Employment Division v. Smith (1990)

Employment Division v. Smith (1990)

Determined that the state could deny unemployment benefits to a person fired for violating a state prohibition on the use of peyote, even though the use of the drug was part of a religious ritual. Although states have the power to accommodate otherwise illegal acts done in pursuit of religious beliefs, they are not required to do so. Neutral laws of general applicability do not violate the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

How can dissenting opinions play a role after a case is decided? Provide an example.

How can dissenting opinions play a role after a case is decided? Provide an example.

They write dissenting opinions when they disagree with the Supreme Court ruling. Not every Supreme Court ruling is unanimous. Some are by 5 to 4, or 6-3, or 7 to 2 or 8 to 1 majorities. Some cases are by other majorities if not all nine justices vote on the case. The minority justices, that is the dissenting justices, write their own opinion to state why the think the majority is wrong and what they would have ruled and why.

What is the role of the president's press secretary ?

What is the role of the president's press secretary ?

The Press Office is responsible for providing support and information to the national and international media regarding the President's beliefs, activities and actions. It works alongside the Office of Communications in crafting and espousing the administration's message.

Pros and Cons of exit polling ?

Pros of exit polling

Exit polling can be a really good source of information if it is done correctly, and most news outlets do have the intention and resources to do it correctly. It gives us a pulse of what's going on in the election and a good directional indication of who's winning. But they're not something to rely on for any significant purposes.

Cons of exit polling

On the flip side, exit polls are often less accurate and less predictive in very close races because the margin of error within the poll itself could intersect with the actual point difference between the candidates themselves. They can also be useful in detecting fraud because if an exit poll greatly conflicts with actual results, it can spur on an investigation to find out why those differences might exist.

Why is polling an important part of the US political system?

Why is polling an important part of the US political system?

Candidates use polls to find out how well or how badly they are doing with voters; someone who is thinking of running for office can also use a poll to find out what constituents in his district think and what the true issues are.

Why is the chief of staff an important asset to the president?

Why is the chief of staff an important asset to the president?

The White House Chief of Staff is the highest ranking member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States and a senior aide to the President. The Chief of Staff is often nicknamed 'The Second Most Powerful Man in Washington' because of the influence and access to the President.

Provide an example showing how the president sometimes might not be leading his political party.

Provide an example showing how the president sometimes might not be leading his political party.

When Jimmy Carter told Congress he would veto bills containing unnecessary "pork barrel" public works projects, he was attempting to act in the national interest, yet he antagonized members of Congress (even members of his own party), who delayed working on much of his legislative program in retaliation until Carter gave in and approved their pet projects.

How do caucuses differ from primaries?

How do caucuses differ from primaries?

a caucus is: "a private meeting of members of a political party to plan action or to select delegates for a nominating convention."


a primary is: "[an] election held to nominate a candidate for a particular party at a forthcoming election for public office."

Briefly explain how the Electoral College works. How does the winner-take-all feature affect elections?

Briefly explain how the Electoral College works. How does the winner-take-all feature affect elections?

Each state receive electors based on the number of HOR plus 2 senators. The person with the majority of votes receives the electoral votes for that state. One needs to receive 270 votes to become president
Candidates do not waste time or money campaigning in states in which they think they have no chance of winning.

Describe the meaning of marginal districts and safe districts.

Describe the meaning of marginal districts and safe districts.

marginal districts-political districts in which candidates elected to the House of Representatives win in close elections, typically by less than 55% of the vote.


safe district-a house district in which the winner of the general election carries more than 55% of the vote.

Discuss why the Framers were hesitant to allow a popular vote to determine who would become president.

Discuss why the Framers were hesitant to allow a popular vote to determine who would become president.

The popular vote was turned down largely because, due to lack of widespread communications ability, the voters in each state would pick a regional local, not knowing anything about central figures [after the founding fathers would have passed on], so that regionalism multiplied by 13 would always result in the most populous states deciding the presidency. The electoral college at least gave some weighted influence to the smaller states. The reason for the electoral college has now died with the growth of communications and political parties, and the demise of state sovereignty interests.

