Question 1

According to the authors of the text, what is the goal of politics?

Accepted Answer

A)  to get as much power as possible in order to serve one's own interests 
B)  to construct a perfect constitutional order 
C)  to construct a political system that is conducive to economic growth 
D)  to have a say in a government's leadership, organization, and policies 
E)  to construct a political system that provides as many people as possible with the chance to participate 
A)  to get as much power as possible in order to serve one's own interests 
B)  to construct a perfect constitutional order 
C)  to construct a political system that is conducive to economic growth 
D)  to have a say in a government's leadership, organization, and policies 
E)  to construct a political system that provides as many people as possible with the chance to participate

Question 2

A representative democracy is a system of government that

Accepted Answer

A)  allows citizens to vote directly on laws and policies. 
B)  allows citizens to make, veto, or judge statutes personally. 
C)  gives citizens a regular opportunity to elect top government officials. 
D)  gives citizens the ability to debate important constitutional decisions. 
E)  legally requires government officials to vote for policies that a majority of their constituents prefer. 
A)  allows citizens to vote directly on laws and policies. 
B)  allows citizens to make, veto, or judge statutes personally. 
C)  gives citizens a regular opportunity to elect top government officials. 
D)  gives citizens the ability to debate important constitutional decisions. 
E)  legally requires government officials to vote for policies that a majority of their constituents prefer.

Question 3

Direct democracy is best defined as

Accepted Answer

A)  a state of continual revolution. 
B)  the system of government run by one person. 
C)  a system that allows citizens to vote directly for laws and policies. 
D)  the competition between interest groups for governmental power. 
E)  a system that allows citizens to elect representatives who play a significant role in governmental decision making. 
A)  a state of continual revolution. 
B)  the system of government run by one person. 
C)  a system that allows citizens to vote directly for laws and policies. 
D)  the competition between interest groups for governmental power. 
E)  a system that allows citizens to elect representatives who play a significant role in governmental decision making.

Question 4

The first prerequisite to increasing political efficacy is ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  increasing political knowledge 
B)  decreasing political knowledge 
C)  reducing political participation 
D)  reducing trust in government 
E)  increasing political indifference 
A)  increasing political knowledge 
B)  decreasing political knowledge 
C)  reducing political participation 
D)  reducing trust in government 
E)  increasing political indifference

Question 5

Why are Americans sometimes fearful of pluralist politics?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are fearful that organized groups will not compete for political influence. 
B)  They are fearful that organized groups will successfully advance public interests at the expense of special interests. 
C)  They are fearful that organized groups will successfully advance special interests at the expense of the greater public good. 
D)  They are fearful that organized groups represent a challenge to liberty. 
E)  They are fearful that organized groups will reduce the need for public goods. 
A)  They are fearful that organized groups will not compete for political influence. 
B)  They are fearful that organized groups will successfully advance public interests at the expense of special interests. 
C)  They are fearful that organized groups will successfully advance special interests at the expense of the greater public good. 
D)  They are fearful that organized groups represent a challenge to liberty. 
E)  They are fearful that organized groups will reduce the need for public goods.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about property restrictions on the right to vote in the United States is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are explicitly forbidden in the Constitution and have never been instituted. 
B)  They were in effect early in the country's history but were eliminated by 1828. 
C)  They were instituted in 1828 and are still in effect in many states. 
D)  They are spelled out in the Constitution and have been in effect since 1789. 
E)  They were in effect early in the country's history but were eliminated with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. 
A)  They are explicitly forbidden in the Constitution and have never been instituted. 
B)  They were in effect early in the country's history but were eliminated by 1828. 
C)  They were instituted in 1828 and are still in effect in many states. 
D)  They are spelled out in the Constitution and have been in effect since 1789. 
E)  They were in effect early in the country's history but were eliminated with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920.

Question 7

Government can best be defined as the ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  institutions and procedures by which a territory and its people are ruled 
B)  set of political principles and values that guide political life 
C)  legalized theft of citizens' property 
D)  invisible hand that turns private interests into public goods 
E)  shared set of values, beliefs, and attitudes that people have about politics 
A)  institutions and procedures by which a territory and its people are ruled 
B)  set of political principles and values that guide political life 
C)  legalized theft of citizens' property 
D)  invisible hand that turns private interests into public goods 
E)  shared set of values, beliefs, and attitudes that people have about politics

Question 8

While most Americans share similar political values, how they interpret those values in practice often differs. Describe some of the conflicts that arise in politics when broadly defined values are implemented in governmental policies. What are some of the controversies that have arisen over the meaning of equality and the meaning of liberty?

