Exam 1 GOV

Consider an individual whose family always voted Republican but whose friends all plan to vote for the Democrat candidate in the next election. This individual is getting advice from both groups regarding how to vote. This person would be considered which type of voter?

• grandfathered

• populist

• straight party

• cross-pressured

Cross pressured

Which of the following powers would you categorize under state government?

• Administer elections

• Govern U.S. territories

• Regulate interstate commerce

• Appoint foreign ambassadors

Administer elections

What was the main reason that the Framers created federalism?

• To protect citizens from an all-powerful central government

• To make elections of government officers more fair

• To put all power in the hands of a central government

• To prevent a takeover from England or France

To protect citizens from an all-powerful central government

Which of the following is a denied power to both federal and state governments?

• Establishing criminal codes

• Protecting the public health

• Granting someone a title of nobility

• Setting tax rates and tax bases

Granting someone a title of nobility

Which of the following is the best example of a concurrent power of the state and national government?

• Conduct foreign relations

• Levy taxes

• Provide an army and a navy

• Declare war

Levy taxes

What is the main reason that federal land-grant schools were created?

• To encourage land conversation practices

• To give more Americans access to a college education

• To increase both state and federal revenues

• To give elites more educational opportunities

To give more Americans access to a college education

What is an obligation each state has to the national government?

• To allow Representatives from each state to serve in congress

• To provide troops to other states in times of civil unrest

• To conduct and pay for presidential elections

• To provide relief to other states in the aftermath of a natural disaster

To conduct and pay for presidential elections

What is the main reason that one state might receive more in a block grant than another state?

• One may have more roads

• One may have more population

• One may have more schools

• One may have more need

One may have more population

Enumerated powers, such as the power to coin money and collect taxes, are _____

• Reserved powers granted to state governments

• Delegated powers granted to state governments

• National powers directly expressed in the Constitution

• National powers implied by the Constitution

National powers directly expressed in the Constitution

What was the main result of the Supreme Court decision in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

• In questions of national versus state power, national authority is supreme

• The Supreme Court established a trend of ruling in favor of increasing

• The federal government has sovereignty only in times of crisis

• In questions of national versus state power, state authority is supreme

In questions of national versus state power, national authority is supreme

An act that allows the people of a territory interested in becoming a state to prepare a constitution

Enabling act

The sum of money given to state or local governments for specific purposes

Federal grants

The federal government’s ability to take over a state government function

Preemption

A system of government in which two or more governments exercise powers over the same people and the same territory

Federalism

The right to command or lead

Authority

The powers the constitution grants to the national government

Delegated powers

What was the main reason that many people were denied suffrage in the early period of U.S. history?

• Many of those in power thought wealthy, well educated white men could make the best choices.

• Only a small group of people had access to the information needed to make informed decisions.

• Each state had its own rules concerning who could vote in national elections.

• Few people, especially those who do not own property, had any desire to be involved in elections.

Many of those in power thought wealthy, well educated white men could make the best choices.

Requiring a literacy test before allowing a person to vote was discriminatory because

• the requirement was not applied equally to all people

• it violated the 21st Amendment.

• the test was given only to women

• it meant that voters had to own property.

the requirement was not applied equally to all people

Which of these statements concerning political candidates is true?

• During the past 100 years, there has been little change in the importance of either a candidate's image or qualifications.

• Due to the large amount of information on the Internet, a candidate's qualifications have become more important while the importance of image has decreased.

• The importance of a candidate's image has decreased due to greater candidate exposure in the media.

• Due to the media, the importance of a candidate's image has increased in recent years.

Due to the media, the importance of a candidate's image has increased in recent years.

An important goal of the federal election cycle is to

• make certain that the entire government does not turn over at the same time.

• make it easier for voters to get to the polls.

• reduce costs by minimizing the number of elections.

• prevent one party from controlling the government for an extended period of time.

make certain that the entire government does not turn over at the same time.

In the late 1800s, discrimination against African Americans who attempted to vote was most common in

• wealthier areas of the U.S.

• big cities.

• the South.

• the Northeast.

The South

The 26th Amendment greatly increased the number of Americans eligible to vote by

• passing grandfather clauses.

