Question 1

To what aspect of America were William Watts and Lloyd Free referring when they labeled it "the country of individualism par excellence"?

Accepted Answer

A)   the majoritarian nature of the voting and election system
B)   the ability of any individual to aspire to high political office
C)   the judicial nature of American politics, in which any individual can challenge powerful interests
D)   the emphasis that Americans place on economic self-reliance and free markets
E)   the ability of the individual to join in labor unions and interest groups to pursue his or her political and financial self-interestsF) A) and D)
G) C) and E) D

Question 2

In which of the following ways is the U.S.free-market system distinct from European economies?

Accepted Answer

A)   its lack of regulatory intervention
B)   its lack of intervention through taxation
C)   its lack of intervention through spending policies
D)   the extent to which private transactions determine the allocation of economic costs and benefits
E)   the extent to which it exercises regulatory intervention by altering interest ratesF) D) and E)
G) None of the above

Question 3

The Bill of Rights

Accepted Answer

A)   reduced the restrictiveness of constitutionalism.
B)   enhanced the powers of the executive.
C)   further checked the power of the majority.
D)   enhanced the majoritarian nature of government.
E)   restricted the power of corporate influence in the government.F) B) and C)
G) A) and E)

Question 4

The citizens of which of the following countries pay the lowest tax rates relative to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) ?

Accepted Answer

A)   Germany
B)   Canada
C)   France
D)   the United States
E)   Great BritainF) D) and E)
G) A) and B) D

Question 5

In a survey of college students,the Intercollegiate Studies Association found that the best predictor of a student's later participation in the nation's civic and political life is

Accepted Answer

A)   a college degree.
B)   a solid understanding of public affairs.
C)   participation in student government.
D)   participation in Greek life.
E)   attending a school with a residential campus versus a "commuter" campus.F) A) and B)
G) A) and E)

Question 6

According to political scientist Louis Hartz,the United States

Accepted Answer

A)   constitutes a "corporate dictatorship."
B)   was "born free."
C)   formed a perfect union.
D)   is basically a monarchical state.
E)   "perfected" socialist democracy.F) C) and E)
G) None of the above

Question 7

John Stuart Mill believed that any form of government should be judged on its ability to

Accepted Answer

A)   offer the individual a "plethora of policy options" in the democratic process.
B)   transfer power peacefully from one set of governing officials to the next.
C)   provide social services for its citizenry.
D)   maintain peace and order in the territory over which it has control.
E)   promote the individual as "a progressive being."F) B) and D)
G) A) and B)

Question 8

Which one of the following is NOT true of cultural or political beliefs in America?

Accepted Answer

A)   America's origins as a wilderness society led to the belief that government is responsible for providing material assistance to its citizens.
B)   Americans place a greater emphasis than Europeans on personal advancement through education.
C)   Never has an American majority expressed a willingness to entrust health insurance fully to the government.
D)   America has a strong individualistic culture.
E)   America's individualistic culture has not proven to be an absolute barrier to government assistance programs.F) A) and C)
G) A) and B)

Question 9

West Virginia,the state with the lowest percentage of college graduates in the United States,

Accepted Answer

A)   is indicative of Americans' relative indifference to higher education.
B)   is evidence of the general truth that the states with the highest percentage of college graduates are located between the Rockies and the Mississippi River.
C)   is one of seven U.S. states with fewer than five institutions of higher learning.
D)   demonstrates how closed higher education in the United States is compared to the rest of the world.
E)   has a higher proportion of college graduates than most European countries.F) C) and E)
G) A) and D)

Question 10

Enormous concentrations of wealth and power exist in the U.S.private sector,primarily in the hands of

Accepted Answer

A)   the top 1 percent.
B)   elite political families such as the Kennedys and the Bushes.
C)   middle class Americans.
D)   small businesses.
E)   large corporations.F) B) and E)
G) A) and C)

Question 11

Describe the differences between how Americans define themselves and how other,older nations define what it means to be a part of their nations' cultural identity.

Accepted Answer

Other people take their identity from th...

Question 12

To what degree is American democracy majoritarian,and what are the limits to that majoritarianism?

Accepted Answer

Majoritarianism exists where the majorit...

