Political Science 1 - Government of the United States and California » 2019 » Quiz 8

Need help with your exam preparation?

Existing Quiz Clients Login here
Question #1
The __________ is the official statement of a political party's policy alternatives.
A.   party constitution
B.   gavel
C.   platform
D.   articles of incorporation
Question #2
Part of Anthony Downs's rational-choice model is that __________.
A.   logic and reason always prevail in the American electorate
B.   party identity will lose its importance over the next 100 years
C.   voters want to maximize the chance that their preferred policies will be adopted by government
D.   voters are acting rationally when they vote against their self-interest
Question #3
What is the party in the electorate?
A.   all citizens who claim to be a member of a political party
B.   voters active in the business of the party
C.   public officials who are registered with a political party
D.   party officers who seek to educate the public on key party stances
Question #4
The __________ is the formal structure of the political party that sets rules for party operations, pursues electoral victories, and keeps the party running between elections.
A.   party as provider
B.   party in government
C.   party as an organization
D.   party in the electorate
Question #5
Of the following, who is most likely to split their ticket?
A.   younger voters
B.   older voters
C.   angry voters
D.   minorities
Question #6
Which of the following is a potential danger associated with open primaries?
A.   Open primaries may result in the election of more extreme candidates.
B.   The other party can "raid" the primary to vote for the least viable candidate.
C.   Open primaries give too much power to those who reside outside of the district.
D.   The presence of too many candidates on the ballot can confuse voters.
Question #7
The national __________ is the supreme power of the national party organization.
A.   convention
B.   assembly
C.   legislature
D.   delegation
Question #8
Who runs the national party organizations between conventions?
A.   the party's congressional caucus
B.   the parties in the electorate
C.   the party's national committee
D.   the state party organizations
Question #9
What best explains the demise of party machines?
A.   judicial reforms that ended the "pay to play" system of assigning public defenders
B.   progressive reforms that instituted a merit-based hiring system
C.   Keynesian economic reforms that increased individual wealth
D.   congressional reforms that prevented private party meetings in "smoke-filled rooms"
Question #10
When can a party change its platform?
A.   during its national party convention
B.   at the start of each fiscal year
C.   every two years
D.   after the census
Question #11
Which has partly filled the void left by the decline of the urban party machine?
A.   labor unions
B.   family farmers and small business owners
C.   corporations
D.   county parties
Question #12
Which of these is an electoral "earthquake" where new issues emerge, new coalitions replace old ones, and the majority party may be displaced by the minority party?
A.   a midterm election
B.   a critical election
C.   a seismological election
D.   a coalition election
Question #13
The loyal opposition in the era of Democratic President Andrew Jackson was __________.
A.   the Whig Party
B.   Federalist
C.   Republican party
D.   the progressive party
Question #14
What is a disadvantage of divided government?
A.   It often stunts economic growth.
B.   It acts as a check and balance across institutions.
C.   It often expands the scope of government.
D.   It does not allow for clear accountability on policy.
Question #15
A major party realignment occurred during the initial election of President __________.
A.   Barack Obama
B.   Franklin Roosevelt
C.   George W. Bush
D.   Herbert Hoover
Question #16
What does Ralph Nader's 2000 presidential election bid illustrate regarding the role of third parties?
A.   third parties' absence of media attention
B.   third parties' potential to affect the outcome of the election
C.   third parties' poor candidate choices
D.   third parties' potential to affect the outcome of the election
Question #17
European democracies have more parties in positions of political power than does the United States because of their use of __________.
A.   proportional representation
B.   winner-take-all systems
C.   party platforms
D.   critical elections
Question #18
One of the consequences of two-party government is __________.
A.   the increased likelihood of coalition government
B.   greater fluidity of representation
C.   the moderation of political conflict
D.   the increased likelihood of proportional representation
Question #19
Why are coalition governments so prevalent in parliamentary systems?
A.   Parliamentary systems are nonpartisan, but coalition governments can often act much like parties.
B.   Coalition governments discourage third parties.
C.   The winner-take-all system that is used in parliamentary systems encourages coalition governments.
D.   In a multiparty system with proportional representation, single parties usually do not win a majority of the seats.

Need help with your exam preparation?

Existing Quiz Clients Login here