For Order This And Any Other Test Banks And Solutions Manuals, Course, Assignments, Discussions, Quizzes, Exams, Contact us At: johnmate1122@gmail.com Test Bank Government in America People Politics and Policy 16th Edition Introducing Government in America ď ° Multiple-Choice Questions 1.
What are the institutions that make public policy decisions for a society collectively known as? a. political culture b. the courts c. the armed forces d. the national media e. government Answer: e Page Reference: pp. 9–11 A-head: Government Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.1 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government
2.
How does government usually protect its national sovereignty? a. by maintaining armed forces b. by maintaining schools, libraries, hospitals, and highways c. by maintaining a national police force
d. by politically socializing the young e. by collecting taxes Answer: a Page Reference: pp. 9–11 A-head: Government Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.1 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government 3.
What determines whom we select as our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue? a. the media b. public opinion c. politics d. lobbying efforts e. public policy Answer: c Page Reference: pp. 11–12 A-head: Politics Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.2 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government
4.
The ways in which people get involved in politics make up their political __________. a. ideals b. participation c. party d. philosophy e. opinions Answer: b Page Reference: pp. 11–12 A-head: Politics Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.2 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government
5.
How does our government respond to the priorities of its people? a. through public opinion polls b. through political science c. through social networking d. through a policymaking system e. through political tolerance
Answer: d Page Reference: pp. 12–15 A-head: The Policymaking System Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.3 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government 6.
What best describes a linkage institution? a. a channel through which people’s concerns become a political agenda b. a location to express a political opinion c. the formation of a special interest group d. an environment where one learns about the political process e. a gathering of people to represent a public opinion Answer: a Page Reference: pp. 12–15 A-head: The Policymaking System Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.3 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government
7.
What makes up the government’s policy agenda? a. the issues that make up party platforms b. the issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and others actively involved in politics at a given time c. the issues that inform public opinion polls d. the issues that attract the serious attention of the national media agenda e. the issues that concern single-issue interest groups Answer: b Page Reference: pp. 12–15 A-head: The Policymaking System Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.3 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government
8.
What are policy impacts? a. issues that attract serious attention of public officials b. branches of government charged with taking action on political issues c. the effects that a policy has on people and on society’s problems d. choices that governments make in response to political issues e. systems of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences
Answer: a Page Reference: pp. 12–15 A-head: The Policymaking System Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.3 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government 9.
As a system, how does democracy function? a. by ensuring freedom, justice, and peace to all citizens b. by perpetuating the status quo and upholding the values of the party in power c. by selecting policymakers and organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences d. by granting a status of privilege to the most active voters e. by granting a status of privilege to the most informed voters Answer: c Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government
10.
What most closely exemplifies equality in voting? a. adequate and equal opportunities to express preferences b. a free press c. free speech d. one person, one vote e. open citizenship to all Answer: d Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government
11.
The principle that, in a democracy, choosing among alternatives requires the majority’s desire to be respected is called __________. a. enlightened rule b. pluralism c. representation d. minority rights e. majority rule Answer: e
Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government 12.
What is the theory that argues that group competition results in a rough approximation of the public interest in public policy? a. pluralist theory b. hyperpluralist theory c. balance-of-power theory d. elite-and-class theory e. bureaucratic theory Answer: a Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government
13.
Which theory contends that American society is divided along class lines? a. pluralism b. hyperpluralism c. balance of power d. elitism e. bureaucratism Answer: d Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government
14.
Which theory argues that special interests groups have become sovereign, and the government is merely their servant? a. pluralism b. hyperpluralism c. balance of power d. elitism e. bureaucratism Answer: b Page Reference: pp. 15–24
A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government 15.
What condition occurs when interests conflict and no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and establish policy? a. divided government b. hyperpluralism c. policy gridlock d. separation of powers e. federalism Answer: c Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government
16.
A set of values widely shared within a society is referred to as which of the following? a. government b. politics c. public policy d. political culture e. liberalism Answer: d Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government
17.
That the U.S. government is more limited and smaller than other advanced industrialized countries is a reflection of the strength of which type of economic policies? a. laissez-faire b. populist c. pluralist d. elitist e. corporatist Answer: a Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America
Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government 18.
