PSCI 110 Final Exam Questions With
Correct Answers.
What are some of the main Constitutional powers of congress? - answer✔✔Power to...
-tax
-borrow money
-regulate commerce and currency
-declare ware
-raise armies and maintain navies
How are committees organized, and why have they been referred to as "little legislatures"? -
answer✔✔They are organized to reflect the majority
Congress is a collection of these committees
How do they House and Senate differ in terms of structure and style? - answer✔✔HOR
-435 members
-2-year terms in office
-smaller districts
-lower prestige
Senate
-100 members
-6-year terms in office
-larger districts
-higher prestige
What is sociological representation? - answer✔✔When elected leaders look like you (race)
What is agency representation? - answer✔✔Elected leaders who do what you tell them
What is an incumbent? - answer✔✔Individual running for a position that he/she already holds
What is the "incumbency advantage," and how was this changed over time? -
answer✔✔Incumbents have a structural advantage over challengers
It has increased slightly over time
What are some reasons given for high rates of incumbency? - answer✔✔Multiple reasons for
having an advantage, which include:
-constituency
-scares off others
-protects status quo
What is pork-barrel legislation? - answer✔✔Legislation that appropriates federal funds to be
spent on specific process in representatives home districts
What is the redrawing of congressional districts in such a way as to give unfair advantage to the
political party in power called? - answer✔✔Gerrymandering
What is a party whip? - answer✔✔Assistant to the party (minor/major) leader
Why is the Speaker of the House such a critical role in Congress? - answer✔✔The House
Speaker is both the presiding officer of the House of Representatives and the leader of the
majority party. The Speaker is also second to the Vice-President of the US in the line of
succession to the Presidency
Which chamber may initiate tax legislation (and why is this symbolically important) -
answer✔✔
What are "veto points" and how do they help us understand the pace of legislation in politics
today? - answer✔✔They are points where there is a potential for a bill to get shot down. Many
veto points means more vetoes which means slower legislation
How are committee chairs in the House now chosen, as opposed to the past? - answer✔✔Now,
they are elected through a caucus or conference.
In the past, ***
What is a caucus? - answer✔✔Closed political party business meeting to select candidates,
officers, plan strategy or make decisions
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