Download Underpinnings of Govt Practice Exam

Underpinnings of Government EXAM
DIRECTIONS: Select the “BEST” answer for the following:
FORM: A
1. Those who possess a disproportionate share of political power would adhere to which theory of
American Democracy?
(a) Capitalists (b) Majoritarians (c) Elite and class (d) Hyperpluralism (e) Socialists
2. Democratic centralism presupposes the existence of all of the following except
(a) the objective interests of the people. (b) a party within which discussion of alternatives is possible.
(c) a central leadership to carry out decisions. (d) a limited government. (e) a vertical hierarchy of power.
3. The term democracy was originally associated with
(a) Jesus Christ. (b) Vladimir Lenin. (c) David Hume. (d) Thomas Jefferson. (E) Aristotle.
4. Important theories explaining political elites derived from all of the following writers except
(a) Sigmund Freud (b) Karl Marx (c) C. Wright Mills (d) Max Weber (E) John Locke
5. In the development of the Constitution, three-fifths of the slaves were counted for purposes of
(a) electing state legislatures. (b) apportioning delegates to presidential conventions.
(c) allotting seats in the House of Representatives. (d) electing the president. (e) US Senate selection.
6. Of the following, the best example of participatory democracy is
(a) a Cuban village (b) Sweden or Norway (c) a New England town meeting (d) the U.S. House of
Representatives. (E) a presidential cabinet meeting.
7. The arrangement by which individuals gain power through competition for the people’s vote is called
(a) democratic centralism. (b) participatory democracy. (c) representative democracy.
(d) the “rule of the many.” (e) free market economy.
8. The protection of “life, liberty, and property” was the designated reason for government, as defined by:
(a) Thomas Hobbes. (b) Benjamin Franklin. (c) John Locke. (d) Gouvernour Morris.
(e) James Madison.
9. When a locality is required by federal law to do something, regardless of whether it receives federal
funding for that purpose, this duty is a:
(a) condition of aid. (b) welfare. (c) string-attatched edict. (d) court decision. (e) mandate.
10. Constitutional amendments are usually ratified by
(a) a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress (b) a national convention (c) legislatures of three-fourths
of the states (d) state conventions called by two-thirds vote in Congress
(e) presidential approval.
11. Compared with a unitary system, a federal system is more likely to lead to
(a) more efficient management of complex programs. (b) less local participation in public policy. (c)
regional variation in public policy. (d) a single national policy with broad public support. (e) deficit
spending.
12. An important outcome of Marshall’s ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) was to
(a) place limits on the constitutional powers granted to Congress by refusing McCulloch’s appeal (b) give
greater power to the states in taxing agents of the federal government, including banks (c) protect
newspaper editors who publish stories critical of the federal government
(d) confirm the supremacy of the federal government in the exercise of the constitutional powers granted
to Congress. (e) give state courts more jurisdiction in federal matters that may eventually become the
jurisdiction of the US Supreme Court.
13. Congress has effectively established a 21-year-old drinking age by
(a) passing a national law. (b) withholding highway funds for states that don’t comply.
(c) seeking a Supreme Court exemption to the Tenth Amendment. (d) passing a constitutional
amendment. (e) getting presidential support.
14. Separation of power and federalism were two key principles in the framing of the Constitution. These
two principles are related in that each
(a) required a strong central government elected by a popular majority. (b) involved a system of checks
and balances in which power is dispersed. (c) granted power to a political elite that acts on behalf of the
people. (d) reflected a need for “political virtue”- frugality, industry, temperance, and simplicity.
(e) provided majoritarians major access to institutions of the federal government.
15. Ratification of the Constitution took place by
(a) the Congress elected under the Articles of Confederation. (b) state legislatures. (c) special
conventions whose members were elected by the framers. (d) unanimous acclaim by all thirteen states.
(e) official approval by the US Supreme Court under Chief Justice James Madison.
16. Generally, the Anti-federalists felt that the government created by the Constitution was
(a) an insufficient check on the power of the states. (b) too strong and too centralized.
(c) too liberal. (d) barely strong enough to be effective. (e) overwhelmingly controlled by smaller states.
