Straighterline: POLS 101 All EXAMS Questions and Answers
1.Americ ans’ nationa l identit y rests largely upon
a. ethnic
... [Show More] kinship.
b. common language.
c. shared political ideals.
d. religion.
e. federal law.
Answer: c
Page: 7
2. The American ideal of equality
a. promotes the idea that all citizens should be equal in their standard of living.
b. is fully consistent with individualism.
c. does not include the idea that everyone is entitled to fair treatment under the law.
d. has helped minority groups to achieve their goals.
e. has always been fully implemented in U.S. history. Answer: d
Page: 10
3. The American political culture includes all of the following ideals except
a. liberty.
b. equality.
c. self-government.
d. individualism.
e. economic equality. Answer: e
Page: 11
4. Inalienable rights
a. belong to the government only.
b. belong to individuals but can be denied by government.
c. belong to individuals and cannot be denied by government.
d. do not exist in the United States.
e. are not mentioned in the Declaration of Independence. Answer: c
Page: 9
5. Citizens of are most likely to believe that personal effort is the key to success.
a. Germany
b. Italy
c. France
d. the United States
e. Great Britain Answer: d
Page: 12
6. Cultural beliefs are said to be mythic ideas, which means that they are
a. almost completely unreal.
b. perfect representations of reality.
c. symbolic postures that reflect partly what is ideal and partly what is real.
d. perverted images of reality, as in the case of totalitarianism.
e. specifically listed in the U.S. Constitution. Answer: c
Page: 13
7. Conflict in the practice of America’s ideals occurs because these ideals
a. are general principles, not precise rules.
b. conflict somewhat with one another.
c. are only one of the many sources of political action.
d. are enduring and powerful.
e. All of the answers are correct. Answer: e
Page: 16
8. Which one of the following is not widely regarded as a political ideal in America?
a. liberty
b. equality
c. self-government
d. freedom
e. collectivism Answer: e
Page: 11
9. Until 1965, immigration laws were biased in favor of immigrants from
a. Asia.
b. the Middle East.
c. Europe.
d. Africa.
e. Latin America Answer: c
Page: 15
10. The principle of self-government emphasizes majority rule whereas the principle of liberty emphasizes individual rights. These principles
a. are universal and the foundation of all legitimate governments.
b. have no real meaning in practice.
c. have the same meaning for all Americans.
d. are not fully consistent with each other.
e. are not expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Answer: d
Page: 16
11. Political conflict is rooted in which two general conditions of society?
a. authority and scarcity of resources
b. differing values and scarcity of resources
c. differing values and competition
d. authority and competition
e. authority and differing values Answer: b
Page: 17
12. Overt discrimination against Hispanics was eliminated from U.S. immigration laws
a. after the Spanish-American War at the turn of the twentieth century.
b. during World War I.
c. during the 1960s at the time of the civil rights movement.
d. in the early 1990s after the fall of the Soviet Union.
e. after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Answer: c
Page: 15
13. The play of politics takes place according to rules that the participants agree to accept. In the American case, the rules of the game include all of the following, except
a. autocracy.
b. democracy.
c. constitutionalism.
d. capitalism.
e. None of the answers are correct. Answer: a
Page: 21
14. In a constitutional system,
a. there are no restrictions on the lawful uses of power, as long as this power is obtained by majority rule.
b. citizens have basic rights which government cannot take away.
c. the economy is based on the free enterprise system.
d. officials govern according to the traditions established by their predecessors.
e. the judiciary is more powerful in all respects than the legislature or executive. Answer: b
Page: 22
15. America’s founding principles have roots in
a. beliefs about the proper use of war.
b. commercial practices.
c. systems of absolute rule.
d. the law of the seas.
e. religious beliefs. Answer: e
Page: 20
16. Which of the following is characteristic of a capitalist economic system?
a. free enterprise
b. self-reliance
c. private property
d. individualism
e. All of the answers are correct. Answer: e
Page: 23
17. The statement, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,” can be found in
a. the Declaration of Independence.
b. the U.S. Constitution.
c. the Federalist Papers.