Refer to Table 1.1, Types of Public Policies. A law passed by Congress and the adoption of a regulation by an agency are both examples of which of the following? a. interest groups b. red tape c. public policies d. exercises in public opinion e. majoritarian politics Answer: c Page Reference: pp. 12–15 A-head: The Policymaking System Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.3 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Topic: Introduction to American Government
19.
What is an example of a collective good? a. clean air b. a toll road c. a college education d. food stamps e. medical care Answer: a Page Reference: pp. 9–11 A-head: Government Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.1 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Topic: Introduction to American Government
20.
The U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan resulted from which of the following? a. a regulation b. a budgetary choice c. a court decision d. a congressional statute e. a presidential action Answer: e Page Reference: pp. 12–15 A-head: The Policymaking System Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.3 Skill Level: Apply What You Know
Topic: Introduction to American Government 21.
What kind of public policy involves the legislative enactment of taxes and expenditures? a. budgetary choice b. congressional statute c. court decision d. presidential action e. regulation Answer: a Page Reference: pp. 12–15 A-head: The Policymaking System Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.3 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Topic: Introduction to American Government
22.
Which principle of traditional democracy theory is violated in circumstances in which the wealthy have influence far exceeding what would be expected based on their numbers? a. citizen control of the agenda b. effective participation c. enlightened understanding d. equality in voting e. inclusion Answer: a Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Topic: Introduction to American Government
23.
The who of politics includes voters, candidates, groups and parties; the what refers to which of the following? a. institutions that respond to voters, candidates, groups, and parties b. media organizations that cover voters, candidates, groups, and parties c. procedures through which voters, candidates, groups, and parties get what they want d. the substance of politics and government—benefits and burdens e. winners and losers Answer: d Page Reference: pp. 11–12 A-head: Politics Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.2 Skill Level: Analyze It Topic: Introduction to American Government
24.
Which of the following is true of public policy? a. It includes all decisions and nondecisions made by government. b. It is not relevant unless it is coupled with political culture. c. It is specifically defined as government action. d. It only emerges through formal legislative procedures. e. It only relates to democracies. Answer: a Page Reference: pp. 12–15 A-head: The Policymaking System Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.3 Skill Level: Analyze It Topic: Introduction to American Government
25.
Free speech and a free press are essential to which principle of traditional democratic theory? a. citizen control of the agenda b. effective participation c. enlightened understanding d. equality in voting e. inclusion Answer: c Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Analyze It Topic: Introduction to American Government
26.
In the United States, pluralist theory suggests which of the following? a. Because most citizens fail to pay attention to serious issues, government has become an elite institution. b. Congress is stronger and more influential than the presidency. c. Many groups vie for power with no one group dominating politics. d. Society is governed by an upper-class elite. e. Too many influential groups cripple government’s ability to govern. Answer: c Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Analyze It Topic: Introduction to American Government
27.
Who is at the center of all theories of elite domination of politics? a. big business b. the Congress c. the nouveau riche d. the president e. the Trilateral Commission Answer: a Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Analyze It Topic: Introduction to American Government
28.
According to James Q. Wilson, an “intense commitment to a candidate, a culture, or an ideology that sets people in one group definitively apart from people in another, rival group” is a definition of which of the following? a. laissez-faire economics b. liberalism c. polarization d. reification e. socialization Answer: c Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Analyze It Topic: Introduction to American Government
True-False Questions 29.
Governments politically socialize the young—that is, instill in children knowledge of and pride in the nation and its political system and values. Answer: TRUE Page Reference: pp. 9–11 A-head: Government Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.1 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government
30.
The media usually focus on the who of politics. Answer: TRUE Page Reference: pp. 11–12 A-head: Politics Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.2 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government
31.
Elections investigate social problems and inform people about them. Answer: FALSE Page Reference: pp. 12–15 A-head: The Policymaking System Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.3 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government
32.
It is a physical impossibility for government to be “by the people” in a nation of over 300 million people. Answer: TRUE Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government
33.
Hyperpluralist theory maintains that who holds office in Washington is of marginal consequence; the corporate giants always have the power. Answer: FALSE Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government
34.
