Deck 4: Structural Foundations of the American Government

Question 1

Approximately what percentage of the U.S. population is foreign born?

A) 12%
B) 18%
C) 25%
D) 35%
E) 40%

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The "Dreamliner" is a(n)

A) boat.
B) airplane.
C) space cargo ship.
D) train.
E) bus.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

One important outcome of the history of immigration in the United States is

A) the rise of political parties and machines in recent decades.
B) a growth in racism and anti-immigrant feelings throughout the American population.
C) economic ties to foreign countries.
D) the foreign-born population of the United States is the majority.
E) significant racial and ethnic diversity in the American population.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

________ are the fastest growing voting bloc in the American electorate today.

A) The elderly
B) Women
C) African-Americans
D) 18- to 24-year-olds
E) Immigrants

Question 5

Recent efforts to stem the influence of illegal immigrants is associated with

A) the Know-Nothing party.
B) the Minuteman Project.
C) rising white supremacy in the Northeast.
D) Republican dominance of state legislatures.
E) efforts to support a guest worker program.

Question 6

In 2007, the U.S. population was

A) 183 million.
B) 273 million.
C) 303 million.
D) 507 million.
E) 1 billion.

Question 7

Legislation limiting or restricting immigration is often a Congressional response to

A) nativist reactions to certain types of migrants.
B) Supreme Court "open door" decisions.
C) executive orders issued by the President that allow any and all immigrants a place in America.
D) an expanding economy.
E) population constraints.

Question 8

The number of immigrants who have been coming to the U.S. in recent years relative to the total population is

A) the highest it has ever been.
B) the lowest it has ever been.
C) fairly low in historical terms.
D) about the same as it was between 1840 and 1920.
E) none of the above

Question 9

Anti-Chinese agitation was particularly pronounced

A) before the Civil War.
B) during the 1870s and 1880s.
C) during World War I.
D) during World War II.
E) during the 1950s and 1960s.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the U.S. automotive industry in recent years?

A) It has fallen on hard times.
B) It has experienced a boom in exports to Japan.
C) It has experienced a boom thanks to the popularity of SUVs.
D) It has increased its workforce of highly paid, semiskilled employees in order to meet growing demand.
E) It has quickly adapted to changing energy costs.

Question 11

Over the last two decades, immigration into the United States

A) fell to an all-time low.
B) was at the same level as it was from 1920 to 1950.
C) was virtually zero because of strong nativist sentiment.
D) increased significantly.
E) has not been a policy concern

Question 12

What can you tell from Figure 4.2?

A) Immigration to the United States has remained constant over the past 200 years.
B) Immigration to the United States has remained constant since the Great Depression.
C) Immigration rates today are the highest in US history.
D) The immigration rate has been increasing steadily since the 1930s.
E) The immigration rate has recently declined.

Question 13

Nativist sentiments in the population

A) made the transition to American life easy for immigrants.
B) led most Americans to oppose capitalism in the 1800s.
C) were largely responsible for the abolition of slavery.
D) have led to many anti-immigrant policies throughout American history.
E) are no longer a reaction to immigration concerns

Question 14

According to the text, a majority of Americans would agree with which of the following statements??A) Immigrants are a burden because they take jobs and housing and receive public benefits.
B) Immigrants are not a burden because they do not take jobs or housing, nor do they receive public benefits.
C) Immigrants strengthen the United States because of their hard work and talents.
D) Immigrants are important to economic development, especially in American inner cities.
E) Illegal immigrants, especially, do not over burden the American economy.

Question 15

Sourcing

A) is subcontracting jobs to other American companies.
B) is subcontracting jobs to foreign companies.
C) has benefited American workers.
D) is relegated to industry in which the U.S. trades with Japan.
E) is less likely in free trade industries.

