American government is
liberalism.
pluralism.
judicial review.
capitalism.
individualism.
Answer: e
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference: 19
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
Compared to most other economically developed nations, the U.S. devotes a smaller percentage of its resources to government.
The United States, more than Western European democracies, displays a preference for free markets.
The U.S., more than Western European democracies, displays a preference for limited government.
The United States, more than Western European democracies, displays a preference for more generous social welfare benefits.
All of the above are false.
Answer: d
Learning Objective: 1.5
Page Reference: 19–20
According to James Q. Wilson, an “intense commitment to a candidate, a culture, or an ideology that sets people in one group definitively apart from people in another, rival group” is a definition of
socialization.
polarization.
reification.
liberalism.
laissez-faire economics.
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.4
Page Reference; 20–22
Which president said, “As government expands, liberty contracts”?
Richard Nixon
Ronald Reagan
Jimmy Carter
Bill Clinton
Barack Obama
Answer: b
Learning Objective: 1.5
Page Reference: 23
True/False Questions
A recent study of college freshmen found that fewer than one-half said that “keeping up with politics” was an important priority for them.
Answer: TRUE
Page Reference: 4
Young people are more likely to be politically informed than are older Americans.
Answer: FALSE
Page Reference: 4–5
There is a significant gap between the young (under the age of 25) and the elderly (over the age of 65) on measures of political interest, knowledge, and participation.
Answer: TRUE
Page Reference: 4–6
The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society are collectively known as government.
Answer: TRUE
Learning Objective: 1.1
Page Reference: 8
Highways and public parks are examples of public goods.
Answer: TRUE
Learning Objective: 1.1
Page Reference: 8–9
Governments have little incentive to provide public goods.
Answer: FALSE
Learning Objective: 1.1
Page Reference: 8–9
One of the basic functions of government is to socialize young citizens into the political system through schooling.
Answer: TRUE
Learning Objective: 1.1
Page Reference: 9
The activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue are collectively referred to as political participation.
Answer: TRUE
Learning Objective: 1.2
Page Reference: 9
Political parties are groups that have a narrow interest, tend to dislike compromise, and often draw membership from people new to politics.
Answer: FALSE
Learning Objective: 1.2
Page Reference: 10
The political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda are known as linkage institutions.
Answer: TRUE
Page Reference: 11
The Supreme Court ruling that individuals have a constitutional right to own a gun is an example of public policy made through a congressional statute.
Answer: FALSE
Most public policies are made by a single policymaking institution.
Answer: FALSE
Free speech and a free press are essential to enlightened understanding.
Answer: TRUE
The idea that the desires of the people should be replicated in government through the choices of elected officials is the idea of representation.
Answer: TRUE
Pluralist theory holds that because so many groups compete for power in the United States, none has a majority say and, therefore, public policy roughly approximates the public interest.
Answer: TRUE
Elite theory maintains that who holds office in Washington is of marginal consequence; the corporate giants always have the power.
Answer: TRUE
Hyperpluralists believe that government gives in to too many interest and single-issue groups.
Answer: TRUE
Americans are united by a shared religion and ancestry.
Answer: FALSE
According to Seymour Martin Lipset, the American creed includes a commitment to laissez-faire economics.
Answer: TRUE
Those who argue that “the average people should be put first, ahead of elites” are emphasizing populism.
Answer: TRUE
The sum total of the value of all the goods and services produced in a nation is called the national deficit.
Answer: FALSE
Short Answer Questions
What groups or categories of Americans are most likely to be interested in and knowledgeable about politics? What groups are least likely to be interested and knowledgeable? What are the implications of this?
Describe the relationship between age and voter turnout.
What are the major functions provided by all governments? Give examples of how these functions are performed in the United States.
What is Harold Laswell’s definition of politics? To what extent do you agree with this definition?
What is a single-issue group? What are the purposes of single-issue groups? Provide an example.
Define public policy. Give some examples of different types of public policies.
Describe the components of the policymaking system in the United States and explain how public policies make their way through the political process.
What is democracy? Define the term, then briefly describe three characteristics typically associated with democracies as understood by traditional democratic theory.
Compare and contrast majority rule and minority rights. How does democracy provide for both? What is the importance of both majority rule and minority rights to democracy?
Compare and contrast the role of groups in pluralist theory and in hyperpluralist theory. In your opinion, which theory best reflects the role of groups in the U.S.?
What is the role of wealth in pluralist theory vs. elite theory? Which do you find most convincingly portrays the reality of contemporary United States politics and why?
Identify two challenges to democracy in the contemporary United States. How and why are these challenges?
What are the five elements to the American creed? Explain them.
List the challenges and opportunities that emergent communication technologies present for political participation.
Summarize conflicting views on the scope of government as presented in your textbook. In what ways does American democracy make room for and partially accommodate these conflicting views?
Essay Questions
What ways do Americans participate in politics? How is political participation stratified by age? Why does it matter? How is the health of government reflected in varying levels of political participation?
Despite their apparent political apathy, young Americans are among the most active volunteers in their communities. What is the difference, if any, between political participation and voluntarism? Are both forms of engagement equally important to a democracy? Why (or why not?) and how?
What opportunities and challenges do emergent communication technologies provide for engaging American youth in government and politics?
Which of the major linkage institutions in the policymaking process is the strongest? Which is the weakest? Are some linkage institutions more important than others? How and why?
What are the principle choices that governments face when confronting policy problems? In your answer, include examples of policies that pose tough choices for policymakers. Also explain how government makes policy even when it chooses to “do nothing.”
Describe the five principles of traditional democratic theory, as understood by Robert Dahl. To what extent does the U.S. fit this theory?
What is democracy? What are the basic principles of traditional democratic theory? How are these principles increasingly challenged in the contemporary United States?
What are the five elements of the American creed? Where and in what ways are each of the five elements evidenced in contemporary American politics? Provide examples.
What is American political culture? What is its nature? How is it construed? Is America experiencing a “culture war”? How do you know?
Is American government “big” or “small”? According to whom and compared to what? How active is American government? Why does government grow, and what are some of the consequences of this growth?