• requiring voters to pass a literacy test.

• lowering the voting age to 18.

• eliminating discriminatory voting laws.

lowering the voting age to 18.

After the passage of the 19th Amendment,

• poll taxes became illegal.

• women had the legal right to vote but had a difficult time exercising it.

• some states implemented grandfather clauses.

• women did not face the discriminatory laws that African Americans did.

women did not face the discriminatory laws that African Americans did.

In early America, approximately what percent of the adult population had the right to vote?

• 5 or 6

• 15

• 50

• 20 or 25

5 or 6

An orderly process for making group decisions.

Election

Making a choice among alternatives in an election.

Voting

To deprive of the right to vote.

Disenfranchise

A Congressional election that takes place halfway through the president's term in office.

Midterm election

A method by which citizens propose a constitutional law or amendment.

Initiative

A ticket on which a voter has selected candidates of only his or her own party.

Straight party ticket

The canvassing board, the official group that counts the votes, has represenatives from what?

• both political parties

• federal and state government

• state and local government

• campaign staffs and all candidates

both political parties

A testimonial ad is likely to be persuasive because

• people may change their point of view due to fear.

• many people like to support candidates who have a high level of popularity.

• people tend avoid supporting someone associated with a negative symbol.

• many people are swayed by the opinions of those whom they regard highly

many people are swayed by the opinions of those whom they regard highly

If a campaign commercial uses ad hominem, it

• makes glittering generalities.

• attacks a candidate rather than the issues.

• cites a prominent person who agrees with a candidate's position.

• associates a positive symbol with the candidate.

attacks a candidate rather than the issues.

What propaganda technique is a candidate using if she says people should support her because the vast majority of people think she is the best candidate?

• appeal to fear

• bandwagon

• appeal to authority

• glittering generality

bandwagon

In order to qualify to vote, you must

• own property in the state in which you vote.

• have a minimum of a high school education.

• be at least 21 years of age.

• first complete a voter registration form.

first complete a voter registration form.

Why did it become common in the late 1800s to require people to register in order to vote?

• to stop voting fraud

• to prevent women from voting

• to raise funds

• to prevent African Americans from voting

to stop voting fraud

How is a polling place related to a precinct?

• A polling place is the location within a precinct where people vote.

• A polling place is a single neighborhood within a precinct.

• A precinct is a single neighborhood within a polling place.

• A precinct is the location within a polling place where people vote.

A polling place is the location within a precinct where people vote.

Some people are against limits on campaign contributions because they think

• campaign contributions are becoming more important than campaign spending.

• limits are a violation of the right to free speech.

• limits keep incumbents from becoming overly powerful.

• candidates with fewer financial resources will be penalized.

limits are a violation of the right to free speech.

People who support regulation to limit campaign spending believe that this will

• encourage legislative referendums.

• reduce corruption.

• reduce the number of candidates.

• support free speech.

reduce corruption.

To enroll one's name with the appropriate local government in order to participate in elections.

register

A voting district

Precinct

A ballot that allows a person to vote without going to the polls on Election Day.

Absentee ballot

A plan or method for achieving a goal.

Strategy

The use of ideas, information, or rumors to influence opinion.

Propaganda

Direct contributions to candidate's political campaign.

Hard money

Who most benefits from public defenders?

• plaintiffs who cannot afford their own counsel

• prosecutors who want to plea bargain

• defendants who cannot afford their own counsel

• defendants who want a plea bargain

defendants who cannot afford their own counsel

To preserve the democratic principles of checks and balances, courts can only decide questions of law if

• the issue presents a challenge to the Constitution.

• questions are brought to them in the form of cases.

• a crime has been committed.

• local, state, or federal legislatures cannot find a solution.

questions are brought to them in the form of cases.

Which steps in the trial process are ordered correctly, from first to last?

• jury instructions, examinations, opening statements, verdict, closing statements

• opening statements, examinations, closing statements, jury instructions, verdict

• jury instructions, opening statements, closing statements, examinations, verdict

• opening statement, jury instructions, examinations, verdict, closing statements

opening statements, examinations, closing statements, jury instructions, verdict

In order to safeguard against corruption and ensure impartiality, federal judges are

• selected periodically from among members of Congress.