Question 16

According to your text, waves of immigration

A) tend to persist with their negative attitudes over the long term.
B) catch the attention of elected officials as more individuals within immigrant groups become citizens and voters.
C) often trigger an initial negative response from the native population and opportunistic politicians
D) rarely lead to important voting blocs in future elections.
E) B & C

Question 17

According to Figure 4.1, which of the following statements is true??A) Europe is a region of the world that is more likely to lose than gain population over the next 40 plus years.
B) Asia is a region of the world that is more likely to lose than gain population over the next 40 plus years.
C) Europe has more countries that should gain rather than lose population between 2000 and 2050.
D) World population is expected to decline.
E) World population is expected to increase.

Question 18

The U.S. population

A) was not very diverse in the 19th century.
B) was nearly 100 percent white at the founding of the United States.
C) has generally been racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse.
D) did not include Asian immigrants until about 1900.
E) has declined in recent years.

Question 19

Nativist is another word for

A) nationalism.
B) patriotism.
C) antiforeign.
D) proforeign.
E) none of the above

Question 20

According to the text, Americans tend to worry about which of the following EXCEPT

A) outsourcing.
B) ability to adapt to technological changes.
C) whether the US can remain competitive in the global economy.
D) whether the nation's high standard of living can be maintained.
E) sourcing.

Question 21

Sun Belt states

A) are generally more conservative than other states.
B) tend to be more unionized than other states.
C) are generally more liberal than other states.
D) tend to have higher tax burdens than other states.
E) tend to support third parties more than other states.

Question 22

Urbanization in the U.S. first slowed down and suburbanization rapidly increased in the ________.

A) 1970s
B) 1980s
C) 1940s
D) 1960s
E) 1970s

Question 23

Figure 4.4 reveals that

A) the percentage of Americans that live in cities have increased.
B) the percentage of Americans that live in rural areas have declined.
C) Americans have flocked to rural areas and suburbs.
D) the percentage of Americans that live in cities declined at the greatest rate between 1950 and 1960.
E) the percentage of Americans that live in rural areas have recovered since the last census.

Question 24

Population movements to the South and West over the last 20 years can mostly be traced to

A) the increasing profits of heavy manufacturing.
B) companies that have moved their plants to pro-union states.
C) government defense spending in the East and Midwest.
D) new jobs in those regions.
E) influx in agricultural jobs.

Question 25

_________ is used to describe the monetary value of all goods and services produced in a nation in a year.

A) Gross National Product
B) Median household income
C) The Poverty line
D) Gini coefficients for the economy
E) Gross Domestic Product

Question 26

Shifts in employment opportunities and population have been toward ________ states.

A) Frost Belt
B) Rust Belt
C) Sun Belt
D) Bible Belt
E) northwestern

Question 27

Sun Belt voters helped ________ gain seats in Congress during the 1990s.

A) Republicans
B) independents
C) liberals
D) democratic
E) third parties

Question 28

Which of the following was a major factor contributing to urbanization in America early in this century?

A) an increased need for agricultural workers
B) industrialization
C) massive federal and state road building programs
D) increased tax burdens in rural areas
E) decrease in power of political parties

Question 29

Central-city populations have become even more consistently ________ in their voting preferences than in the past.

A) Republican
B) independent
C) Socialist
D) Democratic
E) third party

Question 30

The American population has experienced a shift from

A) manufacturing to service occupations.
B) service to manufacturing occupations.
C) farming to manufacturing occupations.
D) farming to service occupations.
E) information to manufacturing occupations.

Question 31

Diminished power of the rural voices in state and national politics is a result of

A) the rise of Republicans to the White House.
B) significant shifts in the location of the American population.
C) power in government swinging back to the states.
D) equality of voting in the US Senate.
E) conditions of divided government in the states.

Question 32

The oldest, first ring of suburbs is known as

A) suburbia.
B) exurbia.
C) oldurbia.
D) disturbia.
E) none of the above

Question 33

One of the most significant trends in the United States has been

A) increasing equalization of income, which creates demands on government to fund programs for the middle class.
B) increasing levels of voter turnout in elections at all levels, which creates demands on government to pay attention to the needs of the electorate.
C) the declining of average age of the population creates demands on government for programs to address the needs of youth.
D) the aging of the population, which creates demands on government for programs to deal with the problems of the elderly.
E) all of the above

Question 34

Suburbanization has influenced the political landscape because

A) voters are less willing to support programs for central-city populations.
B) the central cities and the suburbs have become more politically unified.
C) the central cities have become bastions of revived Republicanism.
D) many suburbs have become the organizational basis of a new labor party.
E) suburbs tend to support third parties, contributing to their rise at the local level.

