POS2041 National Government Midterm Exam ACTUAL UPDATED QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
In what ways is the U.S. Constitution both democratic and
undemocratic?
What is elitism? What is pluralism? Which do you feel Elitism is the belief that government is in practice controlled by a small,
better explains the power structure of the United States? centralized hierarchy of people with a wealth of resources at their disposal.
Explain. Pluralism is the belief that government in practice responds to the many voices
expressed through group membership. I believe that elitism better explains the
power structure of the United States. I believe this because, even when running
for office, those campaigning usually receive large donations. Once elected,
those who donated the money ask for favors in return. Most of the time, these
donaters are large corporations.
Are the procedures for amending the Constitution too The procedures for amending the Constitution are too strong. Amending the
strong or too weak? Should it be easier or harder to Costitution should be hard, but not that hard. The founders of the Constitution
amend the Constitution. Explain. made the Constitution difficult to amend because they knew that without a stable
"ground", the government would not function well. When there is something to be
amended that is needed, it normally comes through.
, How is present-day federalism different from that which Federalism that existed before 1930 was more focused on the expansion of
existed before 1930? How do you explain the changes in government. Present day federalism is now focused on the concentration of the
federalism? government. In the 1930s, Franklin Roosevelt released the New Deal policy in
which recovery from the depression would occur along with the expansion of
government. Fast forward to the 2000s when George W. Bush continues the
process of advocating on behalf of a smaller federal role and advances massive
tax cuts, but presides over an increase in federal spending.
Describe the advantages of incumbents in Congressional
elections. What reforms might be taken to reduce these
advantages and make it easier for people to run for
Congress?
Explain the legislative process and the relative
importance key individuals and groups in that process.
What happens to most bills? Describe the procedure by
which a bill becomes a law.
Explain the role of the president in making national The president has the leading role in making national security policy. His sole
security policy. In particular, what powers does the power is to negotiate treaties with other nations with the Senate's 2/3 approval.
president have in times of war and national crisis? The president may negotiate executive agreements with the heads of foreign
governments without approval from the Senate. Overall, he does whatever he
wants in times of war and crisis and Congress is there to say yes/no when
declaring war.
Some Founders feared the president might become a
monarch if given too many powers. Why have presidential
powers increased since 1788? Could the president
become a threat to democracy? What effect would a
powerful president have on the size of the U.S.
government?
Discuss why political appointees to the federal
bureaucracy can have divided loyalties between the
presidents who appoint them and the departments or
agencies they run.
Demonstrate how the bureaucracy developed from a
patronage system to a system based on competence and
political neutrality.
Describe how federal judges and justices are chosen.
What factors influence the selection process? What are
the general characteristics of the supreme Court justices
chosen by this process?
Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the judiciary as
a political institution. What do the courts have the power
to do? What do they not have the power to do? How
does this power compare to the other political branches?
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
In what ways is the U.S. Constitution both democratic and
undemocratic?
What is elitism? What is pluralism? Which do you feel Elitism is the belief that government is in practice controlled by a small,
better explains the power structure of the United States? centralized hierarchy of people with a wealth of resources at their disposal.
Explain. Pluralism is the belief that government in practice responds to the many voices
expressed through group membership. I believe that elitism better explains the
power structure of the United States. I believe this because, even when running
for office, those campaigning usually receive large donations. Once elected,
those who donated the money ask for favors in return. Most of the time, these
donaters are large corporations.
Are the procedures for amending the Constitution too The procedures for amending the Constitution are too strong. Amending the
strong or too weak? Should it be easier or harder to Costitution should be hard, but not that hard. The founders of the Constitution
amend the Constitution. Explain. made the Constitution difficult to amend because they knew that without a stable
"ground", the government would not function well. When there is something to be
amended that is needed, it normally comes through.
, How is present-day federalism different from that which Federalism that existed before 1930 was more focused on the expansion of
existed before 1930? How do you explain the changes in government. Present day federalism is now focused on the concentration of the
federalism? government. In the 1930s, Franklin Roosevelt released the New Deal policy in
which recovery from the depression would occur along with the expansion of
government. Fast forward to the 2000s when George W. Bush continues the
process of advocating on behalf of a smaller federal role and advances massive
tax cuts, but presides over an increase in federal spending.
Describe the advantages of incumbents in Congressional
elections. What reforms might be taken to reduce these
advantages and make it easier for people to run for
Congress?
Explain the legislative process and the relative
importance key individuals and groups in that process.
What happens to most bills? Describe the procedure by
which a bill becomes a law.
Explain the role of the president in making national The president has the leading role in making national security policy. His sole
security policy. In particular, what powers does the power is to negotiate treaties with other nations with the Senate's 2/3 approval.
president have in times of war and national crisis? The president may negotiate executive agreements with the heads of foreign
governments without approval from the Senate. Overall, he does whatever he
wants in times of war and crisis and Congress is there to say yes/no when
declaring war.
Some Founders feared the president might become a
monarch if given too many powers. Why have presidential
powers increased since 1788? Could the president
become a threat to democracy? What effect would a
powerful president have on the size of the U.S.
government?
Discuss why political appointees to the federal
bureaucracy can have divided loyalties between the
presidents who appoint them and the departments or
agencies they run.
Demonstrate how the bureaucracy developed from a
patronage system to a system based on competence and
political neutrality.
Describe how federal judges and justices are chosen.
What factors influence the selection process? What are
the general characteristics of the supreme Court justices
chosen by this process?
Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the judiciary as
a political institution. What do the courts have the power
to do? What do they not have the power to do? How
does this power compare to the other political branches?
