Temple College – Taylor Center
GOVT 2302
NAME:_______________
Summer 2, 2000
EXAM #1
PART I. SHORT ANSWER 1. Answer one (1) of the following in a
paragraph. Do NOT answer specific parts as separate items. Integrate your
responses into a well-organized, well-constructed paragraph. Write complete
sentences and pay attention to spelling, grammar, and word choice. Do NOT
assume that “the instructor will know what you mean.” WRITE LEGIBLY IN INK!
Use the space below and on the back of this page (if necessary) to write your
answer. 20 points
1. Identify and explain Laswell’s, Easton’s, and Feagin’s definitions of politics.
[NOTE: Do NOT simply write the definitions. Explain the terms and concepts
and their implications.]
2. Define government. Explain government’s legitimate use of force. Why do
people agree to obey government’s laws?
PART II. SHORT ANSWER 2. Answer one (1) of the following in a
paragraph. Do NOT answer specific parts as separate items. Integrate your
responses into a well-organized, well-constructed paragraph. Write complete
sentences and pay attention to spelling, grammar, and word choice. Do NOT
assume that “the instructor will know what you mean.” Use the space below and
on the back of this page (if necessary) to write your answer. WRITE LEGIBLY
IN INK! 20 points
1. Discuss the meaning of democracy, focusing on the democratic ideals favored
in the United States.
2. What is the paradox of democracy? How does the U.S. Constitution provide
limits on the power of majorities?
PART III. SHORT ANSWER 3. Answer one (1) of the following in a
paragraph. Do NOT answer specific parts as separate items. Integrate your
responses into a well-organized, well-constructed paragraph. Write complete
sentences and pay attention to spelling, grammar, and word choice. Do NOT
assume that “the instructor will know what you mean.” Use the space below and
on the back of this page (if necessary) to write your answer. WRITE LEGIBLY
IN INK! 20 points
1. Outline and discuss public policy’s five defining characteristics.
2. Discuss the five stages of the policy-making process (the production line
model). Outline the activities and actors that may be involved in each stage.
PART IV. SHORT ANSWER 4. Answer one (1) of the following in a
paragraph. Do NOT answer specific parts as separate items. Integrate your
responses into a well-organized, well-constructed paragraph. Write complete
sentences and pay attention to spelling, grammar, and word choice. Do NOT
assume that “the instructor will know what you mean.” Use the space below and
on the back of this page (if necessary) to write your answer. WRITE LEGIBLY
IN INK! 20 points
1. Discuss the policy classification scheme introduced in class, identifying the
activity of government associated with each class and providing examples to
illustrate each class. What two questions must be answered in order to
classify policy under this scheme?
2. Discuss the two dimensions of public policy debate: mainstream and radical. How do
we distinguish between mainstream and radical viewpoints? Using the policy
classification scheme introduced in class discussions, discuss the mainstream and
radical perspectives on each policy class, illustrating with appropriate examples.
PART V. IDENTIFICATION. Define and identify the importance of ten (10) of
the following items in a sentence or two for each. 20 points/2 pts. each. Use the back of
this page (if necessary) to continue your answer. Your answer should be written to
demonstrate your familiarity with and understanding of both terms or concepts in each
pair. These items can generally be answered in two or three sentences. Students
should go beyond simple definitions of the terms or concepts to say why each is
important and why the two are juxtaposed. Here is an example:
[example] Article I, sec. 8:18 v 10th Amendment – Article I, sec 8:18 implies that the
national government has powers beyond those that are expressly delegated in the
Constitution while the 10th Amendment reserves for the states any powers not delegated
by the Constitution to the national government. These provisions reflect the competing
political philosophies of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists respectively;
consequently, the question of the balance of constitutional powers between the two
levels of government must be resolved by judicial interpretation.

public agenda v official agenda

policy statement v implementing action

statute v administrative ruling

Articles of Confederation v Bill of Rights

radical left v radical right

authoritative government v authoritarian government

elitist perspective v pluralist perspective

direct democracy v representative democracy

Federalists v Anti-Federalists

Declaration of Independence

civil disobedience v legitimacy

Marxism

George Mason v James Madison
v
v Connecticut Compromise
capitalism