During the Cold War, a common bumper sticker was “Better Dead Than Red,” reflecting many Americans’ view that they would prefer to fight to the bitter end than submit to the oppression of communist rule. Answer: TRUE Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Topic: Introduction to American Government
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions 35.
Groups that have a narrow interest on which their members tend to take an uncompromising stance are known as __________ groups. Answer: single-issue Page Reference: pp. 11–12 A-head: Politics Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.2 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government
36.
Policymakers stand at the core of the system, working within the three policymaking institutions established by the U.S. Constitution: __________, the presidency, and the courts. Answer: Congress Page Reference: pp. 12–15 A-head: The Policymaking System Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.3 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government
37.
__________ can best be defined as a political philosophy supporting the rights of average citizens in their struggle against privileged elites. Answer: Populism Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Remember the Facts Topic: Introduction to American Government
38.
Although Americans are widely supportive of cultural values such as liberty and egalitarianism, some scholars are concerned that a sharp __________ into rival liberal versus conservative political cultures has taken place in recent years. Answer: polarization Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government
39.
__________ opposed the 2009 stimulus bill, arguing that such increases in the scope of the federal government would result in less freedom and prosperity. Answer: Conservatives Page Reference: pp. 25–26 A-head: The Scope of Government in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.5 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government
40.
Those who are inclined to support a(n) __________ role for government argue that its intervention is sometimes the only means of achieving important goals in American society. Answer: active Page Reference: pp. 25–26 A-head: The Scope of Government in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.5 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Topic: Introduction to American Government
Short Answer Questions 41.
What are the five major functions provided by all governments? Give one example each of how these functions are performed in the United States. Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Identify maintaining a national defense and provide an example. For example, nations maintain armed services, and spending for the military may increase depending on national events. 2. Identify providing public goods and services and provide an example. These include those that are provided to everyone, such as roads and schools, as well as those that are provided to some of the population but not all (such as colleges). 3. Identify preserving the order and provide an example. For example, the National Guard may be called to maintain order following a protest. 4. Identify socializing the young and provide an example. This involves informing children and instilling pride in the nation and the political system. 5. Identify collecting taxes by the federal, state, and local governments and provide an example. These pay for various services. Page Reference: pp. 9–11 A-head: Government Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.1 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government
42.
What is Harold Laswell’s definition of politics? Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Define politics according to Laswell as “Who gets what, when, and how.” 2. Discuss the who—the voters, groups, and parties; the what—the substance of politics; and the how—the ways in which people participate in politics. Page Reference: pp. 11–12 A-head: Politics Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.2 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government
43.
What is a single-issue group? Give an example of a single-issue group. Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Define single-issue groups as having only one issue with which they are concerned. 2. Explain that this one issue generally determines how a member might vote. 3. Provide an example of a single-issue group such as a group that either favors or is opposed to abortion rights. Page Reference: pp. 11–12 A-head: Politics Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.2 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Topic: Introduction to American Government
44.
See Figure 1.4, The Policymaking System. According to the figure, how does government policy come into being and become part of a policy agenda? Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Describe how government policy typically begins with the people. People have interests, problems, and concerns that government may consider addressing. 2. Discuss how linkage institutions such as parties, elections, media, or interest groups help transmit the public’s preferences to government. This facilitates political issues making it to the policy agenda. Page Reference: pp. 12–15 A-head: The Policymaking System Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.3 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Topic: Introduction to American Government
45.
Compare and contrast majority rule and minority rights. How does democracy provide for both?
Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Indicate that majority rule means that policies should reflect the will of more than half the people. 2. Explain that minority rights protect the minority from having their rights deprived by the majority. Restraints are placed on the majority from limiting the rights of the minority. 3. Provide examples of an ideal democratic process to demonstrate how democracy provides for majority rule and minority rights at the same time, such as equality in voting, equal opportunity to express preferences, free press and free speech, collective citizen control of the government’s policy agenda, and open citizenship to all. Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Analyze It Topic: Introduction to American Government 46.