d. the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
e. the Emancipation Proclamation. Answer: a
Page: 10
18. According to the historian Louis Hartz, the United States was “born .”
a. twice
b. free
c. united
d. in peace
e. once Answer: b
Page: 9
19. A government’s authority
a. is evidenced when government officials exercise political power.
b. is by definition not coercive.
c. does not include the power to arrest and imprison.
d. ensures that lawlessness prevails most of the time.
e. is based on pluralism. Answer: a
Page: 25
20. is the process that determines how a society will be governed.
a. Politics
b. Pluralism
c. Elitism
d. Socialism
e. Authoritarianism Answer: a
Page: 17
21. Who observed that Americans are a special case in terms of their national identity?
a. James Bryce
b. King George III
c. James Madison
d. William James
e. Calvin Coolidge Answer: a
Page: 7
22. Americans’ emphasis on self-sufficiency and material accumulation reflects their belief in
a. liberty.
b. self-government.
c. individualism.
d. diversity.
e. collectivism. Answer: c
Page: 11
23. Among the following nations, the percentage of people who say that immigrants’ influence has been very good or somewhat good is highest in
a. France.
b. Germany.
c. the United States.
d. Italy.
e. Great Britain.
Answer: ec
Page: 16
24. Since the 1960s the largest number of immigrants have come from
a. Europe.
b. Africa.
c. Asia.
d. Latin America.
e. Canada. Answer: d
Page: 15
25. In the Second Treatise on Civil Government, argued that all individuals have certain natural rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
a. Thomas Hobbes
b. John Locke
c. Thomas Jefferson
d. Jean Jacques Rousseau
e. James Madison Answer: b
Page: 20
26. Thomas Jefferson’s wrote:
a. Common Sense.
b. the Declaration of Independence.
c. the Constitution.
d. the Emancipation Proclamation.
e. the Four Freedoms doctrine. Answer: b
Page: 11
27. In Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes argued that life in the state of nature is
a. heavenly.
b. worth protecting so that future generations can enjoy nature’s beauty.
c. peaceful but boring.
d. truly equal for all.
e. dangerous and warlike. Answer: e
Page: 18
28. Americans’ deep-seated political beliefs
a. have changed so much over time that today’s beliefs have little resemblance to those held by earlier generations.
b. are more firmly held by men than by women.
c. affect what Americans regard as reasonable and acceptable and therefore what they will try to achieve politically.
d. are for the most part ideas that have no relevance to how Americans live today.
e. have been manipulated by politicians to the point where their meaning is lost. Answer: c
Page: 31
29. Which of the following is true of totalitarian governments?
a. Totalitarian governments assert complete dominance over individuals and institutions of society.
b. Totalitarian governments control the mass media.
c. Totalitarian governments use one-party rule.
d. Totalitarian governments use violence to subdue their opponents.
e. All of the answers are correct. Answer: e
Page: 24
30. A major criticism of the theory of pluralism is that
a. there are no organized interest groups.
b. majorities always win.
c. only a small number of powerful groups are well-organized and influence policymakers.
d. minority groups always win.
e. None of the answers are correct. Answer: c
Page: 28
31. Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show”
a. has a conservative slant.
b. has a liberal slant.
c. appeals particularly to middle-aged viewers.
d. appeals particularly to women.
e. appeals particularly to Republicans. Answer: b
Page: 26
32. America’s pluralism stems from
a. its geographical diversity.
b. its economic complexity.
c. its religious diversity.
d. its ethnic diversity.
e. All of the answers are correct. Answer: e
Page: 25
33. Politics inherently involves
a. conflict.
b. agreement about tax issues.
c. agreement about privacy issues.
d. agreement about war and peace issues.
e. agreement about presidential candidates. Answer: a
Page: 17
34. E Pluribus Unum means
a. government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
b. out of many, one.
c. rugged individualism.
d. the people rule.
e. the sovereign is ultimate. Answer: b
Page: 11
35. Which of the following statements is true?
a. Socialism cannot exist in a political democracy.
b. Sweden is a communist country.
c. The United States is a predominantly socialist country.
d. Governmental ownership of some industries is a characteristic of socialist countries.
