Question 1

The U.S. dollar has historically served as the major international reserve currency. This means that

Accepted Answer

A)  the U.S. lends other countries large sums of money. 
B)  most international economic transactions take place in U.S. dollars. 
C)  other countries and investors keep their savings in U.S. dollars. 
D)  dollars are accepted in more countries worldwide. 
E)  the U.S. controls major international economic institutions like the IMF and World Bank. 
A)  the U.S. lends other countries large sums of money. 
B)  most international economic transactions take place in U.S. dollars. 
C)  other countries and investors keep their savings in U.S. dollars. 
D)  dollars are accepted in more countries worldwide. 
E)  the U.S. controls major international economic institutions like the IMF and World Bank. C

Question 2

Each of the following has helped lead to increases in the presidential power relative to Congress EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  presidents have increasingly been able to speak directly to the electorate. 
B)  the expansion of the federal bureaucracy. 
C)  the president's roles as commander-in-chief and head of state place him at the center of military and international affairs. 
D)  Supreme Court rulings have been in favor of the presidency rather than Congress. 
E)  All of the above have helped the president to increase his power relative to Congress. 
A)  presidents have increasingly been able to speak directly to the electorate. 
B)  the expansion of the federal bureaucracy. 
C)  the president's roles as commander-in-chief and head of state place him at the center of military and international affairs. 
D)  Supreme Court rulings have been in favor of the presidency rather than Congress. 
E)  All of the above have helped the president to increase his power relative to Congress. D

Question 3

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Until World War II, the United States pursued a contradictory foreign policy by seeking isolation from international politics but unfettered access to international markets. 
B)  After World War II, the United States sought to shape international relations through multinational organizations, in which it had a disproportionate voice, and military force. 
C)  The decline in interest in America's role in the world that began with the end of the cold war reflects the fact that foreign policy has never been central to the evolution of U.S. politics. 
D)  The end of the cold war has led some to call for a greater willingness to use a unilateral response to international crises. 
E)  All of the above are true statements. 
A)  Until World War II, the United States pursued a contradictory foreign policy by seeking isolation from international politics but unfettered access to international markets. 
B)  After World War II, the United States sought to shape international relations through multinational organizations, in which it had a disproportionate voice, and military force. 
C)  The decline in interest in America's role in the world that began with the end of the cold war reflects the fact that foreign policy has never been central to the evolution of U.S. politics. 
D)  The end of the cold war has led some to call for a greater willingness to use a unilateral response to international crises. 
E)  All of the above are true statements. E

Question 4

Every two years, ______________ of the House of Representatives and ______________ of the Senate are up for reelection.

Accepted Answer

A)  one-third; all 
B)  all; one-third 
C)  all; two-thirds 
D)  half; half 
E)  all; half 
A)  one-third; all 
B)  all; one-third 
C)  all; two-thirds 
D)  half; half 
E)  all; half

Question 5

The term iron triangle refers to the relationship between

Accepted Answer

A)  the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal government. 
B)  interest groups, congressional committees, and government agencies. 
C)  federal, state, and local governments. 
D)  the military, the president, and the State Department. 
E)  the federal government, the governments of its allies, and multinational institutions. 
A)  the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal government. 
B)  interest groups, congressional committees, and government agencies. 
C)  federal, state, and local governments. 
D)  the military, the president, and the State Department. 
E)  the federal government, the governments of its allies, and multinational institutions.

Question 6

During the New Deal

Accepted Answer

A)  the federal government established a national safety net including the Social Security program. 
B)  the presidency asserted dominance over the Congress in policy-making. 
C)  expanded the size of government. 
D)  introduced policies and programs that were significantly different from those that came before but which nevertheless reflected underlying American values. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  the federal government established a national safety net including the Social Security program. 
B)  the presidency asserted dominance over the Congress in policy-making. 
C)  expanded the size of government. 
D)  introduced policies and programs that were significantly different from those that came before but which nevertheless reflected underlying American values. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The term separation of powers refers to an organization of political institutions within a state in which the executive, legislature, and judiciary have autonomous powers and no one branch dominates the others. 
B)  The separation of powers is common in presidential systems. 
C)  The separation of powers in the United States means that, compared to other democracies, the country may be unable to react quickly to societal needs and shifts in public opinion. 
D)  The separation of powers refers to the organization of the federal bureaucracy so that there is no overlap of authority on issues among agencies. 
E)  Parliamentary systems do not have separation of powers; they instead have fusion of powers. 
A)  The term separation of powers refers to an organization of political institutions within a state in which the executive, legislature, and judiciary have autonomous powers and no one branch dominates the others. 
B)  The separation of powers is common in presidential systems. 
C)  The separation of powers in the United States means that, compared to other democracies, the country may be unable to react quickly to societal needs and shifts in public opinion. 
D)  The separation of powers refers to the organization of the federal bureaucracy so that there is no overlap of authority on issues among agencies. 
E)  Parliamentary systems do not have separation of powers; they instead have fusion of powers.