Question 35

Following World War II, which of the following events significantly facilitated the suburbanization of America?

A) a massive federal and state road-building program
B) government-guaranteed home loans for veterans
C) the need for more agricultural workers
D) both A and B are correct
E) none of the above

Question 36

Consequences of the shift of population bases since 1950 include

A) the Democratic party has been strengthened as the population has shifted from the Rust Belt states to the Sun Belt states.
B) central cities find it increasingly difficult to provide the level and quality of public services that they once provided.
C) the northeastern section of the country has grown at a disproportionate rate as people have left the South in search of employment.
D) the inner cities have gained political influence with the influx of population from rural areas.
E) rural populations have gained political influence as the expense of the suburbs.

Question 37

The shifting political power between the states over the last 20 years has worked to the benefit of

A) Eastern and Midwestern states.
B) Mountain and Midwestern states.
C) the Great Lakes region.
D) Southern and Western states.
E) Northeastern states.

Question 38

The rise of large firms which required many industrial workers is known as

A) agriculturalization.
B) industrialization.
C) communication.
D) hyper-competition.
E) technologicalization.

Question 39

Which of the following is a consequence of the urbanization/suburbanization of America?

A) increased power of the rural voice in state and national politics
B) the passage of a "national urban strategy" by the U.S. Congress
C) diminished power of the rural voice in state and national politics
D) Urbanization/suburbanization has had very little effect on state and national politics.
E) a general stability in population geography.

Question 40

In chapter 4 of the textbook, the authors use a Gini coefficient to illustrate levels of

A) poverty.
B) economic growth.
C) inequality.
D) human rights violations.
E) democratization.

Question 41

Figure 4.5 reveals that

A) real median household income has increased steadily since the 1960s.
B) real median household income has decreased steadily since the 1960s.
C) real median household income has stayed about the same since the 1960s.
D) poverty rates have leveled off since 1990.
E) none of the above

Question 42

Which of the following is a characteristic of the American standard of living?

A) The proportion of American families living in poverty has increased significantly since 1980.
B) Income inequality is high in the United States when compared to other Western democratic nations.
C) Inequality in income and wealth is high in the United States and is becoming more pronounced.
D) The United States enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world.
E) all of the above

Question 43

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) Large U.S. corporations did not emerge until around 1930.
B) The U.S. developed many of its new industries in the late 1800s by advocating free trade among nations.
C) There was a massive wave of corporate mergers in the U.S. at the turn of the century.
D) The U.S. government did its best to discourage the emergence of large corporations.
E) Government regulation of the economy was common prior to the turn of the 20ᵗʰ century.

Question 44

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) The Civil War halted industrialism for about five years.
B) Before the Civil War, American capitalism was defined by large corporations.
C) The U.S. advocated free trade rights after the Civil War.
D) The Civil War accelerated industrialism in the United States.
E) The U.S. was already industrialized by the Civil War.

Question 45

Which of the following groups would we not say is part of the concentrated distribution of poverty?

A) racial minorities
B) female-headed households
C) the children of single-parent households
D) single parents
E) the elderly

Question 46

Which of these is NOT one of the characteristics of the American standard of living?

A) The proportion of American families living in poverty has increased significantly since 1980.
B) Income inequality is high in the United States when compared to other Western democratic nations.
C) Inequality in income and wealth is high in the United States and is becoming more pronounced.
D) Wealth is more evenly distributed among Americans than is income.
E) The United States enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world.

Question 47

What best describes the transformation of the American economy in the 1970s and 1980s?