What is the role of wealth in pluralist theory vs. elite theory? Which do you find most convincingly portrays the reality of contemporary U.S. politics and why? Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Explain that in pluralism groups compete for access to decision making with no one group dominating. 2. Note that elite theory suggests that the upper class has greater influence over decision making, thus the wealthy control policy decisions. 3. Argue in favor of one of these. If supporting pluralist theory, note the many different groups gain different access points. If supporting elite theory, note that certain groups have access to greater resources and are therefore in a beneficial position. Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Analyze It Topic: Introduction to American Government
Essay Questions 47.
Describe the five principles of traditional democratic theory as understood by Robert Dahl. To what extent does the United States fit this theory? Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Identify equality in voting as no one person’s vote counts more than another’s.
2. Note that in effective participation citizens must have adequate and equal opportunities to promote their preferences in the decision-making process. 3. Explain that enlightened understanding requires free speech and a free press for an informed citizenry. 4. Describe citizen control of the agenda, where the people have the ability to control the agenda. 5. Discuss inclusion, where government should include and extend rights to all in society. 6. Evaluate the extent to which the United States fits what Dahl wrote about. Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Understand the Concepts Topic: Introduction to American Government 48.
What is American political culture? What is its nature? How is it construed? Is America experiencing a “culture war”? How do you know? Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Discuss political culture, which may be defined as the set of overall values that are widely shared within society. Americans have a set of shared beliefs, based on the Declaration of Independence. 2. Provide the competing views on whether or not there is a cultural war. For example, some scholars like John Q. Wilson have noted the polarization between liberals and conservatives. This polarization may set people against one another. On the other hand, some scholars suggest that there is no culture war in America. Wayne Baker, for example, finds little evidence of a culture war. Even contentious issues like abortion do not provide evidence of a culture war. 3. Evaluate whether we are having a cultural war in the United States. Weigh the arguments on both sides of the culture war discussion and consider what a culture war would look like. Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Topic: Introduction to American Government
49.
What are the five elements of the American creed? Where and in what ways are each of the five elements evidenced in contemporary American politics? Provide examples. Answer: An ideal response will: 1. List the five elements of the American creed: liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, laissez-faire economics, and populism. 2. Note that liberty involves freedoms. Thomas Jefferson considered it alongside other inalienable rights that people are entitled to. Egalitarianism involves the concept of equality of opportunity. Individualism is the notion that people can and
should get ahead on their own. Laissez-faire economics promotes free markets and limited government intervention in economic activity. Populism focuses on the people. 3. Discuss how each of these applies to contemporary American politics. Most Americans still believe in liberty and the protection against government tyranny; New Hampshire’s official state motto is “Live Free or Die.”. Modern egalitarianism suggests that Americans should have equal opportunity; equal voting rights for all adult American citizens is still an issue in recent elections. Individualism is still of fundamental importance; immigrants see America as a place where one can make it on one’s own without interference from government. Views on laissez-faire economics likely vary based on ideological predispositions, but Americans have a lighter tax burden than citizens of other democratic nations. Modern populism focuses on a political philosophy that supports the rights of average citizens in their struggle against privileged elites, and can be seen in the Tea-Party and Occupy-Wall-Street movements. Page Reference: pp. 15–24 A-head: Democracy in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.4 Skill Level: Apply What You Know Topic: Introduction to American Government 50.
Those who are inclined to support an active role for government argue that its intervention is sometimes the only means of achieving important goals in American society; others argue that such increases in the scope of the federal government result in less freedom and prosperity. In the case of the 2009 economic stimulus package, which argument do you agree with? Why? Answer: An ideal response will: 1. Provide the basic arguments for and against the 2009 economic stimulus package. President Obama, for example, argued that government intervention was necessary to stimulate the economy and to get the country out of recession. Conservatives, including Republican John Boehner, argued that this was another example of big government and that the stimulus bill would reduce freedom and prosperity. 2. Argue for or against the stimulus bill. If arguing in favor of the stimulus, note that only government has the adequate resources to stimulate the economy and get the nation out of recession. The government also has the ability to ensure that certain people are not discriminated against. Finally, proponents of the bill would argue that government intervention has improved the economy. If arguing against the stimulus, note that big government is not the solution to the economic crisis. Big government limits freedom and prosperity. Page Reference: pp. 25–26 A-head: The Scope of Government in America Learning Objective: Edwards L.O. 1.5 Skill Level: Analyze It Topic: Introduction to American Government