Question 1

Which of the following is a difference between communism and socialism,as described by the text?

Accepted Answer

A) Under socialism,the government owns some firms,but under communism,the government does not own any major assets. 
B) Under communism,the government assumes total management of the economy,whereas under socialism,the government does not try to manage the overall economy. 
C) Under socialism,the economy operates mainly through private transactions,but under communism,the government owns a number of major industries and tries to provide for people's basic economic needs. 
D) Under communism,the government manages the economy completely but does not attempt to provide for people's basic needs; under socialism,the government does not manage the economy completely,but does attempt to provide for people's basic needs. 
E) Under socialism,the government owns more industries than a communist government,but provides less direct benefit for individuals' welfare. 
A) Under socialism,the government owns some firms,but under communism,the government does not own any major assets. 
B) Under communism,the government assumes total management of the economy,whereas under socialism,the government does not try to manage the overall economy. 
C) Under socialism,the economy operates mainly through private transactions,but under communism,the government owns a number of major industries and tries to provide for people's basic economic needs. 
D) Under communism,the government manages the economy completely but does not attempt to provide for people's basic needs; under socialism,the government does not manage the economy completely,but does attempt to provide for people's basic needs. 
E) Under socialism,the government owns more industries than a communist government,but provides less direct benefit for individuals' welfare. B

Question 2

In an oligarchy,

Accepted Answer

A) the state is run by corporate interests and companies instead of individuals. 
B) control rests with a small group of popularly elected individuals. 
C) control rests with a single individual,such as a dictator. 
D) control rests with a small group,such as military officers or a few wealthy families. 
E) the state controls all aspects of individuals' lives,including family relations and the practice of religion. 
A) the state is run by corporate interests and companies instead of individuals. 
B) control rests with a small group of popularly elected individuals. 
C) control rests with a single individual,such as a dictator. 
D) control rests with a small group,such as military officers or a few wealthy families. 
E) the state controls all aspects of individuals' lives,including family relations and the practice of religion. D

Question 3

Describe the differences between how Americans define themselves and how other,older nations define what it means to be a part of their nations' cultural identity.

Accepted Answer

Other people take their identity from the common ancestry that led them gradually to gather under one flag.Long before there was a France or a Japan,there were French and Japanese people,each a kinship group united through ancestry.Even today,it is kinship that links them.There is no way to become fully Japanese except to be born of Japanese parents.On the other hand Americans are a multitude of people from different lands.Thus,Americans are linked not by a shared ancestry but by allegiance to a common set of ideals.

Question 4

The average incomes of minimum-wage workers in the United States and Europe reflect a greater influence of which of the following in the United States,when compared to Europe?

Accepted Answer

A) majoritarianism 
B) elitism 
C) corporate power 
D) judicial action 
E) constitutionalism 
A) majoritarianism 
B) elitism 
C) corporate power 
D) judicial action 
E) constitutionalism

Question 5

Europeans have a greater acceptance than Americans of

Accepted Answer

A) tax and social policies that redistribute wealth. 
B) the strength of the executive branch of government. 
C) the majoritarian system of government. 
D) the influence of corporate special interests in the legislative process. 
E) the influence of corporate money in the election process. 
A) tax and social policies that redistribute wealth. 
B) the strength of the executive branch of government. 
C) the majoritarian system of government. 
D) the influence of corporate special interests in the legislative process. 
E) the influence of corporate money in the election process.

Question 6

How many lawyers does the United States have in comparison to Britain,Germany,and Italy?

Accepted Answer

A) The U.S.has twice as many lawyers on a per capita basis. 
B) The U.S.has roughly the same amount of lawyers on a per capita basis. 
C) The U.S.has roughly twice as many lawyers,in terms of total numbers. 
D) The U.S.has roughly five times as many lawyers on a per capita basis. 
E) The U.S.has roughly half as many lawyers on a per capita basis. 
A) The U.S.has twice as many lawyers on a per capita basis. 
B) The U.S.has roughly the same amount of lawyers on a per capita basis. 
C) The U.S.has roughly twice as many lawyers,in terms of total numbers. 
D) The U.S.has roughly five times as many lawyers on a per capita basis. 
E) The U.S.has roughly half as many lawyers on a per capita basis.

