AP US Government : Fundamental Political Beliefs

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US Government

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Voting

Which of these statements about political participation is true?

Possible Answers:

Evangelical Christians are less likely to vote in an election.

Minorities are more likely to vote Republican.

People with a higher income are more likely to vote in an election.

Women are less likely to vote Democrat.

Well-educated people are less likely to vote in an election.

Correct answer:

People with a higher income are more likely to vote in an election.

Explanation:

All of these statements are false, except that people with a higher income are more likely to vote in an election. Those with a higher income are much more likely than the average citizen to vote; well-educated people are also more likely to vote; minorities and women are both, in current times, more likely to vote Democrat; Evangelical Christians are more likely than average to vote in an election and often swing the Republican primaries quite dramatically.

Example Question #3 : Voting

The Reverse-Income Effect refers to the fact that __________.

Possible Answers:

poorer areas support the Republican Party and wealthier areas support the Democratic Party

since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the income equality in the United States has expanded dramatically

as immigration rates increase the average income of the immigrant population tends to decline

as taxation is raised on the wealthiest in society the economy tends to perform worse

Americans believe in keeping taxes low for the wealthiest in society because they might one day be wealthy and would not want to pay high taxes

Correct answer:

poorer areas support the Republican Party and wealthier areas support the Democratic Party

Explanation:

The Reverse-Income Effect refers to the fact that, in poorer areas of the United States the Republican Party enjoys majority support, while in wealthier areas the Democratic Party enjoys majority support. This is considered unusual, because the Republican Party’s policies appear to favor the wealthy, while the Democratic Party’s policies appear to favor the poor. People do not generally (historically speaking) vote against their own economic interests so there must be other important factors at play.

Example Question #4 : Voting

Which of these demographic groups is least likely to vote in an election?

Possible Answers:

Homeowners

Wealthy people

Renters

Religious people

University-educated people

Correct answer:

Renters

Explanation:

The list of people that is more likely than average to vote in an election include the wealthy and well-educated, those with active community involvement, those with strong religious beliefs, and homeowners. For reasons that probably relate to the concept of permanency, people who rent property are much less likely to vote in an election.

Example Question #2 : Political Participation

Voter turnout has generally __________ throughout American history?

Possible Answers:

sharply increased

steadily declined

stayed about the same

sharply declined

steadily increased

Correct answer:

steadily declined

Explanation:

Voter turnout has generally steadily declined throughout American history, from it’s high point in the middle of the nineteenth century to its general low point today. The highest elections for voter turnout were 1876 and 1860. Part of the reason for declining voter turnout is the dramatic increase in eligible voters over the years, another reason might be the declining (although not dramatically declining) sectarian nature of American politics.

Example Question #4 : Voting

The phrase, "Civic Duty," refers to the idea that __________.

Possible Answers:

It is the duty of every representative to act in the best interests of the district which elects him or her.

The media has a duty to report responsibly on the armed forces whenever America is engaged in a state of war.

It is each and every American citizen's duty to vote and engage in the political process.

The media has a responsibility to report on elections with equal and fair treatment.

It is every American citizen's duty to pick a candidate who will serve the greatest good of the nation.

Correct answer:

It is each and every American citizen's duty to vote and engage in the political process.

Explanation:

"Civic Duty" refers to the idea that every able and eligible American has a responsibility to vote in elections and engage in the political process. The phrase is generally intended to encourage people to appreciate and take advantage of the fact that they live in a liberal and democratic society.

Example Question #3 : Political Participation

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was a protest that was instrumental in the passage of

Possible Answers:

the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972.

Education Amendments Act of 1972.

the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Equal Pay Act of 1963.

Correct answer:

the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Explanation:

The March on Washington was one of the largest protests in American history, with an estimated 250,000 people gathering on the Washington Mall to force congress to pass civil rights legislation. After the August 28, 1963 March, many Civil Rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. and A. Philip Randolph met with members of congress. After a long legislative process, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which legally prohibited discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin, was passed on July 2, 1964.

Example Question #1 : Political Participation

An individual who is described as “reactionary” is most likely to have __________.

Possible Answers:

extremely liberal political opinions

somewhat liberal political opinions

somewhat conservative political opinions

extremely conservative political opinions

moderate political opinions

Correct answer:

extremely conservative political opinions

Explanation:

On the political spectrum liberals are on the left, moderates in the middle, and conservatives on the right. Reactionary is the term given to conservatives who are extremely far to the right. Reactionaries are generally very opposed to political or social reform and want to see the status quo maintained at all costs.

Example Question #1 : Other Political Participation

Which of these statements about contemporary voting behavior is most true?

Possible Answers:

The majority of the electorate does not vote in elections.

The levels of voting turnout have little impact on which political party wins an election.

Young people have the highest voting turnout.

The most important distinction between candidates, in the eyes of the voter, is their stance on economic issues.

All of these statements are true.

Correct answer:

The majority of the electorate does not vote in elections.

Explanation:

Young people generally have the lowest percentage of people turning out to vote; the levels of voting impact have a large impact on which political party wins an election; the most important distinction between candidates, in the eyes of the voter, is which political party the candidate is affiliated with. The only true answer choice available is that the majority of the electorate does not vote in elections. There has been a general decline in voter turnout throughout American history.

Example Question #2 : Other Political Participation

A parochial participant in politics is __________

Possible Answers:

an individual who is willing to sacrifice his or her own political interests in order to vote for something that ensures the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

an individual who votes in favor of legislation that is in his or her best interests.

an individual who organizes campaign funding for a candidate in a state or federal election.

an individual who is active at every level of government and who tries to avoid partisan politics.

an individual who rarely votes or engages in national politics, but who is active in his or her community and seeks to make a difference through local politics.

Correct answer:

an individual who rarely votes or engages in national politics, but who is active in his or her community and seeks to make a difference through local politics.

Explanation:

A parochial participant is someone who rarely votes or engages in national or even state level politics. Instead, these individuals believe that the best way to effect change is to become active in their local community and seek to make a difference through town or district politics. It is someone who is active in the local community, but ignores large-scale politics.

Example Question #1 : Other Political Participation

The term "silent majority," used to describe the majority of “middle Americans” who do not speak out publicly against political actions, but who can theoretically be relied on to vote predictably in a national election, was famously used by __________.

Possible Answers:

Barry Goldwater

Ronald Reagan

George H.W. Bush

Robert Kennedy

Richard Nixon

Correct answer:

Richard Nixon

Explanation:

During the 1960s, there was a massive countercultural movement going on in the United States of America. In the latter part of the decade, this movement became particularly involved in protesting the Vietnam War. Richard Nixon used the phrase “silent majority” in a speech in 1969; the term refers to the non-vocal majority of the American population who he believed favored a continuation of American politics and who were underrepresented in the national media at the time.

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