What important precedent came from the famous Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

What important precedent came from the famous Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

The court ruled candidates can give unlimited amounts of money to their own campaigns.

Why did Political Action Committees (PACs) begin? What do PACs do?

Why did Political Action Committees (PACs) begin? What do PACs do?

In 1947, as part of the Taft-Hartley Act, the U.S. Congress prohibited labor unions or corporations from spending money to influence federal elections, and prohibited labor unions from contributing to candidate campaigns (an earlier law, the 1907 Tillman Act, had prohibited corporations from contributing to campaigns). Labor unions moved to work around these limitations by establishing political action committees, to which members could contribute.

How does political efficacy affect voter intensity?

How does political efficacy affect voter intensity?

Voter intensity gauges the likelihood that people will vote and otherwise participate in elections. It is measured by how strongly people feel about their role as the electorate, whether they feel a personal stake in the policy agenda, and their degree of political socialization. When people feel connected to the political system, they are more likely to vote and participate in campaigns or other political activities.

What is the difference between internal efficacy and external efficacy?

What is the difference between internal efficacy and external efficacy?

Internal Efficacy is one's confidence in their abilities to understand and influence political events. Not to be confused with External Efficacy which is the belief that the governmental system will respond to the citizens, in turn giving them more trust in the government

Describe how the US government has become more cooperative.

Describe how the US government has become more cooperative.

The federal govt has been more involved in state affairs than it used to be. The federal government now uses the money that it gives to the states to have control over policy areas that used to be reserved for the states.

Describe the important precedent set by Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Describe the important precedent set by Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

The ruling increased federal power over interstate commerce by implying that anything concerning interstate trade could potentially be regulated by the federal government. The court ruled that the state of NY could not grant a steamship company a monopoly to operate on an interstate waterway, even thought the waterway ran through NY.

Describe the important precedent set by McCulloch v. Maryland 1819 ?

Describe the important precedent set by McCulloch v. Maryland 1819 ?

The decision reinforced the supremacy clause of the Constitution. Court ruled that the states did not have the power to tax the national bank (and by extension, the federal government)

How did Shays' Rebellion show some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

How did Shays' Rebellion show some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

The state could not hold down a rebellion and the federal government did not have the means or ability to help.

List some of the powers held by the central government in the Articles of Confederation.

List some of the powers held by the central government in the Articles of Confederation.

1 To declare war and make peace.

2 To coin and borrow money

3 To detail with foreign countries and sign treaties

4 To operate post offices

The Clinton administration has the strong support of environmentalists but

The Clinton administration has the strong support of environmentalists but

a. tried to amend Superfund without much success.
b. pushed ahead with more command and control policies.
c. sided with lawyers who were being blamed for Superfund failures.
d. abolished Superfund.
e. reformed Superfund in a manner that displeased most environmentalists.

Answer: A

When a company reduces its polluting emissions by more than the law requires and uses the excess amount to cover a future plant expansion, it is taking advantage of

When a company reduces its polluting emissions by more than the law requires and uses the excess amount to cover a future plant expansion, it is taking advantage of

a. an air proxy card.
b. an offset.
c. the command-and-control strategy.
d. the bubble standard.
e. a pollution allowance.

Answer: E

Which refers to a total amount of air pollution that can come from a given factory, allowing owners to decide which specific sources within the factory will be reduced?

Which refers to a total amount of air pollution that can come from a given factory, allowing owners to decide which specific sources within the factory will be reduced?

a. An air proxy card
b. An offset
c. The command-and-control strategy
d. The bubble standard
e. A pollution allowance

Answer: D

Offsets, bubble standards, and banks, also called pollution allowances, are all

Offsets, bubble standards, and banks, also called pollution allowances, are all

a. pollution control devices that effectively reduce air contamination.
b. tests conducted by the EPA on agricultural pesticides.
c. EPA incentives for companies to reduce pollution.
d. rules devised by the EPA under its command-and-control strategy to improve air and water quality.
e. standards which are employed in order to control the amount of hazardous nuclear waste that is discarded in waterbeds.

Answer: C

The EPA began to shift from a command-and-control strategy for affected businesses during the ___________ administration.

