Exam 1: Democracy and American Politics

After the 2008 presidential election, the news media frequently presented standard geographic maps of the United States that were intended to summarize the election results. These maps typically had states won by Barack Obama colored blue, while states won by John McCain were colored red. What might be a misleading factor observed on the standard maps?

Why is direct democracy untenable in the United States?

Are the low levels of voter turnout in American elections an indication that popular sovereignty does not really exist in the United States? Why or why not?

Which of the following is true according to the principle of popular sovereignty?

Why is participation in the political process an important condition of popular sovereignty?

Essential political liberties including the freedoms of speech, of conscience and religion, of the press, and of assembly and association are embodied in the __________ Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

What did Jim Crow laws represent?