- In which of the following ways is the U.S. free-market system distinct from the European economies?-its lack of regulatory intervention-its lack of intervention through taxation-its lack of intervention through spending policies-the extent to which private transactions determine the allocation of economic costs and benefits-the extent to which it exercises regulatory intervention by altering interest rates
- Which of the following is an accurate description of the prevalence of college education in the United States?-Among adults twenty-five years of age and older, roughly half are college graduates-Among adults twenty-five years of age and older, roughly one in four is a college graduate.-Every U.S. state has at least twenty colleges or universities within its borders.-Despite having a much higher rate of colleges and universities per capita than European countries; the U.S. has a lower rate of college graduation per capita.-Although the U.S. has a lower number of colleges and universities per capita than Europe, it has a much higher rate of college graduation per capita.
- Which of the following characterizes journalist Walter Lippmann's views on democracy?-He felt that well-funded private interest groups and lobbyists had taken the true majoritarian power of democracy away from the voting public.-He felt that modern democratic government had become an unhealthy, pluralistic enterprise.-He believed that among forms of government, only democracy could provide a citizen with the ability to be a "progressive being."-He worried that most citizens are too uninformed to play the role democracy assigns them.-None of these answers is correct.
- What is the name for a type of government that "openly represses its political opponents, mostly through intimidation and prohibitions on free expression, but sometimes by brutalizing or imprisoning opposition leaders?"-Oligarchy-Pluralist-Authoritarian-Majoritarian
- In which of the following policy areas does the U.S. spend more than European nations?-social welfare-military-subsidized housing for the poor-public works-public health care
- Compared with European countries, the U.S. has far more _____________ per-capita.-taxes-All of these-government regulations-lawyers-lawmakers
- Research suggests which of the following is primarily to blame for the increase in faulty perceptions of news items among the public?-changes in the forms of communication-a failure of government officials to communicate truthfully-a growing disinterest in seeking out news items-the growing public gap in access to more advanced forms of media transmission, such as the Internet-the increasing political polarization of elected politicians
- Where did Absolutists claim their power originated from?
- Louis XIV relied on these non-noble to carry out his absolutist policies.
- What is the major barrier to political thinking?-unwillingness of citizens to make the effort-lack of access to governmental institutions-elite control of political power resources-the failure of politicians and government institutions to communicate policy details to the public-the lack of access to news media sources outside of sensationalist television or Internet content
- Pluralism contends that, on most issues,-corporate elites have more control over economic policy than do "the politicians in the visible government."-the will of the majority of the voting public determines government policy.-it is the preference of the special interest that largely determines what government does.-true authority lies with the elected politicians, and not with the public that put them in office.-the diverse nature of the citizenry enhances the democratic process in policymaking.
- This one of Louis' Wars placed a Bourbon on the throne of Spain:
- As described by the authors, "political thinking":-is the reflection of an individual's ideological position when applied to political issues.-results from an individual allowing personal bias to inform all thoughts about political issues, instead of doing objective learning or research to form an opinion.-involves the careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming a knowledgeable view about a political issue.-is the result of an individual's attempts to seek out news media that reinforces a pre-existing political bias.-is a strategy taken by those seeking election to public office in which their publicly stated positions are designed to maximize their attractiveness to the widest voting bloc.
- Roughly two-thirds of all lobbyists in the nation's capital represent:-activist organizations.-labor unions.-business firms.-foreign-based political action groups.-nonprofit organizations.
- According to Fuentes, for the ancient peoples of the Americas, the forces of the universe were both a threat to life and a necessity for it. How did they resolve this contradiction?
- What year was the Peace of Utrecht signed?
- What is a major limit on majoritarianism suggested by the authors?-The public as a whole takes an interest in only a few of the hundreds of policy decisions that U.S. officials make each year.-The public lacks access to the information required to take informed political action on most issues dealt with by the government each year.-The actions of special interest groups are ultimately more influential than the voting power of the public.-The rapid turnover of government officials and members of the legislature prevents the majority public from making a sustained effort for any single issue.-The most power tends to reside with a wealthy minority of the voting public, preventing the majority public from setting the issue agenda.
- Europeans have a greater acceptance than Americans of:-tax and social policies that redistribute wealth.-the strength of the executive branch of government.-the majoritarian system of government.-the influence of corporate special interests in the legislative process.-the influence of corporate money in the election process.
- In an oligarchy,-the state is run by corporate interests and companies instead of individuals.-control rests with a small group of popularly elected individuals.-control rests with a single individual, such as a dictator.-control rests with a small group, such as military officers or a few wealthy families.-the state controls all forms of individual's lives, including family relations and the practice of religion.
- What event in history increased the demand for raw materials in Britain?