The EPA began to shift from a command-and-control strategy for affected businesses during the ___________ administration.

a. Nixon
b. Ford
c. Carter
d. Reagan
e. Clinton

Answer: C

The EPA was once instructed by Congress to eliminate all pollutants ________ by 1985.

The EPA was once instructed by Congress to eliminate all pollutants ________ by 1985.

a. in the air
b. from automobiles
c. from factories
d. entering our water
e. from pesticides

Answer: D

The inability of Superfund to treat more than 2,000 waste sites by the year 2000 was, in part, attributable to the fact that

The inability of Superfund to treat more than 2,000 waste sites by the year 2000 was, in part, attributable to the fact that

a. Superfund money went straight to the waste removers.
b. finding and suing responsible parties was difficult.
c. the government provided little in the way of funding.
d. President Reagan signed a bill that weakened the EPA.
e. environmental lobbyists were no longer able to exert pressure on the EPA.

Answer: B

Under this program chemical and petroleum industries would be taxed and the proceeds, along with general tax revenues, were to be used to pay for cleaning up abandoned hazardous waste sites.

Under this program chemical and petroleum industries would be taxed and the proceeds, along with general tax revenues, were to be used to pay for cleaning up abandoned hazardous waste sites.

a. Off-set
b. Superfund
c. Command-and-Control
d. Koyoto Protocol
e. a and d.

Answer: B

The EPA was given responsibility to administer certain laws governing

The EPA was given responsibility to administer certain laws governing

a. air.
b. water.
c. pesticides.
d. all of the above.
e. a and b.

Answer: D

All of the following are correct pairings of different styles of politics and examples of these styles in environmental policy making except

All of the following are correct pairings of different styles of politics and examples of these styles in environmental policy making except

a. entrepreneurial politics and global warming.
b. majoritarian politics and pollution from automobiles.
c. client politics and land-use controls.
d. interest group politics and acid rain.
e. a and d.

Answer: C

Congress orders the U.S. Forest Service to sell timber to the timber industry at below-market prices and thereby subsidizes the timber industry. Such a program best illustrates

Congress orders the U.S. Forest Service to sell timber to the timber industry at below-market prices and thereby subsidizes the timber industry. Such a program best illustrates

a. entrepreneurial politics.
b. majoritarian politics.
c. interest group politics.
d. client politics.
e. club-based politics.

Answer: D

About ____ of the U.S. forest system is off limits to logging.

About ____ of the U.S. forest system is off limits to logging.

a. 1/8
b. 1/4
c. 1/2
d. 2/3
e. 3/4

Answer: D

In cases in which pesticides, such as DDT, have been taken off the market, public debate of their effects tends to lend itself to

In cases in which pesticides, such as DDT, have been taken off the market, public debate of their effects tends to lend itself to

a. majoritarian politics.
b. entrepreneurial politics.
c. interest-group politics.
d. client politics.
e. club-based politics.

Answer: B

Many policy entrepreneurs favor measures to control the use of agricultural pesticides. One reason they have not been successful in enacting legislation to do this is that

Many policy entrepreneurs favor measures to control the use of agricultural pesticides. One reason they have not been successful in enacting legislation to do this is that

a. the EPA is opposed to such legislation.
b. extensive media coverage has lent support to farmers.
c. the risks associated with the use of pesticide use are undocumented.
d. farmers are well-represented in Congress.
e. Congress and the EPA cannot agree on relevant standards.

Answer: D

Today, there are well over ______ pesticides in use.

Today, there are well over ______ pesticides in use.

a. 5,000
b. 10,000
c. 15,000
d. 25,000
e. 50,000

Answer: E

When Rachel Carson published Silent Spring in 1962, she set off a public outcry about the harm of wildlife caused by

When Rachel Carson published Silent Spring in 1962, she set off a public outcry about the harm of wildlife caused by

a. a common pesticide.
b. gas-powered farming equipment.
c. a variety of synthetic fertilizers.
d. experimental crops.
e. Farm Bureau policies.

