GOVP3 : Government And US Politics! Trivia Questions Quiz
Below is a Govp3 quiz on Government And US Politics. There have been different presidents throughout the history of America, and each has had a distinct way of running things. Are you a big fan of politics and you think you know some of the achievements of some politicians? Test your knowledge by seeing how high you score in this test?
Questions and Answers
- 1.
The group that was: Set up to get around FECA (1974), act as conduits of finance, give hard money directly to a candidate, with a limit of $2,500 to each candidate for 2012 are what?
- A.
PACs
- B.
527s
- C.
SuperPACs
- D.
None of the above
Correct Answer
A. PACsExplanation
PACs, or Political Action Committees, are the correct answer. PACs are formed to support or oppose political candidates or issues, and they can donate up to $2,500 directly to a candidate's campaign. They are subject to regulations and restrictions under the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1974. 527s and SuperPACs are also political organizations, but they have different rules and regulations regarding campaign finance and spending.Rate this question:
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- 2.
The BCRA became law in which year?
- A.
2000
- B.
2001
- C.
2002
- D.
2003
Correct Answer
C. 2002Explanation
The BCRA, also known as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, became law in 2002. This legislation was enacted with the aim of regulating the financing of political campaigns in the United States. It introduced several changes to campaign finance laws, including restrictions on soft money contributions and issue advocacy advertisements. By becoming law in 2002, the BCRA sought to promote transparency and accountability in the political process.Rate this question:
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- 3.
George Wallace won 46 ECVs in 1968
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
It was 45 ECVs. Interestingly, although Wallace campaigned on a platform of segregation, he later apologized for his racism and appointed record numbers of African Americans to official positions.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Hard money is 'money used for electioneering purposes'
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Hard money refers to funds that are specifically raised and spent for electioneering purposes. It is a term commonly used in political campaigns to describe money that is directly contributed to a candidate or a political party. This money is subject to strict regulations and limitations, such as contribution limits and disclosure requirements. Therefore, the statement that hard money is 'money used for electioneering purposes' is true.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which of the following apply to the term 'soft money'?
- A.
Money not used for electioneering
- B.
Used for party building
- C.
Used for 'get out the vote drives'
- D.
Used to fund National Nominating Conventions
Correct Answer(s)
A. Money not used for electioneering
B. Used for party building
C. Used for 'get out the vote drives'
D. Used to fund National Nominating ConventionsExplanation
Soft money refers to funds that are not used for direct electioneering purposes, such as supporting a specific candidate or campaign. Instead, it is used for party building activities, such as organizing events, voter registration drives, and other efforts to strengthen the party's infrastructure. Soft money can also be used for "get out the vote drives," which aim to mobilize voters and encourage them to participate in elections. Additionally, soft money can be used to fund National Nominating Conventions, where political parties officially select their presidential candidates.Rate this question:
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- 6.
FECA (1974) did how many of the following?
- A.
Limited individual contributions to a candidate
- B.
Banned foreign donations
- C.
Provided federal matching funds under certain circumstances
- D.
Established the Federal Election Commission (FEC)
- E.
Banned issue ads
Correct Answer(s)
A. Limited individual contributions to a candidate
B. Banned foreign donations
C. Provided federal matching funds under certain circumstances
D. Established the Federal Election Commission (FEC)Explanation
FECA (1974) implemented several measures to regulate campaign financing. It limited individual contributions to a candidate, aiming to prevent excessive influence by wealthy individuals. It also banned foreign donations to ensure that only domestic interests could contribute to campaigns. The act provided federal matching funds under certain circumstances to encourage small-dollar donations and reduce the reliance on large contributions. Additionally, FECA established the Federal Election Commission (FEC) as an independent regulatory agency responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws. However, it did not ban issue ads, which are advertisements that focus on specific policy issues rather than explicitly endorsing or opposing a candidate.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Which Supreme Court decision overturned provisions of the BCRA (2002)?
- A.
Buckley v. Valeo (1976)
- B.
Roe v. Wade (1973)
- C.
Brown v. Board (1954
- D.
Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
Correct Answer
D. Citizens United v. FEC (2010)Explanation
Citizens United v. FEC (2010) is the correct answer because this Supreme Court decision overturned provisions of the BCRA (2002), also known as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. The BCRA had placed restrictions on the ability of corporations and unions to spend money on political advertisements. However, the Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v. FEC that these restrictions violated the First Amendment right to freedom of speech, allowing corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on political campaigns.Rate this question:
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- 8.