Question 7

To what degree is American democracy majoritarian,and what are the limits to that majoritarianism?

Accepted Answer

Majoritarianism exists where the majorit

Question 8

Which of the following describes socialism as practiced today in Sweden?

Accepted Answer

A) The government does not attempt to manage the overall economy,but owns a number of major industries and provides for people's basic economic needs. 
B) The government manages the overall economy through ownership of most major industries,and does not allow private property. 
C) The economy operates almost exclusively on private transactions. 
D) The government does little to manage the economy and owns no major industries,serving mainly to provide for people's basic economic needs. 
E) Firms are largely free to make their own production,distribution,and pricing decisions,and individuals depend largely on themselves for economic security. 
A) The government does not attempt to manage the overall economy,but owns a number of major industries and provides for people's basic economic needs. 
B) The government manages the overall economy through ownership of most major industries,and does not allow private property. 
C) The economy operates almost exclusively on private transactions. 
D) The government does little to manage the economy and owns no major industries,serving mainly to provide for people's basic economic needs. 
E) Firms are largely free to make their own production,distribution,and pricing decisions,and individuals depend largely on themselves for economic security.

Question 9

In which of the following ways is the U.S.free-market system distinct from European economies?

Accepted Answer

A) its lack of regulatory intervention 
B) its lack of intervention through taxation 
C) its lack of intervention through spending policies 
D) the extent to which private transactions determine the allocation of economic costs and benefits 
E) the extent to which it exercises regulatory intervention by altering interest rates 
A) its lack of regulatory intervention 
B) its lack of intervention through taxation 
C) its lack of intervention through spending policies 
D) the extent to which private transactions determine the allocation of economic costs and benefits 
E) the extent to which it exercises regulatory intervention by altering interest rates

Question 10

As described in the text,"political thinking"

Accepted Answer

A) is the reflection of an individual's ideological position when applied to political issues. 
B) results from an individual allowing personal bias to inform all thoughts about political issues,instead of doing objective learning or research to form an opinion. 
C) involves the careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming a knowledgeable view about a political issue. 
D) is the result of an individual's attempts to seek out news media that reinforce a pre-existing political bias. 
E) is a strategy taken by those seeking election to public office in which their publicly stated positions are designed to maximize their attractiveness to the widest voting bloc. 
A) is the reflection of an individual's ideological position when applied to political issues. 
B) results from an individual allowing personal bias to inform all thoughts about political issues,instead of doing objective learning or research to form an opinion. 
C) involves the careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming a knowledgeable view about a political issue. 
D) is the result of an individual's attempts to seek out news media that reinforce a pre-existing political bias. 
E) is a strategy taken by those seeking election to public office in which their publicly stated positions are designed to maximize their attractiveness to the widest voting bloc.

Question 11

To what aspect of America were William Watts and Lloyd Free referring when they labeled it "the country of individualism par excellence"?

Accepted Answer

A) the majoritarian nature of the voting and election system 
B) the ability of any individual to aspire to high political office 
C) the judicial nature of American politics,in which any individual can challenge powerful interests 
D) the emphasis that Americans place on economic self-reliance and free markets 
E) the ability of the individual to join in labor unions and interest groups to pursue his or her political and financial self-interests 
A) the majoritarian nature of the voting and election system 
B) the ability of any individual to aspire to high political office 
C) the judicial nature of American politics,in which any individual can challenge powerful interests 
D) the emphasis that Americans place on economic self-reliance and free markets 
E) the ability of the individual to join in labor unions and interest groups to pursue his or her political and financial self-interests

Question 12

What type of government suppresses individuality,forcing people to think and act in prescribed ways or risk punishment?

Accepted Answer

A) communistic 
B) socialistic 
C) authoritarian 
D) egalitarian 
E) republican 
A) communistic 
B) socialistic 
C) authoritarian 
D) egalitarian 
E) republican

Question 13

What is a major limit on majoritarianism suggested by the text?

