6. Multiple choice Flashcards
One of the few national representative assemblies in the world that can actually be said to govern is the …
United States Congress
At least _____ of the Senate must vote to approve a treaty in order for it to be officially ratified.
two-thirds
The citizens in the district that makes up the area from which an official is elected are collectively known as his or her …
constituency
Members of Congress owe their primary responsibility to …
their constituency
Members of Congress may act as delegates or trustees, but they must win the next election to pursue either role. Legislators seeking reelection as a precondition to other goals is an example of which type of action?
Representatives who believe that they were elected in order to mirror the preferences of those who sent them to the legislature are considered to be serving as …
delegates
When a senator voted against a gun control bill that he agreed with but that his constituency opposed, he exemplified a _________ style of representation.
delegate
Representatives who believe that they have been selected by their fellow citizens in order to do what the legislator thinks is “right” act as …
trustees
A representative who voted to limit greenhouse gas emissions because she thought it was in the best interest of the country even though her constituency did not support that action exemplifies a __________ style of representation.
trustee
The type of representation in which constituents hold representatives accountable if they fail to represent the constituents properly is known as __________ representation.
agency
Agency representation is similar to the relationship between …
lawyer and client
The agency conception of representation is based on the ambition of politicians (as agents) and the ability of constituents (as principals) to …
reward and punish on the basis of the legislator’s performance and reputation
Which political institution in the American system of government did the framers intend to be the closest to the people?
the House of Representatives
What is one way in which the Founders designed the Senate to be more distant from the will of the majority than the House?
Senators have longer terms than House members
Leaders in the House have greater control over the agenda and debate compared to leaders in the Senate. Which principle of politics best explains this difference?
institution principle
Which term best describes a legislative assembly, such as the Congress, that is divided into two chambers or houses?
bicameral
How many members are in the U.S. House of Representatives?
435
How many members are in the U.S. Senate?
100
How often do voters elect members to the House of Representatives?
every two years
How long is the term of office for a U.S. senator?
six years
What is the minimum age required to serve as a member of the House of Representatives?
25
What is the minimum age required to serve as a U.S. senator?
30
Compared to the House of Representatives, the Senate is much more …
deliberative
Why does the Senate tend to be a more deliberative body than the House?
The Senate has a strong commitment to the principle of unlimited debate
Compared to members of the House of Representatives, most senators serve constituencies that are …
larger and more diverse
Compared to the Senate, the small size and relative homogeneity of House districts, combined with more frequent elections, make House members …
especially responsive to the legislative needs of local interest groups
Compared to the Senate, the House of Representatives has exhibited considerably more …
intense partisanship
Perhaps the most important factor determining who runs for Congress is …
candidates’ personal ambitions
Running to keep a political office that one already holds is called …
incumbency
Article I of the Constitution specifies that the House of Representatives must originate all legislation on which topic?
taxes and spending