e. True capitalism does not exist anywhere but in the United States. Answer: d
Page: 23
36. The method of operation of the Federal Reserve Board would best support the theory of
a. majoritarianism.
b. pluralism.
c. elitism.
d. bureaucratic rule.
e. None of the answers are correct. Answer: c
Page: 28
37. A leading theorist of bureaucratic rule was
a. Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
b. Robert Dahl.
c. Max Weber.
d. C. Wright Mills.
e. Alexis de Tocqueville. Answer: c
Page: 29
38. is the ability of persons or institutions to control policy.
a. Apathy
b. Politics
c. Power
d. Liberty
e. Political culture Answer: c
Page: 26
39. The Greek words demos and kratis together mean
a. majority rule is sacred.
b. the people rule.
c. government is good.
d. politics is immoral.
e. the king is good. Answer: b
Page: 21
40. Major tendencies in the U.S. political system include all of the following except
a. enduring cultural beliefs that are the people’s common bond.
b. deep hostility toward any group of which one is not a member.
c. extreme fragmentation of governing authority.
d. strong emphasis on individual rights.
e. a relatively sharp separation of the political and economic spheres. Answer: b
Page: 31
Essay/Short Answer
1. A defining characteristic of the American political system is its enduring and powerful set of cultural ideals. Explain.
Answer: Political culture refers to the characteristic and deep-seated beliefs of a particular people. In the American case, these beliefs are the basis of national identity. In many countries, national identity is based on a common ancestry, a kinship through blood. Americans, however, are linked not through common ethnicity but through a political tradition founded on a set of ideals—liberty, self-government, equality, individualism, diversity, and unity. These beliefs do not have exact meanings in practice, but they do set boundaries on political action and affect what Americans will regard as necessary and desirable. These beliefs bind the American people together and give purpose and direction to their politics.
2. Define politics, power, and authority.
Answer: Politics is the process by which it is determined whose values will prevail in the making of public policy. Those factions or people who prevail in getting their values accepted are said to have power. When power is exercised through the laws and institutions of government, authority is involved. Authority is defined as the recognized right of an official or institution to exercise power.
3. Explain the justification for referring to cultural beliefs as myths.
Answer: Cultural beliefs are mythical in that they are combinations of fact and wishful
thinking. America’s belief in equality, for example, reflects the society’s progress in the promotion of human equality but ignores, for instance, the discriminatory practices that African Americans have had to endure throughout the country’s history. Mythical ideas are symbolic positions taken by people to justify and give meaning to their way of life.
4. Identify two sources of conflict among America’s political ideals. Illustrate these sources of conflict in the context of a specific political issue.
Answer: One reason why American ideals conflict is that they are general principles, rather than fixed rules of conduct. As general principles, they are open to interpretation in practice, and conflict can arise when different people interpret them differently. Second, these principles are not fully consistent with each other. They derive from different historical experiences and philosophies, and include conflicting elements. A policy issue that illustrates these sources of conflict is affirmative action. Equality and diversity, which emphasize fairness and full opportunities for all, can provide the basis for arguments for affirmative action. However, liberty and individualism, which emphasize personal freedom, can be the basis of arguments against affirmative action.
5. How could one argue that America is not run by a small power elite?
Answer: One could argue that due to the diversity of group structures in America and the fierce competition over whose values will emerge victorious on any particular issue, it would therefore be difficult for one homogeneous group to consistently control policies and all other competing political forces in the United States.
1. The idea that government should be restricted in its lawful uses of power and hence in its ability to deprive people of their liberty is expressed by the term
a. federalism.
b. self-government.
c. judicial review.
d. limited government.
e. natural rights. Answer: d
Page: 36
2. The philosopher most closely associated with the concept of natural rights is
a. Montesquieu.
b. Locke.
c. Rousseau.
d. Aristotle.
e. Plato. Answer: b Page: 38
2. Natural rights theorists maintain
a. that certain people in society are naturally endowed with more ability than others.
b. that certain rights belonged to people in their natural state before governments were created.
c. that political ideals should be based on religious principles.
d. that a state of nature is preferable to government.
e. that the divine right to rule is crucial for legitimate governments. Answer: b
Page: 38
2. Early Americans’ preference for limited government was strengthened by
a. the personal freedom that life in America allowed.
