Ps/102 Final Exam
PS 102
Final Exam Draft Copy
Please note: in addition to many of the following multiple choice questions, there will be additional questions with regard to the assigned article on executive agreements and the assigned article on education policy, as well as more questions pertaining to the unit on public policy. Also, at the end of the study guide are the two essay questions that will be on the exam. Please note: the essay questions are multiple part questions and should be answered completely.
According to the text, public policy is
a. what government should do.
b. what government cannot do.
c. what government says it does—not what it actually does.
d. a political slogan used by both parties.
The social media age makes policy issues
a. less …show more content…
relevant.
b. less likely to get widespread attention.
c. complicated.
d. surge suddenly into our collective consciousness.
When framing a policy issue, which factor is least likely to influence its placement on the agenda?
a. The problem is new and different and has probably never before been dealt with by the political system.
b. The problem affects many people.
c. The policy is linked to important national symbols.
d. The problem is highly visible and people have strong opinions.
The way an issue is framed largely determines
a. the length of time the issue will stay on the agenda.
b. the amount of money that will be thrown at the problem.
c. the remedies and level of government that will address the problem.
d. to what degree the media will exaggerate the severity of the problem.
A critical component of the formation stage in policy making is
a. getting television coverage.
b. making it tax neutral.
c. calculating the costs and benefits of the proposed policy.
d. consulting with our allies.
The Pendleton Act of 1883 led to
a. the establishment of merit testing for government employment.
b. the institution of the modern civil service system.
c. a diminished patronage system.
d. All of the above are correct.
According to the authors of the course text, the key statement of American ideals is found in
a. the Constitution.
b. the Emancipation Proclamation.
c. Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points.
d. the Declaration of Independence.
_______________ could be described as a nontraditional form of political participation.
a. Voting
b. Marching
c. Protesting
d. None of the above.
As noted in lecture, apart from amending, the Constitution has changed for the following three reasons:
a. legitimate interpretation, shifts in agenda setting, and electoral outcomes.
b. judicial interpretation, changing political practices, and increasing demands on policymakers.
c. ratification, shifts in electoral mechanics, changing political parties
d. changing political parties, increasing policy shifts, and election outcomes. 3
According to the authors of the course text, ________________ is viewed as “the polling gold standard”
a. random sample
b. self-selected sample
c. semi-random sample
d. weighted sample
The United State employs a _________________ electoral system when choosing the president and vice president.
a. primary based
b. decentralized
c. fragmented
d. hybrid
Why is it that Iowa and New Hampshire get to hold the first primary and caucus, respectively, and therefore have an unusual influence in deciding each party’s presidential nominee?
a. State officials are empowered to decide their own election calendars—with the consent of the two parties.
b. Congress established this practice in 1912.
c. The citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire voted for their place in the electoral calendar.
d. All of the above are correct.
____________________ is said to occur when voters who exhibited high partisan identification have become more loosely attached to such allegiances.
a. De-alignment
b. Reapportionment
c. Salience
d. Realignment 4
As noted in lecture, all of the following are goals of democracy except
a. equality in the economic sphere.
b. effective participation.
c. enlightened understanding.
d. citizen control of the agenda.
_______________________ is the process of deliberately redrawing congressional districts for purely partisan reasons.
a. Reapportionment
b. De-alignment
c. Gerrymandering
d. Realignment
The decline in political party strength has led to
a. the rise of candidate-centered campaigns.
b. a situation wherein political party leaders, though their influence has lessened, simply confirm the platform choices of the presidential nominee.
c. presidential nominees deferring to the choice of party leaders when it comes to choosing their running mates.
d. All of the above
The colonists preferred the model of representation wherein members of the legislature responded to the entreaties of their constituents, commonly described as
a. the trustee model.
b. the parliamentary model.
c. the delegate model.
d. the politico model. 5
When reviewing poll results is important to account for the margin of ______ .
a. frame
b. residual percentage
c. sampling error
d. statistical charter
Research is defined as the systematic study of a defined population analyzing a representative sample’s views to draw inferences about the larger public’s views.
a. Survey
b. Qualitative
c. In-person
d. Random-digit dialing
The political philosopher that had enormous impact on revolutionary America and the thinking of the framers was
a. Tocqueville.
b. Robespierre.
c. Hobbes.
d. Locke.
The sampling frame in a public survey should represent diverse aspects and characteristics of the , for conclusions to be drawn about this group.
a. population
b. sample
c. random sample
d. stratified sample 6
It was noted in the course text that The American Voter presented the basis for ________________, which may be described as the lack of a stable perspective in opinion surveys.
a. nonattitudes
b. response bias
c. margin of error
d. scientific inquiry
The authors of the course text isolate ____________________ as one the Founding Fathers who argued there must be “a wall of separation between church and state.”
a. George Clinton.
b. James Madison.
c. Thomas Jefferson.
d. Aaron Burr.
________________ shortcuts are cues about candidates and policies drawn from everyday life, party inclinations, and significant figures like friends, family, and leaders.
a. Preference
b. Information
c. Access
d. Temporary restraint
When the Constitution was ratified, women could vote
a. in all the states.
b. in some states, like New Jersey, if they owned property.
c. in Massachusetts.
d. in 9 of the 13 states.