17. Each state would have had an equal number of votes in the legislature under the
(a) Connecticut Plan. (b) New York Plan. (c) Maryland Plan. (d) Virginia Plan.
(e) New Jersey Plan.
18. The intent of the New Jersey Plan was to _____ the old Articles of Confederation.
(a) replace (b) amend (c) rescind (d) weaken (e) ratify
19. The Supreme Court case that established national supremacy was
(a) McCulloch v. Maryland (b) Marbury v. Madison (c) United States v. Virginia (d) Brown v. Maryland
(e) Near v. United States.
20. Congress is allowed to go beyond powers specifically listed because of the
(a) necessary and proper clause. (b) popular soveriegnty clause. (c) Bill of Rights.
(d) New Jersey Plan. (e) rubberband clause
21. Extradition is the requirement that
(a) recognize each others’ public acts, records, and civil judicial proceedings.(b) cannot discriminate
against citizens of othe states.(c) must return a person charged with a crime in another state for trial and
imprisonment.(d) can provide sanctuary for federal criminals.
(e) states may receive extra funding if so warranted by political action committees.
22. The view of human nature most prevalent among the Founding Fathers was that
(a) people are basically cooperative and community oriented. (b) people are self-interested in acquiring
wealth and power. (c) human nature can be perfected, given the right social and political institutions. (d)
human nature is basically neither good nor bad, but a product of experience. (e) human nature is
controlled by the masses which is why a power elite needs to supervise poltiical activities.
23. The Federalist Papers were
(a) essays written in support of ratification of the constitution. (b) the original names of the constitution
written by the Constitutional Convention. (c) essays written that were critical of the constitution. (d)
newspapers that backed the Federalist Party in early U.S. elections. (e) written by Ben Franklin
expressing support of the constitution by the French Republic of Napoleon Bonaparte.
24. The delegates at the Constitutional Convention were
(a) the nation’s economic elite. (b) individuals whose economic fortunes had been lost under the Articles
of Confederation. (c) a diverse mix of farmers, business women, and merchants, some more successful
than others. (d) almost all lawyers. (e) supporters of Shay’s Rebellion.
25. The fact that a driver’s license from one state is valid in other states is an example of
(a) privileges and immunities (b) full faith and credit (c) extradition (d) implied powers
(e) full driving privileges.
26. Grants-in-aid
(a) form an insignificant portion of the national budget. (b) have decreased over the last thirty years. (c)
have allowed the national government to expand its influence. (d) provide additional income to the
national government. (e) have given states more control over health and services at local levels.
27. John Locke believed in each of the following except
(a) natural rights. (b) consent of the governed. (c) divine right of kings. (d) limited government. (e) rule by
the few.
28. Among the many compromises worked out at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 after the
adoption of the Great Compromise, was that the
(a) adoption of a five-year term of office for the president. (b) selection of the Supreme Court by the
Senate. (c) popular election of members of the House of Representatives. (d) use of an electoral college
for choosing a president. (e) southern slaves would be represented by 3/5ths of a vote.
29. All of the following were concerns about the Articles of Confederation that led to the calling of the
Constitutional Convention of 1787 EXCEPT
(a) fear for the stability of the central government. (b) desire to promote trade among the states. (c) the
need to give the central government the power to levy taxes. (d) dissatisfaction with the central
government’s ability to provide for national defense. (e) dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights
and liberties.
30. Karl Marx and C. Wright Mills would be most likely to agree on
(a) the diffusion of vital political resources (b) the centrality of a constitution and laws (c) the existence of
a small power elite (d) material dialecticalism as a starting point to politics.
(e) capitalist leaders gaining solitary control of the national government.
31. Jefferson’s phrase, “the pursuit of happiness,” stated in the second paragraph of the Declaration of
Independence, was more specifically interpreted by colonists to mean the right to
(a) self-employment. (b) political liberty. (c) taxation only with representation.
(d) property. (e) have more parties.
32. The effect of Shay’s rebellion on attendance by delegates at the planned Constitutional Convention of
1787 was to
(a) encourage attendance by delegates fearing the collapse of state government. (b) encourage
attendance by delegates fearing intervention by the British. (c) discourage attendance by delegates
fearing a public outcry against any strengthening of the Articles of Confederation.