Question 8

What aspects of the US political system make it unlikely that there will be more than two (major) parties? Is this beneficial or harmful to American democracy? Offer specific evidence to substantiate your argument.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What aspects of the US political system...

Question 9

The courts have become more powerful in which of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

A)  The power to decide whether laws are constitutional or not 
B)  Expanding the rule of standing so that groups, as well as individuals, can challenge laws 
C)  The expansion of federal regulatory powers 
D)  Providing a venue for groups and individuals whose interests were neglected by other democratic institutions but who could claim constitutional civil rights protection 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  The power to decide whether laws are constitutional or not 
B)  Expanding the rule of standing so that groups, as well as individuals, can challenge laws 
C)  The expansion of federal regulatory powers 
D)  Providing a venue for groups and individuals whose interests were neglected by other democratic institutions but who could claim constitutional civil rights protection 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 10

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  A key American economic principle is that economic success is tied to a free market. 
B)  Government intervention in economic matters is limited by its commitment to the principle of laissez-faire. 
C)  U.S. policymakers have tended to cede power to private actors who are not necessarily concerned with the impact of their activities upon the broader economy. 
D)  In comparison to other advanced democracies, the United States has a freer market. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  A key American economic principle is that economic success is tied to a free market. 
B)  Government intervention in economic matters is limited by its commitment to the principle of laissez-faire. 
C)  U.S. policymakers have tended to cede power to private actors who are not necessarily concerned with the impact of their activities upon the broader economy. 
D)  In comparison to other advanced democracies, the United States has a freer market. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 11

Which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Separation of powers and federalism create multiple entry and blocking points through which policy advocates seek to influence the policy-making process in the United States. 
B)  The Constitution gives no guidance about the origins and outcomes of policy initiatives. 
C)  Mediating institutions like political parties and interest groups have developed in part to influence public policy by representing collective interests. 
D)  Because there is no centralization in the American policy-making process, policies may conflict with one another. 
E)  All of the above are true statements 
A)  Separation of powers and federalism create multiple entry and blocking points through which policy advocates seek to influence the policy-making process in the United States. 
B)  The Constitution gives no guidance about the origins and outcomes of policy initiatives. 
C)  Mediating institutions like political parties and interest groups have developed in part to influence public policy by representing collective interests. 
D)  Because there is no centralization in the American policy-making process, policies may conflict with one another. 
E)  All of the above are true statements

Question 12

The Civil War

Accepted Answer

A)  established a national citizenship to supplement state citizenship. 
B)  ended slavery. 
C)  established the indivisibility of the nation. 
D)  established that states did not have the right to nullify federal laws. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  established a national citizenship to supplement state citizenship. 
B)  ended slavery. 
C)  established the indivisibility of the nation. 
D)  established that states did not have the right to nullify federal laws. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 13

Which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Framers of the Constitution intended the president to be the most powerful branch of government. 
B)  Presidents are unable to stay in power after they lose public support. 
C)  The increase in presidential power over Congressional power in the twentieth century has been at least partially due to the president being able to speak directly to the electorate. 
D)  Presidents exercise power over Congress by having the ability to dissolve Congress. 
E)  Presidents have steadily increased their powers relative to Congress since the ratification of the Constitution. 
A)  The Framers of the Constitution intended the president to be the most powerful branch of government. 
B)  Presidents are unable to stay in power after they lose public support. 
C)  The increase in presidential power over Congressional power in the twentieth century has been at least partially due to the president being able to speak directly to the electorate. 
D)  Presidents exercise power over Congress by having the ability to dissolve Congress. 
E)  Presidents have steadily increased their powers relative to Congress since the ratification of the Constitution.

Question 14

The United States is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocols but it is nonbinding because

Accepted Answer

A)  the United States has insisted that amendments to the treaty are necessary for it to be fully implemented. 
B)  it has never been ratified by the U.S. Senate. 
C)  our emissions standards are already lower than those set by the treaty. 
D)  the necessary number of other signatories failed to ratify it. 
E)  the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional. 
A)  the United States has insisted that amendments to the treaty are necessary for it to be fully implemented. 
B)  it has never been ratified by the U.S. Senate. 
C)  our emissions standards are already lower than those set by the treaty. 
D)  the necessary number of other signatories failed to ratify it. 
E)  the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  American public sector expenditures are limited to social programs like Medicaid and the like. 
B)  The national and state governments conduct activities that some feel could be better accomplished by the private sector. 
C)  The public sector in the United States has been traditionally smaller than those in other advanced democracies. 
D)  The national government has sought to privatize some activities in recent years. 
E)  The postal service became a semi-independent corporation in 1970. 
A)  American public sector expenditures are limited to social programs like Medicaid and the like. 
B)  The national and state governments conduct activities that some feel could be better accomplished by the private sector. 
C)  The public sector in the United States has been traditionally smaller than those in other advanced democracies. 
D)  The national government has sought to privatize some activities in recent years. 
E)  The postal service became a semi-independent corporation in 1970.