What were the specific theoretical influences on the Framers introduced in lecture?
a. balance of powers, elite class theory, natural rights, and representation
b. utilitarianism, pluralism, elite class theory, and separation of powers
c. social contract theory, federalism, checks and balances/separation of powers, and representation.
d. confederation, utilitarianism, democracy, and social contract theory 7
The essential argument behind the publication of The Rational Public is that the public has rational views and the government should pay attention to them.
a. minority
b. majority
c. collective
d. cascading
A major lesson learned from our experience under the Articles of Confederation
a. was that a strong confederation of states was impossible.
b. was that a weak central government left the nation at risk.
c. was the need for a Supreme Court.
d. was the alliance between Rhode Island and South Carolina
Compared to the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution of 1787
a. backed states’ rights.
b. was more democratic.
c. centralized government.
d. decentralized power.
bias is the propensity of poll respondents to misstate their views, more times than not in an attempt to avoid expressing embarrassing opinions.
a. Selection
b. Response
c. Sampling
d. Attuned
What term describes the tendency among a small group of decision makers to converge on a shared set of views?
a. like-mindedness
b. groupthink
c. shared outlook
d. None of the above. 8
A major theoretical dilemma for the framers was
a. balancing states’ rights with property rights.
b. balancing a powerful central government that could impinge on personal liberties with the problem of a weak government that could fail to protect people’s rights.
c. balancing property rights with the rights of free speech.
d. balancing the rights of those accused of a crime with Second Amendment rights.
What are the three examples of filtration, or indirect elections, in the original Constitution?
a. the House of Representatives, the Electoral College, and the Supreme Court
b. the presidency, the Electoral College, and the Supreme Court
c. the Electoral College, the Senate, and property requirements for voting
d. the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-sixth Amendments
The concept of framing relates to the __________________________ of a question or issue.
a. phrasing
b. truth
c. representativeness
d. authenticity
According to the course text, (a) poll is a form of negative campaigning that is meant to seem as if it is a routine opinion survey.
a. survey research
b. fractional
c. push
d. exit 9
Samples of the population should be of that population.
a. representative
b. indicative
c. short
d. None of the above.
______________________ may be described as “the characteristic and deep-seated beliefs of a particular people.”
a. Political socialization
b. Religion
c. Political culture
d. Realignment
When discussing the limitations of public opinion polls in class, the argument was made that
a. pressure groups direct the outcome of poll results.
b. polls accurately reflect a consensus of the public.
c. The focus on poll results diverts from any consideration of how the public forms their opinions.
d. All of the above are correct.
__________________________is the process of modifying the makeup of the House of Representatives on the basis of the results of the census.
a. Demographic engineering
b. Reapportionment
c. Census distribution
d. Gerrymandering
Of the following socializing agents, which one is generally accepted as the most influential?
a. family
b. religion
c. peers
d. media 10
When U.S. citizens vote for president, they are not voting for a candidate for president; instead, they are voting for ___________________________.
a. the candidate of their choice
b. either a Democratic or Republican candidate
c. a slate of electors
d. All of the above.
Nominations for president and vice president were initially determined by _______________________.
a. political party conventions controlled by party bosses
b. congressional caucuses
c. party-run state preference primaries and caucuses
d. state legislatures
It was noted in lecture that one outcome of the “front-loading” of primaries is
a. an decreasing pool of potential vice-presidential candidates
b. an increase in intra-party debates.
c. Iowa’s switch to a preference primary.
d. All of the above.
As directed by the Constitution, if a presidential candidate does not have an absolute majority in the Electoral College
a. the Supreme Court determines the winner.
b. a vote of the House of Representatives determines the winner.
c. a new election must be conducted by the following November.
d. a vote of the Senate determines the winner by a majority of the whole number of senators. 11
According to the course text, which event typically prompts an increase in the poll numbers for a presidential candidate?
a. a hard fought primary campaign victory
b. a state-based caucus
c. a fundraiser held far from protest zones
d. a political party convention
Congressional caucuses
a. were never broadly representative of party membership or sentiment.
b. were eliminated by direction of the 12th Amendment to the Constitution.
c. were based on a distribution of the census.
d. were based on equal representation with each state getting one vote for the presidential nominee and one vote for the vice-presidential nominee.
______________________ is the theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened.
a. Rational choice theory
b. Hyper-pluralism
c. Pluralism
d. Elite and class theory
________________________ is a change in underlying electoral forces due to changes in party identification.
a. De-alignment
b. Gerrymandering
c. Realignment
d. Franchise
It was suggested that the women’s suffrage movement was inhibited by all of the following dynamics except
a. a fear of the unknown.
b. strong cultural standards of masculinity and femininity.
c. specific socializing agents.
d. the coincidence of historical timing. 12
The national party conventions have become displays of
a. discord.
b. corruption.
c. partisanship.
d. drama.
Who or what determines ballot access in American elections?
a. Supreme Court
b. Federal Elections Commission
c. federal laws
d. state laws
As noted in lecture and in the course text, George Washington warned against the dangers of “____________________” in his Farewell Address.
a. factions
b. pressure groups
c. political parties
d. foreign interests
According to the course text, __________________ is “a hierarchical arrangement of party workers, often organized in an urban area to help integrate immigrants and minority groups into the political system.”
a. party boss
b. national party organization
c. a party machine
d. state party organization 13
It was suggested in lecture that there are four reasons third and minor political parties do not make it in the U.S., including all but which one of the following?
a. tactical factors
b. institutional factors
c. operational bias
d. cultural or historical bias
Among the advantages of interest groups in U.S. politics, all but which one of the following was discussed in class?
a. Interest groups provide information to policymakers.
b. Interest groups provide information to the public.
c. Interest groups provide access for the public to the political process.
d. Interest groups inhibit democratic processes.
It was suggested in lecture that the media is a political institution because
a. it is always operating in a political context.
b. it is protected by the constitution
c. of its symbiotic relationship to the presidency.
d. All of the above are correct.
