Question 1

Why is it that the distribution of preferences within each party determines how powerful party leaders are? What else might impact the amount of power party leaders have?

Accepted Answer

The distribution of preferences within e...

Question 2

Committee rooms in Congress organize the seating of members based on what attribute?

Accepted Answer

A)   State
B)   Seniority
C)   Fundraising record
D)   None of the above D

Question 3

When a bill comes to the floor the member in charge of directing who is to speak and when is known as what?

Accepted Answer

A)   Floor leader
B)   Floor whip
C)   Floor manager
D)   Floor speaker

Question 4

Political parties in Congress are structured by _________________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution
B)   The members who belong to them
C)   A tediously negotiated unanimous consent agreement in the Senate and a set of rules adopted at the start of each Congress in the House
D)   The House and Senate Rules Committees

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a power of the Speaker of the House?

Accepted Answer

A)   Rules on all points of order
B)   Appoints all members of select and conference committees
C)   Recognizes members wishing to speak on the floor
D)   Chair meetings in which important policy questions are put to the party membership as a whole

Question 6

The main goal of the Contract with America was what?

Accepted Answer

A)   To further empower subcommittee chairs
B)   To convince Americans that the Republican Party could govern if given the majority
C)   To implement universal healthcare from the federal government
D)   None of the above

Question 7

The New Deal Coalition delivered control of Congress to Democrats for five decades, but what issue tore at the coalition and started its downfall?

Accepted Answer

A)   Labor union related issues
B)   Defense spending
C)   Civil rights
D)   Tax policy

Question 8

Instead of calling them political parties, James Madison referred to these groups banding together around common economic interests as ___________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Coalitions
B)   Unions
C)   Federations
D)   Factions

Question 9

Despite being the highest-ranking position in the House, when John Boehner resigned as Speaker of the House in 2015 the party had to work hard to draft a candidate other than the Majority Leader to fill the role. Given the power and influence we have discussed in this class, why would a member not want to be Speaker of the House?

Accepted Answer

There are several reasons why a member m...

Question 10

Political scientists tend to measure partisan polarization in Congress by examining roll-call votes. What method is most commonly used to do this?

Accepted Answer

A)   Normalized vote calculation
B)   Standardized roll-call estimation
C)   DW-NOMINATE
D)   RC-CALCUALTE

Question 11

What broad factors shape the way the political parties in Congress today function? Be sure to consider both electoral and institutional factors. Provide examples and historical context when necessary.

Accepted Answer

The way political parties in Congress function today is shaped by a combination of electoral and institutional factors.

Electoral factors play a significant role in shaping the behavior of political parties in Congress. For example, the need to appeal to a broad base of voters in order to win elections often leads parties to adopt more moderate positions in order to attract swing voters. This can result in a more centrist approach to policy-making and compromise in Congress. Additionally, the influence of money in politics and the need to fundraise for campaigns can also impact the behavior of political parties, as they may be more inclined to cater to the interests of wealthy donors and special interest groups.

Institutional factors also play a crucial role in shaping the functioning of political parties in Congress. The rules and procedures of Congress, such as the committee system and the filibuster, can impact the ability of parties to advance their legislative agendas. For example, the majority party in Congress has significant control over the legislative process, including the ability to schedule votes and determine which bills are considered. This can incentivize party members to prioritize party unity and loyalty in order to advance their party's agenda.

Historical context also provides insight into the factors shaping the functioning of political parties in Congress. For example, the increasing polarization of American politics in recent decades has led to more partisan gridlock in Congress, as parties have become more ideologically cohesive and less willing to compromise. This has been influenced by factors such as gerrymandering, the rise of partisan media, and the increasing influence of interest groups.

Overall, the functioning of political parties in Congress today is shaped by a complex interplay of electoral and institutional factors, as well as historical context. Understanding these factors is crucial for analyzing the behavior of political parties and the legislative process in Congress.

Question 12

Do you think that the party leaders will continue to gain power or at they at their peak? What factors should we look to to make predictions about questions like these?

Accepted Answer

Predicting the future power of party lea...

Question 13

At the turn of the 21st century the two parties were harshly divided. When was the last time in congressional history that the two parties were this intensely divided?

Accepted Answer

A)   1950s
B)   1900s
C)   1970s
D)   1810s B

Question 14

Who was Joe Cannon and what impact did he have on the institution within which he served?

Accepted Answer

Speaker of the House who...

Question 15

Why did the Senate dominate the House and White House for much of the pre-Civil War period?

Accepted Answer

The House frequently str...

Question 16

The Minority Leader's power is increased when which of the following occurs?

Accepted Answer

A)   The majority party's margin of control is thin
B)   The level of intraparty agreement on policy issues is high
C)   Their party holds the presidency as well
D)   Both a and c

Question 17

What event finally pushed Republicans to take back control of the Senate in the second half of the 20th century?

Accepted Answer

A)   Newt Gingrich's "Contract With America"
B)   Ronald Reagan's landslide victory for the White House
C)   Paul Ryan's balanced-budget plan
D)   Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign

Question 18

Which party leader, in charge of determining how each member is planning to vote, is viewed as the party's primary legislative strategist and leading spokesman?

