Political Thoughts: Government, Citizenship, and Civil Rights in US History, Exams of Government & Non-Profit Accounting

Download Political Thoughts: Government, Citizenship, and Civil Rights in US History and more Exams Government & Non-Profit Accounting in PDF only on Docsity! BYU Government Final Exam Questions with Verified Answers. 1. John Locke is cited for influencing our founding fathers with the phrase "life, liberty, and property," a phrase which was modified slightly by Thomas Jefferson when he wrote "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." In which document are these words written by Thomas Jefferson? - ANS the Declaration of Independence 2. Which leading political thinker is given credit for his influence on the separation of powers? - ANS Charles-Louis Montesquieu 3. How did Alexis de Tocqueville describe the 1830s in America? - ANS It was a time when Americans worked together for the common good of others. 4. According to the author of this course, why is Tocqueville still relevant today? - ANS Citizens should beware of being too self-absorbed and not participating in the political process. 5. After studying and reading examples about liberty and order consider the following: After the terrorist attack on September 11, President Bush and Congress passed the PATRIOT Act, which expanded the power of law enforcement to secretly investigate potential terrorists. What does this suggest? - ANS The president believed Americans had too much liberty and too little security. 6. What is a statement that Hobbes and Locke would both agree on? - ANS Government is necessary to protect life and property. 7. To keep our elected officials in check with the citizens they represent, frequent elections are held. According to the lesson, how long is the term for a member in the House of Representative before they face re-election? - ANS 2 years 8. In Federalist 10, James Madison describes our form of government where political ideas or current issues are enlarged or refined "by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country." What term is best used to describe our government? - ANS representative republic 9. For the separation of powers or Three Branches of Government to work in practice, what item(s) are needed? - ANS The use of checks and balances. 10.What are two examples of the checks and balances the Executive Branch has on Congress and the Judicial Branch? - ANS Veto power, nominating judges P a g e 1 | 21 11.Which of the following is true of the Bill of Rights? - ANS It was included in the Constitution as a concession to the Anti-federalists who opposed ratification of the Constitution. 12. If a country has a political system where some decisions are made in local legislatures and others are made in the national legislature. Whose government would this most likely be compared to? - ANS the U.S. system of government created in Philadelphia 13.Which of the following documents outlines the purpose of government to protect the social rights of its citizens, chiefly among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? - ANS Declaration of Independence 14.Which of the following would Tocqueville most likely endorse? - ANS encouraging civic groups to help the poor 15.According to Tocqueville, civic virtue means simply that individuals have interests and desires that are not solely focused on themselves. Rather, they are willing to give up some of the things they want in order to promote the common good. What did he mean by this? - ANS People should help one another because the welfare of others affects individual welfare. 16.Which of the following is not one of the three types of government outlined by Montesquieu? - ANS Democracy 17.Which political thinker wrote The Prince, where he justified popular sovereignty, revolution, and a separation of religious and secular government? - ANS Machiavelli 18.How can the principle of federalism promote the protection of civil rights in the American federal system? - ANS It provides both state and national governments with the ability to protect citizens from abuses of power by the other. 19.Classical republicanism is principally concerned with ____________ while classical liberalism is concerned with _______________. - ANS liberty; order 20.As discussed in the chapter, what term is used to describe each branch of government's separate and distinct sphere of power? - ANS separation of powers 21.How does the Constitution divide power between the three branches? - ANS Power is not completely separated, allowing each branch to limit the other branches' exercise of power. 22.Which of the following IS NOT an example of checks and balances in the United States Constitution? - ANS The president can veto a Supreme Court decision, but only with the support of a two-thirds majority vote in Congress. P a g e 2 | 21 47. In unit 2, which of the following is emphasized as the most important tool available to help individuals become effective participants in the political process? - ANS By receiving accurate and timely information 48.When is a form of media considered obscene? - ANS When most average citizens do not find it appropriate 49.Which of the following best reflects the Founders views on self-interest and virtue? - ANS self-interest was beneficial to the economy, but citizens of the republic needed to develop "civic virtue." 50.A law makes it illegal to burn Bibles, but not other books, in public parks. How is this not consistent with the guarantees in the First Amendment? - ANS The law is not content neutral and gives one book precedence over another. 