American Government: California Perspective Review
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Course Introduction
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the structures, processes, and functions of American government, with a special focus on California's unique political landscape. Students will analyze the principles and institutions of the federal government, including the Constitution, branches of government, and civil liberties, while examining how California's state constitution, government institutions, and political culture influence policy-making and civic life. Topics include elections, political parties, interest groups, and the interplay between state and federal authorities, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of both national and Californian political dynamics.
Recommended Textbook Governing California in the Twenty-First Century 5th Edition by J. Theodore Anagnoson
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10 Chapters
301 Verified Questions
301 Flashcards
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Chapter 1: California Government: Promise and Practice
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) From 1904 to 2012, how many initiatives has California had?
A) 352
B) 329
C) 209
D) 178
Answer: A
Q2) Most political observers believe that term limits have had what impact on the state legislature?
A) They reduced contributions to incumbents.
B) They worsened the legislature, not improved it.
C) They provided citizens with greater access to legislators.
D) They greatly reduced the number of lobbyists.
Answer: B
Q3) In California, the constitution requires the state budget to be passed by
A) a simple majority (50 percent plus 1) in both the Assembly and Senate.
B) 51 percent of the total membership in both the Assembly and Senate.
C) two-thirds of the members present in both the Assembly and Senate.
D) two-thirds of the total membership in both the Assembly and Senate.
Answer: A
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Page 3
Chapter 2: The Constitution and the Progressive Legacy
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Sample Questions
Q1) A characteristic of California government that is NOT a legacy of the Progressive movement is
A) nonpartisan elections.
B) the office block ballot.
C) strong political parties.
D) the recall.
Answer: C
Q2) The Progressives believed that citizens supported the democratic process and would
A) invest whatever time and effort was needed to participate in elections.
B) rely on lobbyists to represent their interests.
C) favor strong political parties.
D) favor restricting the power of state courts.
Answer: A
Q3) In California, voters can propose a constitutional amendment through
A) a recall election.
B) the referendum.
C) the initiative process.
D) a primary election.
Answer: C
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Chapter 3: Interest Groups and the Media in California
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Who is credited with the following quote: "I wish government wasn't for sale like this, but the fact is you have to hustle to get your share. Local governments without lobbyists see the ones with representation doing better so they say, 'We need to get our butts on board and get one or they're going to steal everything from us.'"
A) Gray Davis
B) John Quimby
C) Arnold Schwarzenegger
D) Richard Riordan
Answer: B
Q2) In-house lobbyists differ from contract lobbyists because they
A) offer their services directly to the public.
B) donate more money to political candidates.
C) work only for a specific interest group.
D) focus solely on lobbying the executive branch.
Answer: C
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Chapter 4: Parties and Elections in California
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31 Verified Questions
31 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What website is used to register to vote in California?
A) www.facebook.com
B) www.sos.ca.gov/election
C) www.gov.org
D) www.ca.com
Q2) What methods did the Progressives utilize to weaken political parties in California? What was the ultimate impact on political parties in California?
Q3) What primary had one of the lowest turnout rates in California's history?
A) 1992
B) 1996
C) 2000
D) 2012
Q4) In California, what are the two ways political parties can qualify to get on the ballot?
A) television ads and newspaper ads
B) registration and newspaper ads
C) court rulings and public protests
D) registration and petition
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Chapter 5: The California Legislature
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What are the major differences between the U.S. Congress and the California legislature?
Q2) What factors make the California legislature weaker in comparison to Congress?
A) the Speaker of the House, presidential recess appointments, and congressional staffers
B) logrolling, the vice president of the United States, filibusters
C) term limits, low media coverage, and the line-item veto
D) oversight, gerrymandering, court decisions
Q3) The process by which members of the legislature exchange or trade votes is called
A) constituent service.
B) oversight function.
C) logrolling.
D) filibustering.
Q4) What are the two main jobs of a legislator?
