Government Flashcards
What goods are available to all without direct payment?
public goods
. In which form of government does a small group of elite people hold political power?
Oligarchy
The elite theory of government maintains that
Wealthy, politically powerful people control government, and government has no interest in meeting the needs of ordinary people.
According to the pluralist theory of government
Government policy is formed as a result of the competition between groups with different goals and interests
Which of the following is a good example of a tradeoff?
The government pleases environmental activists by preserving public lands but also pleases ranchers by allowing them to rent public lands for grazing purposes.
Supporting the actions of the Democratic Party simply because one identifies oneself as a member of that party is an example of
Partisanship
When a person is asked a question about a political issue that he or she has little interest in and has not thought much about, that person’s answer will likely reflect
Latent preferences
British colonists in North America in the late seventeenth century were greatly influenced by the political thought of
John Locke
The agreement that citizens will consent to be governed so long as government protects their natural rights is called
Bill of Rights
What important power did the national government lack under the Articles of Confederation?
it could not impose taxes
According to the Great Compromise, how would representation in Congress be apportioned?
Representation in the House of Representatives would be based on each state’s population and every state would have two senators.
How did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention resolve their disagreement regarding slavery?
It was agreed that 60 percent of a state’s slave population would be counted for purposes of both representation and taxation.
Why were The Federalist Papers written?
To encourage New York to ratify the Constitution.
What argument did Alexander Hamilton use to convince people that it was not dangerous to place power in the hands of one man?
One man could respond to crises more quickly than a group of men like Congress. & It was easier to control the actions of one man than the actions of a group.
How many states must ratify an amendment before it becomes law?
Three-fourths
What is the Bill of Rights?
first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect individual freedoms
Which statement about federal and unitary systems is most accurate?
In a federal system, the constitution allocates powers between states and federal government; in a unitary system, powers are lodged in the national government
Which statement is most accurate about the sources of revenue for local and state governments?
Between 30 and 40 percent of the revenue for local and state governments comes from grant money.
In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court invoked which provisions of the constitution?
necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause
Which statement about new federalism is not true?
President Reagan was able to promote new federalism consistently throughout his administration. `
Which is not a merit of cooperative federalism?
Cooperative federalism respects the traditional jurisdictional boundaries between states and federal government.
Which statement about federal grants in recent decades is most accurate?
The amount of federal grant money going to states has steadily increased since the 1960s.
Which statement about unfunded mandates is false?
New federalism does not promote the use of unfunded mandates.
Which statement about immigration federalism is false?
The Arizona v. United States decision struck down all Arizona’s most restrictive provisions on illegal immigration.