527s do which of the following?
- A.
Spend money on issue campaigns
- B.
Are independent of candidates
- C.
Co-ordinate with candidates
- D.
Spend money in conjunction with parties
Correct Answer(s)
A. Spend money on issue campaigns
B. Are independent of candidatesExplanation
527s are political organizations that are allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on issue advocacy campaigns. They are independent of candidates and are not allowed to coordinate with them. Therefore, they spend money on issue campaigns and operate separately from candidates.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Primaries are elections in which ______ choose candidates for an election. They can be both open and closed.
Correct Answer(s)
votersExplanation
Primaries are elections in which voters choose candidates for an election. This means that individuals who are eligible to vote have the opportunity to select the candidates they believe will best represent their interests in the general election. Primaries can be both open and closed, meaning that they can either allow all registered voters to participate or only those affiliated with a specific political party. The chosen candidates from the primaries then go on to compete in the general election.Rate this question:
- 10.
Which of the following could be said to be swing states in recent elections?
- A.
Ohio
- B.
Indiana
- C.
Wyoming
- D.
California
- E.
New York
- F.
Idaho
- G.
Texas
- H.
North Carolina
- I.
Florida
Correct Answer(s)
A. Ohio
B. Indiana
H. North Carolina
I. FloridaExplanation
Swing states are states which have no obvious allegiance to either candidate, which form the key battlegrounds of a presidential election.Rate this question:
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- 11.
The invisible primary is the period of time between the first and last primary; it refers to the overall primary process, as it whittles down the number of candidates.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The invisible primary is the period of time between an individual announcing their candidacy and the first primary election, which is used for raising money (a war chest) and gaining media attention. Events within the invisible primary include the Iowa Ames Straw Poll (for Republicans), the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner (also in Iowa, and for Democrats) and candidate debates (there will be more than 20 for Republican presidential candidates for 2012).Rate this question:
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- 12.
The Electoral College meets five days after the national presidential election, on Capitol Hill.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The statement is false because the Electoral College does not meet five days after the national presidential election on Capitol Hill. In fact, the Electoral College typically meets in December, specifically on the first Monday after the second Wednesday of the month. During this meeting, the electors cast their votes for the President and Vice President of the United States.Rate this question:
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- 13.
A state's ECVs are equal to the number of Representatives it has, plus its two Senators.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
California thus has 55 ECVs, Texas has 34, and Wyoming has 3. Washington D.C. has 3 electors too, after the 23rd Amendment's passage.Rate this question:
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- 14.
The two states that do not have winner-takes-all systems for their ECVs are:
- A.
Maine and Wyoming
- B.
California and Connecticut
- C.
Michigan and Nebraska
- D.
Nebraska and Maine
- E.
Vermont and Wisconsin
Correct Answer
D. Nebraska and MaineExplanation
Nebraska and Maine are the two states that do not have winner-takes-all systems for their Electoral College votes (ECVs). In these states, the ECVs are allocated based on the popular vote within each congressional district. The candidate who wins the popular vote in each district receives one ECV, and the candidate who wins the statewide popular vote receives two additional ECVs. This system allows for a more proportional distribution of ECVs, giving a chance for multiple candidates to receive electoral votes in these states.Rate this question:
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- 15.
A split ticket is a ballot on which a voter has voted for candidates from different parties.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
A split ticket refers to a situation where a voter chooses candidates from different political parties on their ballot. This means that the voter does not stick to a single party but instead selects candidates based on their individual merits or policies. Therefore, the statement that a split ticket is a ballot on which a voter has voted for candidates from different parties is correct.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Whose book epitomizes the theory of pluralism?
- A.
Robert Dahl (Who Governs?)
- B.
Tocqueville (Democracy In America)
- C.
Dave Sneider (Politics in Flux)
- D.
Robert Bork (In Search of Diversity)
Correct Answer
A. Robert Dahl (Who Governs?)Explanation
Pluralism is a theory which posits the existence of a diverse range of groups competing for power, resulting in all groups eventually having some impact on the political process.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Fill in the blanks: Elitism: the theory that states that a small minority of individuals hold power, mostly independently of the democratic process. Exemplified by C. ______ Mills’ book ‘The Power Elite’.
Correct Answer
Wright
wrightExplanation
The correct answer is "Wright". Elitism is a theory that suggests that a small group of individuals hold power, often without much influence from the democratic process. This concept is exemplified by C. Wright Mills' book "The Power Elite".Rate this question:
- 18.