• appointed for life terms.

• promoted from lower courts according to years of service.

• elected every four years by citizens.

appointed for life terms

The judicial branch checks other branches of government by

• determining the laws' constitutionality.

• signing and vetoeing laws.

• enforcing the law.

• writing the laws.

determining the laws' constitutionality.

What does a plea bargain usually involve? 

• lengthy, public trial

• grand jury conviction

• admission to a lesser crime

• more severe sentencing

admission to a lesser crime

Criminal courts resolve cases between

• state prosecutors and defendants.

• judges and defendants.

• plaintiffs and defendants.

• juries and defendants.

state prosecutors and defendants.

Why do citizens have a civic duty to serve on juries when called upon?

• The law requires every citizen to perform jury service at least once.

• A jury is required in every court case, both civil and criminal

• Civilian control of the judiciary depends upon jury service.

• Jury service is important to the democratic system of government.

Jury service is important to the democratic system of government.

What are juries intended to contribute to trial courts?

• impartiality

• guilty verdicts

• legal expertise

• defense counsel

Impartiality

The authority of a trial court to be the first to hear a case.

Original jurisdiction

A trial system that is a contest between opposing sides.

Adversarial system

In civil trial, the person who brings suit in court.

Plaintiff

How does stare decisis most strengthen the nation's legal system?

• by making laws flexible and adaptable to changing times

• by giving judges the power to revise laws

• by adding stability and predictability

• by enabling higher courts to overturn the decisions of lower courts

by adding stability and predictability

Federal courts can decide questions of state law if

• the case involves parties in different states.

• state courts refuse to hear a case.

• one or both parties request a state court hearing.

• the state docket is already full.

the case involves parties in different states.

When a federal court of appeals creates a precedent, that precedent must be followed by ____________ .

• all the federal trial courts in that circuit

• every court in every state of the nation

• the U.S. Supreme Court

• the state supreme court

all the federal trial courts in that circuit

The Constitution gives a defendant the right not to be tried for the same crime twice, a condition known as ____________ .

• double jeopardy

• error of law

• stare decisis

• checks and balances

double jeopardy

Family law, juvenile law, probate law, and traffic law all fall under the jurisdiction of

• federal courts.

• municipal courts.

• state courts.

• local courts.

state courts.

A successful appeals case must

• demonstrate a significant error of law or violation of due process.

• allege that one or more attorneys behaved questionably.

• show that witness testimony or evidence was falsified.

• present a new body of evidence or new witnesses.

demonstrate a significant error of law or violation of due process.

Jurisdiction is determined by

• geography, parties, and type of laws involved.

• parties and types of laws involved.

• geography and type of laws involved.

• geography and parties.

geography, parties, and type of laws involved.

What is one way all state court judges differ from Supreme Court judges?

• They are not legally required to have awl degrees.

• They are appointed rather than elected.

• They serve limited terms rather than for life.

• They cannot hear cases involving federal law.

They serve limited terms rather than for life.

Which judges may be selected by popular vote, legislative vote, or appointment?

• only federal circuit court judges

• all federal judges, excluding U.S. Supreme Court justices

• judges at all levels of government

• only state court judges

only state court judges

A federal or state law written by a legislative branch.

Statute

Courts that are able to hear a wide variety of cases that deal with federal, state or local laws.

general jurisdiction

Similar to criminal trials but consists of judges and attorneys drawn from legal officers of the military branch in which the violation occurred.

courts martial

An unsuccessful party in a lawsuit asks a higher court to review the decision on the basis that the original court did not apply the law correctly.

appeal

The fair administration of justice.

procedural due process

A document issued by judges who disagree with the majority opinion.

dissenting opinion

How did past experiences and an understanding of human nature influence the Founding Father's establishing a federalist government?

The Founders saw firsthand what can happen when a central government has too much power over the people. They wanted a change from King George's way of ruling. They also understood power can make people crave even more power. By creating checks and balances, they believed they could prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

Why does the Constitution divide power between the national and state governments?

By dividing power over the levels, no one level has the power to take away citizens' civil liberties.

What effect does the supremacy clause have on concurrent powers?