(d) discourage attendance by delegates fearing intervention by the British. (e) encourage attendance by
delegates who wished to re-write specific sections of the original Declaration of Independence.
33. The Tenth Amendment
(a) states that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by the states,
are reserved to the states. (b) establishes the Constitution, laws of national government, and treaties as
the supreme law of the land. (c) declares that the national government is superior to the states in every
concern. (d) establishes the Supreme Court as the final arbiter in all civil and criminal disputes.
(e) influences Congress to allocate more power to state legislatures in ratification of future amendments.
34. The Constitution provided that slaves escaping to a free state were to
(a) become free persons. (b) be imprisoned. (c) be returned to their masters. (d) remain free as long as
they stayed in the North. (e) become members of the new Continental Army.
35. To allay fears that the Constitution would restrict personal freedoms, the Federalists promised to
(a) recognize the supremacy of bill of rights found in the state constitutions. (b) rewrite the Constitution to
include an article on protecting individual freedoms. (c) add amendments to the Constitution specifically
protecting individual freedoms. (d) empower the Supreme Court with the responsibility to protect
individual freedoms. (e) empower the president to engage in negotiations with state governments to
improve their militias.
36. Categorial grants include all of the following EXCEPT
(a) Categorical grants are the main source of federal aid.(b) Categorical grants are given more or less
automatically to states to use at their discretion.(c) Categorical grants can be used only for one of several
purposes of state and local spending.(d) Categorical grants come with strings attached. (e) categorical
grants often are adapted into block grants.
37. Under federalism,
(a) the power of the national government has grown relative to the powers of the states. (b) the powers of
cities have grown relative to the powers of state governments. (c) county governments have gained more
power than any other political subdivision. (d) states are subordinate to cities. (e) the power of the state
government has grown relative to the powers of the federal.
38. As a check on the power of Congress,
(a) the Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional. (b) the president can exercise an absolute
veto. (c) states can disregard constitutional amendments. (d) states can secede from the United States.
(e) state legislatures can ignore laws that they deem too restrictive.
39. In Printz v. U.S. and Mack v. U.S. (1997) the Supreme Court ruled that
(a) school segregation was unconstitutional.(b) states must comply with federal legislative mandates.
(c) guns could be prohibited in schools by Congress’ use of the commerce power. (d) the federal
government cannot issue directive requiring states to address particular problems. (e) states must allow
for the devolution of federal programming to enhance block grants allocation.
40. The Madisonian requirement that each branch of government acquire the consent of the others for
many of its actions created a system of
(a) separation of powers. (b) checks and balances. (c) constitutional republic. (d) confederated
government. (e) federal statuatory control over subnational governments.
41. Two key elements of the Madisonian model were to
(a) keep as much of the government as possible beyond the control of a popular majority and extend the
right to vote to everyone. (b) promote state power while separating the powers of different national
institutions. (c) require a system of checks and balances and extend political equality. (d) place most of
the government beyond the control of a popular majority and separate the powers of different institutions.
(e) require a system of checks and balances with an aristocratic ruler.
42. A government’s main purpose is to:
I. maintain social order.
II. establish a political culture.
III. provide public goods.
IV. direct socio-economic development.
V. promote equality
(a) I + II (b) II + III (c) I + II + III (d) I + V (e) I + III + V
43. Because the Founders believed they were creating a government of limited powers, they felt it
unneccessary to
(a) specify what Congress could not do. (b) include a bill of rights. (c) impose checks on presidential
power. (d) have the Senate elected directly. (e) establish a national militia.
44. The Constitution failed to outlaw slavery because
(a) few at that time recognized slavery as a moral evil. (b) the opponents of slavery lacked the courage of
their convictions. (c) Southern support was essential to the adoption of the document. (d) the Framers
had no such mandate from those who had selected them. (e) blacks felt slavery was not a social, but an
economic issue.
45. Compared to the Federalists, Antifederalists tended to favor a
(a) strong national government as a protection against political privilege. (b) weak decentralized
government as a protection against social inequality-differences in wealth.
(c) weak decentralized government as a protection of liberty.(d) strong national government as a
protection supporting political privilege. (e) a strong president with authoritarian powers.
