Question 1

If you support laissez-faire economic policies,you would generally favor __________.

Accepted Answer

A) a reduction in the amount of economic regulation by the federal government 
B) an increase in the level of taxes assessed by state governments 
C) an increase in the amount of economic regulation by the state governments- 
D) an increase in the tariffs assessed on goods imported into the United States 
A) a reduction in the amount of economic regulation by the federal government 
B) an increase in the level of taxes assessed by state governments 
C) an increase in the amount of economic regulation by the state governments- 
D) an increase in the tariffs assessed on goods imported into the United States A

Question 2

Which of the following strategies does monetary policy dictate in inflationary periods?

Accepted Answer

A) Congress should increase spending. 
B) Congress should raise taxes on citizens. 
C) The Federal Reserve should lower interest rates.- 
D) The Federal Reserve should raise interest rates. 
A) Congress should increase spending. 
B) Congress should raise taxes on citizens. 
C) The Federal Reserve should lower interest rates.- 
D) The Federal Reserve should raise interest rates. D

Question 3

How does American social welfare policy compare to those of European democracies?

Accepted Answer

A) Americans have a much lower tax rate than do Europeans,and social welfare benefits are much less generous in the United States. 
B) American tax rates are much higher than those of European nations,but the social welfare benefits are higher as well.- 
C) Social welfare programs are about the same in the United States as in European countries. 
D) The United States is truly a "welfare state" by European standards. 
A) Americans have a much lower tax rate than do Europeans,and social welfare benefits are much less generous in the United States. 
B) American tax rates are much higher than those of European nations,but the social welfare benefits are higher as well.- 
C) Social welfare programs are about the same in the United States as in European countries. 
D) The United States is truly a "welfare state" by European standards. A

Question 4

What did the welfare reform law of 1996 implement?

Accepted Answer

A) Aid to Families with Dependent Children- 
B) disability insurance 
C) Social Security for aged 
D) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
A) Aid to Families with Dependent Children- 
B) disability insurance 
C) Social Security for aged 
D) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Question 5

If the Federal Reserve Board wanted to curb inflation,it would most likely __________.

Accepted Answer

A) raise interest rates 
B) lower taxes- 
C) increase government spending 
D) increase exports 
A) raise interest rates 
B) lower taxes- 
C) increase government spending 
D) increase exports

Question 6

Which of the following most accurately describes the recent financial crisis in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A) a depression- 
B) an inflationary cycle 
C) a mild recession 
D) a severe recession 
A) a depression- 
B) an inflationary cycle 
C) a mild recession 
D) a severe recession

Question 7

Increasing inequality in the distribution of income can contribute to a situation known as __________,which is becoming more common in America.

Accepted Answer

A) the complacency of dependency- 
B) recessive economics 
C) regressive politics 
D) relative deprivation 
A) the complacency of dependency- 
B) recessive economics 
C) regressive politics 
D) relative deprivation

Question 8

The percentage of Americans who are seeking work but unable to find it is called __________.

Accepted Answer

A) the entitlement rate 
B) the workforce rate 
C) the unemployment rate- 
D) the underemployment rate 
A) the entitlement rate 
B) the workforce rate 
C) the unemployment rate- 
D) the underemployment rate

Question 9

One of the biggest concerns surrounding the Social Security Trust Fund is that __________.

Accepted Answer

A) the benefits being paid out are too high 
B) the payroll taxes are currently too high- 
C) there will not be enough money to pay future retirees 
D) much of the money in the Trust Fund has been embezzled by corrupt politicians 
A) the benefits being paid out are too high 
B) the payroll taxes are currently too high- 
C) there will not be enough money to pay future retirees 
D) much of the money in the Trust Fund has been embezzled by corrupt politicians

Question 10

Of the following countries,which provides the shortest amount of paid parental leave for a two-parent family?

Accepted Answer

A) France 
B) Switzerland - 
C) Germany 
D) the United States 
A) France 
B) Switzerland - 
C) Germany 
D) the United States

Question 11

What is the primary source of money in the Social Security Trust Fund?