Answer: A

As environmental policy has become more complex and new interest groups have been formed, it is increasingly more difficult to

As environmental policy has become more complex and new interest groups have been formed, it is increasingly more difficult to

a. interest Congress in environmental policy.
b. identify who supports or opposes any given policy.
c. provide cues to members of Congress.
d. attract public attention to issues.
e. change existing policy.

Answer: E

The compromise worked out by Congress to deal with acid rain calls for

The compromise worked out by Congress to deal with acid rain calls for

a. scrubbers in all new plants.
b. the burning of only low-sulfur coal in all new plants.
c. both scrubbers and the burning of only low-sulfur coal in all new plants.
d. both scrubbers and the burning of only low-sulfur coal in all plants, both new and existing.
e. scrubbers in old plants and the burning of low-sulfur coal in half of all new plants.

Answer: A

If burning low-sulfur coal significantly reduces the emission of sulfurous fumes and therefore reduces acid rain, why don't plants in the Midwest and Great Lakes region burn only low-sulfur coal?

If burning low-sulfur coal significantly reduces the emission of sulfurous fumes and therefore reduces acid rain, why don't plants in the Midwest and Great Lakes region burn only low-sulfur coal?

a. Because it can be burned only if plants are equipped with scrubbers
b. Because it is expensive
c. Because it produces far less energy than does high-sulfur coal
d. Because the major source of low-sulfur coal is Canada
e. Because the major source of low-sulfur coal is Mexico

Answer: B

Why should many residents of Canada be concerned about the type of coal burned in Midwestern U.S. power plants?

Why should many residents of Canada be concerned about the type of coal burned in Midwestern U.S. power plants?

a. Because acid rain caused by these plants affects lakes and forests in eastern Canada
b. Because the Canadian economy is heavily dependent on the sale of high-sulfur coal
c. Because the Canadian economy benefits directly from the sale of smokestack scrubbers
d. Because Canada is a major producer of sulfur dioxide and a source of acid rain
e. Because the extraction of low-sulfur coal in Canada is quite damaging to farm land

Answer: A

Your state proposes an increase in gasoline taxes. The citizens of the state are most likely to support such an increase if the tax revenues will be used to

Your state proposes an increase in gasoline taxes. The citizens of the state are most likely to support such an increase if the tax revenues will be used to

a. build a new highway.
b. reduce air pollution.
c. pay for measures to reduce traffic congestion.
d. finance a new crime prevention program.
e. finance a new weapons-exchange program.

Answer: A

Which of the following statements about environmental impact statements, or EISs, is correct?

Which of the following statements about environmental impact statements, or EISs, is correct?

a. They were first mandated by a provision of the Clean Air Act of 1970.
b. They have most frequently been used by businesses to block or change projects.
c. They require specific action in response to a proposed project.
d. They apply only to federal agencies.
e. They apply only to state agencies.

Answer: D

The text suggests that the legislation requiring environmental impact statements, or EISs, passed by overwhelming majorities because it was a "pro-environment law" and because

The text suggests that the legislation requiring environmental impact statements, or EISs, passed by overwhelming majorities because it was a "pro-environment law" and because

a. there was no requirement for specific action, only the need to create a "statement."
b. there was a general sense that EISs would speed up governmental projects.
c. courts would not consider legal challenges to EISs.
d. opponents of projects would be silenced by EISs.
e. federal agencies lobbied Congress intensely for EISs.

Answer: A

Congress has limited the impact of the Clean Air Act in various revisions by

Congress has limited the impact of the Clean Air Act in various revisions by

a. extending deadlines for compliance.
b. decreasing the levels of required reductions.
c. increasing the level of acceptable emissions.
d. exempting major metropolitan areas.
e. forsaking a general interest in reducing smog in big cities.

Answer: A

One provision of the Clean Air Act of 1970 required cities in which smog was still a problem, despite emissions controls placed on new cars, to impose rules restricting the public's use of cars. Why did this provision fail?

One provision of the Clean Air Act of 1970 required cities in which smog was still a problem, despite emissions controls placed on new cars, to impose rules restricting the public's use of cars. Why did this provision fail?

a. The EPA adopted an overly zealous command-and-control strategy.
b. The provision was ruled unconstitutional.
c. Powerful client groups worked to defeat the provision.
d. Public opposition was too great.
e. Legislators vowed to strengthen the measure if there were not immediate results.

