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Questions and Answers
What is a key term that describes the act of redrawing electoral districts in a way that benefits a particular party or group?
What is a key term that describes the act of redrawing electoral districts in a way that benefits a particular party or group?
Which of the following describes the structure of the American government, dividing power between three branches?
Which of the following describes the structure of the American government, dividing power between three branches?
What type of election is held every four years to choose the president of the United States?
What type of election is held every four years to choose the president of the United States?
Which political party is associated with the Tea Party movement, known for its conservative stances?
Which political party is associated with the Tea Party movement, known for its conservative stances?
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What type of government system does the United States have, where power is divided between a national government and state governments?
What type of government system does the United States have, where power is divided between a national government and state governments?
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What was the outcome of Obama's economic stimulus package in February 2010?
What was the outcome of Obama's economic stimulus package in February 2010?
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How did Republicans in the House of Representatives respond to an increase in the U.S. debt ceiling in 2011 and 2013?
How did Republicans in the House of Representatives respond to an increase in the U.S. debt ceiling in 2011 and 2013?
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Which branch of government is responsible for impeaching a president?
Which branch of government is responsible for impeaching a president?
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What is the name of the document that outlines the basic principles of the United States government and guarantees certain rights to citizens?
What is the name of the document that outlines the basic principles of the United States government and guarantees certain rights to citizens?
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What was the centerpiece of Obama's electoral campaign?
What was the centerpiece of Obama's electoral campaign?
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What has been a consequence of political polarization in the US, according to the text?
What has been a consequence of political polarization in the US, according to the text?
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Which of the following is NOT a key term related to the American political system?
Which of the following is NOT a key term related to the American political system?
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What was the result of the 2013 government shutdown?
What was the result of the 2013 government shutdown?
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What percentage of likely American voters were very disappointed with the performance of Congress in 2014?
What percentage of likely American voters were very disappointed with the performance of Congress in 2014?
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What is a potential solution to political polarization, as suggested by the text?
What is a potential solution to political polarization, as suggested by the text?
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What type of government does the US have?
What type of government does the US have?
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What type of government is the United States?
What type of government is the United States?
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What is a potential problem associated with the confirmation process of presidential appointees due to polarization?
What is a potential problem associated with the confirmation process of presidential appointees due to polarization?
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Which branch of government is responsible for legislation?
Which branch of government is responsible for legislation?
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Which of the following is NOT a branch of the US government mentioned in the text as being affected by polarization?
Which of the following is NOT a branch of the US government mentioned in the text as being affected by polarization?
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What is the main difference between a Republican and a Democrat in the context of the US government?
What is the main difference between a Republican and a Democrat in the context of the US government?
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What is a key characteristic of a presidential system, according to the text?
What is a key characteristic of a presidential system, according to the text?
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What is the term used in the text to describe the process of removing a president from office?
What is the term used in the text to describe the process of removing a president from office?
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What type of election system is being suggested as a possible solution to polarization?
What type of election system is being suggested as a possible solution to polarization?
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What is a defining feature of the United States' political system, as described in the text?
What is a defining feature of the United States' political system, as described in the text?
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Which of these is NOT a characteristic of the United States' political system, as described in the text?
Which of these is NOT a characteristic of the United States' political system, as described in the text?
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What does the text suggest about the role of religion in the United States?
What does the text suggest about the role of religion in the United States?
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What is the primary reason for the United States being considered an anomaly among advanced industrial democracies?
What is the primary reason for the United States being considered an anomaly among advanced industrial democracies?
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What type of government does the United States have?
What type of government does the United States have?
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What is the main reason for the United States' persistent inequality?
What is the main reason for the United States' persistent inequality?
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Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between the U.S. political system and its citizens?
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between the U.S. political system and its citizens?
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Which of the following is a major challenge faced by the United States, as described in the text?
Which of the following is a major challenge faced by the United States, as described in the text?
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What is a significant change in the political landscape of the United States since the 1970s, according to the provided text?
What is a significant change in the political landscape of the United States since the 1970s, according to the provided text?
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What is a key factor that has contributed to the increasing polarization of U.S. politics, as cited in the provided text?
What is a key factor that has contributed to the increasing polarization of U.S. politics, as cited in the provided text?
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What is the primary focus of the provided text?
What is the primary focus of the provided text?
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What does the text suggest about the role of party primaries in the United States?
What does the text suggest about the role of party primaries in the United States?
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What type of government system is described in the text?
What type of government system is described in the text?
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What is a key example of the increasing polarization in the United States mentioned in the text?
What is a key example of the increasing polarization in the United States mentioned in the text?
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What is the primary focus of the political reforms mentioned in the text?
What is the primary focus of the political reforms mentioned in the text?
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What type of election system is the text primarily focused on?
What type of election system is the text primarily focused on?
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Study Notes
Impeachment Investigation
- The House of Representatives' impeachment investigation was obstructed by the administration, which refused to release subpoenaed documents and blocked deposed witnesses from testifying.
- This led to a further polarizing of the American public, with 50% of Americans disapproving of Trump, and only 1% of those polled being undecided.
- The President's legal team and Republican supporters in the House of Representatives argued that the evidence brought forward did not support claims of abuse of power.
Political Polarization
- Political polarization in the United States has increased significantly since the 1970s.
- Scholars note that U.S. policies have become increasingly polarized, with evidence strongest among political elites.
- Strict party-line votes have dramatically increased in Congress, with party unity scores measuring the percentage of legislators voting with their party majority increasing from about 70% in the 1970s to about 90% at present.
- Moderates constituted 41% of senators in 1970, but today account for only 5%.
Consequences of Polarization
- Polarization has made it difficult to create legislative coalitions, leading to public policy gridlock.
- The workings of the federal bureaucracy and the judiciary have been hampered, with what were once routine legislative approvals becoming long and drawn-out confirmation battles.
- Polarization has also made it harder to pass laws to address economic crises, contributing to growing inequality in the United States.
- The political discourse among political elites has become less civil.
Reversing Polarization
- Scholars have suggested political reforms aimed at reducing political polarization in the United States, such as adopting a proportional representation electoral system.
- Others have suggested reforming the rules of Congress and revising political party primaries to better reflect views in the political center.
- Some have also pointed to lax campaign finance laws and the explosion of special interest groups as contributing to polarization.
U.S. Politics in Comparative Perspective
- The United States is an anomaly compared to other advanced industrial democracies, with a relatively weak state and a political system deliberately designed to prevent decisive and coherent policy making.
- U.S. citizens are deeply proud of their state but distrust it and its bureaucracy in far greater numbers than the citizens of other industrialized democracies.
- The United States has a vibrant civil society but very low voter turnout.
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Description
Quiz on the impeachment investigation, House of Representatives, and public opinion on Trump.