Which part of the tripartite party structure is the hardest to maintain control of?
a. party as an organization
b. party in government
c. party in the electorate
d. all three parts are equally disorganized 14
A political party’s fundamental convictions and stands on issues are located in the _____________________.
a. the party privileges
b. the party constitution
c. the party platform
d. the party compact
In United States history, _________________is the only third-party candidate to have finished second in a presidential election.
a. Henry A. Wallace
b. William Howard Taft
c. Theodore Roosevelt
d. George Wallace
According to the course text, _____________________ are “party members who tend to vote loyally for their party’s candidates in most elections.”
a. split-ticket voters.
b. straight-ticket voters.
c. base voters.
d. loyalists.
______________is when political parties cause people to choose what signals in the media environment to accept or reject.
a. censorship.
b. agenda-setting.
c. split-ticket voting.
d. filtering. 15
The majority of the world’s democracies are governed by a ______________________ system.
a. a multiparty
b. a single-party
c. a two-party
d. None of the above.
A meeting of all Democrats and Republicans in either the House of Representatives or the Senate is generally known as a
a. party manifesto.
b. party caucus.
c. party platform.
d. party grouping.
Some political scientists suggest that interest groups promote stability because
a.
interest groups keep a few issues at the forefront of policy, preventing interference by other interests.
b. interest groups check the power of each other.
c. interest groups initially destabilize governmental processes which ultimately leads back to stability.
d. interest groups promote rapid political change.
Which of the following arguments is made by individuals who advocate for proportional representation elections?
a. It would increase representation of women and minorities.
b. It would help to prevent coalition governments.
c. It would prevent multiparty democracy.
d. It would increase the influence of elites and the most educated.
When discussing iron triangles it was noted that lobbyists moving from government work to lobbying, and then back again, is a process described as “_____________________”
a. pork and barrel benefits.
b. the sliding door.
c. the revolving door.
d. political favoring and maneuvering. 16
At the beginning of an election campaign, the media tends to focus on
a. who has chosen to enter the contest.
b. the issues.
c. the families of the candidates
d. how the partisanship of the district is likely to affect the outcome of the
race.
At the end of an election campaign, the media tends to focus on
a. what mistakes were made by the losing candidate.
b. mending the two sides so the winner can effectively govern.
c. the families of the candidates.
d. the winner’s most effective strategies.
How does a “fairness bias” corrupt news reporting?
a. It forces news outlets to give equal time to people on both sides of an issue.
b. It prevents news reporters from being able to report on both sides of an issue.
c. It causes news reporters to present two sides of an issue when the truth is represented better by one side of the debate.
d. All of the above are correct.
The most important aspect of interest groups within the judicial system is
a. sponsoring class-action lawsuits.
b. appointing judges.
c. pushing for members to become judges.
d. writing appellate court decisions. 17
According to the course text, which statement is true about public ownership of the media?
a. European countries have a much higher level of public ownership than the United States.
b. Americans pay more in taxes for government-owned media than is paid in most other countries.
c. Public ownership of the media is against the law in the United States.
d. Public ownership of the media is against the law in many European countries.
As noted in lecture and in the course text, the Fairness Doctrine attempt to accomplish which of the following?
a. It tried to make American elections fairer for third parties.
b. It regulated the mass media so that different viewpoints would have to be presented on each and every television station.
c. It tried to make capital accumulation in the United States a more fair process.
d. It created fairness guidelines for the mass media to voluntarily follow.
How much access do lobbyists have to Supreme Court justices?
a. the same amount of access they have to the president and Congress
b. nearly unlimited
c. almost no access
d. considerable access when the Supreme Court is in session.
To what extent has the Supreme Court upheld the First Amendment protection of a free press?
a. Not at all there; have been numerous instances where the free press has been violated by government censorship.
b. Only a little; it has allowed some government censorship but not too much.
c. Quite a bit, but government censorship has occurred routinely throughout US history.
d. There has been hardly any censorship of the print media. 18
Which term refers to attempts by government officials to influence interest groups on behalf of their preferred policies?
a. reverse lobbying
b. bureaucratic rule making
c. judicial precedent
d. intergovernmental lobbying
Public officials in one part of the government attempting to influence officials in other parts of the government is described as ____________________________.
a. judicial precedent
b. reverse lobbying
c. intergovernmental lobbying
d. bureaucratic rule making
It was noted in lecture, as well as in the course text, that one of the most direct ways the media affects politics is via its __________ role.
a. socializing
b. entertainment
c. agenda setting
d. infomercial
The __________ deliberately define(s) the nature of the problem, organize(s) potential solutions, and wipe(s) out alternative policies.
a. frame
b. agenda
c. newsmakers
d. media schema 19
An issue network is
a. a shifting alliance of public and private interest groups, lawmakers, and other stakeholders all focused on the same policy area.
b. the relationship in one issue area between interest group lobbyist, congressional staffers, and an executive branch agency.
c. an organization that is under the direction of the vice president.
d. the relationship between the president and the cabinet.
A lobbying professional employed by a specific company, such as Nike or IBM, is called a/an
a. social lobbyist.
b. independent lobbyist.
c. single-firm lobbyist.
d. multi-firm lobbyist.
What is meant by the “horse race” aspect of media coverage of elections?
a. a focus on candidate’s appearance
b. a focus on who is lame
c. a focus on scandal
d. a focus on who is winning
The relationship in one issue area between interest group lobbyists, congressional staffers, and an executive branch agency is called
a. a bill group.
b. an iron triangle.
c. a congressional watchdog group.
d. an issue network. 20
What makes mass media in the United States so exceptional?
a. It focuses on principles over personalities.
b. It has always been a commercial enterprise.
c. It employs attention to detail and an issue-based focus.
d. nothing
The relationship between the media and the American presidency is most apparent:
a. with presidential press conferences.
b. with presidents "going public.”
c. because of the symbiotic relationship that exists between the media and the presidency.
d. All of the above are correct.
A steady stream of materials from interest groups about a single issue is called
a. issue campaigning.
b. negative campaigning.
c. positive campaigning.
d. a referendum.