51.A Civil Rights group has decided to hold a public meeting to discuss recent prejudicial acts. Some members of the group are concerned they will be arrested for participating in the meeting, especially if the meeting becomes heated. They know that previous meetings on this issue have ended in arguments and, occasionally, with violence. Which of the following best describes the Supreme Court's history in the area of assembly? - ANS Assembly cases are given more scrutiny when public safety is a concern. 52.A law bans the sale of wooden poles and nails to prevent people from building crosses which they might burn on people's lawns. How is this not consistent with the guarantees in the First Amendment? - ANS The law is not the least drastic means available 53.According to Adam Smith's notion of the invisible hand, which of the following is the best way to enhance national wealth? - ANS National wealth is best achieved by everyone seeking his or her own self-interest 54.Which of the following is true concerning the process of becoming a U.S. citizen? - ANS A test is given to determine language skill and civic knowledge. 55.What did the Founders believe was essential for the American government to succeed? - ANS Civic Virtue from its citizens 56.Which of the following is not a characteristic that an applicant for U.S. citizenship must demonstrate? - ANS have a relative who currently lives in the United States 57.Which of the following best describes the term pluralism? - ANS Freedom of association, expression, assembly, and religious exercise to pursue their own interests in the political process. 58.Through various organizations, citizens can contribute to their communities and to the broader political system through civic-minded service and participation. Which of the following groups did the most to promote participation during the Civil Rights Movement? - ANS churches P a g e 5 | 21 59.Which of the following is true of religion at the time of the founding of America? - ANS Religion was important to many people, so much so that many states had established churches. 60.Rhode Island became the first colony established that did not have an established religion. - ANS T 61.What was the purpose of the Fifteenth Amendment? - ANS to guarantee all citizens the right to vote 2. In country D, one person, such as Adolf Hitler, holds all of the political power. What type of government would country D be? - ANS dictatorship 3. What was the purpose of the Thirteenth Amendment? - ANS to abolish slavery 62. In country B, one person holds political power due to family inheritance. What type of government would country B be? - ANS monarchy 63.Which of the following best describes the role of religion in modern day America? - ANS Religious belief is widespread, but most Americans are tolerant of others with different beliefs. 64.What is a civil society? - ANS a society in which social groups form freely to petition government 65.What can be concluded from unit 3 about religion in the United States? - ANS Even though there are many different denominations, people tend to be both tolerant of and grateful for those differences. 66. In country F, a religious leader or leaders holds political power. What type of government would country F be? - ANS theocracy 67.What are the percentages of religious affiliations in the United States? - ANS 80% Christian; 90% religious believers; 10% no religious belief; with Catholics as the largest single religious group. 68.Which of the following is most likely to create far-reaching national public policy change? - ANS By joining a large group and marching for civil rights 69. If you lived in the 1640s and wanted to live in a colony that protected freedom of religion, where would you move? - ANS Rhode Island 70.Why are the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments so important? - ANS They were changes in civil rights as influenced by civic and political groups produced by civil society. P a g e 6 | 21 71. In country E, all citizens are allowed to vote on who will be their representative. What type of government would country E be? - ANS democratic republic 72.What was the purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment? - ANS to provide "equal protection under the law" for all American citizens, including former slaves. 73.What does the Civil Rights Act of 1964 deal with? - ANS forbids discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, and national origin 74. In country C, several powerful economic leaders collectively hold political power. What type of government would country C be? - ANS oligarchy 75.Which of the following describes the potential of groups in America that affords virtually everyone the opportunity to participate and influence the nation's politics, economy, and culture? - ANS pluralism 76.Citizens in Country A do not have the right to assemble. How would life there be different from the United States? - ANS In Country A, democracy would not function as well because like minded individuals would be less likely to form any type of group. 77. . According to George Washington in his farewell speech, he mentioned two areas important to political prosperity. One was religion, what was the second important ingredient that was indispensable for the success of the nation? - ANS morality 78.What happens after the Congress passes a bill and the president signs it into law? - ANS The Supreme Court can still review it and strike it down if it is inconsistent with the limitations, structures, or principles established by the Constitution. 79.How many U.S. senators are up for re-election every two years? - ANS one third 80.Which of the following is the most commonly used route for adopting amendments to the U.S. Constitution? - ANS proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures 81.What is the fewest number of electoral college votes a state can have and why? - ANS 3 - One for its member in the House (population) and two, one for each of their Senators 82.Which of the following is a formal role, not one of the informal roles assumed by presidents when they are elected? - ANS chief diplomat 1. United States Congress 2. President 3. Supreme Court P a g e 7 | 21 106. 