Question 16

Amending the Constitution requires

Accepted Answer

A)  passage by a simple majority in both chambers of Congress. 
B)  passage by two-thirds of each chamber of Congress as well as passage by three-quarters of the states. 
C)  passage by two-thirds of each chamber in Congress as well as passage by a simple majority of the states. 
D)  passage by two-thirds of each chamber of Congress as well as the approval of a simple majority of the electorate in a national referendum. 
E)  simply the approval of a plurality of the electorate in a national referendum. 
A)  passage by a simple majority in both chambers of Congress. 
B)  passage by two-thirds of each chamber of Congress as well as passage by three-quarters of the states. 
C)  passage by two-thirds of each chamber in Congress as well as passage by a simple majority of the states. 
D)  passage by two-thirds of each chamber of Congress as well as the approval of a simple majority of the electorate in a national referendum. 
E)  simply the approval of a plurality of the electorate in a national referendum.

Question 17

Which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Voter turnout tends to be higher in national elections rather than in state and local elections and turnout for presidential elections tends to be higher than for off-year elections. 
B)  Decline in voter turnout is related to several factors including confusion and burnout among potential voters and declining party competitiveness. 
C)  Voter turnout varies considerably by class, age, and educational levels. 
D)  As a result of both uneven and lower voter turnout, elected officials are receiving less guidance from a narrower subset of the people. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  Voter turnout tends to be higher in national elections rather than in state and local elections and turnout for presidential elections tends to be higher than for off-year elections. 
B)  Decline in voter turnout is related to several factors including confusion and burnout among potential voters and declining party competitiveness. 
C)  Voter turnout varies considerably by class, age, and educational levels. 
D)  As a result of both uneven and lower voter turnout, elected officials are receiving less guidance from a narrower subset of the people. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 18

How has the governments, both federal and state, intervened in the economy? How is such intervention reconciled with principles such as laissez-faire and the free market?

Accepted Answer

The government, both federal and state,

Question 19

American exceptionalism refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  The disproportionate amount of influence the United States has in international organizations. 
B)  The idea that America is unique and cannot be compared to other countries. 
C)  The idea that the America's commitment to laissez-faire economics sets it apart from other advanced industrial democracies. 
D)  The relative safety enjoyed by the United States because of its good relations with its neighbors. 
E)  The reliance upon the single-member district-plurality electoral system at both the national and state levels. 
A)  The disproportionate amount of influence the United States has in international organizations. 
B)  The idea that America is unique and cannot be compared to other countries. 
C)  The idea that the America's commitment to laissez-faire economics sets it apart from other advanced industrial democracies. 
D)  The relative safety enjoyed by the United States because of its good relations with its neighbors. 
E)  The reliance upon the single-member district-plurality electoral system at both the national and state levels.

Question 20

Some observers have noted that the Constitution creates an invitation for conflict between the president and the Congress over foreign policy. First, explain why this is the case. Second, address how this has broadly affected American foreign policy. Finally, explain how other countries view the results of this conflict. Please use specific examples in your answer.

Accepted Answer

The Constitution creates an invitation f

The U.S. dollar has historically served as the major international reserve currency. This means that

Each of the following has helped lead to increases in the presidential power relative to Congress EXCEPT

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Every two years, of the House of Representatives and of the Senate are up for reelection.

The term iron triangle refers to the relationship between

During the New Deal

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

What aspects of the US political system make it unlikely that there will be more than two (major) parties? Is this beneficial or harmful to American democracy? Offer specific evidence to substantiate your argument.

The courts have become more powerful in which of the following ways?

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Which of the following is TRUE?

The Civil War

Which of the following is TRUE?

The United States is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocols but it is nonbinding because

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Amending the Constitution requires

Which of the following is TRUE?

How has the governments, both federal and state, intervened in the economy? How is such intervention reconciled with principles such as laissez-faire and the free market?

American exceptionalism refers to

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britain

France

Germany

Japan

India

Russia

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

Iran

China

Filters

Exam 7: The United States

The U.S. dollar has historically served as the major international reserve currency. This means that

Each of the following has helped lead to increases in the presidential power relative to Congress EXCEPT

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Every two years, ______________ of the House of Representatives and ______________ of the Senate are up for reelection.

The term iron triangle refers to the relationship between

During the New Deal

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

What aspects of the US political system make it unlikely that there will be more than two (major) parties? Is this beneficial or harmful to American democracy? Offer specific evidence to substantiate your argument.

The courts have become more powerful in which of the following ways?

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Which of the following is TRUE?

The Civil War

Which of the following is TRUE?

The United States is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocols but it is nonbinding because

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Amending the Constitution requires

Which of the following is TRUE?

How has the governments, both federal and state, intervened in the economy? How is such intervention reconciled with principles such as laissez-faire and the free market?

American exceptionalism refers to

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britain

France

Germany

Japan

India

Russia

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

Iran

China

Filters

Every two years, of the House of Representatives and of the Senate are up for reelection.