AA Political Science and Government 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the term for a system where power is divided between a central government and regional governments?
- Federalism (Correct answer)
- Unitarianism
- Confederalism
- Oligarchy
Correct answer: Federalism
Federalism divides sovereign power between national and subnational (state or provincial) governments, each with defined powers.
Question 2: What is the purpose of the Electoral College in U.S. presidential elections?
- To formally elect the president based on state-allocated electors (Correct answer)
- To directly count all popular votes for president
- To certify that candidates meet eligibility requirements
- To oversee campaign finance rules
Correct answer: To formally elect the president based on state-allocated electors
The Electoral College is a body of electors, allocated proportionally to states, whose votes officially determine the president.
Question 3: Which of the following is a power reserved exclusively to the states under the U.S. Constitution?
- Conducting elections (Correct answer)
- Coining money
- Declaring war
- Regulating interstate commerce
Correct answer: Conducting elections
Under the 10th Amendment, powers not granted to the federal government are reserved to the states, including the administration of elections.
Question 4: What is the term for a government run by a single person with absolute power?
- Autocracy (Correct answer)
- Democracy
- Oligarchy
- Theocracy
Correct answer: Autocracy
An autocracy is a system where one individual holds unrestricted political power without accountability to others.
Question 5: What is a filibuster in the U.S. Senate?
- A prolonged speech tactic used to delay or block legislation (Correct answer)
- A formal vote to override a presidential veto
- A method for amending the Constitution
- A procedure for removing a senator from office
Correct answer: A prolonged speech tactic used to delay or block legislation
A filibuster is a legislative tactic in which a senator or group of senators talk at length to prevent a vote on a bill.
Question 6: What are the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution collectively known as?
- The Bill of Rights (Correct answer)
- The Articles of Amendment
- The Federalist Papers
- The Declaration of Rights
Correct answer: The Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments, ratified in 1791, are called the Bill of Rights and protect individual freedoms from government infringement.
AA Political Science and Government 2
What is the term for a system where power is divided between a central government and regional governments?