Social Studies, Part 13
Question 1: Explain the differences between closed and open primaries in the direct primary system.
Answer 1: The direct primary system is a means for members of a political party to participate in the selection of a candidate from their party to compete against the other party's candidate in a general election. A closed primary is a party nominating election in which only declared party members can vote. Party membership is usually established by registration. Currently, 26 states and the District of Columbia use this system.An open primary is a party nominating election in which any qualified voter can take part. The voter makes a public choice at the polling place about which primary to participate in, and the choice does not depend on any registration or previous choices.A blanket primary, which allowed voters to vote in the primaries of both parties, was used at various times by three states. The Supreme Court ruled against this practice in 2000.
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Question 2: List some of the most important documents in United States history and government.
Answer 2: The following are among the greatest American documents because of their impact on foreign and domestic policy:Declaration of Independence (1776)The Articles of Confederation (1777)The Constitution (1787) and the Bill of Rights (1791)The Northwest Ordinance (1787)The Federalist Papers (1787-88)Geroge Washington's Inaugural Address (1789) and Farewell Address (1796)The Alien and Sedition Act (1798)The Louisiana Purchase Treaty (1803)The Monroe Doctrine (1823); The Missouri Compromise (1830)The Compromise of 1850The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)The Homestead Act (1862)The Emancipation Proclamation (1863)The agreement to purchase Alaska (1866)The Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)Theodore Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1905)The Social Security Act (1935) and other acts of the New Deal in the 1930s; The Truman Doctrine (1947); The Marshall Plan (1948)The Civil Rights Act (1964)
Question 3: List the four types of federal taxes and give a brief description of each.
Answer 3: The four types of federal taxes are:Income taxes on individuals – This is a complex system because of demands for various exemptions and rates. Further, the schedule of rates can be lowered or raised according to economic conditions in order to stimulate or restrain economic activity. For example, a tax cut can provide an economic stimulus, while a tax increase can slow down the rate of inflation. Personal income tax generates about five times as much as corporate taxes. Rates are based on an individual's income, and range from 10 to 35 percent. Income taxes on corporations – The same complexity of exemptions and rates exists for corporations as individuals. Taxes can be raised or lowered according to the need to stimulate or restrain the economy.Excise taxes – These are taxes on specific goods such as tobacco, liquor, automobiles, gasoline, air travel, and luxury items, or on activities such as highway usage by trucks.Customs duties – These are taxes imposed on imported goods. They serve to regulate trade between the United States and other countries.
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