MA Political Science 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which concept describes the exclusive right of a state to exercise authority within its territory?
- Legitimacy
- Sovereignty (Correct answer)
- Federalism
- Hegemony
Correct answer: Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the principle that a state has supreme, independent authority over its territory and people, free from external interference.
Question 2: In the U.S. federal system, which level of government has powers not explicitly granted to the federal government?
- Municipal governments
- State governments (Correct answer)
- County governments
- Regional commissions
Correct answer: State governments
The Tenth Amendment reserves to the states all powers not delegated to the federal government, establishing the basis for state authority in the federal system.
Question 3: What is the primary function of the U.S. Electoral College?
- To certify voter registration rolls
- To formally elect the President and Vice President (Correct answer)
- To oversee congressional elections
- To confirm Supreme Court nominees
Correct answer: To formally elect the President and Vice President
The Electoral College is the constitutionally established body of electors who formally vote to elect the President and Vice President of the United States.
Question 4: The theory of 'separation of powers' as applied in the U.S. government divides authority among:
- Federal, state, and local governments
- Executive, legislative, and judicial branches (Correct answer)
- The Senate, the House, and the President
- Elected officials, appointed officials, and career civil servants
Correct answer: Executive, legislative, and judicial branches
The separation of powers divides governmental authority among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent any single branch from accumulating excessive power.
Question 5: Which international relations theory argues that states act primarily to maximize power in an anarchic international system?
- Liberalism
- Constructivism
- Realism (Correct answer)
- Institutionalism
Correct answer: Realism
Realism holds that international relations is characterized by anarchy and that states are self-interested rational actors primarily motivated by the pursuit of power and security.
Question 6: What does 'judicial review' allow U.S. courts to do?
- Impeach government officials
- Declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional (Correct answer)
- Appoint federal judges
- Override congressional vetoes
Correct answer: Declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional
Judicial review, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803), is the power of courts to examine laws and executive actions and invalidate those that conflict with the Constitution.
MA Political Science 1
Which concept describes the exclusive right of a state to exercise authority within its territory?