A) absolute decline
B) relative decline
C) decreasing inequality
D) increasing nationalism
E) decreasing globalization

Question 48

How inferior products from Europe and Japan have gained a foothold in the American market is a result of

A) the declining influence of political factors over the American economy.
B) the development of foreign competition in American markets.
C) the failures of U.S. constitutional principles which are relatively silent on issues of commerce with foreign nations.
D) the rise of immigrants from these countries, and their influence over the economy.
E) tariffs on products from other parts of the world.

Question 49

According to the authors, middle class anger was surely a factor in the defeat of incumbent President ________ in 1992.

A) Ronald Reagan
B) George Bush
C) Bill Clinton
D) Ross Perot
E) Jimmy Carter

Question 50

The development of foreign competition in American markets is used in your text to illustrate

A) some of the ways in which political factors are used to control the American economy.
B) how inferior products from Europe and Japan have gained a foothold in the American market despite superior American technology.
C) the failures of U.S. constitutional principles when they come into competition with different practices of other nations.
D) several of the structural factors that shape American politics.
E) all of the above

Question 51

Poverty fell to its lowest point in American history in

A) 1860.
B) 1940.
C) 1970.
D) 1990.
E) 2004.

Question 52

The American economic system is best characterized as

A) democratic.
B) socialist.
C) capitalist.
D) mercantilist.
E) none of the above

Question 53

In 1955, fully ________ percent of Americans fell below the poverty level.

A) 10
B) 25
C) 33
D) 40
E) 43

Question 54

After World War II, American corporations

A) urged protectionism.
B) became more global.
C) lost most of their money.
D) became apolitical.
E) none of the above

Question 55

Which of the following relates extensive material inequality to democracy?

A) Extensive material inequality may undermine the possibilities for political equality because those with financial resources have greater access to public officials.
B) Material inequality may increase the possibilities for political equality by creating incentives for political participation.
C) Material inequality leads to public unrest, which will lead to social movements and improve democracy over the long-run.
D) The degree of material inequality has no relationship to democracy in the United States.
E) Democracy in the United States is founded upon the principles of equality, regardless of material inequality.

Question 56

Regarding the American Economy in the 1990s, which of the following is TRUE?

A) The economy has continued its relative decline that began in the 1970s.
B) The economy has rebounded with American corporations again becoming the leading players in their industries.
C) The economy has rebounded, but European and Japanese corporations still dominate all key industries.
D) The economy has experienced an absolute decline relative to Europe and Asia.
E) Few powerful companies disappeared.

Question 57

Compared with other Western democratic nations, the United States

A) has a lower GNP.
B) has more income inequality.
C) has less poverty.
D) spends more on social programs.
E) has more income equality.

Question 58

One can conclude from the Using the Framework figure that

A) the national government institutes programs to eliminate poverty.
B) there is a strong electoral incentive for politicians to support anti-poverty programs.
C) strong economic growth in the 1990s made a significant dent in the poverty rate.
D) public opinion tends to oppose government programs to redistribute income.
E) the poor have a strong voice in American politics.

Question 59

What is the most likely relationship of extensive material inequality to democracy?

A) Extensive material inequality may undermine the possibilities for political equality because those with financial resources have greater access to public officials.
B) Material inequality may increase the possibilities for political equality by creating incentives for political participation.
C) Material inequality leads to public unrest, which will create a more democratic system as the majority begins to demand more protection.
D) The degree of material inequality has no relationship to democracy.
E) all of the above

Question 60

In 2008, ________ was the largest economy in the world, as measure by GDP.

A) Japan
B) Germany
C) Brazil
D) the United States
E) China

Question 61

A foundation belief of the American public includes

A) belief in government interventionism.
B) a strong sense of competitive individualism.
C) distrust of free enterprise.
D) hostility toward religion.
E) support of communism

Question 62

The ending of the Cold War

A) led to the immediate decline of U.S. military power in the world.
B) did not change the nature of American domestic politics.
C) left the U.S. as the last military "superpower."
D) was not important to the outcome of the 1992 presidential election.
E) pushed the US into a period of severe economic decline.

