American Government CLEP Study Guide 2022

Questions and Answers

Which of the following statements best reflects the pluralist theory of American politics?

All political opinions are equally represented.

Democracy must be led by a single political party.

Public policies emerge from compromises reached among competing groups. (correct)

Political power is concentrated among a small elitist group.

Which of the following is generally the most significant influence on an individual's identification with a particular political party?

Education

Geographic location

Family (correct)

Socioeconomic status

Which of the following committee assignments would confer the most power and influence on members of the House of Representatives?

Appropriations

Judiciary

Ways and Means (correct)

Foreign Affairs

Which of the following statements about Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka is correct?

It declared segregation by race in the public schools unconstitutional. Signup and view all the answers

Prior to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, literacy tests were used by some southern states to

Prevent African Americans from exercising their right to vote. Signup and view all the answers

The practice whereby individual senators can veto federal judicial nominations in their respective states is called

senatorial courtesy Signup and view all the answers

Differences between House and Senate versions of a bill are resolved

in a conference committee Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following principles protects a citizen from imprisonment without trial?

Due process Signup and view all the answers

The passage of legislation in Congress often depends on mutual accommodations among members. This suggests that, to some extent, congressional behavior is based on

The principle of reciprocity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the president's veto power?

A president sometimes threatens to veto a bill that is under discussion in order to influence congressional decision making. Signup and view all the answers

All of the following issues were decided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 EXCEPT

Voting qualifications of the electorate Signup and view all the answers

The principle of stare decisis refers to which of the following?

The judicial principle of following precedents that were established in previous court decisions Signup and view all the answers

The usefulness to the president of having cabinet members as political advisers is undermined by the fact that

the loyalties of cabinet members are often divided between loyalty to the president and loyalty to their own executive departments Signup and view all the answers

All of the following are constitutional rights that neither the federal government nor the states can restrict EXCEPT the right to

Be indicted by grand jury Signup and view all the answers

In the electoral history of the United States, third parties have been effective vehicles of protest when they

dramatized issues and positions that were being ignored by the major parties Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines the term 'judicial activism'?

Judges attempting to influence public policy through their case decisions Signup and view all the answers

High levels of political participation have been found to be positively associated with which of the following?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

In the past 30 years, the single most important variable in determining the outcome of an election for a member of the House of Representatives has been

incumbency Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of federalism embodied in the United States government?

The Constitution divides power between a central government and its constituent governments, with some powers being shared. Signup and view all the answers

The power of the Rules Committee in the House of Representatives primarily stems from its authority to

limit the time for debate and determine whether amendments to a bill can be considered Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a function of the White House Office?

Advising the president on political decisions Signup and view all the answers

A major difference between political parties and interest groups is that interest groups generally do NOT

Run candidates for office Signup and view all the answers

An election is a realigning or critical election if

It produces a significant shift in voter coalition. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pluralist Theory

Public policies arise from compromises among competing groups, reflecting the pluralist theory of American politics.

Political Party Identification

Family influence generally ranks as the most significant factor in an individual's political party identification.

House of Representatives Power

The Ways and Means Committee provides the highest level of power and influence to its members in the House of Representatives.

Brown v. Board of Education

This landmark case declared that segregation by race in public schools is unconstitutional.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Prior to this Act, literacy tests were employed by southern states to disenfranchise African American voters.

Senatorial Courtesy

A practice where individual senators can block federal judicial nominations within their states.

Conference Committee

A conference committee resolves discrepancies between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Due Process

This principle safeguards citizens from being imprisoned without trial.

Congressional Behavior

Legislation passage often relies on mutual accommodations, indicating that congressional behavior operates on the principle of reciprocity.

Presidential Veto Power

Presidential vetoes can influence Congress; however, only about one-third of bills passed by Congress are vetoed, and overriding a veto is typically challenging for Congress.

Constitutional Convention of 1787

Significant issues resolved at this convention did not include the voting qualifications of the electorate.

Stare Decisis

This judicial principle mandates that courts follow precedents established in previous decisions.

Cabinet Members' Loyalties

Cabinet members may struggle with divided loyalties between their allegiance to the president and their responsibilities to their departments.

Constitutional Rights

While numerous rights are protected from restriction, the right to be indicted by a grand jury is not uniquely protected for both federal and state jurisdictions.

Third Parties in Elections

Historically, third parties have effectively protested issues that major parties ignored, influencing public discourse.

Judicial Activism

Defined as judges' attempts to shape public policy through their decisions.

Political Participation

High levels of political participation correlate positively with a strong interest in politics, a sense of political efficacy, and a sense of civic duty.

Incumbency

In recent elections, incumbency has emerged as the most critical factor influencing the outcomes for House of Representatives members.

Federalism

The U.S. government exemplifies federalism by dividing power between a central government and its constituents while allowing for some shared powers.

Rules Committee in the House

The Rules Committee has significant authority to regulate debate duration and determine whether amendments to legislation may be considered.

White House Office Function

The White House Office primarily advises the president on political decisions.

Political Parties vs. Interest Groups

Unlike political parties, interest groups do not typically seek slots on electoral ballots.

Realigning or Critical Election

An election is termed realigning or critical when there is a lasting shift in party coalitions.

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Description

This quiz features key concepts from the American Government CLEP study guide for 2022. It focuses on important theories, influences on political affiliation, and the dynamics of public policy. Test your knowledge and prepare effectively for the exam.