unit 4 test

Question 1

Explain the different types of proliferation of interest groups

Answer 1

America is diverse with countless immigrants, races, and religions
C) because of its federal system, there are multiple points of access to the governmetn
D) political authority is shared by several branches of governemtn, each of which might be targeted by interest frousp
E) political parties are relatively weak, which helps explain the strength and number of interest groups

Question 2

What activities have increased interest groups’ activities?

Answer 2

hire lobbyists to represent them in talking with members of congress, attempt to influence the government to enact policies they favor, educate the public about issues, and monitor the activities of the government.
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Question 3

How can interest groups prevent the “free-rider” problem?

Answer 3

by giving them an incentive to join

Question 4

Why are lobbyists policy specialists and Congress is considered policy generalists?

Answer 4

lobbyists are policy specialists with expert knowledge in their area Congress are generalist with general knowledge in many areas

Question 5

What is grassroots lobbying?

Answer 5

a form of lobbying that focuses on raising awareness of a particular cause at the local level, with the intention of reaching the legislative and making a difference in the decision-making process. It asks the general public to contact legislators about issues.

Question 6

What are some concerns about the influence of lobbyists on the government?

Answer 6

many lobbyists are formal federal officials who gave up their positions in government to work for interest groups

Question 7

What are some restrictions on the interactions between members of Congress and interest groups?

Answer 7

Members of Congress may not accept gifts of any value from registered lobbyists

Question 8

What are earmarks?

Answer 8

A provision in a law that provides a direct benefit to a client without being reviewed on the merits by all members of congress.

Question 9

What are PACs? What is the difference between PACs and Super PACs?

Answer 9

A PAC, or political action committee, is a type of organization that collects campaign contributions from members and donates those funds to campaign for or against candidates, ballot initiatives or legislation.The difference between a PAC and a Super PAC has to do with the amount spent within the organization.

Question 10

Why is providing information by interest groups important?

Answer 10

Groups often have technical knowledge that legislators lack, and they are eager to educate lawmakers on the issues they care about. It’s true that the information they provide generally comes with a bias that reinforces the group’s interests.

Question 11

On average, what amount is reflective of the most common PAC donation?

Answer 11

300

Question 12

a place or organization that people tend to enter and leave very quickly.

Answer 12

What is the “revolving door

Question 13

Protection for the activities of interest groups can be found in which amendment?

Answer 13

first amendment

Question 14

How do American political parties compare with political parties in Europe?

Answer 14

Europeans are much more party oriented, and often vote a straight party ticket (voting for all candidates from the same party on the same ballot)

Question 15

who are super delegates

Answer 15

party leaders and elected officials who become delegates to the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses.

Question 16

What are the problems with political machines?

Answer 16

Patronage giving jobs to people who helped the candidate
Graft illegal use of political influence for personal gain
kickbacks illegal payment for sources

Question 17

Long-standing third parties such as the Socialist, Libertarian, and Green parties are examples of what kind of parties?

Answer 17

Ideological parties

Question 18

What is the difference between a primary and a caucus?

Answer 18

A primary is an election held to nominate a candidate for a particular party. (Public

A caucus is a private meeting of members of a particular party to plan action (Private

Question 19

If there is no majority winner in the presidential election, where is the election settled?

Answer 19

the House of Representatives chooses a president from among the top three recipients of electoral votes

Question 20

what does a national convention do?

Answer 20

the governing authority of the political party. They give direction to the national party chairperson, the spokesperson of the party, and the person who heads the national committee, the governing body of the party. They are also the forums where presidential candidates are given the official nod by their parties.

Question 21

What was the cause of the rise of the direct primary?

Answer 21

associated with a significant

increase in “split-ticket” voting, both across states and within states over time

Question 22

What is the purpose of a party’s national committee?

Answer 22

A standing committee of a national political party established to direct and coordinate party activities between national party conventions

Question 23

The decline of political parties has been contributed to what factors

Answer 23

supplanted by media, money, interest groups, and candidate-centered politics.

Question 24

How are Presidential and congressional races different?

Answer 24

First, presidential races are more competitive than those for the House of Representatives. Second, a much smaller proportion of people vote in congressional races during off years. Third, members of Congress can do things for their constituents that a president cannot. They take credit-sometimes deserved, sometimes not-for every grant, contract, bridge, canal, and highway that the federal gov. provides the district or state.

