Exam 5: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Campaigns

Seven states have adopted some form of a fully-funded "clean elections" campaign finance system. Which feature below is NOT generally included in those systems?

The purpose of direct action is to

Running for public office has become increasingly expensive. In an effort to level the playing field and diminish the role of private money, most states

In 1996, in a lawsuit from Colorado, the Supreme Court instituted a limit on soft money contributions.

In foreign affairs, Republicans favor a much more assertive U.S. policy than do Democrats.

Unregulated funds contributed to national political parties and nonparty political groups is called

Social lobbying has been supplemented with which of the following techniques?

Why have third party successes been so infrequent on the American political scene? What is your opinion about the immediate future of third political parties?

Divided government in the states refers to one party controlling the governor's office and the other party controlling the legislature.

By 2012, approximately 32 percent of the voting-age population considered themselves Democrats, 24 percent Republican, and 38 percent Independent.

What is the proper role of interest groups in state politics? Do you believe that interest groups (including PACs and 527s) serve the public interest? Are interest groups a form of free speech? How do you define the public interest?

What proportion of the states has adopted some sort of public funding of some campaigns?

What are the functions of political parties in state government? Make sure to provide specific examples to illustrate each function.