46. Politics is often defined as
(A) a course of action to solve a problem. (B) conflict in society. (C) who gets what; when, and how. (D)
the resolution of conflict in a way that serves the public. (E) the socialization of America’s youth
47. The rapid growth of the national government is largely due to the fact that
(a) the Constitution requires that most programs be administered by the national government.
(b) the states have failed to adequately represent their interest.(c) most problems and policies require the
authority and the resources of the national government.(d) the diversity of interests within and among the
states requires a national focus. (e) too many enemies force the national government to take control to
prevent anarchy.
48. The Supremacy clause
(a) states that powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by the states,
are reserved to the states.(b) establishes the Constitution, laws of the National government, and treaties
as the supreme law of the land.(c) declares that the national government is superior to the states in every
concern.(d) establishes the Supreme Court as the final arbiter in all civil and criminal disputes. (e) allows
one religion to step up and take control over all Sunday worship services.
49. In its attempt to promote equality, the government ensures the equality of:
I. opportunity.
II. obligation.
III. condition.
IV. outcome.
V. entitlement
(a) I only (b) IV + V (c) I + III + IV (d) I + V (e) II + V
50. Block grants are
(a) made on the basis of adherence to detailed federal guidelines.(b) provided more or less automatically
to support broad programs.(c) allocated to the neediest states and localities with no strings attached.(d)
awarded on a competitive basis to support special projects. (e) are offered only to states that harbor
military facitities bordering hostile nations.
51. According to Daniel Elazar in “The American Federalism”, how have the states been able to adapt to
the policy changes over the last 50 years?
(A) All 50 states have initiated constitutional changes to allow for deficit spending. (B) States allow the
federal government to handle all educational issues. (C) States have re-organized their institutions to
increase responsibility and accountability. (D) States have initiated amendment changes in the
Constitution to facilitate more internal control. (E) States have raised state taxes to increase funding.
52. According to Elazar in “American Federalism”, what area are states lacking in adapting to policy areas
in the last 50 years?
(A) rural area development (B) Metropolitan area development. (C) military development. (D)
technological area development (E) Welfare reform.
53. One of the major factors in enhancing state involvement, according to Elazar in “American
Federalism” is
(A) states raise more revenues than the federal government. (B) A state’s unitary system is more
efficient. (C) States have fewer issues to deal with than the federal government. (D) States offer more
local control which pleases its constituents. (E) the federal government has grown more incompetent
over last decade.
54. If major constitutional or political changes are going to occur, according to Elazar in “American
Federalism, they will occur at what level first?
(A) federal level. (B) regional level. (C) international level (D) state level (E) local level
55. According to Richard Hofstadter in “The American Political Tradition”, who did the Founding Fathers
wish to have control the selfish and untrustworthy man?
(A) a strong military (b) a republican government (c) a dictatorial president
(d) a power elite (e) no one could control the selfish and untrustworthy man
56. According to Hofstadter in “The American Political . . .” what was the Founding Fathers greatest fear?
(a) Being overrun by the French empire (b) Being overrun by the British empire.
(c) That the rich, and/or the poor, would plunder the other. (d) That a strong Congress would wreak
havoc over a weak president. (e) That a strong president would wreak havoc over a weak Congress.
57. According to Hofstadter, the founding framers saw human beings as selfish and untrustworthy, but
they also believed in the importance of
(A) tyranny. (B) laissez-faire society. (C) self-government. (D) direct democracy. (E) elite rule.
58. According to Hofstadter, what three constitutional devices were developed to force various interests to
check and control one another?
I. Supremacy Clause
II. Representative Government
III. Parliamentary rule
IV. Three branches of government
(A) I only (B) I + II (C) III only (D) III + IV (E) I + II + IV
59. According to Hofstadter, what did the founding fathers mean by liberty.
(A) all men would be treated equally. (B) government would be the honest broker is future deliberations.
(C) only an elite few would dominate the community’s interests. (D) All would have access to the nation’s
wealth. (E) Only the mob would dictate who would be truly free.
60. According to Hofstadter, what was the goal of an American citizen who owned property?
(A) to get more property. (B) to share his wealth with other wealthy people. (C) to share his wealth with
those who had no property. (D) to give it back to the government in exchange for protection. (E) to leave
it to this benefactors.