b. the idea that people have natural rights.
c. Britain’s treatment of the colonies after the French and Indian War.
d. abuses of power by European monarchs.
e. All of the answers are correct. Answer: e
Page: 37
2. The American colonists based their right to revolt against Britain’s authority on the claim that
a. the wealth of the new world belonged to them, since they had developed it through their labor.
b. the colonial charters had expired, which made them free men under the rules of international law.
c. their rights as British subjects had been violated.
d. the conflict between the British and the French in the New World was a violation of treaties and hence neither British nor French authority was valid.
e. the Articles of Confederation legally replaced British rule in the colonies. Answer: c
Page: 38
6. The words of the Declaration of Independence reflected
a. Aristotle’s conception of democracy.
b. Montesquieu’s view of constitutionalism.
c. Hobbes’ idea of the state of nature.
d. Locke’s philosophy of inalienable rights.
f. Madison’s view of factions.
Answer: d Page: 38
7. Through the grants of power in the Constitution, the Framers sought to
a. define the powers of state governments.
b. create a government in which sovereignty was invested in the national government only.
c. both empower government and limit it.
d. enumerate the rights of individuals.
f. abolish slavery.
Answer: c Page: 47
8. Among the Constitution’s denials of powers is the right of habeas corpus, which prohibits government from
a. prosecuting persons for acts that were legal at the time they were committed.
b. establishing a state religion based on Christian beliefs.
c. enacting laws that would legalize the practice of indentured servitude.
d. jailing a person without a court hearing to determine the legality of her/his imprisonment.
f. silencing freedom of the press.
Answer: d Page: 48
9. Which of the following chronologies is correct?
a. The Boston Tea Party came before the Declaration of Independence.
b. Shays’ Rebellion came before the Declaration of Independence.
c. The Constitution was written before the Declaration of Independence was written.
d. The Revolutionary War came before the French and Indian War.
f. The Articles of Confederation came before the Declaration of Independence.
Answer: a Page: 38
10. The principle of checks and balances is based on the notion that
a. leaders are the trustees of the people.
b. a weak government is always preferable to a strong government.
c. all legislative and executive action should be controlled through judicial power.
d. power must be used to offset power.
f. legislators and executives cannot be trusted, but judges are trustworthy.
Answer: d Page: 48
11. The Framers’ most significant modification of the traditional doctrine of the separation powers was to
a. include federalism.
b. include a two-chamber legislature.
c. define legislative power precisely, while defining executive and judicial power only in general terms.
d. ensure that the powers of the separate branches overlap, so that each could better act as a check on the others.
f. grant the power of judicial review to the judiciary.
Answer: d Page: 49
12. In practice, the most significant restraint imposed by Congress on the president is its
a. ability to override presidential vetoes.
b. power of impeachment.
c. power to make the laws and appropriate money, for these determine the programs the executive can implement.
d. power to approve presidential appointees.
f. power to investigate presidential activities.
Answer: c Page: 50
13. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution
a. by the Framers during the Philadelphia Convention.
b. in stages, with free expression rights added first and the rights of the accused added years later.
c. in response to the freeing of the slaves during the Civil War.
d. in response to the ideals of Jacksonian democracy.
f. None of the answers are correct.
Answer: e Page: 52
14. The concept of separation of powers was promoted by
a. Montesquieu.
b. Aristotle.
c. Hobbes.
d. Locke.
f. Jefferson.
Answer: a Page: 48
15. Marbury v. Madison is a landmark Supreme Court decision because it
a. established national supremacy.
b. set the precedent for judicial review.
c. defined the scope of state powers under the Tenth Amendment.
d. affirmed the necessary and proper clause.
f. helped to end Thomas Jefferson’s political career.
Answer: b Page: 53
16. Marbury v. Madison was an ingenious decision because it
a. returned a case that involved the issue of states’ rights into one that asserted national power.
b. redefined the constitutional relationship between the president and Congress.
c. asserted the power of the judiciary without bringing it into direct conflict with the president or Congress.
d. turned a case that involved the issue of states’ rights into one that asserted judicial power over the institutions of society.
f. gave more power to the presidency, at the expense of Congress.