How does the textbook characterize the amount of news, information, and analysis available in the United States?
a. limited
b. broad
c. faulty
d. inadequate
As noted in lecture and in the course text, James Madison refers to interest groups in the Federalist no. 10 as
a. lobbyists.
b. factions.
c. special interests.
d. political parties.
An interest group may be defined as
a. an organization whose goal is to influence citizens.
b. an organization whose goal is to get members elected to office.
c. an organization whose goal is to disrupt the lawmaking process.
d. an organization whose goal is to influence government.
A __________ is an individual who contacts government officials on behalf of a particular issue, cause or organization.
a. lobbyist
b. constituent
c. member
d. specialist
What are the two types of interest groups referred to in the course text?
a. social interests and private interests
b. general welfare groups and corporate welfare groups
c. special interests and non-special interests
d. citizen groups and private interests 22
When people join interest groups for the feeling of shared commitment and purpose they are said to gain
a. material benefits.
b. expressive benefits.
c. solidary benefits.
d. All of the above are correct.
It has been claimed that in order for an interest group to be successful, it must
a. inform members about political developments.
b. communicate members’ views to government officials.
c. mobilize the public.
d. All of the above are correct.
A public interest group is defined as
a. a group promoting corporate interests.
b. an organization that seeks to benefit the population at large.
c. an organization that is not generally successful.
d. a collective of multiple interest groups.
What is the difference between a private lobbyist and a public interest lobbyist?
a.. The private lobbyist is a representative of an organization that seeks to benefit the whole population.
b. The public interest lobbyist is a representative of an organization that seeks to benefit the population at large, not a specific client or small collection of people.
c. The public interest lobbyist does not need financial support from individuals.
d. There is hardly any difference between a private lobbyist and a public interest lobbyist. 23
____________________is the theory that interest group activity provides an additional opportunity for public representation.
a. Demosclerosis
b. Pluralism
c. Power elite theory
d. Punitive theory
__________________is the view that a handful of wealthy, influential Americans exercise extensive control over government decisions.
a. Demosclerosis
b. Pluralism
c. Power elite theory
d. Punitive theory
When presidents engage in “going public” it is said
a. that it never fails to have an enormous effect on the views of members of Congress.
b. that presidents are seeking new bargaining partners.
c. members of Congress retaliate by “going public,” as well.
d.. All of the above are correct.
President and political scientist Woodrow Wilson claimed that institutions
a. “are exclusive to the three branches of government.”
b. “are always recognizable.”
c. “are creatures of opinion.”
d. “are necessary outcomes of law.” 24
In Federalist no. 10, Madison argues that the way to prevent factions from inhibiting and possibly destroying popular government is to
a. outlaw factions.
b. increase the number of factions.
c. ignore factions.
d. limit the number of factions.
As described in lecture, the authors of the article “Political Communication—Old and New Media Relationships” claim
a. that “television has become less fractured.”
b. that “television continues to be the principal form of political communication.”
c. that “television transferred politics to the living room.”
d. that “television has fostered the rise of individual political discourse in American society.”
A ____________ is a group of lobbyists working on related topics or a specific legislative proposal.
a. special interest
b. faction
c. membership group
d. lobbying coalition
Pluralism is defined as
a. an open, participatory style of government in which many different interests are represented.
b. a closed system of government in which only a handful of individuals may participate.
c. a system that can only benefit the wealthy.
d. an open style of government in which only a few individuals are represented. 25
The assassination of President _________________ led to the enactment of Pendleton Act of 1883 and the establishment of the merit system in government hiring.
a. Tyler
b. Arthur
c. Garfield
d. Hayes
Three challenges to democracy were suggested in class including all but which of the following?
a. Diminished access points for participation in government.
b. Escalating campaign costs.
c. Diverse political interests.
d. All of the above are correct.
The initial selection of US senators demonstrates what principle relating to public opinion?
a. checks and balances
b. popular consent
c. referendum
d. initiative
________________ theory assumes groups will work together and public interest will prevail.
a. Liberal
b. Elite
c. Rational choice
d. Pluralist 26
__________________________ is “the learning process by which people acquire their political opinions, beliefs, and values.”
a. Framing
b. Political socialization
c. Political actualization
d. Political culture
The right to lobby is guaranteed in the __________________ Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
a. First
b. Second
c. Fourth
d. Sixth
Essay questions
1. Per the lecture on foreign policy and government institutions, identify the constitutional powers of Congress, as well as the constitutional powers of the executive branch pertaining to foreign policy. In addition, and when considering the president and foreign policy, what were the three points made by political scientist Michael Cairo from his theory on presidential war power and foreign policy and how do Cairo’s points help to explain the changes in the role of the president and Congress in foreign policy?
• Constitutional powers of Congress in foreign policy: o Declare war o Authorize funding o Senate passes or reject treaties o Senate confirms or rejects presidential appointments of ambassadors and foreign policy related cabinet appointments o Congress has the power to conduct investigations of foreign policy actions of the executive branch
• Political scientist Michael Cairo: theory on presidential war power and foreign policy. o “Congress is designed to be the primary check on presidential war powers.” o “Contemporary presidents do not believe they need congressional approval… have substituted [it] with international legal sanctions.” o “The American public and media have… accepted presidents’ unilateral use of force.”
2. Three variables in public policy were introduced in class; describe how each of the variables works. Next, define the five types of public policy given in class and include an example of each type of policy. Finally, thoroughly describe the five stages of public policy.
• Three concerns of the Framers of the Constitution: o States were unable to maintain internal order o State sovereignty impeded the development of a national economy o By acting independently, states were putting collective security at risk.