Accepted Answer

One of the conflicts that arise in polit

Question 9

Political analysts have identified a decline in the trust citizens put in their government. Why is trust such an important trait for politics? In what ways is it helpful for levels of trust to be high? What are some of the causes of the decline in trust? How might trust be regained?

Accepted Answer

Trust is an essential trait for politics

Question 10

In general, Americans' trust in their government has ________ since the 1960s.

Accepted Answer

A)  remained stable 
B)  risen slightly 
C)  risen sharply 
D)  fallen slightly 
E)  fallen sharply 
A)  remained stable 
B)  risen slightly 
C)  risen sharply 
D)  fallen slightly 
E)  fallen sharply

Question 11

The existence of slavery in the United States is a good example of how

Accepted Answer

A)  American values are not always reflected in practice. 
B)  Americans do not value liberty. 
C)  European ideals have influenced American political culture. 
D)  political needs are often placed above economic needs. 
E)  liberty requires popular sovereignty. 
A)  American values are not always reflected in practice. 
B)  Americans do not value liberty. 
C)  European ideals have influenced American political culture. 
D)  political needs are often placed above economic needs. 
E)  liberty requires popular sovereignty.

Question 12

Low voter turnout and political apathy endanger ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  equality 
B)  economic liberty 
C)  democracy 
D)  constitutionalism 
E)  laissez-faire capitalism 
A)  equality 
B)  economic liberty 
C)  democracy 
D)  constitutionalism 
E)  laissez-faire capitalism

Question 13

A(n) ________ occurs when a small group of wealthy landowners and corporate leaders control the government.

Accepted Answer

A)  monarchy 
B)  oligarchy 
C)  authoritarian regime 
D)  totalitarian state 
E)  autocracy 
A)  monarchy 
B)  oligarchy 
C)  authoritarian regime 
D)  totalitarian state 
E)  autocracy

Question 14

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Native Americans have always been recognized as citizens of the United States. 
B)  Native Americans became U.S. citizens in 1868. 
C)  Native Americans became U.S. citizens in 1924. 
D)  Native Americans became U.S. citizens in 1965. 
E)  Native Americans have never become U.S. citizens in American constitutional law. 
A)  Native Americans have always been recognized as citizens of the United States. 
B)  Native Americans became U.S. citizens in 1868. 
C)  Native Americans became U.S. citizens in 1924. 
D)  Native Americans became U.S. citizens in 1965. 
E)  Native Americans have never become U.S. citizens in American constitutional law.

Question 15

Which of the following statements concerning political values in the United States is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  American values often conflict with each other in practice. 
B)  Because of their diversity, Americans do not share a similar set of core political values. 
C)  The origins of American political values are found in the 1960s. 
D)  American politics relies on its value neutrality. 
E)  A belief in economic equality is the oldest and most strongly held American value. 
A)  American values often conflict with each other in practice. 
B)  Because of their diversity, Americans do not share a similar set of core political values. 
C)  The origins of American political values are found in the 1960s. 
D)  American politics relies on its value neutrality. 
E)  A belief in economic equality is the oldest and most strongly held American value.

Question 16

What do people expect from the government?

Accepted Answer

A)  security 
B)  education 
C)  a safe food supply 
D)  information about severe weather 
E)  all of the above 
A)  security 
B)  education 
C)  a safe food supply 
D)  information about severe weather 
E)  all of the above

Question 17

Which of the following statements best describes naturalization laws in the United States prior to 1870?

Accepted Answer

A)  All free people could become naturalized citizens after living in the country for at least five years. 
B)  All free people could become naturalized citizens after living in the country for at least ten years. 
C)  Only free whites could become naturalized citizens. 
D)  Only freed African American slaves could become naturalized citizens. 
E)  Only Native Americans could become naturalized citizens. 
A)  All free people could become naturalized citizens after living in the country for at least five years. 
B)  All free people could become naturalized citizens after living in the country for at least ten years. 
C)  Only free whites could become naturalized citizens. 
D)  Only freed African American slaves could become naturalized citizens. 
E)  Only Native Americans could become naturalized citizens.

