Throughout much of Texas's history, state government was dominated by large corporations, banks, and __________.
a. oil companies
b. the aerospace industry
c. the technology industry
d. law enforcement
Q. 2Which of the following has allowed for the emergence of influential pressure groups in states such as Texas?
a. Strong governors who hold considerable power over the legislature are more susceptible to interest group influence.
b. Strong political parties can only emerge through coordination with various interest groups, and as a result, the groups hold considerable influence.
c. Weak political parties in a state are less able to coordinate their activities and are prone to factionalism, off of which interest groups feed.
d. Weak education systems limit the political knowledge of a state's population, which results in interest groups gaining considerable influence.
Q. 3How has the ruling reached in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission changed the way that candidates are funded?
a. Interest groups are no longer able to provide in-kind support such as phone banks or office space for candidates.
b. Individuals can now contribute an unlimited amount to a single candidate.
c. Corporations and labor unions are now prohibited from contributing money to campaigns either directly or indirectly.
d. Independent super-PACs can now make unlimited contributions to federal races.
Q. 4What describes the pattern of interest group involvement in electoral activities in Texas?
a. Most interest groups are primarily concerned with supporting their friends rather with ideological purity.
b. Interest groups typically focus on a wide range of political issues.
c. Interest groups spread their support widely across almost all legislators evenly.
d. Interest groups regularly run candidates for office under the groups' labels.
Q. 5As a general rule, Texans __________.
a. have become more likely in recent decades to believe that a few big interests run the national government
b. are aware of the full range of activities undertaken by interest groups
c. are fully supportive of the role of interest groups in American democracy
d. have more confidence in the national government than in state government
Q. 6Partly because Texas was, for many years, effectively a(n) __________ state, pressure groups wielded considerable power.
a. Republican
b. one-party
c. rich
d. liberal
Quick Reply