• Monitoring social conditions
• Explaining social conditions
• Forecast social conditions
• Evaluating social conditions
• Prescribing public policy
Final Exam Draft Copy
Please note: in addition to many of the following multiple choice questions, there will be additional questions with regard to the assigned article on executive agreements and the assigned article on education policy, as well as more questions pertaining to the unit on public policy. Also, at the end of the study guide are the two essay questions that will be on the exam. Please note: the essay questions are multiple part questions and should be answered completely.
According to the text, public policy is
a. what government should do.
b. what government cannot do.
c. what government says it does—not what it actually does.
d. a political slogan used by both parties.
The social media age makes policy issues
a. less …show more content…
relevant.
b. less likely to get widespread attention.
c. complicated.
d. surge suddenly into our collective consciousness.
When framing a policy issue, which factor is least likely to influence its placement on the agenda?
a. The problem is new and different and has probably never before been dealt with by the political system.
b. The problem affects many people.
c. The policy is linked to important national symbols.
d. The problem is highly visible and people have strong opinions.
The way an issue is framed largely determines
a. the length of time the issue will stay on the agenda.
b. the amount of money that will be thrown at the problem.
c. the remedies and level of government that will address the problem.
d. to what degree the media will exaggerate the severity of the problem.
A critical component of the formation stage in policy making is
a. getting television coverage.
b. making it tax neutral.
c. calculating the costs and benefits of the proposed policy.
d. consulting with our allies.
The Pendleton Act of 1883 led to
a. the establishment of merit testing for government employment.
b. the institution of the modern civil service system.
c. a diminished patronage system.
d. All of the above are correct.
According to the authors of the course text, the key statement of American ideals is found in
a. the Constitution.
b. the Emancipation Proclamation.
c. Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points.
d. the Declaration of Independence.
_______________ could be described as a nontraditional form of political participation.
a. Voting
b. Marching
c. Protesting
d. None of the above.
As noted in lecture, apart from amending, the Constitution has changed for the following three reasons:
a. legitimate interpretation, shifts in agenda setting, and electoral outcomes.
b. judicial interpretation, changing political practices, and increasing demands on policymakers.
c. ratification, shifts in electoral mechanics, changing political parties
d. changing political parties, increasing policy shifts, and election outcomes. 3
According to the authors of the course text, ________________ is viewed as “the polling gold standard”
a. random sample
b. self-selected sample
c. semi-random sample
d. weighted sample
The United State employs a _________________ electoral system when choosing the president and vice president.
a. primary based
b. decentralized
c. fragmented
d. hybrid
Why is it that Iowa and New Hampshire get to hold the first primary and caucus, respectively, and therefore have an unusual influence in deciding each party’s presidential nominee?
a. State officials are empowered to decide their own election calendars—with the consent of the two parties.
b. Congress established this practice in 1912.
c. The citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire voted for their place in the electoral calendar.
d. All of the above are correct.
____________________ is said to occur when voters who exhibited high partisan identification have become more loosely attached to such allegiances.
a. De-alignment
b. Reapportionment
c. Salience
d. Realignment 4
As noted in lecture, all of the following are goals of democracy except
a. equality in the economic sphere.
b. effective participation.
c. enlightened understanding.
d. citizen control of the agenda.
_______________________ is the process of deliberately redrawing congressional districts for purely partisan reasons.
a. Reapportionment
b. De-alignment
c. Gerrymandering
d. Realignment
The decline in political party strength has led to
a. the rise of candidate-centered campaigns.
b. a situation wherein political party leaders, though their influence has lessened, simply confirm the platform choices of the presidential nominee.
c. presidential nominees deferring to the choice of party leaders when it comes to choosing their running mates.
d. All of the above
The colonists preferred the model of representation wherein members of the legislature responded to the entreaties of their constituents, commonly described as
a. the trustee model.
b. the parliamentary model.
c. the delegate model.
d. the politico model. 5
When reviewing poll results is important to account for the margin of ______ .
a. frame
b. residual percentage
c. sampling error
d. statistical charter
Research is defined as the systematic study of a defined population analyzing a representative sample’s views to draw inferences about the larger public’s views.
a. Survey
b. Qualitative
c. In-person
d. Random-digit dialing
The political philosopher that had enormous impact on revolutionary America and the thinking of the framers was
a. Tocqueville.
b. Robespierre.
c. Hobbes.
d. Locke.
The sampling frame in a public survey should represent diverse aspects and characteristics of the , for conclusions to be drawn about this group.
a. population
b. sample
c. random sample
d. stratified sample 6
It was noted in the course text that The American Voter presented the basis for ________________, which may be described as the lack of a stable perspective in opinion surveys.
a. nonattitudes
b. response bias
c. margin of error
d. scientific inquiry
The authors of the course text isolate ____________________ as one the Founding Fathers who argued there must be “a wall of separation between church and state.”
a. George Clinton.
b. James Madison.
c. Thomas Jefferson.
d. Aaron Burr.
________________ shortcuts are cues about candidates and policies drawn from everyday life, party inclinations, and significant figures like friends, family, and leaders.
a. Preference
b. Information
c. Access
d. Temporary restraint
When the Constitution was ratified, women could vote
a. in all the states.
b. in some states, like New Jersey, if they owned property.
c. in Massachusetts.
d. in 9 of the 13 states.