Answer: D

Most of the debate over the Clean Air Act of 1970 centered on the issue of pollutants

Most of the debate over the Clean Air Act of 1970 centered on the issue of pollutants

a. associated with the production of automobile tires.
b. associated with air conditioning apparatus in new automobiles.
c. that could come out of automobile tail pipes.
d. in and around the manufacturers of mini-vans.
e. affecting air circulation in automobiles.

Answer: C

About half of the species on the protected species list are

About half of the species on the protected species list are

a. snails.
b. plants.
c. fish.
d. birds.
e. insects.

Answer: B

Currently, there are over ____ species on the "protected" species list.

Currently, there are over ____ species on the "protected" species list.

a. six hundred
b. one hundred
c. fifty
d. thirty
e. fifteen

Answer: A

Between 1970 and 1990, pollution from cars was cut by between _________ percent.

Between 1970 and 1990, pollution from cars was cut by between _________ percent.

a. 10 and 20
b. 25 and 30
c. 30 and 40
d. 45 and 55
e. 60 and 80

Answer: E

The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, was created by

The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, was created by

a. Franklin D. Roosevelt.
b. Theodore Roosevelt.
c. Richard Nixon.
d. Gerald Ford.
e. Jimmy Carter.

Answer: C

What type or types of politics created the environmental movement?

What type or types of politics created the environmental movement?

a. entrepreneurial
b. client
c. majoritarian
d. interest group
e. c and d.

Answer: A

According to the text, federalism and the separation of powers

According to the text, federalism and the separation of powers

a. have reduced the scope of conflicts in environmental policy making.
b. ensure efficiency in environmental policy making.
c. are responsible for the broad-based public support for anti-pollution laws.
d. reinforce adversarial politics in environmental policy making.
e. none of the above.

Answer: D

Compared with U.S. regulations, rules controlling air pollution in Great Britain involve

Compared with U.S. regulations, rules controlling air pollution in Great Britain involve

a. strict deadlines.
b. voluntary compliance.
c. expensive technology.
d. a uniform national policy.
e. rigorous assessments.

Answer: B

An example cited in the text of the adversarial nature of environmental policy making in the United States is the fact that

An example cited in the text of the adversarial nature of environmental policy making in the United States is the fact that

a. rules designed to reduce air pollution were written by government and business acting cooperatively.
b. most environmental issues are settled through majoritarian politics.
c. the public is prohibited by law from suing the Environmental Protection Agency.
d. it took Congress thirteen years to revise the Clean Air Act.
e. Congress has not passed a substantive environmental law in over twenty-seven years.

Answer: D

Which of the following statements regarding the 1997 Kyoto Protocol is incorrect?

Which of the following statements regarding the 1997 Kyoto Protocol is incorrect?

a. It called for a 5 percent reduction worldwide in greenhouse gases.
b. It was strongly opposed by the U.S. Senate.
c. President Clinton never pushed strongly for its ratification.
d. President Bush scrapped it completely.
e. None of the above.

Answer: E

The text speaks of the importance of entrepreneurial politics in many areas of environmental policy making. This term refers to a style of policy-making in which

The text speaks of the importance of entrepreneurial politics in many areas of environmental policy making. This term refers to a style of policy-making in which

a. an unorganized public benefits at the expense of a well-organized group.
b. an unorganized public benefits at its own expense.
c. two organized groups with a material stake in the outcome fight over who will pay and who will benefit.
d. an organized group benefits at the expense of an unorganized public.
e. an organized group benefits at the expense of a well-organized public.

Answer: C

One reason environmental policy tends to be so controversial is that

One reason environmental policy tends to be so controversial is that

a. so many environmental policy decisions are based on scientific evidence, which tends to be highly political.
b. environmental policy often takes the form of majoritarian politics, which requires strong emotional appeals to overcome the political advantage of client groups.
c. environmental policy creates losers, who must pay the costs without getting enough of the benefits.
d. most people feel that government is already doing enough to control pollution; new programs are therefore likely to face stiff opposition.
e. all of the above.

Answer: C