Accepted Answer

A) The public as a whole takes an interest in only a few of the hundreds of policy decisions that U.S.officials make each year. 
B) The public lacks access to the information required to take informed political action on most issues dealt with by the government each year. 
C) The actions of special interest groups are ultimately more influential than the voting power of the public. 
D) The rapid turnover of government officials and members of the legislature prevents the majority public from making a sustained effort for any single issue. 
E) The most power tends to reside with a wealthy minority of the voting public,preventing the majority public from setting the issue agenda. 
A) The public as a whole takes an interest in only a few of the hundreds of policy decisions that U.S.officials make each year. 
B) The public lacks access to the information required to take informed political action on most issues dealt with by the government each year. 
C) The actions of special interest groups are ultimately more influential than the voting power of the public. 
D) The rapid turnover of government officials and members of the legislature prevents the majority public from making a sustained effort for any single issue. 
E) The most power tends to reside with a wealthy minority of the voting public,preventing the majority public from setting the issue agenda.

Question 14

Which of the following is an accurate description of the prevalence of college education in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A) Among adults twenty-one years of age and older,roughly half are college graduates 
B) Among adults twenty-one years of age and older,roughly one in four is a college graduate. 
C) Every U.S.state has at least twenty colleges or universities within its borders. 
D) Despite having a much higher rate of colleges and universities per capita than European countries; the U.S.has a lower rate of college graduation per capita. 
E) Although the U.S.has a lower number of colleges and universities per capita than Europe,it has a much higher rate of college graduation per capita. 
A) Among adults twenty-one years of age and older,roughly half are college graduates 
B) Among adults twenty-one years of age and older,roughly one in four is a college graduate. 
C) Every U.S.state has at least twenty colleges or universities within its borders. 
D) Despite having a much higher rate of colleges and universities per capita than European countries; the U.S.has a lower rate of college graduation per capita. 
E) Although the U.S.has a lower number of colleges and universities per capita than Europe,it has a much higher rate of college graduation per capita.

Question 15

The process by which a society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs is called

Accepted Answer

A) politics. 
B) government. 
C) elitism. 
D) socialism. 
E) communism. 
A) politics. 
B) government. 
C) elitism. 
D) socialism. 
E) communism.

Question 16

What was the result of the ruling in the Supreme Court case Citizens United v.Federal Election Commission?

Accepted Answer

A) Corporations and unions were prevented from directly creating and airing campaign advertisements or political messages on national media. 
B) Individual citizens were granted the same campaign spending rights previously possessed only by corporations and unions. 
C) Corporations and unions were barred by law from spending money to influence the outcome of U.S.federal elections. 
D) Corporations and unions were no longer barred by law from U.S.federal election spending that was derived from their economic activity. 
E) The ban against corporations and unions from spending money to influence state elections was lifted,but the ban remained in place for federal elections. 
A) Corporations and unions were prevented from directly creating and airing campaign advertisements or political messages on national media. 
B) Individual citizens were granted the same campaign spending rights previously possessed only by corporations and unions. 
C) Corporations and unions were barred by law from spending money to influence the outcome of U.S.federal elections. 
D) Corporations and unions were no longer barred by law from U.S.federal election spending that was derived from their economic activity. 
E) The ban against corporations and unions from spending money to influence state elections was lifted,but the ban remained in place for federal elections.

Question 17

The Bill of Rights added to the Constitution,among other things,

Accepted Answer

A) a guarantee of freedom of speech. 
B) a division of governmental authority into three branches. 
C) checks and balances among the three branches of government. 
D) restrictions against the power of corporations to influence the election process. 
E) term limits for elected officials to reduce their power. 
A) a guarantee of freedom of speech. 
B) a division of governmental authority into three branches. 
C) checks and balances among the three branches of government. 
D) restrictions against the power of corporations to influence the election process. 
E) term limits for elected officials to reduce their power.

Question 18

The fact that farmers have more influence over agricultural price-supports than do other groups is an example of

Accepted Answer

A) majoritarianism. 
B) pluralism. 
C) elitism. 
D) constitutionalism. 
E) corporate power. 
A) majoritarianism. 
B) pluralism. 
C) elitism. 
D) constitutionalism. 
E) corporate power.

Question 19

In which of the following policy areas does the U.S.spend more than European nations?

Accepted Answer

A) social welfare 
B) military policy 
C) subsidized housing for the poor 
D) public works 
E) public health care 
A) social welfare 
B) military policy 
C) subsidized housing for the poor 
D) public works 
E) public health care

Question 20

What is the major barrier to political thinking?