What were the specific theoretical influences on the Framers introduced in lecture?
a. balance of powers, elite class theory, natural rights, and representation
b. utilitarianism, pluralism, elite class theory, and separation of powers
c. social contract theory, federalism, checks and balances/separation of powers, and representation.
d. confederation, utilitarianism, democracy, and social contract theory 7
The essential argument behind the publication of The Rational Public is that the public has rational views and the government should pay attention to them.
a. minority
b. majority
c. collective
d. cascading
A major lesson learned from our experience under the Articles of Confederation
a. was that a strong confederation of states was impossible.
b. was that a weak central government left the nation at risk.
c. was the need for a Supreme Court.
d. was the alliance between Rhode Island and South Carolina
Compared to the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution of 1787
a. backed states’ rights.
b. was more democratic.
c. centralized government.
d. decentralized power.
bias is the propensity of poll respondents to misstate their views, more times than not in an attempt to avoid expressing embarrassing opinions.
a. Selection
b. Response
c. Sampling
d. Attuned
What term describes the tendency among a small group of decision makers to converge on a shared set of views?
a. like-mindedness
b. groupthink
c. shared outlook
d. None of the above. 8
A major theoretical dilemma for the framers was
a. balancing states’ rights with property rights.
b. balancing a powerful central government that could impinge on personal liberties with the problem of a weak government that could fail to protect people’s rights.
c. balancing property rights with the rights of free speech.
d. balancing the rights of those accused of a crime with Second Amendment rights.
What are the three examples of filtration, or indirect elections, in the original Constitution?
a. the House of Representatives, the Electoral College, and the Supreme Court
b. the presidency, the Electoral College, and the Supreme Court
c. the Electoral College, the Senate, and property requirements for voting
d. the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-sixth Amendments
The concept of framing relates to the __________________________ of a question or issue.
a. phrasing
b. truth
c. representativeness
d. authenticity
According to the course text, (a) poll is a form of negative campaigning that is meant to seem as if it is a routine opinion survey.
a. survey research
b. fractional
c. push
d. exit 9
Samples of the population should be of that population.
a. representative
b. indicative
c. short
d. None of the above.
______________________ may be described as “the characteristic and deep-seated beliefs of a particular people.”
a. Political socialization
b. Religion
c. Political culture
d. Realignment
When discussing the limitations of public opinion polls in class, the argument was made that
a. pressure groups direct the outcome of poll results.
b. polls accurately reflect a consensus of the public.
c. The focus on poll results diverts from any consideration of how the public forms their opinions.
d. All of the above are correct.
__________________________is the process of modifying the makeup of the House of Representatives on the basis of the results of the census.
a. Demographic engineering
b. Reapportionment
c. Census distribution
d. Gerrymandering
Of the following socializing agents, which one is generally accepted as the most influential?
a. family
b. religion
c. peers
d. media 10
When U.S. citizens vote for president, they are not voting for a candidate for president; instead, they are voting for ___________________________.
a. the candidate of their choice
b. either a Democratic or Republican candidate
c. a slate of electors
d. All of the above.
Nominations for president and vice president were initially determined by _______________________.
a. political party conventions controlled by party bosses
b. congressional caucuses
c. party-run state preference primaries and caucuses
d. state legislatures
It was noted in lecture that one outcome of the “front-loading” of primaries is
a. an decreasing pool of potential vice-presidential candidates
b. an increase in intra-party debates.
c. Iowa’s switch to a preference primary.
d. All of the above.
As directed by the Constitution, if a presidential candidate does not have an absolute majority in the Electoral College
a. the Supreme Court determines the winner.
b. a vote of the House of Representatives determines the winner.
c. a new election must be conducted by the following November.
d. a vote of the Senate determines the winner by a majority of the whole number of senators. 11
According to the course text, which event typically prompts an increase in the poll numbers for a presidential candidate?
a. a hard fought primary campaign victory
b. a state-based caucus
c. a fundraiser held far from protest zones
d. a political party convention
Congressional caucuses
a. were never broadly representative of party membership or sentiment.
b. were eliminated by direction of the 12th Amendment to the Constitution.
c. were based on a distribution of the census.
d. were based on equal representation with each state getting one vote for the presidential nominee and one vote for the vice-presidential nominee.
______________________ is the theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened.
a. Rational choice theory
b. Hyper-pluralism
c. Pluralism
d. Elite and class theory
________________________ is a change in underlying electoral forces due to changes in party identification.
a. De-alignment
b. Gerrymandering
c. Realignment
d. Franchise
It was suggested that the women’s suffrage movement was inhibited by all of the following dynamics except
a. a fear of the unknown.
b. strong cultural standards of masculinity and femininity.
c. specific socializing agents.
d. the coincidence of historical timing. 12
The national party conventions have become displays of
a. discord.
b. corruption.
c. partisanship.
d. drama.
Who or what determines ballot access in American elections?
a. Supreme Court
b. Federal Elections Commission
c. federal laws
d. state laws
As noted in lecture and in the course text, George Washington warned against the dangers of “____________________” in his Farewell Address.
a. factions
b. pressure groups
c. political parties
d. foreign interests
According to the course text, __________________ is “a hierarchical arrangement of party workers, often organized in an urban area to help integrate immigrants and minority groups into the political system.”
a. party boss
b. national party organization
c. a party machine
d. state party organization 13
It was suggested in lecture that there are four reasons third and minor political parties do not make it in the U.S., including all but which one of the following?
a. tactical factors
b. institutional factors
c. operational bias
d. cultural or historical bias
Among the advantages of interest groups in U.S. politics, all but which one of the following was discussed in class?
a. Interest groups provide information to policymakers.
b. Interest groups provide information to the public.
c. Interest groups provide access for the public to the political process.
d. Interest groups inhibit democratic processes.
It was suggested in lecture that the media is a political institution because
a. it is always operating in a political context.
b. it is protected by the constitution
c. of its symbiotic relationship to the presidency.
d. All of the above are correct.