A) monitoring California's borders and fundraising
B) representing the district and making policy
C) giving speeches and attending political party functions
D) vetoing bills and pardoning citizens convicted of crimes
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Chapter 6: The Governor and the Executive Branch
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Sample Questions
Q1) The superintendent of public instruction is
A) a member of the state board of equalization.
B) the only member of the plural executive elected on a nonpartisan basis.
C) appointed by the governor.
D) oversees higher education in the state of California.
Q2) Who is the current lieutenant governor?
A) Cruz Bustamante
B) Abel Maldonado
C) Gavin Newsom
D) John Garamendi
Q3) The governor is the commander-in-chief of
A) all military forces stationed in California.
B) the California National Guard.
C) all county sheriff's departments.
D) only the police department in Sacramento.
Q4) What is the plural executive and what impact does it have on the governor of California?
Q5) Describe the informal powers of the governor of California. How have these powers been used?
Q6) What factors suggest that the governor of California is "invisible"?
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Chapter 7: The California Judiciary
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30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Judges in California may be impeached by the state Assembly and convicted by A) an executive order signed by the governor.
B) a writ issued by the chief justice of the California Supreme Court.
C) voter approval in a special election.
D) a two-thirds majority of the state Senate.
Q2) Why did Proposition 215 conflict with federal law?
A) Federal law requires that emergency services cannot be denied to illegal immigrants.
B) Federal law permits marijuana to be distributed and sold in the District of Columbia.
C) Federal law mandates that for states to receive federal highway funds that the drinking age within that state must be 21.
D) Federal law classifies marijuana as a controlled substance and makes its cultivation, possession, sale, and consumption illegal.
Q3) The largest financial contributions to most judicial races come from A) attorneys.
B) firemen and police officers.
C) prison guards.
D) teachers.
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Chapter 8: The State Budget and Budgetary Limitations
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30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) California's bond rating has been increased to A from just above junk status mainly because
A) the state's income no longer fluctuates.
B) the state's revenues have increased in recent times.
C) the governor no longer uses the line-item veto.
D) the state's population desires to pay higher taxes.
Q2) The California Constitution requires that the governor and the legislature
A) pass a balanced budget.
B) engage in deficit financing.
C) reduce the rate of inflation.
D) ignore the Federal Reserve Bank.
Q3) Which of the following does NOT explain why state revenues vary so much?
A) the economy
B) the state budget relies exclusively on property taxes
C) the personal income tax relies more on capital gains than on taxes on wage earners
D) the state budget is limited by initiatives that are too restrictive
Q4) What was the intent of Proposition 13? What impact did it have in California?
Q5) What arguments do liberals and conservatives make about taxes in California?
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Chapter 9: Local Government
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Sample Questions
Q1) A "sanctuary city" refers to
A) a city that can be used by the state during a war to house and protect immigrants that are seeking political asylum.
B) the process that a city must follow to be sovereign and officially recognized by county, state, and federal governments.
C) a city that has laws to protect city, county, and state workers that expose government corruption.
D) a city that assures equal access to city services regardless of immigrant status.
Q2) In order to deal with problems such as air pollution and waste management that affect large geographic areas in California,
A) regional governments have been formed.
B) special districts have been given authority to deal with these types of problems.
C) a council-mayor system has been implemented.
D) secession movements in a number of cities have developed.
Q3) What role do special districts play in California? Cite an example of a special district and its mandated purpose.
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Chapter 10: Public Policy in California
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30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) One proposal to deal with the problem of California being a "land of contrasts" was to A) secede from the union.
B) divide California into six states.
C) appeal to the United Nations.
D) file more law suits.
Q2) In the city of Los Angeles, it was determined that water rates were too low to keep up maintenance because
A) the California Supreme Court overturned rate increases.
B) the city council, not a water agency, set rates.
C) the state continued to take local funds due to the continuing budget crisis.
D) rate increases must be approved by the voters.
Q3) In 1999, the California Supreme Court struck down Proposition 5, which dealt with A) same-sex marriage.
B) Indian gaming.
C) public school funding.
D) health care.
Q4) What are some of the proposed solutions to the growing shortage of water in California?
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