Question 1

The U.S. government subsidizes agriculture by which of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

A)  Guaranteeing a minimum price for many commodities 
B)  Providing subsidized crop insurance 
C)  Paying farmers to leave some land fallow 
D)  Subsidizing crops sold abroad 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  Guaranteeing a minimum price for many commodities 
B)  Providing subsidized crop insurance 
C)  Paying farmers to leave some land fallow 
D)  Subsidizing crops sold abroad 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 2

Regulations

Accepted Answer

A)  determine how a law is actually implemented. 
B)  are written by Congress. 
C)  set broad principles rather than specific rules about the implementation of legislation. 
D)  are written in a way that is independent of the input of interested parties. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  determine how a law is actually implemented. 
B)  are written by Congress. 
C)  set broad principles rather than specific rules about the implementation of legislation. 
D)  are written in a way that is independent of the input of interested parties. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 3

Which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  The spread of American culture throughout the world has placed the United States at the center of an increasingly homogenizing international culture while at the same time creating hostility to the United States in countries that want to defend their national and local cultures. 
B)  The increased willingness of the United States to pursue unilateral actions has made the building of long-term multilateral alliances difficult while also putting a strain on America's traditional alliances with other democracies. 
C)  Increasingly, U.S. government institutions must respond not only to the American citizenry but also to demands that stem from an international political economy that is increasingly interconnected. 
D)  The institutional features of American government reduce the potential for quick responses to international crises and increase the likelihood of parochial responses that the rest of the world may see as unilateral or isolationist. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  The spread of American culture throughout the world has placed the United States at the center of an increasingly homogenizing international culture while at the same time creating hostility to the United States in countries that want to defend their national and local cultures. 
B)  The increased willingness of the United States to pursue unilateral actions has made the building of long-term multilateral alliances difficult while also putting a strain on America's traditional alliances with other democracies. 
C)  Increasingly, U.S. government institutions must respond not only to the American citizenry but also to demands that stem from an international political economy that is increasingly interconnected. 
D)  The institutional features of American government reduce the potential for quick responses to international crises and increase the likelihood of parochial responses that the rest of the world may see as unilateral or isolationist. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 4

All of the following are examples of Congress seeking to limit presidential power EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  the organization of the Department of Homeland Security. 
B)  allowing the Office of the Budget to prepare the federal budget. 
C)  the formation of the 9/11 Commission. 
D)  forcing President Bush to seek Congressional approval for military action in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
E)  investigating the activities of senior advisors of the president. 
A)  the organization of the Department of Homeland Security. 
B)  allowing the Office of the Budget to prepare the federal budget. 
C)  the formation of the 9/11 Commission. 
D)  forcing President Bush to seek Congressional approval for military action in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
E)  investigating the activities of senior advisors of the president.

Question 5

Which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although an increasing number of people label themselves as "independents," they tend to lean reliably toward one party or another. 
B)  Generally, Democrats are less likely to vote on Election Day, especially in an off year. 
C)  The electorate is fairly evenly divided between the two parties, especially when one accounts for independents who lean towards one party or another. 
D)  Republicans are strongest in the South and Mountain West whereas Democrats are strongest in the Northeast and West Coast. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  Although an increasing number of people label themselves as "independents," they tend to lean reliably toward one party or another. 
B)  Generally, Democrats are less likely to vote on Election Day, especially in an off year. 
C)  The electorate is fairly evenly divided between the two parties, especially when one accounts for independents who lean towards one party or another. 
D)  Republicans are strongest in the South and Mountain West whereas Democrats are strongest in the Northeast and West Coast. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 6

The cabinet is

Accepted Answer

A)  established by the Constitution. 
B)  fixed in size. 
C)  comprised of the chief officers of the judiciary. 
D)  comprised of the chief officers of the major executive departments. 
E)  appointed by Congress as a means to exercise power over the president. 
A)  established by the Constitution. 
B)  fixed in size. 
C)  comprised of the chief officers of the judiciary. 
D)  comprised of the chief officers of the major executive departments. 
E)  appointed by Congress as a means to exercise power over the president.

