Edwards, Lineberry Chp. 8
- 1.Which of the following best explains why the United States has a two-party system?
- A.
The Constitution mandates a two-party system
- B.
Federal laws mandate a two-party system
- C.
In every state except California, state laws mandate a two-party system
- D.
Seats in Congress are awarded on a winner-take-all basis
- E.
Seats in Congress are awarded according to the principles of proportional representation
- 2.Which of the following statements are generally true of third parties? I. Third-party officeholders threaten the political standing of the US in the eyes of other nationsII Third parties expand the political agendaIII Third parties rarely gain enough support in the electorate to winIV Third-party success may indicate popular discontent
- A.
I only
- B.
III only
- C.
II and III only
- D.
I and IV only
- E.
II, III, and IV only
- 3.Political parties play an important role in democracy because they
- A.
Guarantee voters radically different choices of policy outcomes
- B.
Offer politicians unique identities
- C.
Connect the public with policymaking institutions
- D.
Contribute to a centralized federal government
- E.
Control each of the three branches of government
- 4.Who is most likely to engage in ticket splitting?
- A.
Nonvoters
- B.
Primary election voters
- C.
Democrats
- D.
Republicans
- E.
Independents
- 5.The process that parties use to nominate their candidate for the presidency is called
- A.
A critical election
- B.
A national convention
- C.
An open primary
- D.
A closed primary
- E.
A national committee
- 6.Which of the following can be seen as an advantage of divided government?
- A.
Divided government creates clear lines of accountability for policy failures and successes
- B.
Political parties are better able to enact their policy platforms
- C.
Divided government encourages compromise between the parties
- D.
The president maintains the upper hand in negotiations with Congress
- E.
Increased voter turnout
- 7.When were local party organizations strongest?
- A.
When party machines controlled large cities
- B.
During the New Deal Coalition
- C.
During a realignment
- D.
During a dealignment
- E.
Immediately after a presidential election
- 8.Which of the following statements accurately describe critical elections?I. critical elections are often associated with significant political or social eventsII. After a critical election, the previously existing minority party usually collapses and a new party formsIII. a critical election ensures that the previously existing majority party will maintain its position of powerIV. Critical elections usually signal the beginning of a new political era
- A.
II only
- B.
IV only
- C.
I and IV only
- D.
II and III only
- E.
I, II, and IV only
- 9.All of the following were part of hte New Deal Coalition EXCEPT
- A.
Urbanites
- B.
Bankers
- C.
Labor unions
- D.
Southerners
- E.
Jews
- 10.A political party is
- A.
A team of men and women seeking to control the government by gaining office in elections
- B.
A group of people who agree on everything and organize annually to win elections
- C.
A narrow interest group seeking advantage through elections
- D.
Less interested in winning elections than in particular public policy
- E.
More interested in lobbying members of Congress than in winning elections
Back to top