The defense is a good example of an iron triangle.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
An iron triangle refers to a close relationship between government agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees that work together to create policies benefiting all parties involved. In the context of the given statement, the defense sector can be seen as a prime example of an iron triangle, where defense contractors, the Department of Defense, and congressional committees collaborate to shape defense policies and allocate resources. This collaboration often leads to a self-reinforcing cycle where the interests of all three parties are protected and advanced.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Agriculture is not an example of an iron triangle.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
An iron triangle refers to a close and mutually beneficial relationship between government agencies, interest groups, and legislative committees that work together to promote and protect each other's interests. While agriculture can involve government policies and interest groups, it does not fit the definition of an iron triangle as it does not typically involve a tight and exclusive relationship between these three entities. Therefore, the statement that agriculture is not an example of an iron triangle is false.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Front loading – the phenomenon whereby ______ are held earlier and earlier in the election season to increase the influence of a state’s vote in the general election. Super Tuesday is a clear example of concerted front-loading (e.g. in 2008 24 states held primaries or caucuses on the same Tuesday).
Correct Answer
primariesExplanation
Front loading refers to the practice of scheduling important events, such as primaries, earlier in the election season. This is done to increase the influence of a state's vote in the general election. Super Tuesday is a specific example of front-loading, where a large number of states hold their primaries or caucuses on the same day. By holding primaries earlier, states hope to have a greater impact on the overall outcome of the election.Rate this question:
- 21.
Superdelegates make up what proportion of total delegates at the Democratic National Nominating Convention?
- A.
10%
- B.
15%
- C.
20%
- D.
25%
Correct Answer
C. 20%Explanation
A superdelegate is an individual present at the National Nominating Convention (NNC) of their party, usually because of their status as an elected official or party leader. While superdelegates are generally associated with Democrats, the Republican Party also has some, consisting mostly of a few officials from each state party, and only making up around 5% of the total.Rate this question:
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- 22.
Which of the following could be said to contribute to 'democratic overload'?
- A.
Congressional elections are held frequently (every two years)
- B.
The US has a very large population
- C.
Federalism means that there are more levels of government to elect
- D.
Direct democracy means there are many proposals for citizens to vote on in addition to electing officials
- E.
Most Americans are too busy to vote
Correct Answer(s)
A. Congressional elections are held frequently (every two years)
C. Federalism means that there are more levels of government to elect
D. Direct democracy means there are many proposals for citizens to vote on in addition to electing officialsExplanation
The answer suggests that factors contributing to 'democratic overload' include frequent congressional elections, federalism leading to more levels of government to elect, and direct democracy resulting in numerous proposals for citizens to vote on. These factors can overwhelm citizens and potentially lead to voter fatigue or apathy. Additionally, the large population of the US may also contribute to democratic overload as it increases the complexity and scale of the democratic processes.Rate this question:
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- 23.
Clientelism – a phenomenon whereby government departments and agencies serve the interest of those they are meant to be regulating, at the expense of the public interest.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Clientelism refers to a situation where government departments and agencies prioritize the interests of the individuals or groups they are supposed to regulate, rather than considering the overall public interest. This means that they may provide preferential treatment, resources, or benefits to these clients, while neglecting the needs and welfare of the general public. Therefore, the statement is true as it accurately describes the concept of clientelism.Rate this question:
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- 24.
Revolving door – a practice in which former members of ________ and senior members of the executive branch join lobbying firms after they leave Capitol Hill, using the contacts they made while in office.
Correct Answer
Congress
congressExplanation
The correct answer is "Congress, congress." The revolving door refers to the practice of former members of Congress and senior members of the executive branch joining lobbying firms after leaving Capitol Hill. They leverage the contacts and connections they established while serving in office to influence policy and decision-making. This practice raises concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest and the influence of special interest groups on the legislative process.Rate this question:
- 25.
Which PAC wants to see bundling ended?
- A.
Swift Boat Veterans For Truth
- B.
AIPAC
- C.
Common Cause
- D.
NARAL
Correct Answer
C. Common CauseExplanation
Common Cause is a nonpartisan organization that advocates for campaign finance reform and government accountability. They believe that bundling, which is the practice of collecting large sums of money from multiple donors and giving it to a candidate or political party, undermines the transparency and fairness of the political process. Common Cause wants to see an end to bundling in order to reduce the influence of big money in politics and promote a more democratic system.Rate this question:
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Mar 19, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Dec 18, 2011Quiz Created by
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