2a 107. Judge A uses a strict textual interpretation approach to constitutional interpretation. Judge B uses a "loose interpretation" approach. Which one believes that the Constitution is a "living" document? - ANS Judge B only 108. What was the central issue in the Case of Marbury v. Madison? - ANS Who would decide what roles and responsibilities the Supreme Court had 109. Which of the following cases has had the most enduring impact on the separation of powers? - ANS Marbury v. Madison 110. Where was the term "affirmative action" first used? - ANS in an executive order 111. You are a person who feels that the most important constitutional principles are the separation of powers and checks and balances. Which of the following cases would you most appreciate? - ANS Marbury v. Madison 112. Which of the following cases began the expansion of federal powers over state powers? - ANS McCulloch v. Maryland 113. The case of President Clinton and his relationship with Monica Lewinsky is an example of immunity in regard to the Fifth Amendment rights. - ANS T 114. A state brings a case to the Supreme Court arguing the Federal Government has overstepped its constitutional bounds. Which of the following cases would describe this scenario? - ANS McCulloch v. Maryland 115. The "strict scrutiny" standard invalidated certain affirmative action policies whose focus was not narrow enough. - ANS T 116. Using a hypothetical situation, a case comes before the Supreme Court challenging a state law of limiting how many children a married couple could have. How would a judge vote using a "loose interpretation" approach? - ANS They would vote to overturn the ban. (why??) 117. Which of the following cases best shows where the Supreme Court ruled where public interest was threatened by an individual's religious practice and the individual's religious liberty was deemed less important than the preservation of societal order. - ANS Reynolds v. United States, in which a Mormon argued that prohibiting polygamy violated free exercise rights 118. Which case overturned the Court's previous decision that separate institutions for blacks and whites can be "equal?" - ANS Brown v. Board of Education 119. Affirmative action is mainly for employment purposes. - ANS f P a g e 10 | 21 120. The Fourteenth Amendment is violated in cases where policies or programs favor one group over another (for example, favoring men over women or vice versa). - ANS F 121. Which case required police officers to inform people of their right to an attorney when they are arrested? - ANS Miranda v. Arizona 122. Affirmative action was intended by Lyndon Johnson to ensure that applicants are employed and treated without regard to race, creed, color, or nationality. - ANS T 123. If a person was not read their "Miranda rights," confessed to the police, and was eventually convicted of the crime based upon their confession, what part of due process would be violated? - ANS protection against self- incrimination 124. You are a Supreme Court justice. A case before you challenges the constitutionality of affirmative action programs for African Americans. You believe the programs are constitutional and that they deserve "strict scrutiny." Which case would you use as a precedent to support your point of view? - ANS Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Peña 125. The Supreme Court strives to protect freedom of speech and expression. As such, it is worried about creating "chilling effects"; The violation of which of the following is least likely to produce "chilling effects" - ANS content neutrality 126. Which of the following best describes the establishment clause? - ANS Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. 127. Which case found that former slaves did not have the same legal rights as citizens? - ANS Dred Scott v Sandford 128. Which case required states to end segregation with "all due haste"? - ANS Brown II 129. The practice of paying teachers who teach secular subjects at private religious schools has been rejected by the Supreme Court as a violation of the Establishment Clause. It violates which of the following tenets of the Lemon test? - ANS excessive government entanglement 130. There is a narcotics agent who regularly gets information from a reliable informant. The information the informant has given the agent in the past has led to several arrests and convictions. One day, the informant tells the agent about a man, whom the agent has never met, who has gone to another city to purchase 20 kilograms of cocaine. Based on the tip, the agent goes to the airport, recognizes the man from the informant's description, arrests him, and seizes the cocaine. What is this action considered? - ANS constitutional because there was "probable cause" to search the man P a g e 11 | 21 131. According to the lesson, which of the following is one of the most common and practical definitions of a political party? - ANS a team of political office seekers 132. What are the major political parties in the United States of America today? - ANS the Republican and Democratic Parties 133. What change in presidential elections was made by the Twelfth Amendment? - ANS The president and vice president ran as a team, not individually. 134. If the Electoral College did not exist and presidents campaigned with the goal of maximizing their portion of the popular vote, which of the following would occur? - ANS Large states would be visited more than small states. 