AP US Government : Groups Influencing Public Policy

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US Government

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Groups Influencing Public Policy

In a closed-shop company __________

Possible Answers:

workers must be union members throughout their employment.

shareholders have little to no say in the running of the company.

workers cannot join or start a union throughout their employment.

The United States government provides funding to support the company.

every decision taken by the company has to be ratified by the shareholders.

Correct answer:

workers must be union members throughout their employment.

Explanation:

In a closed-shop company, as opposed to an open-shop company, workers must remain union members throughout their employment with the company. Union membership is a required condition of employment. The Taft-Hartley Act (1947) mostly outlawed closed shops, although there are loopholes and exceptions that allow some companies to continue the practice in everything but name.

Example Question #2 : Groups Influencing Public Policy

Grassroots is best described as __________.

Possible Answers:

a judicial decision designed to further extend civil rights to disenfranchised groups

an impeachment movement that begins in a localized political center

a campaign initiated by the common person to affect government policy

a collaboration between special interest groups and congressional committees designed to enact specific legislation

a judicial decision designed to increase the power of the Federal government

Correct answer:

a campaign initiated by the common person to affect government policy

Explanation:

A grassroots campaign is a movement initiated by a collection of typical citizens with the intention of garnering enough support and attention for a cause so as to affect government policy. Debate over its effectiveness in the face of special interest groups and corporate donations to campaigns have often been raised, but it remains one of the most accessible means to the common person for trying to implement change in the United States.

Example Question #1 : Groups Influencing Public Policy

Non-violent civil disobedience is most closely associated with which American reformer?

Possible Answers:

Theodore Roosevelt

Ralph Nader

Martin Luther King Jr.

Susan B. Anthony

William Jennings Bryan

Correct answer:

Martin Luther King Jr.

Explanation:

Non-violent civil disobedience is a movement associated with various political figures throughout history. It holds that violent resistance against the dominant class in society only produces crackdowns and worse conditions for the oppressed. The best way to promote change is therefore to resist without resorting to violence—through strikes, marches, demonstrations, etc. The movement is most closely associated with Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights movement.

Example Question #4 : Groups Influencing Public Policy

The intention of the Taft-Hartley Act (1947) was to __________.

Possible Answers:

limit the power of labor unions

support the growth of labor unions

limit the power of affirmative action programs

support the growth of affirmative action programs

support the extension of higher education to a greater number of Americans

Correct answer:

limit the power of labor unions

Explanation:

The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947, also called the Labor Management Relations Act, is a Federal law in the United States that was designed to limit the power and ability of the prominent labor unions of the time. Among other things, it makes it more difficult for labor unions to organize, monopolize the supply of labor, and strike. In the years leading up to the Taft-Hartley Act, many prominent American politicians and businessmen were concerned with the rising power, gained through labor unions, of the working classes. The Taft-Hartley Act was one prominent, and perhaps the most effective, way of limiting this growing power.

Example Question #2 : Groups Influencing Public Policy

The primary measure of inflation is referred to as __________.

Possible Answers:

deficit spending

the Consumer Price Index

the Gross Domestic Product

the import-export margin

the national debt

Correct answer:

the Consumer Price Index

Explanation:

The Consumer Price Index (often simply seen as the CPI) measures the fluctuations in the cost of goods in the market purchased by an average American household. It is used to measure and track inflation.

Example Question #3 : Groups Influencing Public Policy

Which of the following categories of people are not included in the iron triangle?

Possible Answers:

Judges

Both media personalities and judges

Bureaucrats

Lobbyists

Media personalities

Correct answer:

Both media personalities and judges

Explanation:

The iron triangle refers to the three groups of people who have the greatest influence over the process of law making. These groups are lobbyists, Congressmen, and bureaucrats. Although media personalities play a role in swaying public opinion, they are not members of the iron triangle. Likewise, judges are not a part of the iron triangle because they do not have influence over the creation of laws; their role involves the interpretation of the laws.

Example Question #4 : Groups Influencing Public Policy

Which branch of government contains two different bodies of representatives who create bills and other pieces of legislation?

Possible Answers:

The Judicial Branch

The President and their Cabinet

The Legislative Branch

The House of Representatives

The Executive Branch

Correct answer:

The Legislative Branch

Explanation:

The Legislative Branch is correct, as it contains the House of Representatives and the Senate. This branch serves to create different legislation and discuss various policy issues.

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