Which part of the tripartite party structure is the hardest to maintain control of?
a. party as an organization
b. party in government
c. party in the electorate
d. all three parts are equally disorganized 14
A political party’s fundamental convictions and stands on issues are located in the _____________________.
a. the party privileges
b. the party constitution
c. the party platform
d. the party compact
In United States history, _________________is the only third-party candidate to have finished second in a presidential election.
a. Henry A. Wallace
b. William Howard Taft
c. Theodore Roosevelt
d. George Wallace
According to the course text, _____________________ are “party members who tend to vote loyally for their party’s candidates in most elections.”
a. split-ticket voters.
b. straight-ticket voters.
c. base voters.
d. loyalists.
______________is when political parties cause people to choose what signals in the media environment to accept or reject.
a. censorship.
b. agenda-setting.
c. split-ticket voting.
d. filtering. 15
The majority of the world’s democracies are governed by a ______________________ system.
a. a multiparty
b. a single-party
c. a two-party
d. None of the above.
A meeting of all Democrats and Republicans in either the House of Representatives or the Senate is generally known as a
a. party manifesto.
b. party caucus.
c. party platform.
d. party grouping.
Some political scientists suggest that interest groups promote stability because
a.
interest groups keep a few issues at the forefront of policy, preventing interference by other interests.
b. interest groups check the power of each other.
c. interest groups initially destabilize governmental processes which ultimately leads back to stability.
d. interest groups promote rapid political change.
Which of the following arguments is made by individuals who advocate for proportional representation elections?
a. It would increase representation of women and minorities.
b. It would help to prevent coalition governments.
c. It would prevent multiparty democracy.
d. It would increase the influence of elites and the most educated.
When discussing iron triangles it was noted that lobbyists moving from government work to lobbying, and then back again, is a process described as “_____________________”
a. pork and barrel benefits.
b. the sliding door.
c. the revolving door.
d. political favoring and maneuvering. 16
At the beginning of an election campaign, the media tends to focus on
a. who has chosen to enter the contest.
b. the issues.
c. the families of the candidates
d. how the partisanship of the district is likely to affect the outcome of the
race.
At the end of an election campaign, the media tends to focus on
a. what mistakes were made by the losing candidate.
b. mending the two sides so the winner can effectively govern.
c. the families of the candidates.
d. the winner’s most effective strategies.
How does a “fairness bias” corrupt news reporting?
a. It forces news outlets to give equal time to people on both sides of an issue.
b. It prevents news reporters from being able to report on both sides of an issue.
c. It causes news reporters to present two sides of an issue when the truth is represented better by one side of the debate.
d. All of the above are correct.
The most important aspect of interest groups within the judicial system is
a. sponsoring class-action lawsuits.
b. appointing judges.
c. pushing for members to become judges.
d. writing appellate court decisions. 17
According to the course text, which statement is true about public ownership of the media?
a. European countries have a much higher level of public ownership than the United States.
b. Americans pay more in taxes for government-owned media than is paid in most other countries.
c. Public ownership of the media is against the law in the United States.
d. Public ownership of the media is against the law in many European countries.
As noted in lecture and in the course text, the Fairness Doctrine attempt to accomplish which of the following?
a. It tried to make American elections fairer for third parties.
b. It regulated the mass media so that different viewpoints would have to be presented on each and every television station.
c. It tried to make capital accumulation in the United States a more fair process.
d. It created fairness guidelines for the mass media to voluntarily follow.
How much access do lobbyists have to Supreme Court justices?
a. the same amount of access they have to the president and Congress
b. nearly unlimited
c. almost no access
d. considerable access when the Supreme Court is in session.
To what extent has the Supreme Court upheld the First Amendment protection of a free press?
a. Not at all there; have been numerous instances where the free press has been violated by government censorship.
b. Only a little; it has allowed some government censorship but not too much.
c. Quite a bit, but government censorship has occurred routinely throughout US history.
d. There has been hardly any censorship of the print media. 18
Which term refers to attempts by government officials to influence interest groups on behalf of their preferred policies?
a. reverse lobbying
b. bureaucratic rule making
c. judicial precedent
d. intergovernmental lobbying
Public officials in one part of the government attempting to influence officials in other parts of the government is described as ____________________________.
a. judicial precedent
b. reverse lobbying
c. intergovernmental lobbying
d. bureaucratic rule making
It was noted in lecture, as well as in the course text, that one of the most direct ways the media affects politics is via its __________ role.
a. socializing
b. entertainment
c. agenda setting
d. infomercial
The __________ deliberately define(s) the nature of the problem, organize(s) potential solutions, and wipe(s) out alternative policies.
a. frame
b. agenda
c. newsmakers
d. media schema 19
An issue network is
a. a shifting alliance of public and private interest groups, lawmakers, and other stakeholders all focused on the same policy area.
b. the relationship in one issue area between interest group lobbyist, congressional staffers, and an executive branch agency.
c. an organization that is under the direction of the vice president.
d. the relationship between the president and the cabinet.
A lobbying professional employed by a specific company, such as Nike or IBM, is called a/an
a. social lobbyist.
b. independent lobbyist.
c. single-firm lobbyist.
d. multi-firm lobbyist.
What is meant by the “horse race” aspect of media coverage of elections?
a. a focus on candidate’s appearance
b. a focus on who is lame
c. a focus on scandal
d. a focus on who is winning
The relationship in one issue area between interest group lobbyists, congressional staffers, and an executive branch agency is called
a. a bill group.
b. an iron triangle.
c. a congressional watchdog group.
d. an issue network. 20
What makes mass media in the United States so exceptional?
a. It focuses on principles over personalities.
b. It has always been a commercial enterprise.
c. It employs attention to detail and an issue-based focus.
d. nothing
The relationship between the media and the American presidency is most apparent:
a. with presidential press conferences.
b. with presidents "going public.”
c. because of the symbiotic relationship that exists between the media and the presidency.
d. All of the above are correct.
A steady stream of materials from interest groups about a single issue is called
a. issue campaigning.
b. negative campaigning.
c. positive campaigning.
d. a referendum.