135. Two hundred and seventy Electoral College votes are needed to win the presidency. What would happen if the Republican candidate won 245 votes, the Democrat won 265 votes, and a third candidate won the remaining votes? - ANS The House of Representative would decide. 136. How did the Founders ensure that the political representatives would reflect public opinion? - ANS They provided for regularly scheduled elections so voters could pass judgment on their representatives. 137. Which of the following is necessary for a public opinion poll to accurately represent the population? - ANS Interview a random sample of the population 138. How did the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002) change campaign finance in the United States? - ANS It banned unlimited contributions to political parties. 139. What is the term given to a law that is written and passed in the legislature but given final approval by the voters? - ANS a referendum 140. You are a census worker and are asked by your neighbor, "What is the most important reason for a census to be taken every ten years?" How do you respond? - ANS "A census is needed to find how many citizens reside in each state, which determine the number of representatives and that would allow election district boundaries to be drawn." 141. According to the lesson, who is given the responsibility to draw congressional and state legislative districts? - ANS The state legislature 142. Who was legally allowed to vote at the time the Constitution was ratified? - ANS white men who owned property 143. The election of 1800 exposed which of the following problems in the presidential electoral system? - ANS It is not wise to make the top vote-getter the president and the second place finisher the vice president. P a g e 12 | 21 169. In Country X, powers are shared between the state and national government, meaning states can make policy in some areas and the national government in other areas. What is Country X? - ANS a federal system 1. Dual "Layer Cake" 2. Permissive 3. Cooperative "Marble Cake" 4. New a. States only have rights as granted by the federal government b. States receive greater responsibility and funding for programs c. Federal and state governments are distinct and separate spheres d. Interwoven and interdependent federal and state governments - ANS 1c 2a 3d 4b 170. At what point do Lobbyists stop being involved in the policy making process? - ANS When a policy is implemented 171. Which of the following tools would be most effective in helping an interest group set the public policy agenda to increase defense spending? - ANS conducting a media campaign to inform citizens and politicians 172. Despite your desire to live an exemplary life, you find yourself as a defendant in federal court. Which of the following courts is most likely to be the location of your initial trial? - ANS Federal District Court 173. Theodore Roosevelt said that the president's greatest power is access to the "bully pulpit." Which of the following describes the term "bully pulpit?" - ANS The ability to have an audience to convince the public to support their policy preferences. 174. What was the outcome of Roosevelt's court packing plan? - ANS the limits on presidential power caused by the separation of powers 175. Which of the following is true concerning the current state of the war power? - ANS Presidents can commit troops but must obtain congressional approval to keep them "in harm's way." 176. Which president lost political support for a time as a result of his court packing scheme, an obvious attempt to control the judicial branch? - ANS Franklin D. Roosevelt 177. Which of the following governments is most autonomous, meaning they make public policy without oversight or interference from other levels of government? - ANS state governments 178. Which of the following is not a power shared by federal, state, and local governments? - ANS waging war against other nations 179. What does the Constitution forbid states from? - ANS making treaties with foreign governments P a g e 15 | 21 180. There are four different types of government agencies. You are pushing to create a new one with autonomy and an expectation to raise money. Which type of agency would you try to create? - ANS a government corporation 181. What is a federal system in which power is clearly divided between the national and regional governments best described as? - ANS dual federalism or "layer cake" federalism 182. Which of the following is true of executive orders? - ANS Executive orders are part of the "executive power" granted to the president 183. Which type of federalism would Abraham Lincoln most likely advocate, considering his Civil War experience and his belief that no state had the right to leave the Union? - ANS permissive 184. Local governments have the greatest control over which type of public policy? - ANS law enforcement 185. Interest groups often conduct media campaigns to get citizens and politicians to see the urgency of a problem. What is this activity known as? - ANS agenda setting 186. If you wanted to make an argument defending state power, which amendment to the Constitution would you quote to make your case? - ANS Tenth 187. You are fighting to get Congress and the Supreme Court to agree that there is a right to travel. Which part of the constitution would be your best support? - ANS the Ninth Amendment 188. What is the most significant and persistent challenge faced by state local governments? - ANS finances and taxes 189. Why did the Framers believe a free press was important to democracy? - ANS It would inform the public and they played a crucial role in popular governance. 