Accepted Answer

A) unwillingness of citizens to make the effort 
B) lack of access to governmental institutions 
C) elite control of political power resources 
D) failure of politicians and government institutions to communicate policy details to the public 
E) lack of access to news media sources outside sensationalist television or Internet content 
A) unwillingness of citizens to make the effort 
B) lack of access to governmental institutions 
C) elite control of political power resources 
D) failure of politicians and government institutions to communicate policy details to the public 
E) lack of access to news media sources outside sensationalist television or Internet content

Which of the following is a difference between communism and socialism,as described by the text?

In an oligarchy,

Describe the differences between how Americans define themselves and how other,older nations define what it means to be a part of their nations' cultural identity.

The average incomes of minimum-wage workers in the United States and Europe reflect a greater influence of which of the following in the United States,when compared to Europe?

Europeans have a greater acceptance than Americans of

How many lawyers does the United States have in comparison to Britain,Germany,and Italy?

To what degree is American democracy majoritarian,and what are the limits to that majoritarianism?

Which of the following describes socialism as practiced today in Sweden?

In which of the following ways is the U.S.free-market system distinct from European economies?

As described in the text,"political thinking"

To what aspect of America were William Watts and Lloyd Free referring when they labeled it "the country of individualism par excellence"?

What type of government suppresses individuality,forcing people to think and act in prescribed ways or risk punishment?

What is a major limit on majoritarianism suggested by the text?

Which of the following is an accurate description of the prevalence of college education in the United States?

The process by which a society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs is called

What was the result of the ruling in the Supreme Court case Citizens United v.Federal Election Commission?

The Bill of Rights added to the Constitution,among other things,

The fact that farmers have more influence over agricultural price-supports than do other groups is an example of

In which of the following policy areas does the U.S.spend more than European nations?

What is the major barrier to political thinking?

Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-Government

Federalism: Forging a Nation

Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights

Equal Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness

Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the Peoples Voice

Political Participation: Activating the Popular Will

Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voters Choice

Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence

The News Media: Communicating Political Images

Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests

The Presidency: Leading the Nation

The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government

The Federal Judicial System: Applying the Law

Economic and Environmental Policy: Contributing to Prosperity

Welfare and Education Policy: Providing for Personal Security and Need

Foreign Policy: Protecting the American Way

State and Local Politics: Maintaining Our Differences

Filters

Exam 1: Political Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming a Responsible Citizen

Which of the following is a difference between communism and socialism,as described by the text?

In an oligarchy,

Describe the differences between how Americans define themselves and how other,older nations define what it means to be a part of their nations' cultural identity.

The average incomes of minimum-wage workers in the United States and Europe reflect a greater influence of which of the following in the United States,when compared to Europe?

Europeans have a greater acceptance than Americans of

How many lawyers does the United States have in comparison to Britain,Germany,and Italy?

To what degree is American democracy majoritarian,and what are the limits to that majoritarianism?

Which of the following describes socialism as practiced today in Sweden?

In which of the following ways is the U.S.free-market system distinct from European economies?

As described in the text,"political thinking"

To what aspect of America were William Watts and Lloyd Free referring when they labeled it "the country of individualism par excellence"?

What type of government suppresses individuality,forcing people to think and act in prescribed ways or risk punishment?

What is a major limit on majoritarianism suggested by the text?

Which of the following is an accurate description of the prevalence of college education in the United States?

The process by which a society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs is called

What was the result of the ruling in the Supreme Court case Citizens United v.Federal Election Commission?

The Bill of Rights added to the Constitution,among other things,

The fact that farmers have more influence over agricultural price-supports than do other groups is an example of

In which of the following policy areas does the U.S.spend more than European nations?

What is the major barrier to political thinking?

Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-Government

Federalism: Forging a Nation

Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights

Equal Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness

Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the Peoples Voice

Political Participation: Activating the Popular Will

Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voters Choice

Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence

The News Media: Communicating Political Images

Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests

The Presidency: Leading the Nation

The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government

The Federal Judicial System: Applying the Law

Economic and Environmental Policy: Contributing to Prosperity

Welfare and Education Policy: Providing for Personal Security and Need

Foreign Policy: Protecting the American Way

State and Local Politics: Maintaining Our Differences

Filters