Answer: c
Page: 53
17. referred to his victory in the presidential election as the Revolution of 1800.
a. John Adams
b. Andrew Jackson
c. John Marshall
d. Thomas Jefferson
f. James Madison
Answer: d Page: 58
18. John Marshall was an ardent
a. nationalist.
b. states’ rights advocate.
c. supporter of Thomas Jefferson.
d. member of the Democratic-Republican party.
e. member of the Whig party.
Answer: a Page: 56
19. The traditional objection to democratic government is the risk of
a. tyranny of the majority.
b. elite rule.
c. special-interest politics.
d. a weak presidency.
f. judicial imperialism.
Answer: a Page: 55
20. The writers of the Constitution used the term to describe the form of government in which power resides in the people but is exercised through a system of representative institutions.
a. democracy
b. republic
c. federalism
d. constitutionalism
f. Electoral College
Answer: b Page: 56
21. Edmund Burke’s idea of representatives as trustees was based on the claim that
a. representatives should follow their own judgment of the public interest.
b. representatives should follow the voters’ judgment of the public interest.
c. indirect election is a more trustworthy means of discovering the public interest.
d. direct election is a more trustworthy means of discovering the public interest.
f. None of the answers are correct.
Answer: a Page: 56
22. The writers of the Constitution devised the Electoral College as the method of choosing presidents because
a. direct election was impractical due to the poor systems of communication and transportation that existed in the late 1700s.
b. the method would shield executive power from popular majorities and Congress.
c. the method guaranteed a majority winner.
d. the method would give weight to the preferences of ordinary people.
f. the Framers had a great deal of faith in the wisdom of the masses.
Answer: b Page: 57
23. The Framers entrusted the selection of U.S. senators to
a. specially chosen electors.
b. state legislatures.
c. direct vote of the people.
d. state governors.
e. federal magistrates.
Answer: b Page: 57
24. The term of office for a U.S. senator is years, while that of a member of the
U.S. House is years.
a. six; two
b. four; two
c. six; four
d. four; four
f. eight; four
Answer: a Page: 57
25. The writers of the Constitution justified different methods of selection and varying terms of office for the president, Senate, and House as a means of
a. increasing popular influence.
b. protection against ruthless majorities.
c. preventing elite control of government.
d. maintaining experienced leadership.
f. increasing voter turnout.
Answer: b Page: 57
26. Thomas Jefferson proclaimed the Revolution of 1800 the victory of
a. common people over wealthy interests.
b. merchants over farmers.
c. southern interests over northern interests.
d. nationalists over states’ rights advocates.
f. American interests over foreign interests.
Answer: a Page: 58
27. Andrew Jackson persuaded the states to choose their presidential electors
a. on the basis of popular voting.
b. by a vote of the state legislature.
c. by a vote of Congress.
d. by a presidential convention.
f. on the basis of one state, one elector.
Answer: a Page: 59
28. The first plan of government for the United States was a
a. confederation.
b. federal system.
c. unitary form of government.
d. monarchy.
f. theocracy.
Answer: a Page: 39
29. Progressive reforms included
a. primary elections.
b. direct election of U.S. senators.
c. the initiative and referendum.
d. recall elections.
f. All of the answers are correct.
Answer: e Page: 60
30. In his criticism of the Constitution, the economist Charles Beard argued that
a. the Constitution’s elaborate systems of power and representation were designed to protect the interests of the rich.
b. the Constitution failed to protect the economic interests of the poorer states.
c. the Constitution’s commerce clause was inadequate to meet the nation’s economic needs.
d. the Constitution did not provide for sufficient protection of property.
f. the Constitution gave too much power to the illiterate.
Answer: a Page: 61
31. The Articles of Confederation provided for
a. a national Congress.
b. each state having one vote in Congress.
c. unanimous approval by the states to amend the Articles.
d. All of the answers are correct.
f. None of the answers are correct.
Answer: d Page: 39
32. The inalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence are
a. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
b. liberty, equality, and fraternity.
c. life, liberty, and property.
d. life and property only.
e. equality and liberty only.