Question 7

The ability of state and local governments to shape the economy

Accepted Answer

A)  comes from their police powers to regulate health and safety. 
B)  is limited because the Constitution grants the national government authority over intrastate commerce. 
C)  comes from explicit delegation from Congress. 
D)  is permissible due to the interstate commerce clause. 
E)  is significantly limited by their inability to offer benefits to companies such as tax breaks. 
A)  comes from their police powers to regulate health and safety. 
B)  is limited because the Constitution grants the national government authority over intrastate commerce. 
C)  comes from explicit delegation from Congress. 
D)  is permissible due to the interstate commerce clause. 
E)  is significantly limited by their inability to offer benefits to companies such as tax breaks.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The United States has generally encouraged large-scale immigration both to ensure an adequate labor force and to build up the domestic consumer market. 
B)  The United States is one of only a few countries that allows large-scale migration of those who do not already have a cultural tie to the receiving country. 
C)  In contemporary times, the number of illegal immigrants has been greater than legal immigrants. 
D)  The weak enforcement of immigration policies can be said to be a form of subsidy as it ensures a plentiful supply of cheap labor, particularly in the agricultural sector. 
E)  Immigration has helped to reduce class tensions in the United States because it has meant that workers have focused on cultural differences rather than class identity. 
A)  The United States has generally encouraged large-scale immigration both to ensure an adequate labor force and to build up the domestic consumer market. 
B)  The United States is one of only a few countries that allows large-scale migration of those who do not already have a cultural tie to the receiving country. 
C)  In contemporary times, the number of illegal immigrants has been greater than legal immigrants. 
D)  The weak enforcement of immigration policies can be said to be a form of subsidy as it ensures a plentiful supply of cheap labor, particularly in the agricultural sector. 
E)  Immigration has helped to reduce class tensions in the United States because it has meant that workers have focused on cultural differences rather than class identity.

Question 9

The Bill of Rights

Accepted Answer

A)  laid out the reasons for the separation from Britain. 
B)  was a set of specific prohibitions on the national government. 
C)  was necessary for the ratification of the Constitution. 
D)  was both a specific set of prohibitions on the national government and necessary for the ratification of the Constitution. 
E)  None of the above statements are true. 
A)  laid out the reasons for the separation from Britain. 
B)  was a set of specific prohibitions on the national government. 
C)  was necessary for the ratification of the Constitution. 
D)  was both a specific set of prohibitions on the national government and necessary for the ratification of the Constitution. 
E)  None of the above statements are true.

Question 10

What impacts do federalism and the separation of powers have upon the policy-making process in the United States? Are such impacts good or bad for American democracy? Please use specific examples in your answer.

Accepted Answer

Federalism and the separation of powers

Question 11

Marbury v. Madison established

Accepted Answer

A)  the principle of judicial review. 
B)  the ability of the federal government to regulate interstate commerce. 
C)  the authority of the federal government to hold "enemy combatants" indefinitely. 
D)  that international legal principles are part of the law of the land in the United States only so long as the country signed a treaty specifically addressing such principles. 
E)  the principle of the freedom of choice. 
A)  the principle of judicial review. 
B)  the ability of the federal government to regulate interstate commerce. 
C)  the authority of the federal government to hold "enemy combatants" indefinitely. 
D)  that international legal principles are part of the law of the land in the United States only so long as the country signed a treaty specifically addressing such principles. 
E)  the principle of the freedom of choice.

Question 12

The separation of powers

Accepted Answer

A)  grants each branch of government with independent powers so that no one branch can permanently dominate the others. 
B)  helps make the policy-making and governing process in the United States inefficient. 
C)  can be seen in the power of the president to veto a law and by Congress' power to override a presidential veto. 
D)  prevents any one branch from carrying out its responsibilities without the cooperation of other branches. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  grants each branch of government with independent powers so that no one branch can permanently dominate the others. 
B)  helps make the policy-making and governing process in the United States inefficient. 
C)  can be seen in the power of the president to veto a law and by Congress' power to override a presidential veto. 
D)  prevents any one branch from carrying out its responsibilities without the cooperation of other branches. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 13

Which of the following statements about the role of the United States in the global economy is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The United States has, since the end of World War II, has played a central role in the international political economy by dominating multinational bodies like the IMF and World Bank. 
B)  The dominant position of the United States has been challenged by the rise of the European Union. 
C)  The strength of the U.S. domestic economy is increasingly being shaped by decisions of multinational corporations that are able to transfer capital and production across national boundaries with little control by governmental or international actors. 
D)  There have been increased calls for the United States to isolate itself from the regulation of the world economy in part because the U.S .government has been unable to respond quickly to international forces. 
E)  All of the above are true statements. 
A)  The United States has, since the end of World War II, has played a central role in the international political economy by dominating multinational bodies like the IMF and World Bank. 
B)  The dominant position of the United States has been challenged by the rise of the European Union. 
C)  The strength of the U.S. domestic economy is increasingly being shaped by decisions of multinational corporations that are able to transfer capital and production across national boundaries with little control by governmental or international actors. 
D)  There have been increased calls for the United States to isolate itself from the regulation of the world economy in part because the U.S .government has been unable to respond quickly to international forces. 
E)  All of the above are true statements.

Question 14

The USA PATRIOT Act

Accepted Answer

A)  reinstated the draft. 
B)  established a federal program that gives aid to veterans. 
C)  expanded the U.S. government's ability to conduct domestic surveillance. 
D)  created a fence along America's borders. 
E)  established a special prison at an American naval base in Cuba for suspected terrorists. 
A)  reinstated the draft. 
B)  established a federal program that gives aid to veterans. 
C)  expanded the U.S. government's ability to conduct domestic surveillance. 
D)  created a fence along America's borders. 
E)  established a special prison at an American naval base in Cuba for suspected terrorists.

