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AP Government / Civics / FSOT Questions - Question List

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6.

The Second World War marked the most substantial change ever in the context in which United States foreign policy is made. The world that emerged after the war had fundamentally changed in economic, political, and military ways. These changes made the world a more dangerous place, and altered the demands placed on foreign policy.

As a result of the Second World War, international politics changed from a system:

  1. in which ideology played a role in international conflicts to one in which only economic interest played a role
  2. in which there were several major powers to one that was dominated by two powers
  3. dominated by international organizations like the League of Nations to one in which individual countries followed only their own interests
  4. dominated by two powers to one in which a number of major players had relatively equal status
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7.

The War Powers Act of 1973 was an attempt by Congress to increase its authority over the use of military force. The provisions of this act include the following. The President must report to Congress within 48 hours after sending troops to an area where hostilities are imminent. Within 60 days after troops are sent, Congress must, by declaration of war or other specific statutory authorization, provide for the continuation of the United States military presence.If Congress fails to provide such authorization, the President must withdraw the troops. If Congress passes a concurrent resolution (which the President may not veto) directing the removal of United States troops, the President must comply.

Congress has found it difficult to try to use the War Powers Act to force Presidents to remove troops from combat situations because:

  1. Presidents and members of Congress are usually from the same party
  2. it can be politically dangerous not to show support for troops in the field
  3. the American public tends to be highly supportive of United States involvement in long-term military operations, including peacekeeping operations
  4. Congress has no effective means of influencing the military
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8.

Johnson was convicted of flag desecration for burning the flag rather than for uttering insulting words. If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable. . . . We do not consecrate the flag by punishing its desecration, for in doing so we dilute the freedom that this cherished emblem represents.

- Justice Brennan, delivering the majority opinion of the Court

Uncritical extension of constitutional protection to the burning of the flag risks the frustration of the very purpose for which organized governments are instituted. . . . The flag is not simply another "idea" or "point of view" competing for recognition in the marketplace of ideas. . . . I cannot agree that the First Amendment invalidates the. . . laws which make criminal the public burning of the flag.

- Justice Rehnquist, dissenting opinion

Which of the following best paraphrases Justice Brennan’s argument?

  1. Citizens may express themselves in any manner they feel is justified and be protected by the First Amendment.
  2. The Court should deal with First Amendment issues on a case-by-case basis.
  3. It is constitutional to ban the uttering of insulting words, but not to ban flag burning.
  4. In our constitutional democracy, we may not limit the expression of ideas with which the majority disagrees.
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9. In recent years, a United States President and a Japanese Prime Minister would most likely have argued over which issue?
  1. Japan's wish to enter the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
  2. Japan's development of nuclear weapons
  3. America's desire to have greater access to Japanese markets
  4. America's discrimination toward Japanese nationals
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10.

Michigan governor John Engler is pursuing changes in welfare policy that are pleasing the Clinton administration more than his Republican allies on Capitol Hill. The Democrats' unlikely and somewhat unwilling hero announced an ambitious pilot project . . . that seeks to cut welfare costs by providing generous social services so that poor people can go to work. Democrats call his plan enlightened. Republicans have been caught off guard. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Democrat of New York, . . . praised Mr. Engler for breaking with congressional Republicans by using child care and transportation subsidies and fashioning a more active role for social workers in an effort to turn welfare recipients into workers.

- The New York Times, January 22, 1996

In what way does the article show one of the strengths of federalism?

  1. People will receive the same level of income support no matter where they live.
  2. States may serve as sites for experimentation with new public policies.
  3. The national government can force other states to follow Governor Engler's lead.
  4. The federal government may prevent Michigan from treating its citizens unfairly.
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