Question 25

How does party identification play a role in voting choices?

Answer 25

one is more likely to vote for someone oof the same party

Question 26

What are some criticisms of the caucus system?

Answer 26

(1) disproportionate attention goes to early caucuses/primaries ; (2) Prominent politicians find it difficult to take time out from their duties to run. ; (3) $ Plays too big a role ; (4) Participation in primaries/caucuses is low and unrepresentative ; (5) System gives too much power to the media.

Question 27

What are some factors that could help an incumbent president get re-elected?

Answer 27

A voter’s view of an incumbent’s previous performance greatly influences that voter’s decision. Most presidential elections feature an incumbent candidate

Question 28

What is the difference between ideological, prospective, split-ticket, and retrospective voters?

Answer 28

retrospective voting- focuses on what a candidate did in the past.
Prospective: see what they can do for you in the future
Idealogical: voting based off of ones values and beliefs
Split Ticket:A vote for candidates of different political parties on the same ballot, instead of for candidates of only one party. In the presidential elections, for example, a voter may choose a Republican candidate for president, but a Democratic candidate for senator.

Question 29

How would one describe a voter in primary elections?

Answer 29

only voters who register as members of a political pary may bote in theat party’s closed primary while independents and other may be eligible to vote in open primaries

Question 30

What is the significance of Buckley v. Valeo?

Answer 30

• First, it held that restrictions on individual contributions to political campaigns and candidates did not violate the First Amendment since the limitations of the FECA enhance the “integrity of our system of representative democracy” by guarding against unscrupulous practices.
• Second, the Court found that governmental restriction of independent expenditures in campaigns, the limitation on expenditures by candidates from their own personal or family resources, and the limitation on total campaign expenditures did violate the First Amendment.

Question 31

What are presidential “coattails”?

Answer 31

The tendency of lesser-known or weaker candidates to profit from the presence on the ticket of stronger candidate

Question 32

What is the difference between an open primary, closed primary, blanket primary, and the general election?

Answer 32

open prim. anyone can vote
closed prim. only members that register with a political party
blanket primary. A primary in which voters can vote for the Democratic candidates, the Republican candidates, or some from each party
general election. An election used to fill an elective office

Question 33

What is the largest source of funding for congressional elections?

Answer 33

individuals

Question 34

What is the significance of the Citizens United v. the FEC case?

Answer 34

corporations have a 1st Amendment right to expressly support political candidates for Congress and the White House

Question 35

Why is it difficult for congress to make policy

Answer 35

a) Congress must worry about voter’s preferences, so it engages in arguments on important issues
b) Congress does not choose the president, so there is no guarantee a bill will become law
d) Congress is bicameral, and a bill must pass both houses
e) each member of Congress faces reelections, and the interests of the members of his or her district must be considered

Question 36

How has the composition of Congress change from the 1950s

Answer 36

More minorities and women

Question 37

Faithfully execute

Answer 37

It provides that the President should take care that the laws are carried out faithfully

Question 38

How did Carter structure his White House staff

Answer 38

Circular.

Question 39

How are cabinet secretaries in the Attorney General selected and removed

Answer 39

President appoints secretaries in the turn on general subject to send confirmation by Congress

Question 40

How did the president is programs enacted

Answer 40

Has to PERSUADE

Question 41

Difference between and veto and a pocket veto

Answer 41

A veto refers to the constitutional power of the president to send a bill back to congress with reasons for rejecting it. A pocket veto occurs when congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill and the prez simply lets the bill die by neither signing it or sending it back

Question 42

What are the duties of the Vice President

Answer 42

To preside over the boat in the body given the case of a tie occurs to participate and policy meetings undertake special assignments and serve as a member of the national Security Council

Question 43

What does the White House office staff

Answer 43

Oversee policy interests of the president

Question 44

What happens to presidential popularity overtime

Answer 44

It lessens

Question 45

Significance of U.S VS Nixon

Answer 45

Ruled executive privilege unconstitutional

Question 46

What are the constitutional powers of the president

Answer 46

Sign veto legislation, command armed forces, convae or ajorn congress, grant reprieves and pardons, and receive ambassadors

Question 47

Divided government

Answer 47

When one party controls the presidency and the other controls congress