Chpt. 15
- 1.
The political agenda is affected by all of the following EXCEPT:
- A.
A crisis, such as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001
- B.
Pressures by interest groups, such as organized labor, to address certain issues, such as working conditions
- C.
Pressures by institutions, such as the Supreme Court, to change practices, such as segregation
- D.
Pressures by unfriendly foreign nationsto change U.S. foreign policy
- E.
The use of media to publicize matters, such as automobile safety
Correct Answer
D. Pressures by unfriendly foreign nationsto change U.S. foreign policyExplanation
Interest groups, institutions, and the media all impact the policy agenda. In addition, the agenda changes when there is a crisis.Rate this question:
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- 2.
There is a billboard that says "Sometimes it takes a family of four to stop a drunk driver. -MADD" Underneath is a crushed up car.QUESTION:The billboard shown above is an example of
- A.
How an issue became part of the political agenda as a result of policy entrepreneurs
- B.
A public relations campaign, financed by the federal government, to raise public awareness
- C.
A protest by a public interest group against an unfavorable court decision
- D.
The use of PAC money to influence an election campaign
- E.
How a public interest group attempts to influence the voting records of members of Congress
Correct Answer
A. How an issue became part of the political agenda as a result of policy entrepreneursExplanation
Drunk driving was always a problem, but it became a national issue after policy entrepreneurs, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) emphasized it.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Almost everyone has to pay Social Security taxes, but almost everyone will receive Social Security benefits when they retire. This is an example of
- A.
Interest group politics, in wich a single group benefits most from the policy-making process
- B.
Majoritarian politics, in which the policy-making process benefits large numbers of people who also bear the costs
- C.
Client politics, in which small identifiable groups will receive most of the benefits from the policy-making process
- D.
Entrepreneurial politics, in which a large number of people benefit from a policy that imposes costs on a small group
- E.
Pork-barrel politics, in which pet projects benefit the constituents of a member of Congress
Correct Answer
B. Majoritarian politics, in which the policy-making process benefits large numbers of people who also bear the costsExplanation
Most people pay for Social Security, and most people will receive its benefits. This is an example of majoritarian politics.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which of the following policies were adopted because a policy entrepreneur dramatacized the issue, galvanized public opinion, and mobalized congressional support?I. automobile safety legislationII. legislation regulating the meatpacking industryIII. legislation cutting highway funding for states that did not raise the drinking ageIV. the creating of the Department Of Homeland Defense
- A.
I and II
- B.
I, II, and III
- C.
II and III
- D.
II, III, and IV
- E.
I, II, and IV
Correct Answer
B. I, II, and IIIExplanation
Policy entrepreneurs pursued legislation affecting automobile safety, the meatpacking industry, and highway safety.Rate this question:
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- 5.
In the 1980s several industries were deregulated. Why did these industries object to deregulation?
- A.
Because detailed regulation enabled them to run their businesses using standard operating procedures
- B.
Because once those industries were deregulated, they were no longer able to keep prices low for the consumers
- C.
Because regulations kept those industries competitive in the market
- D.
Because deregulation would lead to competition, lower prices,and lower industry profits
- E.
Because deregulation would prevent indutries from hiring the skilled labor forces they needed to stay competitive
Correct Answer
D. Because deregulation would lead to competition, lower prices,and lower industry profitsExplanation
Industries, like the airlines, resisted deregulation, because it led to more competition, lower prices, and fewer prices.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which of the following historical events changed the political agenda and widened the scope of the government?I. the civil rights movementII. the Great DepressionIII. the environmental movementIV. World War I
- A.
I and II
- B.
I, II, and III
- C.
II and III
- D.
II and IV
- E.
I, III, and IV
Correct Answer
B. I, II, and IIIExplanation
The Great Depression, civil rights movement, and environmental movement all increased the scope of the government policy-making. Wars have always been the subject of policy-making.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Sometimes policies not demanded by the public nevertheless become items on the political agenda. What explains this?
- A.
Key people in the government, the political elites, become interested in certain problemsand try to solve them.
- B.
Policy-makers rether than the public set the agenda, so the public has little impact on the political agenda.
- C.
The public does not pay much attention to the policy agenda.
- D.
Members of Congress are more interested in helping their districts than in making policy for the nation.
- E.
The policy-making process is so complicated that it is difficult to determine what the public wants.
Correct Answer
A. Key people in the government, the political elites, become interested in certain problemsand try to solve them.Explanation
A policy not demanded by the public can be addressed if someone in government is interested in it.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Why has the Senate become a major source of political change?
- A.
Senators frequently run for president, so they seek out issues that will garner attention.
- B.
Senators have more time to deliberate than members of the House of Represenatatives, so they are more able to introduce policies.
- C.
Senators "fly under the radar" more than the president; as a result, they have become policy innovators.
- D.
The Senate has stricter party discipline than the House; as a result, more policies can be enacted.
- E.
Senators are held more accountable to their constituents than representatives are.
Correct Answer
A. Senators frequently run for president, so they seek out issues that will garner attention.Explanation
Senators are more visible than representatives, and so more of them run for the presidency. They want to be policy innovators on attention-grabbing issues.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Every policy-making decision involves balancing what competing interests?
- A.
The balance between who will write the laws and who will implement them.
- B.
The balance between the legislative branch and the executive branch.
- C.
The balance between judicial activism and judicial restraint.
- D.
The balance between who will benefit and who will bear the costs
- E.
The balance between the powers of the state and federal government
Correct Answer
D. The balance between who will benefit and who will bear the costsExplanation
Under the cost-benefit analysis, every policy involves a group that will be helped and a group that will bear the expense. The interests of both groups are considered as part of the policy-making process.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What kinds of projects typically are the subject of "logrolling" (exchanging votes on bills)?
- A.
Bills that will create new nationwide social programs.
- B.
Bills involving controversial issues, such as abortion.
- C.
Bills for funding the military and defense.
- D.
Bills for funding "pork-barrel" projects.
- E.
Bills regulating the environment
Correct Answer
D. Bills for funding "pork-barrel" projects.Explanation
Logrolling occurs when members of Congress agree to vote for one another's bills. These bills usually contain several projects to benefit specific distrits and are known as "pork-barrel" legislation.Rate this question:
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Jan 22, 2013Quiz Edited by
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Dec 29, 2010Quiz Created by
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