AP US Government : Implementation and Impact of Policies

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US Government

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Iron Triangle

What is a possible benefit of the Iron Triangle?

Possible Answers:

Increased cooperation can lead to more efficient policy change

Decreasing the influence of interest groups on Congress

None of the answers are correct.

Increasing the flow of political contributions makes for faster elections

All of the answers are correct.

Correct answer:

Increased cooperation can lead to more efficient policy change

Explanation:

The Iron Triangle establishes relationships between the most influential and informed groups in specific sectors affecting the nation. Improved communication between these groups can grease the wheels of policymaking and sometimes translate into a faster and cheaper public good.

Example Question #1 : Iron Triangle

What is a possible benefit of the Military-Industrial Complex?

Possible Answers:

Decreased reliance on private funding for government projects

A second opinion on war strategy

Improved relations with other countries

A more efficient chain of command

Improved economic growth during times of war

Correct answer:

Improved economic growth during times of war

Explanation:

The economic stimulus of having the private sector produce tools of war is well documented. Many economists and historians believe that World War II is the real reason the Great Depression ever ended (instead of FDR's New Deal). None of the other options are considered a benefit of this system (in fact, most of them are drawbacks of the system).

Example Question #1 : Iron Triangle

Which of the following is a modern day example of the Military-Industrial Complex?

Possible Answers:

The US has had the most military success of any country in history

None of these answers are correct

The US has the most efficient economy in the world

The US accounts for almost half of the world's total military spending 

The US has the most advanced nuclear arsenal in the world

Correct answer:

The US accounts for almost half of the world's total military spending 

Explanation:

The US has what many consider a ridiculously disproportionate military budget, which is at least partially a result of powerful defense group lobbying. Such spending has increased radically, since World War II, widely considered the beginning of the Military-Industrial Complex era.

Example Question #8 : Iron Triangle

The "golden parachute" refers to what?

Possible Answers:

A backup measure placed in legislation in the event a project runs out of funding

None of these answers are correct

Depositing remaining campaign funds into one's personal account during a withdrawal from the race

None of these answers is accurate.

Demoting a revealed-as-corrupt politician to a cushy, less-public position instead of actually punishing he or she

Correct answer:

None of these answers are correct

Explanation:

While many of these answers sound plausible, the golden parachute generally refers to when a politician involved in an Iron Triangle is promised a well-paying job after his or her stay in government in exchange for political favors. This sometimes also works the other way, with government positions being awarded to generous lobbyists. The idea is that someone can "jump" from the public sector to the private and "settle" comfortably in financial terms.

Example Question #1 : Iron Triangle

What could average citizens do to most effectively diminish the integrity of an Iron Triangle?

Possible Answers:

None of these answers is correct.

Elect Congressmen with a convincing history of avoiding corruption and private influence

Petition the President to dismiss any executive officials that demonstrate signs of corruption

Organize protests against specific corporations

Write letters to Congressmen requesting they stay away from interest groups

Correct answer:

Elect Congressmen with a convincing history of avoiding corruption and private influence

Explanation:

While the other options may have some effect, they're either unlikely to be effective or won't dismantle the entire Iron Triangle. Only electing politicians that will reject the influence of special interest groups may be a difficult task, but it would be most effective at reducing the power of an Iron Triangle. The principle here, is that the Iron Triangle is quite strong against external influences, and must change from the inside.

Example Question #1 : Iron Triangle

The mutual cooperation between bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups to expand power and forward interests is generally known as what?

Possible Answers:

The Congressional Compromise

The 3-Branch Dilemma

The Iron Triangle

The Military Industrial Complex

None of the other answers are correct

Correct answer:

The Iron Triangle

Explanation:

The Iron Triangle is used to describe the conspiratorial relationship between bureaucracies, congressional committees, and interest groups. These three points on the triangle often cooperate to further their own financial gains and interests. The Iron Triangle is often used negatively to describe actions that benefit these groups personally but don't benefit the general public (such as lowering regulations for interest groups and to save money for Congressmen). While the Military-Industrial Complex is often considered an example of an Iron Triangle, Iron Triangle is the best choice here.

Example Question #11 : Iron Triangle

Iron Triangles can be considered an example of __________.

Possible Answers:

Federalism

PACs

Soft Power

Issue Networks

None of these answers are correct

Correct answer:

Issue Networks

Explanation:

Issue Networks are collections of people and groups that influence the government for a single issue, often compensating Congress and government agencies with donations or electoral support. Soft Power refers to the use of economic and other non-violent means of influence. Federalism refers to a system that is divided by a federal (national) government and regional (for instance, state) governments, like the US government. PAC is an acronym of Political Action Committee (special interest groups).

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