Answer: a Page: 38
33. presided over the Philadelphia Convention of 1787.
a. Benjamin Franklin
b. Gouverneur Morris
c. Edmund Randolph
d. James Madison
f. George Washington
Answer: e Page: 49
34. The Constitution prohibits Congress from
a. proposing constitutional amendments.
b. passing ex post facto laws.
c. declaring war.
d. proposing the repeal of constitutional amendments.
f. creating a national university.
Answer: b Page: 48
35. Not among the checks Congress has on the executive is the
a. power to ratify treaties.
b. power to approve executive
appointments.
c. power to hold hearings.
d. power to impeach.
f. power to administer the laws directly if it chooses to do so.
Answer: e Page: 50
36. Which of the following is not part of the First Amendment?
a. freedom of press
b. freedom of religion
c. freedom of assembly
d. freedom of speech
e. right to bear arms
Answer: e Page: 52
37. Under the original Constitution, Congress could not ban the slave trade until a. 1808.
b. 1828.
c. 1848.
d. 1865.
e. 1887.
Answer: a Page: 43
38. The Federalist Papers were written by
a. Washington, Adams, and Jefferson.
b. Franklin, Washington, and Lee.
c. Jefferson, Locke, and Montesquieu.
d. Madison, Hamilton, and Jay.
f. Marshall, Jefferson, and Adams.
Answer: d Page: 45
39. The Constitution was ratified by
a. the people.
b. the state legislatures.
c. state conventions.
d. the Supreme Court.
e. the Continental Congress.
Answer: c Page: 46
40. The document explaining the ideas of the Constitution and urging its ratification is the
a. Mayflower Compact.
b. Declaration of Independence.
c. Anti-Federalist Papers.
d. Federalist Papers.
e. Declaration of Conscience.
Answer: d Page: 46
41. Presidents are
a. directly selected by the people.
b. selected by votes of the state legislatures.
c. selected by votes of the Electoral College.
d. subject to recall elections.
e. subject to confidence votes by Congress.
Answer: c Page: 57
42. Which of the following is an example of checks and balances?
a. the veto
b. the impeachment process
c. approval of treaties
d. judicial review
e. All of the answers are correct. Answer: e
Page: 50
43. Where is the Bill of Rights found in the Constitution?
a. Article I, Section 8
b. Article II
c. the first ten amendments
d. amendments 17 through 26
e. Article III
Answer: c Page: 52
44. is the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
a. John Locke
b. Thomas Jefferson
c. James Madison
d. George Washington
e. Alexander Hamilton
Answer: b Page: 38
45. Judicial review is the power of the American courts to
a. declare a law unconstitutional.
b. suspend the writ of habeas corpus.
c. impeach the president.
d. give advisory opinions to Congress.
e. give advice and counsel to the president.
Answer: a Page: 50
46. Which of the following developments in the national political system provided for more popular control?
a. primary elections
b. direct election of U.S. senators
c. recall elections
d. initiative and referendum
e. All of the answers are correct.
Answer: e Page: 60
47. A constitutional democracy
a. includes the election of representatives by vote of the people.
b. protects minority rights.
c. operates under the rule of law.
d. was established in 1787 by the U.S. Constitution.
e. All of the answers are correct.
Answer: e Page: 62
48. Shays’ Rebellion
a. was a successful revolt.
b. convinced many political leaders that the national government was too powerful.
c. convinced many political leaders that the national government was too weak.
d. reinforced public support for the Articles of Confederation.
e. occurred after the Philadelphia Convention of 1787.
Answer: c Page: 41
49. Which of the following statements is true?
a. John Marshall served as chief justice of the Supreme Court.
b. Thomas Jefferson served as chief justice of the Supreme Court.
c. John Marshall was vice president under John Adams.
d. Thomas Jefferson was an ardent supporter of John Marshall.
e. Both John Marshall and Thomas Jefferson were among the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Answer: a Page: 53
50. Which of the following is correct under the Constitution?
a. The legislature enforces the law.
b. The executive makes the law.
c. The judiciary interprets the law.
d. The bureaucrats make the law.
e. Interest groups directly determine public policy outcomes.
Answer: c Page: 50
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