Accepted Answer

A) sales taxes 
B) payroll taxes 
C) property taxes- 
D) income taxes 
A) sales taxes 
B) payroll taxes 
C) property taxes- 
D) income taxes

Question 12

Which of the following is a concern about the Social Security Trust Fund?

Accepted Answer

A) The rate of Social Security payroll taxes will continue to decrease unless Congress changes the law.- 
B) The number of current retirees contributing to the fund will continue to increase as the number of seniors continue to work after traditional retirement age. 
C) Soon there will be too few workers contributing to the Trust Fund to support the increasing number of retirees. 
D) Soon the Trust Fund will need to pay back the money it borrowed from the general treasury but it does not look like it will be able to repay this loan. 
A) The rate of Social Security payroll taxes will continue to decrease unless Congress changes the law.- 
B) The number of current retirees contributing to the fund will continue to increase as the number of seniors continue to work after traditional retirement age. 
C) Soon there will be too few workers contributing to the Trust Fund to support the increasing number of retirees. 
D) Soon the Trust Fund will need to pay back the money it borrowed from the general treasury but it does not look like it will be able to repay this loan.

Question 13

What distinguishes a means-tested program from a social insurance program?

Accepted Answer

A) A means-tested program extends benefits based on age categories,while a social insurance program provides benefits based on immediate need. 
B) A means-tested program only extends benefits to the elderly,while a social insurance program extends benefits to everybody.- 
C) A social insurance program extends benefits only to the working poor,while a means-tested program extends benefits to everyone,regardless of social class. 
D) A social insurance program provides benefits to those who have paid into the program,while a means-tested program provides benefits based on demonstrated need. 
A) A means-tested program extends benefits based on age categories,while a social insurance program provides benefits based on immediate need. 
B) A means-tested program only extends benefits to the elderly,while a social insurance program extends benefits to everybody.- 
C) A social insurance program extends benefits only to the working poor,while a means-tested program extends benefits to everyone,regardless of social class. 
D) A social insurance program provides benefits to those who have paid into the program,while a means-tested program provides benefits based on demonstrated need.

Question 14

What federal program is designed to provide medical insurance for the very poor in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A) Medicaid 
B) Medicare Part A 
C) Medicare Part B 
D) Obamacare - 
A) Medicaid 
B) Medicare Part A 
C) Medicare Part B 
D) Obamacare -

Question 15

What is a government program called that provides benefits only to individuals who qualify based on specific needs?

Accepted Answer

A) entitlement program- 
B) a regulatory program 
C) a discretionary program 
D) a means-tested program 
A) entitlement program- 
B) a regulatory program 
C) a discretionary program 
D) a means-tested program

Question 16

Which of the following is a possible solution to the long-term problem of solvency in the Social Security program?

Accepted Answer

A) increase benefits for retirees who have substantial income from other sources 
B) increase the minimum retirement age 
C) revise the inflation adjustment formula for benefits so that recipients would receive more of a raise every year 
D) lower the payroll tax contribution- 
A) increase benefits for retirees who have substantial income from other sources 
B) increase the minimum retirement age 
C) revise the inflation adjustment formula for benefits so that recipients would receive more of a raise every year 
D) lower the payroll tax contribution-

Question 17

Which of the following contributes to the unpopularity of welfare programs in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A) Americans are generally uncompassionate. 
B) Americans tend to think that U.S.welfare programs are not generous enough.- 
C) Many Americans believe that access to welfare benefits contributes to the flood of immigrants. 
D) Welfare programs tend to increase inflation and decrease exports. 
A) Americans are generally uncompassionate. 
B) Americans tend to think that U.S.welfare programs are not generous enough.- 
C) Many Americans believe that access to welfare benefits contributes to the flood of immigrants. 
D) Welfare programs tend to increase inflation and decrease exports.

Question 18

A __________ tax is one by which the government takes a greater share of the income of the rich than of the poor.

Accepted Answer

A) progressive 
B) proportional - 
C) regressive 
D) transfer 
A) progressive 
B) proportional - 
C) regressive 
D) transfer

Question 19

Which of the following has been the biggest contributor to bouts of inflation over the last 50 years?