Accepted Answer

A)   Clerk
B)   Leader
C)   Whip
D)   Campaign Committee Chair

Question 19

Despite countless warnings from the framers about the dangers of political parties they still formed in the earliest years of Congress and persisted until today. Why did political parties form and how have they survived for so long? Provide examples and, if necessary, reference historical events to support your answer.

Accepted Answer

Political parties formed in the earliest...

Question 20

What political party failed to George Washington in the presidency, but still dominated Congress for its first few decades?

Accepted Answer

A)   Federalist Party
B)   Democratic-Republican Party
C)   Whig Party
D)   Democratic Party

Exam 8: Political Parties

Why is it that the distribution of preferences within each party determines how powerful party leaders are? What else might impact the amount of power party leaders have?

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The distribution of preferences within e...
View Answer

Committee rooms in Congress organize the seating of members based on what attribute?

Correct Answer
verified
D

When a bill comes to the floor the member in charge of directing who is to speak and when is known as what?

Correct Answer
verified

Political parties in Congress are structured by _________________.

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following is NOT a power of the Speaker of the House?

Correct Answer
verified

The main goal of the Contract with America was what?

Correct Answer
verified

The New Deal Coalition delivered control of Congress to Democrats for five decades, but what issue tore at the coalition and started its downfall?

Correct Answer
verified

Instead of calling them political parties, James Madison referred to these groups banding together around common economic interests as ___________.

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
There are several reasons why a member m...
View Answer

Political scientists tend to measure partisan polarization in Congress by examining roll-call votes. What method is most commonly used to do this?

Correct Answer
verified

What broad factors shape the way the political parties in Congress today function? Be sure to consider both electoral and institutional factors. Provide examples and historical context when necessary.

Do you think that the party leaders will continue to gain power or at they at their peak? What factors should we look to to make predictions about questions like these?

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Predicting the future power of party lea...
View Answer

At the turn of the 21^st century the two parties were harshly divided. When was the last time in congressional history that the two parties were this intensely divided?

Correct Answer
verified
B

Who was Joe Cannon and what impact did he have on the institution within which he served?

Correct Answer
verified
Speaker of the House who...
View Answer

Why did the Senate dominate the House and White House for much of the pre-Civil War period?

Correct Answer
verified
The House frequently str...
View Answer

The Minority Leader's power is increased when which of the following occurs?

Correct Answer
verified

What event finally pushed Republicans to take back control of the Senate in the second half of the 20^th century?

Correct Answer
verified

Which party leader, in charge of determining how each member is planning to vote, is viewed as the party's primary legislative strategist and leading spokesman?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Political parties formed in the earliest...
View Answer

What political party failed to George Washington in the presidency, but still dominated Congress for its first few decades?

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 8: Political Parties

Why is it that the distribution of preferences within each party determines how powerful party leaders are? What else might impact the amount of power party leaders have?

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe distribution of preferences within e...View AnswerShow Answer

Committee rooms in Congress organize the seating of members based on what attribute?

Correct AnswerverifiedD

When a bill comes to the floor the member in charge of directing who is to speak and when is known as what?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Political parties in Congress are structured by _________________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is NOT a power of the Speaker of the House?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The main goal of the Contract with America was what?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The New Deal Coalition delivered control of Congress to Democrats for five decades, but what issue tore at the coalition and started its downfall?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Instead of calling them political parties, James Madison referred to these groups banding together around common economic interests as ___________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThere are several reasons why a member m...View AnswerShow Answer

Political scientists tend to measure partisan polarization in Congress by examining roll-call votes. What method is most commonly used to do this?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What broad factors shape the way the political parties in Congress today function? Be sure to consider both electoral and institutional factors. Provide examples and historical context when necessary.

Do you think that the party leaders will continue to gain power or at they at their peak? What factors should we look to to make predictions about questions like these?

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIPredicting the future power of party lea...View AnswerShow Answer

At the turn of the 21st century the two parties were harshly divided. When was the last time in congressional history that the two parties were this intensely divided?

Correct AnswerverifiedB

Who was Joe Cannon and what impact did he have on the institution within which he served?

Correct AnswerverifiedSpeaker of the House who...View AnswerShow Answer

Why did the Senate dominate the House and White House for much of the pre-Civil War period?

Correct AnswerverifiedThe House frequently str...View AnswerShow Answer

The Minority Leader's power is increased when which of the following occurs?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What event finally pushed Republicans to take back control of the Senate in the second half of the 20th century?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which party leader, in charge of determining how each member is planning to vote, is viewed as the party's primary legislative strategist and leading spokesman?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIPolitical parties formed in the earliest...View AnswerShow Answer

What political party failed to George Washington in the presidency, but still dominated Congress for its first few decades?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The distribution of preferences within e...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
D

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
There are several reasons why a member m...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Predicting the future power of party lea...
View Answer

At the turn of the 21^st century the two parties were harshly divided. When was the last time in congressional history that the two parties were this intensely divided?

Correct Answer
verified
B

Correct Answer
verified
Speaker of the House who...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
The House frequently str...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

What event finally pushed Republicans to take back control of the Senate in the second half of the 20^th century?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Political parties formed in the earliest...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified