Public Policy

Answer each of the questions below by clicking on the appropriate option. If you make a mistake, read the feedback and answer again.

Question 1
Why is monetary policy a less democratic way to manipulate the economy than fiscal policy?

a. because monetary policy involves the government in the market too much, while fiscal policy allows a freer market economy

b. because monetary policy is imposed by the non-elected Federal Reserve Board, while fiscal policy is imposed by our elected officials

c. because monetary policy lasts longer and is therefore less responsive to the people than fiscal policy

d. because the people participate directly in the fiscal policy process, but they are left out of the monetary policy process

Question 2
Which of the following did NOT contribute to the current concern over the social security program?

a. an imbalance between the number of recipients and the number of contributors to the social security fund

b. the "graying of America": more senior citizens, who are living longer

c. poor investments by the government of the social security fund

d. a sharp increase in the benefits being paid out to each recipient, which outpaced the increase in the cost of living and the average wages of the American workforce

Question 3
Why do businesses tend to oppose government regulation?

a. They see regulation as interference and believe that it hinders research and development and hurts the U.S. in the global market.

b. They believe that regulations take away consumers' choices in the market.

c. They believe that they would get more tax breaks if there were less regulation.

d. They fear that government regulation will lead to government takeover of private industry.

Question 4
Given the fact that foreign policy is predominantly the realm of the president in accordance with the Constitution, how can Congress stop the president from acting on his foreign policy agenda?

a. Congress can veto his bills for military action.

b. Congress has to approve any use of military troops and can say "no" at any point.

c. Congress can refuse to fund the president's plans.

d. Congress can reverse any foreign policy action taken by the president as long as they act within twenty-one days of the president's action.

Question 5
How does the United States' "soft power" feed into terrorists' opposition to, and hatred of, the U.S.?

a. It provides terrorists with evidence of the weaknesses of the U.S. government.

b. It enables terrorists to feed others' dislike of American culture (too permissive, too lax, etc.) and emphasizes the differences in attitudes and beliefs between the U.S. and other nations.

c. It actually offers terrorists clues as to how to infiltrate American society and work from within to destroy it.

d. It provides a "push/pull" dilemma for terrorists, and when they overcome their uncertainty their beliefs about the U.S. are stronger than ever.

Question 6
Means-tested programs in the United States tend to be more generous than similar programs in other western democracies.

a. True

b. False

Question 7
President Bush's economic agenda is based on the idea that fewer government regulations and lower taxes will stimulate the economy.

a. True

b. False

Question 8
Because of 9/11, defense spending today is higher than it was during the Cold War.

a. True

b. False