Question 1

There are a variety of interest groups in the states. Identify some of the major types of interest groups and discuss what their motivation is for participating in the political system at the state and local level.

Accepted Answer

The answer of There are a variety of interest groups...

Question 2

The explosion of interest groups in state capitals is primarily caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  the reduction in informed elected officials in state legislatures. 
B)  an increase in campaign finance expenditures over the years. 
C)  an increase in the number of interests affected by government expansion that cannot afford to be without representation. 
D)  the increased responsiveness of state legislators to tactics like bribery.

Question 3

Political parties are centralized organizations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Grassroots lobbying occurs when

Accepted Answer

A)  lobbyists position themselves on the steps and the lawn of the capitol building to greet legislators as they enter. 
B)  lobbyists wine and dine legislators in order to obtain their support on public policies. 
C)  a group of citizens mobilizes and contacts public officials on behalf of a shared public policy view. 
D)  lobbyists spend increasing amounts of time with legislators on the golf course, or in other recreational settings, developing a personal relationships with them.

Question 5

Most states currently exhibit meaningful two-party electoral competition, meaning both Democrats and Republicans are offering credible candidates for state offices.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

When an interest group stages a demonstration in front of city hall, it is an indirect action.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

State political parties have undergone a transformation during the past thirty years and they have proven themselves quite adaptable.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

According to surveys of local officials in small cities, the two functional areas in which interest groups have the greatest influence are economic development and

Accepted Answer

A)  education. 
B)  taxes. 
C)  health services. 
D)  parks and recreation.

Question 9

Ideologically, Republicans tend to be more conservative, favoring a limited role for government; Democrats tend to be more liberal, preferring a more activist government.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Should state governments regulate campaign contributions and spending? Discuss how money may affect politics, specifically in terms of the nature of elections (how they are run), the outcome of elections (who wins), and the policies that are influenced. How would public financing or some other form of campaign finance alter these outcomes?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Should state governments regulate campaign contributions and...

Question 11

Schoolteachers' organizations are ranked among the most influential interest groups in thirty-one states

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

The Internet has become a powerful campaign tool for all of the following reasons EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  it can disseminate the candidate's message to far-flung audiences. 
B)  it can mobilize potential supporters. 
C)  it reduces the amount of spending on negative and misleading advertising. 
D)  it serves as a vehicle for attracting contributions.

Question 13

Cecilia participates in an organization of individuals who share her political views and desire to influence government. These organizations are commonly called

Accepted Answer

A)  factions. 
B)  interest groups. 
C)  ticket-splitters. 
D)  political action committees.

Question 14

When a voter casts ballots for a Democratic governor and a Republican state legislator in the same general election, they are engaged in

Accepted Answer

A)  fence sitting. 
B)  ticket splitting. 
C)  straight-ticket voting. 
D)  gerrymandering.

Question 15

In 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Vermont's spending limits were too low to allow candidates to compete effectively in political campaigns.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

In 2002, Governor _______ of _______ became the first governor to be elected with full public financing of her campaign.

Accepted Answer

A)  Jim Douglas; Vermont 
B)  Janet Napolitano; Arizona 
C)  Bill Richardson; New Mexico 
D)  John Baldacci; Maine

Question 17

A well represented and powerful interest group in the lobby of the state capitol would be

Accepted Answer

A)  general business organizations. 
B)  labor unions. 
C)  public interest research groups (PIRGs). 
D)  attorneys and state bar associations.

Question 18

Do new technologies, such as the Internet and social media, change the nature of elections? Provide specific examples to illustrate your points. Are these changes good or bad for democracy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do new technologies, such as the Internet...

Question 19

According to the text, which two of these third parties have enjoyed some success in local races in recent times?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Constitution Party and the Libertarian Party 
B)  the Green Party and the Constitution Party 
C)  the Libertarian Party and the Green Party 
D)  the Socialist Party and the Libertarian Party

Question 20

The main reason that there are only two major political parties in the United States is attributable to Article VII, Section 4 in the U.S. Constitution, which mandates that the nation will have only two parties.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 5: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Campaigns

There are a variety of interest groups in the states. Identify some of the major types of interest groups and discuss what their motivation is for participating in the political system at the state and local level.

The explosion of interest groups in state capitals is primarily caused by

Political parties are centralized organizations.

Grassroots lobbying occurs when

Most states currently exhibit meaningful two-party electoral competition, meaning both Democrats and Republicans are offering credible candidates for state offices.

When an interest group stages a demonstration in front of city hall, it is an indirect action.

State political parties have undergone a transformation during the past thirty years and they have proven themselves quite adaptable.

According to surveys of local officials in small cities, the two functional areas in which interest groups have the greatest influence are economic development and

Ideologically, Republicans tend to be more conservative, favoring a limited role for government; Democrats tend to be more liberal, preferring a more activist government.

Schoolteachers' organizations are ranked among the most influential interest groups in thirty-one states

The Internet has become a powerful campaign tool for all of the following reasons EXCEPT

Cecilia participates in an organization of individuals who share her political views and desire to influence government. These organizations are commonly called

When a voter casts ballots for a Democratic governor and a Republican state legislator in the same general election, they are engaged in

In 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Vermont's spending limits were too low to allow candidates to compete effectively in political campaigns.

In 2002, Governor _ of _ became the first governor to be elected with full public financing of her campaign.

A well represented and powerful interest group in the lobby of the state capitol would be

Do new technologies, such as the Internet and social media, change the nature of elections? Provide specific examples to illustrate your points. Are these changes good or bad for democracy?

According to the text, which two of these third parties have enjoyed some success in local races in recent times?

The main reason that there are only two major political parties in the United States is attributable to Article VII, Section 4 in the U.S. Constitution, which mandates that the nation will have only two parties.