Unit 1
James Madison wrote in Federalist No. 10 that factions are inevitable in a free society. What system did he propose to mitigate their effects?
A large republic with many competing factions to prevent any one from dominating (pluralism).
The President nominates a Supreme Court justice, but the Senate refuses to hold confirmation hearings. This is an example of what check on executive power?
Senate confirmation power over judicial appointments.
A public opinion poll finds that 70% of respondents support stricter gun control laws. What factor is most important in determining whether this poll is reliable?
The sample size and whether it is representative of the overall population.
What is one reason third parties struggle to win elections in the United States?
The winner-take-all electoral system makes it difficult for third-party candidates to gain representation.
Which clause of the Constitution has been used to justify the expansion of federal power through implied powers, as seen in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?
The Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause).
In 1787, delegates at the Constitutional Convention debated the representation of states in the national legislature. What compromise resolved this issue, and how did it structure Congress?
The Great (Connecticut) Compromise created a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate providing equal representation for each state.
What is the primary difference between a trustee model and a delegate model of congressional representation?
In the trustee model, representatives use their own judgment when making decisions; in the delegate model, they follow the preferences of their constituents.
In a presidential election, Candidate A supports increasing government spending on social welfare programs, while Candidate B advocates for reducing government intervention in the economy. These positions align most closely with which two ideologies?
Candidate A: Liberalism; Candidate B: Conservatism.
Despite efforts to increase voter turnout, midterm elections consistently see lower participation than presidential elections. What is one key reason for this trend?
Lower media attention and reduced perception of importance compared to presidential elections.
A voter prefers Candidate A’s policy positions but believes Candidate B has a better chance of winning. The voter chooses Candidate B. What voting behavior does this illustrate?
Rational-choice voting, where voters make strategic decisions based on expected outcomes.
Congress passes a law imposing new environmental regulations on all states, but does not provide funding for their enforcement. This is an example of what type of federal mandate?
An unfunded mandate.
The President issues an executive order to implement new environmental regulations. What is a potential check on this action?
Congress could pass legislation overturning the order, or the courts could rule it unconstitutional.
In a survey, respondents with higher levels of education are more likely to support environmental regulations. This finding suggests what about the ideological relationship between education and political beliefs?
Higher education levels are often associated with more liberal views on environmental policy.
A political action committee (PAC) wants to run ads supporting a candidate in the final weeks of an election. What Supreme Court case allows them to do so without contribution limits?
Citizens United v. FEC (2010), which ruled that independent expenditures by corporations and unions are a form of protected speech.
During a period of divided government, the President issues a series of executive orders to achieve policy goals without congressional approval. What is a key limitation of this strategy?
A future president can easily overturn executive orders, and courts may strike them down if they exceed presidential authority.
A high school student argues that the national government should have the power to establish a universal minimum wage under the Commerce Clause. What Supreme Court case could be cited to challenge this claim?
United States v. Lopez (1995), which limited Congress's use of the Commerce Clause to justify federal regulations.
Why are independent regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Reserve, given significant discretionary authority in policymaking?
They are staffed by experts and insulated from political pressure, allowing them to make decisions based on specialized knowledge rather than political considerations.
A political scientist studying generational differences finds that individuals who came of age during the Great Depression tend to support stronger government intervention in the economy. What political science concept does this illustrate?
The generational effect—the idea that political attitudes are shaped by major events experienced during a person’s formative years.
In a presidential election, a candidate focuses their campaign efforts on Florida, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, while ignoring solidly Democratic or Republican states. What explains this strategy?
The Electoral College incentivizes candidates to focus on swing states where the outcome is uncertain.
A Supreme Court ruling sets a new legal precedent on privacy rights. How might this decision influence future cases?
Lower courts will apply the precedent when ruling on similar cases, following the principle of stare decisis.
What is the primary reason the framers of the Constitution established a system of checks and balances?
To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful by allowing each to limit the actions of the others.
A senator engages in a filibuster to delay a vote on a bill. What procedure can be used to end the filibuster, and how many votes does it require?
Cloture; it requires 60 votes in the Senate.
What is the key difference between libertarian and conservative views on government regulation?
Libertarians oppose government regulation in both economic and social matters, while conservatives support economic deregulation but often favor government intervention on social issues.
How do interest groups most effectively influence public policy?
How do interest groups most effectively influence public policy?
A news organization decides to focus its election coverage on a candidate’s personal controversies rather than their policy positions. How does this choice reflect the impact of the media in politics?
Agenda-setting—the media’s ability to influence which issues the public perceives as important.