190. Which amendment guarantees freedom of the press? - ANS First Amendment 191. Which of the following statements about the newspapers read by our Founding Fathers is true? - ANS Early newspapers were biased in that they took a particular political position. 192. What were the "Fireside chats"? - ANS Radio speeches by Franklin D. Roosevelt designed to reassure and inform by appealing directly to the American public P a g e 16 | 21 193. What was considered the first major opportunity for citizens to voice their views via the mass media? - ANS newspapers 194. Which of the following has potential of a two-way communication or an interactive way of receiving up to date news? - ANS Internet news sites 195. Who owns the news media in our country today? - ANS Private corporations 196. Which of the following is correct concerning the relationship between the press and politicians? - ANS The press and politicians generally have an adversarial relationship, each having different goals. 197. What is "free media," as described in this lesson? - ANS Events covered by the media but the content and story are not controlled by a political candidate. 198. What is the major advantage of campaign advertising? - ANS It presents the candidate exactly as he/she wishes. 199. Which of the following media is likely to have the most impact on public opinion? - ANS television coverage of war 200. Which of the following would be considered free media? - ANS appearances on local TV news 201. Which amendment leaves several important questions unanswered regarding the media and what they have the right to do? - ANS First 202. What is the main factor that leads the press to give little attention to serious public policy discussion? - ANS the fact that citizens don't want to listen to such information 203. In which of the following media sources do citizens have the greatest chance to participate? - ANS Internet and Web sites 204. Which of the following news stories would Thomas Patterson most likely find out of order or that he would oppose during an election campaign? - ANS a Washington sex scandal 205. What was considered the first major opportunity for citizens to voice their views via the mass media? - ANS Newspapers 206. Which of the following was not a factor that helped print journalism flourish in the mid 1800s? - ANS the rising price of postage 207. The ownership of news outlets in the U.S. has changed over time. Which of the following correctly represents who owns and operates major media outlet today? - ANS media owned by large corporations P a g e 17 | 21 225. With which of the following distributions of wealth would Karl Marx be most dissatisfied? - ANS The richest 20 percent has 50 percent of the wealth. 226. The middle 60 percent has 40 percent of the wealth. 227. The poorest 20 percent has 10 percent of the wealth. 228. Who refused to be made king over the United States after the Revolutionary War, though many Americans wanted to anoint him as their king? - ANS George Washington 229. Why did tyranny arise in Nigeria? (check this) - ANS They have been plagued by economic turmoil, ethnic tensions, and rampant corruption. (check this) 230. Which of the following examples best illustrates how state and local governments can serve as laboratories of democracy? - ANS state welfare policy, wherein the national government adopted the welfare system used in Wisconsin 231. Which of the following governmental systems would encourage the most people to participate in the political system? - ANS confederation 232. In which of the following political systems do people have the least economic freedom, social welfare, and human rights? - ANS feudalism 233. Which of the following is a correct statement about the difference between the American and British political systems? - ANS The Prime Minister is selected from the party in control while the President is elected. 234. Which of the following best describes health care delivery in a socialist economy? - ANS Prices are set by government; individuals pay higher taxes in return for government funded insurance/health care. 235. What do the efforts of Lech Walesa and Solidarity in Poland demonstrate? - ANS There is power in large numbers of people joined together in a common cause. 236. What is another term for command economy? - ANS communist economy 237. Which is true of divided party government? - ANS It has been increasing since World War II. 238. Some democratic movements have short-circuited because the preconditions for democracy were not met after the collapse of communism. Which country in particular experienced such a short circuit, which caused a period of economic depression that continues today? - ANS Russia 239. Tyrannical governments are least likely to form from which of the following types of conflicts? - ANS A strong leader promises that, under his P a g e 20 | 21 rule, economic prosperity will enhance the quality of life and national power of the nation. 240. The expansionist policies of what country—which led successful military campaigns in China, Korea, and other countries—were ended in World War II? - ANS Japan 241. The notion that a nation can enhance its power by enriching itself through world trade is a key tenet of which form of government? - ANS mercantilism 1. Grand Juries, Self-incrimination, Double Jeopardy, Due Process, Eminent Domain 2. Cruel and Unusual Punishment 3. Trial by Jury 4. Religion, speech, assembly, politics 5. Militia and Right to Bear Arms 6. Reserved Powers of the State 7. Criminal Court, Procedures 8. Rights retained by the people 9. Quartering of Soldiers 10.Search and Seizure a. Amendment VIII b. Amendment II c. Amendment VII d. Amendment X e. Amendment III f. Amendment IX g. Amendment I h. Amendment VI i. Amendment IV j. Amendment V - ANS 1j 2a 3c 4g 5b 6d 7h 8f 9e 10i P a g e 21 | 21