Question 1

The two major parties currently are:&#10;A) more similar in their stands on issues than they have been in a century&#10;B) further apart in their stands on issues than they have been in a century&#10;C) taking very similar stands on most issues, as they always have&#10;D) failing to take stands on most issues

Accepted Answer

The two major parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, are currently further apart in their stands on issues than they have been in a century. This can be seen in the polarizing rhetoric and policy positions of each party, which have become increasingly divergent in recent years.

Question 2

The idea of responsible parties is also called:&#10;A) pragmatism&#10;B) the separation of powers&#10;C) federalism&#10;D) party government

Accepted Answer

The concept of responsible parties refers to political parties being both unified in their ideology and accountable to the electorate, with clear policy goals and a willingness to implement them if given the opportunity to govern. This is an important characteristic of party government, where the party that wins an election takes responsibility for governing and implementing its policy platform. The other options - pragmatism, the separation of powers, and federalism - do not directly relate to responsible parties.

Question 3

Champions of party government believe that we need:&#10;A) strong and decisive government to solve social and economic problems&#10;B) weaker parties in order to permit government to function in harmony&#10;C) a clear separation of powers&#10;D) a smaller government with less involvement in people's lives

Accepted Answer

Champions of party government believe that strong and decisive government is necessary to solve social and economic problems. They believe that political parties should be in control of government, with a clear mandate to enact their policies and programs. This requires well-defined party platforms and active participation by citizens in the political process.

Question 4

In a system of responsible parties, the main focus would be on:&#10;A) winning elections as an end in itself&#10;B) making sure that conflicting factions within each party are fully represented&#10;C) the policies the party has pledged to put into effect&#10;D) letting candidates adhere to whatever part of the party's platform they agreed with

Accepted Answer

In a system of responsible parties, the main focus is on the policies the party has pledged to put into effect. This means that the party is responsible for implementing and fulfilling their policy platform, and voters can hold them accountable for their actions or lack thereof. Winning elections is important, but it is not the end goal in itself. Similarly, while it is important for factions within the party to be heard and represented, ultimately the policies that the party stands for are the most important. Finally, allowing candidates to deviate from the party platform can lead to confusion and inconsistency, which is not the goal of a responsible party system.

Question 5

The presence of divided government makes:&#10;A) responsible party government more likely&#10;B) responsible party government impossible&#10;C) no impact on the likelihood of responsible party government&#10;D) the passage of legislation by Congress impossible

Accepted Answer

Divided government, where one party controls the presidency and another controls one or both houses of Congress, makes it difficult to achieve a responsible party government. This is because a responsible party government requires that one party has control over both the executive and legislative branches to implement its policies effectively. In a divided government, the differing political agendas between the parties can hinder this unified control and policy implementation.

Question 6

One example of a short-lived responsible party arrangement occurred:&#10;A) with Speaker John Boehner after 2010&#10;B) in the 1950s under President Dwight Eisenhower&#10;C) with Speaker Newt Gingrich and his &#34;Contract with America&#34;&#10;D) after 2001, when George W. Bush was president and Democrats controlled the U.S. Senate

Accepted Answer

The responsible party arrangement with Speaker Newt Gingrich and his "Contract with America" was short-lived, as it only lasted for the two years he served as Speaker from 1995-1999. The "Contract with America" was a set of conservative policies and legislative goals that Republicans campaigned on during the 1994 midterm elections, which they won by a landslide and took control of the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. However, Gingrich's leadership style and controversial decisions, such as shutting down the government in a budget dispute with President Clinton, led to backlash from both Republicans and Democrats and his eventual resignation in 1999.

Question 7

A major roadblock in the path of responsible parties is:&#10;A) the separation of powers&#10;B) a parliamentary system&#10;C) a multi-party system&#10;D) majoritarian government

Accepted Answer

The separation of powers in a government system can make it difficult for responsible parties to make decisions and take action, as different branches of government may have conflicting interests or agendas. This can result in gridlock and a lack of accountability.

Question 8

A party with clear and consistent principles on a wide range of issues, from the purpose of government to the essence of human nature, is called a(n):&#10;A) ideological party&#10;B) pragmatic party&#10;C) coalition party&#10;D) service party

Accepted Answer

An ideological party is a party with a clear and consistent set of principles that guide their positions on various issues. These principles are often rooted in a particular ideology or philosophy, such as liberalism, conservatism, or socialism. This is different from a pragmatic party, which may be more focused on practical solutions to immediate issues rather than adherence to a specific ideology. A coalition party is a party that is made up of multiple groups or interests, often with differing views and priorities. A service party is a party that focuses on providing services and benefits to its members or constituents without necessarily taking a strong ideological stance on issues.

Question 9

Throughout American history, political parties have tended to be:&#10;A) more ideological than pragmatic&#10;B) more pragmatic than ideological&#10;C) uncompromising on almost every issue&#10;D) closely regulated by the U.S. Constitution

Accepted Answer

Throughout American history, political parties have been more pragmatic than ideological. Parties have adapted to changing circumstances and formed various coalitions to achieve their goals, rather than sticking rigidly to a consistent ideology.

Question 10

Which party or parties support same-sex marriage?&#10;A) Republicans.&#10;B) Both Democrats and Republicans equally.&#10;C) Neither Democrats nor Republicans.&#10;D) Democrats.

Accepted Answer

Democrats are the party that largely supports same-sex marriage. Republicans, on the other hand, vary in their support for same-sex marriage, with many opposing it.

Question 11

The party that has long stood for an activist federal government that promotes individuals' welfare but with very limited government control over individuals' decisions on abortion is the ______ Party.

A) Republican
B) Libertarian
C) Democratic
D) Tea

Accepted Answer

The answer of The party that has long stood for...

Question 12

Party government is most likely:&#10;A) when times are calm, with no major crises&#10;B) when there is divided government&#10;C) when the parties are collections of varied interests&#10;D) when there is strong presidential leadership

Accepted Answer

The answer of Party government is most likely:&#10;A) when times...

Question 13

In public opinion polls, majorities see the Republican Party as stronger than the Democratic Party on:&#10;A) Social Security&#10;B) defense and terrorism issues&#10;C) education issues&#10;D) environmental issues

Accepted Answer

The answer of In public opinion polls, majorities see the...

Question 14

When the parties' supporting coalitions of social groups undergo major change, we call this:&#10;A) dealignment&#10;B) realignment&#10;C) &#34;service parties&#34;&#10;D) responsible parties

Accepted Answer

The answer of When the parties' supporting coalitions of social...

Question 15

In American politics, candidates will always have some independence from their party organization because:&#10;A) candidates must get their campaign money from their party organizations&#10;B) we live in a parliamentary system&#10;C) candidates are chosen in primary elections, not by party leaders&#10;D) disloyal candidates can be removed from the ballot by their party leaders

Accepted Answer

The answer of In American politics, candidates will always have...

Question 16

The abortion issue is an example of an issue that:&#10;A) used to divide Republican voters from Democratic voters, but doesn't any longer&#10;B) wasn't a partisan issue till the 1980s, but the Republican platform differs from the Democratic platform on the issue now&#10;C) is so divisive that it isn't listed in either party's platform now&#10;D) was decided by the Supreme Court, so neither party can take a stand on it

Accepted Answer

The answer of The abortion issue is an example of...

Question 17

Define each of the following and briefly explain why it is relevant to the study of political parties.&#10;-Responsible parties.

Accepted Answer