Question 15

Amendments to the Constitution, passed since the Bill of Rights, have generally focused upon

Accepted Answer

A)  extending democratic election procedures and changing procedural deficiencies in the original Constitution. 
B)  expanding the scope of individual freedoms from governmental power. 
C)  expanding the power of the government to regulate the economy. 
D)  limiting the power of special interests in the United States. 
E)  reducing waste and inefficiency in government. 
A)  extending democratic election procedures and changing procedural deficiencies in the original Constitution. 
B)  expanding the scope of individual freedoms from governmental power. 
C)  expanding the power of the government to regulate the economy. 
D)  limiting the power of special interests in the United States. 
E)  reducing waste and inefficiency in government.

Question 16

In the twentieth century, the government expanded its role in protecting workers. Which of the following statements is true about this expansion?

Accepted Answer

A)  It came in part to provide government-mandated services for workers. 
B)  It included expanded regulation of workplace safety. 
C)  It included expanded regulation of pension systems. 
D)  The United States offers fewer guarantees to its workers than do other advanced democracies. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  It came in part to provide government-mandated services for workers. 
B)  It included expanded regulation of workplace safety. 
C)  It included expanded regulation of pension systems. 
D)  The United States offers fewer guarantees to its workers than do other advanced democracies. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Most members of the House of Representatives and the Senate have a business occupational background. 
B)  Since women were enfranchised, both the House of Representatives and the Senate have become increasingly gender balanced. 
C)  The Senate has historically been more racially diverse than the House of Representatives. 
D)  Members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate have tended to be white male Protestants. 
E)  All of the above are true statements. 
A)  Most members of the House of Representatives and the Senate have a business occupational background. 
B)  Since women were enfranchised, both the House of Representatives and the Senate have become increasingly gender balanced. 
C)  The Senate has historically been more racially diverse than the House of Representatives. 
D)  Members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate have tended to be white male Protestants. 
E)  All of the above are true statements.

Question 18

Who votes and who does not in the United States? What are the implications of this for American democracy?

Accepted Answer

In the United States, citizens who are 1

Question 19

The term divided government refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the period in which the Southern states seceded from the union. 
B)  a period in which one party controls the presidency and another controls at least one chamber of the Congress. 
C)  a period in which the national government is controlled by one party and a sizeable number of states are controlled by another party. 
D)  the period between the presidential election and the formal vote by the Electoral College. 
E)  the separation of powers between the presidency and the Congress. 
A)  the period in which the Southern states seceded from the union. 
B)  a period in which one party controls the presidency and another controls at least one chamber of the Congress. 
C)  a period in which the national government is controlled by one party and a sizeable number of states are controlled by another party. 
D)  the period between the presidential election and the formal vote by the Electoral College. 
E)  the separation of powers between the presidency and the Congress.

Question 20

The writers of the Constitution purposefully established a federal government organized on the principle of separation of powers and thus established a system of checks and balances. Explain what powers each branch has and how each has used these to check the powers of the others. What impact does this have upon the policy-making process, both domestic and foreign? Support your answer with specific examples.

Accepted Answer

The writers of the Constitution establis

The U.S. government subsidizes agriculture by which of the following ways?

Regulations

Which of the following is TRUE?

All of the following are examples of Congress seeking to limit presidential power EXCEPT

Which of the following is TRUE?

The cabinet is

The ability of state and local governments to shape the economy

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

The Bill of Rights

What impacts do federalism and the separation of powers have upon the policy-making process in the United States? Are such impacts good or bad for American democracy? Please use specific examples in your answer.

Marbury v. Madison established

The separation of powers

Which of the following statements about the role of the United States in the global economy is true?

The USA PATRIOT Act

Amendments to the Constitution, passed since the Bill of Rights, have generally focused upon

In the twentieth century, the government expanded its role in protecting workers. Which of the following statements is true about this expansion?

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Who votes and who does not in the United States? What are the implications of this for American democracy?

The term divided government refers to

Introducing Comparative Politics

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Exam 7: The United States

The U.S. government subsidizes agriculture by which of the following ways?

Regulations

Which of the following is TRUE?

All of the following are examples of Congress seeking to limit presidential power EXCEPT

Which of the following is TRUE?

The cabinet is

The ability of state and local governments to shape the economy

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

The Bill of Rights

What impacts do federalism and the separation of powers have upon the policy-making process in the United States? Are such impacts good or bad for American democracy? Please use specific examples in your answer.

Marbury v. Madison established

The separation of powers

Which of the following statements about the role of the United States in the global economy is true?

The USA PATRIOT Act

Amendments to the Constitution, passed since the Bill of Rights, have generally focused upon

In the twentieth century, the government expanded its role in protecting workers. Which of the following statements is true about this expansion?

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Who votes and who does not in the United States? What are the implications of this for American democracy?

The term divided government refers to

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britain

France

Germany

Japan

India

Russia

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

Iran

China

Filters