Question 1

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) All of the above
G) A) and E)

Question 2

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) None of the above
G) A) and E)

Question 3

In an oligarchy,

Accepted Answer

A)  the state is run by corporate interests and companies instead of individuals.
B)  control rests with a small group of popularly elected individuals.
C)  control rests with a single individual,such as a dictator.
D)  control rests with a small group,such as military officers or a few wealthy families.
E)  the state controls all aspects of individuals' lives,including family relations and the practice of religion.F) A) and E)
G) A) and B)

Question 4

Which of the following best describes deception in American politics?

Accepted Answer

A)  It has always been a part of American politics.
B)  It has greatly increased in the last two decades.
C)  It first became notable during the Nixon administration.
D)  The Civil War era saw a marked increase in deceptive politics.
E)  The U.S.has remained remarkably free of deception in politics,as compared to other democracies.F) A) and B)
G) C) and D)

Question 5

What era in American politics is notable for a high level of bipartisanship?

Accepted Answer

A)  1945-1960 (post-WWII) 
B)  1865-1877 (Reconstruction) 
C)  1992-2000 (Clinton era) 
D)  1900-1917 (pre-WWI) 
E)  2016-present (Trump era) F) C) and E)
G) A) and B)

Question 6

Define politics,power,and authority.

Accepted Answer

Politics is the means by which society s...

Question 7

French philosopher Michel Foucault referred to politics as "________."

Accepted Answer

A)  like making sausage
B)  the burden of citizens
C)  a means to an end
D)  war by other means
E)  a necessary evilF) A) and B)
G) D) and E)

Question 8

________ is the ability of persons,groups,or institutions to influence political developments.

Accepted Answer

A)  Apathy
B)  Politics
C)  Power
D)  Liberty
E)  Political cultureF) B) and D)
G) None of the above

Question 9

The Greek words demos and kratis together mean

Accepted Answer

A)  majority rule is sacred.
B)  the people rule.
C)  government is good.
D)  politics is immoral.
E)  the king is good.F) A) and C)
G) B) 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 largest labor unions.
B)  elite political families such as the Kennedys and the Bushes.
C)  middle-class Americans.
D)  small businesses.
E)  large corporations.F) All of the above
G) C) and E)

Question 11

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 12

Which of the following is a difference between communism and socialism,as described by the text?

Accepted Answer

A)  Under socialism,the government owns some firms,but under communism the government does not own any major assets.
B)  Under communism,the government assumes total management of the economy,whereas under socialism,the government does not try to manage the overall economy.
C)  Under socialism,the economy operates mainly through private transactions,but under communism,the government owns a number of major industries and tries to provide for people's basic economic needs.
D)  Under communism,the government manages the economy completely but does not attempt to provide for people's basic needs; under socialism,the government does not manage the economy completely,but does attempt to provide for people's basic needs.
E)  Under socialism,the government owns more industries than a communist government does,but it provides less direct benefit for individuals' welfare.F) A) and B)
G) All of the above

Question 13

What are some of the barriers to critical thinking in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A major barrier to critical thinking is ...

Question 14

As described in the text,________ is a defining characteristic of America politics.

Accepted Answer

A)  the widespread sharing of power
B)  the supremacy of the elite
C)  a continual striving for equality
D)  a resistance to all forms of socialism
E)  an unequal distribution of powerF) B) and C)
G) C) and D)

Question 15

Roughly two-thirds of all lobbyists in the nation's capital represent

Accepted Answer

A)  activist organizations.
B)  labor unions.
C)  business firms.
D)  foreign-based political action groups.
E)  nonprofit organizations.F) B) and C)
G) B) and E)

Question 16

Which of the following best characterizes Americans' knowledge of public affairs today?

Accepted Answer

A)  Millennials are better informed than older generations by a wide margin.
B)  Americans are consistently shown to be among the most well-informed citizens when compared to other democracies.
C)  Most Americans today are far better informed than previous generations,though knowledge levels are still rather low.
D)  Most Americans are woefully uninformed,a situation similar to that found by early opinion polls.
E)  Baby boomers have been shown to be the most well-informed generation,but younger generations know little about public affairs.F) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 17

Which of the following statements about cultural or political beliefs in America is FALSE?

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)  Americans have traditionally favored a free-market economy.
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 D)
G) A) and C)

Question 18

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 engrained nature of individualism,from freedom of expression to fair-trial protections
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 B)
G) A) and E)

Question 19

Which of the following is a major barrier to critical thinking?

Accepted Answer

A)  citizens' unwillingness 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 of sensationalist television or Internet contentF) A) and D)
G) C) and D)

Question 20

Individualism is the idea that

Accepted Answer

A)  individuals should be free to act and think as they choose.
B)  all individuals are equal in their moral worth.
C)  people are the ultimate source of governing authority.
D)  people should take initiative and be self-sufficient.
E)  there should be formal limits on citizens' power.F) A) and D)
G) A) and B)

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

As described in the text,________ is a defining characteristic of America politics.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Define politics,power,and authority.

Correct AnswerverifiedPolitics is the means by which society s...View AnswerShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Individualism is the idea that

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What era in American politics is notable for a high level of bipartisanship?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is a major barrier to critical thinking?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What are some of the barriers to critical thinking in the United States?

Correct AnswerverifiedA major barrier to critical thinking is ...View AnswerShow Answer

The Greek words demos and kratis together mean

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

________ is the ability of persons,groups,or institutions to influence political developments.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following best characterizes Americans' knowledge of public affairs today?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following best describes deception in American politics?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Roughly two-thirds of all lobbyists in the nation's capital represent

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is a difference between communism and socialism,as described by the text?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In an oligarchy,

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French philosopher Michel Foucault referred to politics as "________."

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following statements about cultural or political beliefs in America is FALSE?

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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

The Bill of Rights

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Politics is the means by which society s...
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A major barrier to critical thinking is ...
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One could argue that due to the diversit...
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