Question 63

We define ___________ as a nation's fundamental beliefs about human nature, society and the role of government.

A) cultural values.
B) political individualism.
C) political culture.
D) political socialization.
E) core individualism.

Question 64

The _________ was part of the Cold War.

A) the rebellion against Soviet occupation in Afghanistan
B) the nuclear arms race
C) the Vietnam War
D) the Korean War
E) all of the above

Question 65

Probably the principal reason for the turnaround of the U.S. economy in the 1990s is

A) stronger unions and tighter government regulations.
B) protected domestic markets.
C) stronger U.S. corporations.
D) consumer spending.
E) all of the above

Question 66

________ has not always been highly regarded in the United States been has grown in acceptance over time.

A) Competitive individualism
B) Tyrannical government
C) Political socialization
D) FreedomDemocracy
E) Political culture

Question 67

According to the authors of your textbook, which of the following statements best describes the economic power of the United States?

A) It's potential as the sole, dominant superpower in economics is unmatched.
B) It's power is holding steady.
C) It is in a steep downward spiral.
D) It is experiencing a resurgence after having undergone a relative decline.
E) It is among the weakest of the democratic nations.

Question 68

Which of the following is NOT a problem for American democracy as the growth of economic inequality increases?

A) Those with higher income are more likely to vote.
B) Those with higher income tend to participate less in politics than others.
C) Those with higher income give more money to advocacy groups.
D) Those with higher income have more information available to them.
E) Those with higher income can, and do, make more contributions to political candidates.

Question 69

Which of the following served to heighten the United States' power in the world during the 1990s?

A) Latin American countries switched to democracies.
B) Terrorism grew as a legitimate threat in Eastern Europe.
C) The Soviet Union ceased to exist.
D) North Korea switched to a market economy.
E) The price of world oil increased.

Question 70

Although the United States has gained influence over some areas of the world economy, one area of industrialization where it has lost influence relative to other countries is in

A) biotechnology
B) computer software
C) steel
D) military aircraft
E) information services

Question 71

Which of these ideas was not highly regarded at the time the nation was founded but has since gained widespread acceptance?

A) competitive individualism
B) limited government
C) democracy
D) freedom
E) political culture

Question 72

Which of the following is considered by the authors of your text as core beliefs of the American people?

A) Widely-held religious beliefs.
B) Belief in individualism
C) Support of populism
D) Faith in private property and private enterprise.
E) all of the above

Question 73

Fundamental beliefs that have political consequences make up a country's

A) political culture.
B) economic environment.
C) social status.
D) pluralistic contradictions.
E) competitive individualism.

Question 74

Which of the following in NOT related to changes in the American economy?

A) The growth of the American population.
B) The diversification of the American population.
C) The geographic dispersion of the American population.
D) The distribution of income and wealth in the American population.
E) An increase in manufacturing and industrialization.

Question 75

According to the authors of Struggle for Democracy, the strongest military power in the world today is

A) Great Britain.
B) the United States.
C) Russia.
D) Iraq.
E) China

Question 76

Political culture is defined as

A) many ethnic groups.
B) elite ideas about art and literature.
C) public opinion about specific policy issues.
D) fundamental beliefs that have political consequences.
E) a series of changeable ideas.

Question 77

Hyper-competition is typically associated with

A) tariffs and protectionism.
B) globalization.
C) greater equality of income and wealth.
D) governmental regulation.
E) weakened corporations.

Question 78

________ was the United States' counterpart in the Cold War.

A) Countries of the Middle East
B) The Soviet Union
C) China
D) North Korea
E) Vietnam

Question 79

A strong sense of competitive individualism is

A) a foundational belief of the American public.
B) a value shared by most of the world's leaders.
C) a fundamental tenet of communism.
D) results in a hostility toward religion.
E) not compatible with notions of American democracy.

Question 80

Most observers agree that

A) Americans share a common political culture.
B) Americans have many different political cultures with very different fundamental beliefs.
C) political culture is a myth.
D) we cannot observe or understand political culture.
E) a unified political culture is nearly impossible to obtain in the United States.