Final Exam Study Questions - American Political Parties | POLS 2607, Exams of Political Science

Download Final Exam Study Questions - American Political Parties | POLS 2607 and more Exams Political Science in PDF only on Docsity! Political Science 2607 American Political Parties Spring 2012 FINAL EXAM STUDY QUESTIONS The final exam will take place on Tuesday, May 1 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. It will consist of 50 multiple choice questions, worth 50%, and two essay questions, worth 25% each. Part I: Multiple Choice (50%) Here are the multiple choice questions (minus the possible answers): 1. The idea that a political party should be “a body of men united for promoting by their joint endeavors the national interest, upon some particular principle on which they are all agreed,” comes from: 2. Many political scientists and historians argue that American political parties serve which of the following functions? 3. Which of the following might have the effect of limiting “party discipline” in the federal government? 4. In “Federalist 10” James Madison argued that “factions” (or parties): 5. The United States came closest to a “one-party” or a “no-party” system in which of the following periods? 6. Support for universal white male suffrage, very limited federal involvement in economic affairs, and a belief that in filling federal government jobs “to the winner belongs the spoils” characterized: 7. A common theme that might serve to link the Democratic Party from Andrew Jackson’s time through at least the days of the New Deal could be: 8. The “Conscience Whigs” and the “Cotton Whigs” divided over the issue of: 9. In Dynamics of the Party System James Sundquist writes of a group of settlers in new territory who initially divide over issues of public taxation and expenditures for public works, and then later divide over issues relating to: 10. From 1880 to at least the 1950s, the American South: 11. Which of the following is not an example of a third party that arose either to address issues not addressed by the two major political parties, or to take a position outside the two dominant parties’ “consensus”? 1 12. “Our present need is not heroics but healing, not nostrums but normalcy, not submergence in internationality but sustainment in triumphant nationality” represents the view of: 13. The movement of African-Americans to the Democratic Party in the 1930s is generally attributed to: 14. Most political scientists would characterize Harry Truman’s surprise 1948 election as a: 15. Left-wing challenges to the dominant “liberal” consensus of the 1960s took the form of: 16. Which of the following describes the political climate in the mid-1970s? 17. The phrase “Read my lips. No new taxes!” came back to haunt: 18. Which of the following was not something the Republicans promised to pursue in the “Contract With America”? 19. Which of the following comes closest to describing the administration of President George W. Bush (2001-2009)? 20. The Democratic Party’s bases of support from 1992 at least through 2008 have included: 21. “Part social worker, part ombudsman, part community organizer” most aptly describes: 22. The major political parties in the United States tend to be: 23. The McGovern-Fraser Commission report, issued in 1971: 24. American national party organizations tend to be: 25. The concept of declining “social capital” as fewer Americans participate in community groups is outlined in: 26. A factor limiting the need for and/or effectiveness of traditional, urban-based political “machines” that played a key role in the late-19th and early-20th centuries was: 27. A key provision of the “Motor Voter Bill” (formally known as the National Voter Registration Act of 1993) is: 28. A gathering in which individuals in a precinct or other small community get together to choose candidates or convention delegates through a process of open discussion and (usually) open voting is called a: 29. Arguments in favor of a “caucus” or “convention” nominating system include contentions that such a system: 2 Part II: Essay (50%) Four of the following questions will appear on the exam. You will be asked to write on two of the four. 1. Will Rogers, a famous comedian in the 1920s and 1930s, once said, “I’m not a member of any organized political party. I’m a Democrat.” Some might say Rogers’ comment would not be apt today (regarding either the Democrats or the Republicans), since at the national level both parties do have formal operating structures. Briefly describe the organizational structure of one of the two major parties and indicate whether you think it is a) effective, and b) reflective of democratic (small “d”) values. 2. In what sense is the President of the United States the “head” of his political party? In what sense is he not? Discuss how two current or recent presidents have interacted with their party, and evaluate their effectiveness as party leaders. 3. Most members of Congress vote with a majority of members of their party most of the time— but not always. In fact, a few representatives and senators have been notable for their tendency to vote with the opposition party very frequently. What disciplinary tools are at the disposal of Congressional party leaders (e.g., the Speaker of the House, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the House and Senate) to encourage members to vote the party line? Why are these tools not always effective? 4. In the 2010 midterm election, here in Storrs and across the country, some eligible voters chose not to cast a ballot. What factors weigh into a potential voter’s choice about whether or not to participate? What are some of the methods political parties use to increase voter participation? How have some recent changes in the law affected citizens’ ability to participate? How effective have these methods or changes in the law been in recent years? 5. What are the “pros” and “cons” of the primary system for the selection of delegates to presidential nominating conventions? What are the “pros” and “cons” of the caucus system? In your response, describe briefly how these systems work, what impediments they might pose to participation by ordinary voters, and the extent to which you think they reflect (or should reflect) democratic (small “d”) values. 6. Both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives are organized largely along party lines. Discuss some of the specific ways in which this operates, and indicate whether the mode of organization a) helps respond to the will of the majority of voters; and b) protects minority rights. 7. Urban political “machines” such as those described by William Riordan have generally disappeared from the American political scene. Do you believe this is a good thing —or a bad thing? In your essay describe some of the functions performed by political machines, indicate what people (or groups of people) they served, and note some of the arguments voiced over the years by advocates and opponents of the machines. 5 8. Since the early 20th century, many federal and state laws have been enacted with the intent of regulating contributions to and expenditures by political campaigns. Some of these laws have been challenged, sometimes successfully, as unconstitutional restrictions on free speech. Discuss a recent Supreme Court ruling dealing with campaign finance or advertising. Outline the basic elements of the decision and indicate your thoughts on the pros and cons of the matter. 9. It has sometimes been argued that in our system of separation of powers, political parties are the “glue” that holds government together and makes it function. Do you agree? In your response discuss how two current or recent presidents have interacted with Congressional members of their party and, in terms of this relationship, discuss the tools at the disposal of the President and Congressional leaders. 6