Question 18

It is important for Americans to have political knowledge so that they will

Accepted Answer

A)  be able to determine who is un-American. 
B)  not suffer from political efficacy. 
C)  be better able to assess their own interests when making political choices. 
D)  be better able to judge the legitimacy of other nations. 
E)  feel a stronger sense of patriotism. 
A)  be able to determine who is un-American. 
B)  not suffer from political efficacy. 
C)  be better able to assess their own interests when making political choices. 
D)  be better able to judge the legitimacy of other nations. 
E)  feel a stronger sense of patriotism.

Question 19

About ________ percent of the American adult population identifies with the Protestant, Catholic, or Jewish faiths.

Accepted Answer

A)  25 
B)  42 
C)  60 
D)  77 
E)  96 
A)  25 
B)  42 
C)  60 
D)  77 
E)  96

Question 20

What is the principal difference between an autocracy and an oligarchy?

Accepted Answer

A)  the responsiveness to public opinion 
B)  the number of people in charge 
C)  the level of wealth of the rulers 
D)  international diplomatic recognition 
E)  the strength of the military 
A)  the responsiveness to public opinion 
B)  the number of people in charge 
C)  the level of wealth of the rulers 
D)  international diplomatic recognition 
E)  the strength of the military

According to the authors of the text, what is the goal of politics?

A representative democracy is a system of government that

Direct democracy is best defined as

The first prerequisite to increasing political efficacy is ________.

Why are Americans sometimes fearful of pluralist politics?

Which of the following statements about property restrictions on the right to vote in the United States is true?

Government can best be defined as the ________.

Political analysts have identified a decline in the trust citizens put in their government. Why is trust such an important trait for politics? In what ways is it helpful for levels of trust to be high? What are some of the causes of the decline in trust? How might trust be regained?

In general, Americans' trust in their government has ________ since the 1960s.

The existence of slavery in the United States is a good example of how

Low voter turnout and political apathy endanger ________.

A(n) ________ occurs when a small group of wealthy landowners and corporate leaders control the government.

Which of the following statements is true?

Which of the following statements concerning political values in the United States is true?

What do people expect from the government?

Which of the following statements best describes naturalization laws in the United States prior to 1870?

It is important for Americans to have political knowledge so that they will

About ________ percent of the American adult population identifies with the Protestant, Catholic, or Jewish faiths.

What is the principal difference between an autocracy and an oligarchy?

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The Media

Political Participation and Voting

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Groups and Interests

Congress

The Presidency

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

The Federal Courts

Government and the Economy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy and Democracy

Filters

Exam 1: American Political Culture

According to the authors of the text, what is the goal of politics?

A representative democracy is a system of government that

Direct democracy is best defined as

The first prerequisite to increasing political efficacy is ________.

Why are Americans sometimes fearful of pluralist politics?

Which of the following statements about property restrictions on the right to vote in the United States is true?

Government can best be defined as the ________.

Political analysts have identified a decline in the trust citizens put in their government. Why is trust such an important trait for politics? In what ways is it helpful for levels of trust to be high? What are some of the causes of the decline in trust? How might trust be regained?

In general, Americans' trust in their government has ________ since the 1960s.

The existence of slavery in the United States is a good example of how

Low voter turnout and political apathy endanger ________.

A(n) ________ occurs when a small group of wealthy landowners and corporate leaders control the government.

Which of the following statements is true?

Which of the following statements concerning political values in the United States is true?

What do people expect from the government?

Which of the following statements best describes naturalization laws in the United States prior to 1870?

It is important for Americans to have political knowledge so that they will

About ________ percent of the American adult population identifies with the Protestant, Catholic, or Jewish faiths.

What is the principal difference between an autocracy and an oligarchy?

The Founding and the Constitution

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The Media

Political Participation and Voting

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Groups and Interests

Congress

The Presidency

Bureaucracy in a Democracy

The Federal Courts

Government and the Economy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy and Democracy

Filters