GOVERNMENT FINAL

quizzes & midterm questions

a constitutional amendment can be proposed in which of the following formats

a national convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures or by a two-thirds vote in each chamber of Congress

The framers of the constitution did not create a direct democracy because

they believed the rights of minority groups would be suppressed by the dominating majority

Why does Shay's Rebellion play an important role in American history

It made obvious the weaknesses of the national government under the Articles of Confederation

When people have fairly consistent views over a range of policy issues, they are said to have what

A political ideology

What was a weakness of the Articles of Confederation

A lack of power to tax exports

What perspective holds the belief that society is really ruled by a small number of people who exercise power

Elite theory

The "necessary and proper clause” is basis for what power

implied powers of congress

what ancient British legal principle holds that all people are equal before the law, all subject to it, and none above it?

rule of law

what is the root of the idea that each citizen must have a chance to have their voice heard in government?

political equality

what was one result of the second continental congress

the adoption of the declaration of independance

the bill of rights limits the power of:

the government over the rights and liberties of individuals

what did the articles of confederation do?

it allowed the states to retain most of their power

which of the following political groups supports property rights and opposes attempts to regulate personal behavior and moral values?

conservatives

what are the three branches of government

legislative, executive, judical

equality of opportunity can be understood to mean that:

all citizens will have an equal chance to succeed in life

the power of the supreme court o declare actions of the other branches of government to be unconstitutional is known as what?

judicial review

what was generally true about antifederalists

they opposed the new constitution

which group believes that the government should not interfere in economic or social matters

conservatives

the expectations that incomes should level out or that standards of living should be roughly the same for all citizens is known as

socialism

what was a weakness of the articles of confederation

the inability of congress to raise funds

what descirbes the principle of dual federalism

the state and federal governments have separate functions

what does the fourth amendment prohibit

unreasonable searches and seizures

what system of government allows the central government to make laws that are directly applicable to member states but allows those states to choose not to support the laws

the confederal system

what best describes the police power of the states

the authority to legistaive for the health, safety, and welfare of citizens.

in a unitary system of government, in what level does the ultimate government authority rest?

the national or central level

what are federal mandates

requirements in federal legislation that forces states to comply with fedreal rules

what political group traditionally favors state governments over federal governments

conservatism

what did the USA Patriot Act do?

It expanded the government’s ability to tap phones and monitor internet traffic

during the constitutional convention, why was federalism an appealing compromise to the delegates

it maintained state traditions while creating a strong national government to handle problems

inciting a crowd to violence is not protected speech because it can lead to:

imminent lawless action

the process by which individuals develop political attitudes, beliefs, and values

political socialism

a supreme court decision that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional

Brown v. Board of education

groups that seek to influence public policy by advocating for specific causes or issues

interest groups

a statistical calculation that shows the range within which the true result of a poll likely falls

margin of error

efforts by individuals or groups to influence the decisions of government officials, typically through direct invitation

lobbying

the overall collective attitudes or beliefs of a population on political issues or leaders

public opinion

legal protections provided by the government to prevent discrimination and ensure equal treatment for all citizens

civil rights

a method used of measure public opinion by questioning a sample of population

polling

the ability of the media to influence the importance placed on the topics of the public agenda

agenda setting

landmark legislation that aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting practices

the voting rights act of 1965

what is it called when voters identify with a political party in repeated elections

party allignment

what is the least likely to be why the two-party system has dominated the American political landscape

third parties are illegal in many jurisdictions

what document lays out a political party's core beliefs and policy proposal for each presidential election

party platform

what is a preliminary election conducted within a political party to select candidates who will run for office called?

a primary election

if a lobbyist is trying to convince a legislator to support a particular bill favored by their interest group, what is the most valuable resource in doing so?

a large, politically active membership

what is the lowest level of official party machinery?

the local organization, supported by district leaders, precinct or ward captains, and party workers

what is at the top of the party organization and has its members chosen by each state party organization

national committees

in the past 60 years, the number of competitive congressional elections has been declining. This trend is called:

vanishing marginals

the relationship among interest groups, members of congress, and federal agencies is referred to as what?

iron triangle

what is responsible for monitoring campaign finance?

the Federal Election Comission

what goal is the main purpose of a political party in order to control government and implement policy?

win elections

enticing individuals to join an interest group for solidarity incentives has become easier because of:

the advent of social media

who almost always wins congressional elections?

incumbents

the winner-takes-all principle can be observed in the united states when what body selects their president and vice president?

the electoral college

what activity best describes how lobbyists provide advisory assistance to legislators

testifying before legislative committees, assisting legislators with the drafting of bills, and providing technical experttise to legislators

what is the statewide election of delegates to a party's national convention, where the delegates will choose the party's presidential nominee called?

a presidential primary

the manner in which members of the electoral college are selected within each state is currently governed by:

state laws

a group of people organizing themselves and attempting to affect policymakers have formed which of the following types of groups

an interest groups

what types of interest groups are best defined as economic interest groups

business, labor, and professional groups

what is at the top of the party organization and has its members chosen by each state party organization?

national convention

people who become members of interest groups for material incentives are joining for what reason?

to improve their economic opportunities or gain economic benefit

what kind of goods are available to all, whether one has contributed toward the provision of the goal or not

public

people who join an interest group for personal incentives are joining for which of the following reasons

for ethical beliefs or idealogical reasons

in recent years, there has been a growing call for which of the following mandates for members of congress, much like those imposed upon the president and in many legislature

term limits

what most distinguishes political parties from interest groups?

unlike political parties, interest groups do not nominate candidates to run as their avowed representatives

minor political parties that present an alternative to the two dominant political parties in the American political system are known as:

third parties

what is true of a winner-takes- all electoral system

the candidate with the most votes wins

what about third parties is accurate

they are discouraged by the election laws in many states

what view sees a democratic society ad one in which interest groups compete over policy goals and elected officials are mediators of group conflict?

pluralist

what is someone called who organizes citizens into a formal group that agrees on a united purpose and then takes a leadership role in directing the group's activities

an interest group entreprenuer

in recent years, unions representing public sector employees have faced increasing challenges related to what areas

wages and pensions

a centralized organization that dominated local politics by controlling elections, sometimes by illegal means, was known as:

a party machine

what are the congressional elections that occur between the four year presidential election called?

midterm elections

in large districts and states, it is difficult for congressional candidates to connect directly with voters, which tends to make campaigns about what issue?

issues and party policy

how has private sector union membership changed in recent years

it has declined

what statement is true of political endorsements by interest groups

they are important because tje group can publicize its choices in membership publications

what term is used to describe the phenomenon when voters adjust their long-term allegiance from one party to another in response to ideological changes

realignment

candidates revising their message in a general election to attract moderate and independent voters is an example of what theorem

the median voter theorem

to win a primary election, a congressional candidate generally shapes campaign messages to please what group

core party members in the district

what best describes the super PACs

they allow America's very wealthy to donate unlimited funds to influence elections and spend money on advertising and other politicall activites

what word best describes the presidential election

federal

what amendment protects the rights of the criminally accused

the fifth amendment

what best exemplifies the free exercise clause of the Constitution

the right to worship as one sees fit

the process by which individuals develop their political attitudes, values, and beliefs

political socialization

what clause prohibits states form establishing interstate trade barriers or leveling unequal taxes against goods from another state

the commerce clause