The supremacy clause givers power to the federal government over the state government when a state law conflicts with a national law.

Summarize the relationship between the expressed and implied powers held by the national government.

Expressed powers and implied powers fall under the category of delegated powers. The expressed powers were directly granted to the national government in the Constitution. The implied powers were not directly stated and are dependent on the expressed powers. The implied powers are the powers needed to use the expressed powers.

Based on the Constitution, what guarantees does the federal government make to the states?

The federal government guarantees a republican form of government, protection from foreign invasion or domestic unrest, and respect for the territorial integrity of each state.

What are the main obligations of the states to the national government?

The states must conduct and pay for national elections and take part in the process of amending the Constitution.

How does the federal government influence the state and local governments?

It does so by attaching conditions to federal funding, passing mandates that require states to meet minimum national mandates on services, passing restraints that limit a state's ability to regulate an area, and through preemption, which takes away some state and local authority to make their own laws and policies.

What role has the Supreme Court played in settling disputes between the federal and state governments?

The Supreme Court plays the role of umpire in settling disputes between the federal and state governments.

 Which powers did the Founders reserve for state governments?

Regulating and promoting business, preserving natural resources, making and enforcing criminal laws, protecting individual rights, and providing for public health, education, and welfare.

 

Why have issues over which the states exercise their power changed over time?

As society changes over time, the needs of the people change. States now pass laws to prevent things that were not issues when the Constitution was written.

How do states cooperate and resolve conflicts with one another?

The states provide the same fundamental rights to their residents and nonresidents and enter into interstate compacts on issues that effect more than one state.

 

How is public policy created at different levels of government?

Local and state authorities create policy that affects their citizens. Sometimes these policies spread to other states of become national policies. The national government sets policies that affect all citizens of the country and the states follow.

Federalism spreads power over many layers, which results in elections at every level. This givers citizens more opportunities to vote on issues, to run for office, and to participate in special interest groups to develop public policy.

Why does federalism increase opportunities for political participation?

Why might it be easier to influence policy on the local level than on the national level?

The local governments are close to the people and better reflect the unique needs and wishes of their residents.

Explain the main method that Congress has established to provide assistance to the states.

The main method the federal government uses to assist states is federal grants.

In what basic way can all people influence public policy?

• Paying lobbyist

• Being liberal

• Being conservative

• Voting on a regular basis

Voting on a regular basis

As interpreted by the Supreme court, interstate commerce involves producing, buying, selling, and transporting goods

• As import from another country

• As exports to any country

• Within any state

• Across state lines

Across state lines

Regarding education, state governments

• Establish policies that school districts must follow

• Have no say in how much tax school districts can levy

• Finance two thirds of education costs

• Rely on no federal aid to cover costs

Establish policies that school districts must follow

The constitutional power of the national government has expanded under the ___ clause.

• privilages and immunities

• supremacy

• commerce

• elastic

commerce

States must honor other states’ laws and court orders

• If mandated by the U.S. president

• Only if an order for extradition is present

• Only if mandated by a higher court

• Even if their own laws are different

Even if their own laws are different

Public policy is

• enacted only at the federal level

• enacted only at the state level

• A course of action that a government decides to take

• available only to government officials

A course of action that a government decides to take

The constitution provides citizens with “privelages and immunities”, which means that states,

• Can license doctors and dentists from another state

• Cannot revoke privileges of citizens from another state

• Can extradite criminals from another state

• Cannot discriminate against citizens from another state

Cannot discriminate against citizens from another state

If they are unable to resolve their disputes what recourse do States have?

• They can take their case to the American Civil Liberties Union

• They can petition the state governors to intervene

• They can take their case to the Supreme Court

• They can petition the Senate to hear their case

They can take their case to the Supreme Court

To establish residency in another state a person may have to

• give up professional licenses earned in the other state

• live in that state for a certain period of time

• give up voting rights in that state

• give up privilages for a year

live in that state for a certain period of time

Exradite

To return a fugitive who flees across state lines back to the original state

Administer

To manage or supervise the execution, use, or conduct of

Interstate compact

A written agreement between 2 or more states

Policy

A plan that includes general goals and procedures