Accepted Answer

A) the inaugurations of new presidents 
B) technological innovations 
C) soaring prices for energy 
D) wars or other significant military conflicts- 
A) the inaugurations of new presidents 
B) technological innovations 
C) soaring prices for energy 
D) wars or other significant military conflicts-

Question 20

A __________ tax is one in which the burden falls relatively more heavily on low-income groups than on wealthy taxpayers.

Accepted Answer

A) progressive- 
B) regressive 
C) proportional 
D) severance 
A) progressive- 
B) regressive 
C) proportional 
D) severance

If you support laissez-faire economic policies,you would generally favor __________.

Which of the following strategies does monetary policy dictate in inflationary periods?

How does American social welfare policy compare to those of European democracies?

What did the welfare reform law of 1996 implement?

If the Federal Reserve Board wanted to curb inflation,it would most likely __________.

Which of the following most accurately describes the recent financial crisis in the United States?

Increasing inequality in the distribution of income can contribute to a situation known as __________,which is becoming more common in America.

The percentage of Americans who are seeking work but unable to find it is called __________.

One of the biggest concerns surrounding the Social Security Trust Fund is that __________.

Of the following countries,which provides the shortest amount of paid parental leave for a two-parent family?

What is the primary source of money in the Social Security Trust Fund?

Which of the following is a concern about the Social Security Trust Fund?

What distinguishes a means-tested program from a social insurance program?

What federal program is designed to provide medical insurance for the very poor in the United States?

What is a government program called that provides benefits only to individuals who qualify based on specific needs?

Which of the following is a possible solution to the long-term problem of solvency in the Social Security program?

Which of the following contributes to the unpopularity of welfare programs in the United States?

A __________ tax is one by which the government takes a greater share of the income of the rich than of the poor.

Which of the following has been the biggest contributor to bouts of inflation over the last 50 years?

A __________ tax is one in which the burden falls relatively more heavily on low-income groups than on wealthy taxpayers.

Introducing Government in America

The Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties and Public Policy

Civil Rights and Public Policy

Public Opinion and Political Action

The Mass Media and the Political Agenda

Political Parties

Campaigns and Voting Behavior

Interest Groups

Congress

The Presidency

The Budget: the Politics of Taxing and Spending

The Federal Bureaucracy

The Federal Courts

Policymaking for Health Care, the Environment, and Energy

National Security Policymaking

Filters

Exam 16: Economic and Social Welfare Policymaking

If you support laissez-faire economic policies,you would generally favor __________.

Which of the following strategies does monetary policy dictate in inflationary periods?

How does American social welfare policy compare to those of European democracies?

What did the welfare reform law of 1996 implement?

If the Federal Reserve Board wanted to curb inflation,it would most likely __________.

Which of the following most accurately describes the recent financial crisis in the United States?

Increasing inequality in the distribution of income can contribute to a situation known as __________,which is becoming more common in America.

The percentage of Americans who are seeking work but unable to find it is called __________.

One of the biggest concerns surrounding the Social Security Trust Fund is that __________.

Of the following countries,which provides the shortest amount of paid parental leave for a two-parent family?

What is the primary source of money in the Social Security Trust Fund?

Which of the following is a concern about the Social Security Trust Fund?

What distinguishes a means-tested program from a social insurance program?

What federal program is designed to provide medical insurance for the very poor in the United States?

What is a government program called that provides benefits only to individuals who qualify based on specific needs?

Which of the following is a possible solution to the long-term problem of solvency in the Social Security program?

Which of the following contributes to the unpopularity of welfare programs in the United States?

A __________ tax is one by which the government takes a greater share of the income of the rich than of the poor.

Which of the following has been the biggest contributor to bouts of inflation over the last 50 years?

A __________ tax is one in which the burden falls relatively more heavily on low-income groups than on wealthy taxpayers.

Introducing Government in America

The Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties and Public Policy

Civil Rights and Public Policy

Public Opinion and Political Action

The Mass Media and the Political Agenda

Political Parties

Campaigns and Voting Behavior

Interest Groups

Congress

The Presidency

The Budget: the Politics of Taxing and Spending

The Federal Bureaucracy

The Federal Courts

Policymaking for Health Care, the Environment, and Energy

National Security Policymaking

Filters