Question 13

Pluralism contends that,on most issues,

Accepted Answer

A)   corporate elites have more control over economic policy than do "the politicians in the visible government."
B)   the will of the majority of the voting public determines government policy.
C)   it is the preference of the special interest that largely determines what government does.
D)   true authority lies with the elected politicians, and not with the public that put them in office.
E)   the diverse nature of the citizenry enhances the democratic process in policymaking.F) B) and D)
G) A) and B)

Question 14

In a constitutional system,

Accepted Answer

A)   there are no restrictions on the lawful uses of power, as long as this power is obtained by majority rule.
B)   there are lawful restrictions on a government's power.
C)   the economy is based on the free enterprise system.
D)   officials govern according to the traditions established by their predecessors.
E)   all citizens have absolute free speech rights.F) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 15

In a democratic society,who or what is responsible for personal development?

Accepted Answer

A)   the education system
B)   political parties
C)   the progressive being
D)   the individual
E)   parents, ministers, and political leadersF) B) and E)
G) All of the above D

Question 16

What is the major barrier to political thinking?

Accepted Answer

A)   unwillingness of citizens to make the effort
B)   lack of access to governmental institutions
C)   elite control of political power resources
D)   failure of politicians and government institutions to communicate policy details to the public
E)   lack of access to news media sources outside sensationalist television or Internet contentF) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 17

Europeans have a greater acceptance than Americans of

Accepted Answer

A)   tax and social policies that redistribute wealth.
B)   the strength of the executive branch of government.
C)   the majoritarian system of government.
D)   the influence of corporate special interests in the legislative process.
E)   the influence of corporate money in the election process.F) A) and E)
G) B) and E)

Question 18

How could one argue that America is not run by a small power elite?

Accepted Answer

One could argue that due to the diversit...

Question 19

Which of the following is an accurate description of the prevalence of college education in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)   Among adults twenty-one years of age and older, roughly half are college graduates
B)   Among adults twenty-one years of age and older, roughly one in four is a college graduate.
C)   Every U.S. state has at least twenty colleges or universities within its borders.
D)   Despite having a much higher rate of colleges and universities per capita than European countries; the U.S. has a lower rate of college graduation per capita.
E)   Although the U.S. has a lower number of colleges and universities per capita than Europe, it has a much higher rate of college graduation per capita.F) A) and B)
G) C) and D)

Question 20

The process by which a society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs is called

Accepted Answer

A)   politics.
B)   government.
C)   elitism.
D)   socialism.
E)   communism.F) A) and C)
G) A) and B)

Exam 1: Political Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming a Responsible Citizen

To what aspect of America were William Watts and Lloyd Free referring when they labeled it "the country of individualism par excellence"?

Correct AnswerverifiedD

In which of the following ways is the U.S.free-market system distinct from European economies?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Bill of Rights

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The citizens of which of the following countries pay the lowest tax rates relative to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) ?

Correct AnswerverifiedD

In a survey of college students,the Intercollegiate Studies Association found that the best predictor of a student's later participation in the nation's civic and political life is

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to political scientist Louis Hartz,the United States

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

John Stuart Mill believed that any form of government should be judged on its ability to

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which one of the following is NOT true of cultural or political beliefs in America?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

West Virginia,the state with the lowest percentage of college graduates in the United States,

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Enormous concentrations of wealth and power exist in the U.S.private sector,primarily in the hands of

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Describe the differences between how Americans define themselves and how other,older nations define what it means to be a part of their nations' cultural identity.

Correct AnswerverifiedOther people take their identity from th...View AnswerShow Answer

To what degree is American democracy majoritarian,and what are the limits to that majoritarianism?

Correct AnswerverifiedMajoritarianism exists where the majorit...View AnswerShow Answer

Pluralism contends that,on most issues,

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In a constitutional system,

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In a democratic society,who or what is responsible for personal development?

Correct AnswerverifiedD

What is the major barrier to political thinking?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Europeans have a greater acceptance than Americans of

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How could one argue that America is not run by a small power elite?

Correct AnswerverifiedOne could argue that due to the diversit...View AnswerShow Answer

Which of the following is an accurate description of the prevalence of college education in the United States?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The process by which a society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs is called

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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D

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D

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Other people take their identity from th...
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Majoritarianism exists where the majorit...
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D

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One could argue that due to the diversit...
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