How does the textbook characterize the amount of news, information, and analysis available in the United States?
a. limited
b. broad
c. faulty
d. inadequate
As noted in lecture and in the course text, James Madison refers to interest groups in the Federalist no. 10 as
a. lobbyists.
b. factions.
c. special interests.
d. political parties.
An interest group may be defined as
a. an organization whose goal is to influence citizens.
b. an organization whose goal is to get members elected to office.
c. an organization whose goal is to disrupt the lawmaking process.
d. an organization whose goal is to influence government.
A __________ is an individual who contacts government officials on behalf of a particular issue, cause or organization.
a. lobbyist
b. constituent
c. member
d. specialist
What are the two types of interest groups referred to in the course text?
a. social interests and private interests
b. general welfare groups and corporate welfare groups
c. special interests and non-special interests
d. citizen groups and private interests 22
When people join interest groups for the feeling of shared commitment and purpose they are said to gain
a. material benefits.
b. expressive benefits.
c. solidary benefits.
d. All of the above are correct.
It has been claimed that in order for an interest group to be successful, it must
a. inform members about political developments.
b. communicate members’ views to government officials.
c. mobilize the public.
d. All of the above are correct.
A public interest group is defined as
a. a group promoting corporate interests.
b. an organization that seeks to benefit the population at large.
c. an organization that is not generally successful.
d. a collective of multiple interest groups.
What is the difference between a private lobbyist and a public interest lobbyist?
a.. The private lobbyist is a representative of an organization that seeks to benefit the whole population.
b. The public interest lobbyist is a representative of an organization that seeks to benefit the population at large, not a specific client or small collection of people.
c. The public interest lobbyist does not need financial support from individuals.
d. There is hardly any difference between a private lobbyist and a public interest lobbyist. 23
____________________is the theory that interest group activity provides an additional opportunity for public representation.
a. Demosclerosis
b. Pluralism
c. Power elite theory
d. Punitive theory
__________________is the view that a handful of wealthy, influential Americans exercise extensive control over government decisions.
a. Demosclerosis
b. Pluralism
c. Power elite theory
d. Punitive theory
When presidents engage in “going public” it is said
a. that it never fails to have an enormous effect on the views of members of Congress.
b. that presidents are seeking new bargaining partners.
c. members of Congress retaliate by “going public,” as well.
d.. All of the above are correct.
President and political scientist Woodrow Wilson claimed that institutions
a. “are exclusive to the three branches of government.”
b. “are always recognizable.”
c. “are creatures of opinion.”
d. “are necessary outcomes of law.” 24
In Federalist no. 10, Madison argues that the way to prevent factions from inhibiting and possibly destroying popular government is to
a. outlaw factions.
b. increase the number of factions.
c. ignore factions.
d. limit the number of factions.
As described in lecture, the authors of the article “Political Communication—Old and New Media Relationships” claim
a. that “television has become less fractured.”
b. that “television continues to be the principal form of political communication.”
c. that “television transferred politics to the living room.”
d. that “television has fostered the rise of individual political discourse in American society.”
A ____________ is a group of lobbyists working on related topics or a specific legislative proposal.
a. special interest
b. faction
c. membership group
d. lobbying coalition
Pluralism is defined as
a. an open, participatory style of government in which many different interests are represented.
b. a closed system of government in which only a handful of individuals may participate.
c. a system that can only benefit the wealthy.
d. an open style of government in which only a few individuals are represented. 25
The assassination of President _________________ led to the enactment of Pendleton Act of 1883 and the establishment of the merit system in government hiring.
a. Tyler
b. Arthur
c. Garfield
d. Hayes
Three challenges to democracy were suggested in class including all but which of the following?
a. Diminished access points for participation in government.
b. Escalating campaign costs.
c. Diverse political interests.
d. All of the above are correct.
The initial selection of US senators demonstrates what principle relating to public opinion?
a. checks and balances
b. popular consent
c. referendum
d. initiative
________________ theory assumes groups will work together and public interest will prevail.
a. Liberal
b. Elite
c. Rational choice
d. Pluralist 26
__________________________ is “the learning process by which people acquire their political opinions, beliefs, and values.”
a. Framing
b. Political socialization
c. Political actualization
d. Political culture
The right to lobby is guaranteed in the __________________ Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
a. First
b. Second
c. Fourth
d. Sixth
Essay questions
1. Per the lecture on foreign policy and government institutions, identify the constitutional powers of Congress, as well as the constitutional powers of the executive branch pertaining to foreign policy. In addition, and when considering the president and foreign policy, what were the three points made by political scientist Michael Cairo from his theory on presidential war power and foreign policy and how do Cairo’s points help to explain the changes in the role of the president and Congress in foreign policy?
• Constitutional powers of Congress in foreign policy: o Declare war o Authorize funding o Senate passes or reject treaties o Senate confirms or rejects presidential appointments of ambassadors and foreign policy related cabinet appointments o Congress has the power to conduct investigations of foreign policy actions of the executive branch
• Political scientist Michael Cairo: theory on presidential war power and foreign policy. o “Congress is designed to be the primary check on presidential war powers.” o “Contemporary presidents do not believe they need congressional approval… have substituted [it] with international legal sanctions.” o “The American public and media have… accepted presidents’ unilateral use of force.”
2. Three variables in public policy were introduced in class; describe how each of the variables works. Next, define the five types of public policy given in class and include an example of each type of policy. Finally, thoroughly describe the five stages of public policy.
• Three concerns of the Framers of the Constitution: o States were unable to maintain internal order o State sovereignty impeded the development of a national economy o By acting independently, states were putting collective security at risk.
• Monitoring social conditions
• Explaining social conditions
• Forecast social conditions
• Evaluating social conditions
• Prescribing public policy