American National Government Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is an example of an iron triangle?

A collaboration between state governments and local governments

A coalition of interest groups, congressional committees, and government agencies (correct)

A partnership between private corporations and non-profits

The relationship between the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court

On what basis are committee chairpersons in Congress mainly selected?

Political party affiliation and fundraising ability

Popular vote from constituents

Seniority and legislative expertise (correct)

Random selection by party leadership

What is the primary purpose of a conference committee?

To resolve differences in bills passed by both chambers (correct)

To conduct hearings on proposed laws

To oversee the implementation of laws

To draft new legislation from scratch

What does the dual court system in the United States indicate?

State courts and federal courts operate separately Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary responsibilities of the Vice President?

Leading the Senate and advising the President Signup and view all the answers

What was the Supreme Court's decision in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson?

Segregation was upheld as constitutional. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Supreme Court's ruling in Shelby County v. Holder?

It struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act. Signup and view all the answers

What are Jim Crow laws?

State and local laws enforcing racial segregation. Signup and view all the answers

Define political socialization.

The ways in which individuals develop their political beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'rational ignorance' effect?

The choice to remain uninformed due to the high cost of information. Signup and view all the answers

What are the major functions of political parties?

To organize elections and provide a platform for policies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between primary elections and general elections?

Primary elections determine the candidates for the general election. Signup and view all the answers

What is a lobbyist?

A professional who seeks to influence political decisions on behalf of an interest group. Signup and view all the answers

What is judicial restraint?

The tendency of judges to interpret the Constitution strictly. Signup and view all the answers

Which President first implemented the spoils system?

Andrew Jackson Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean that a part of the bureaucracy has been 'captured'?

It serves the interests of special interest groups over the public good. Signup and view all the answers

Which legislation created the civil service system and placed limits on the spoils system?

Pendleton Act Signup and view all the answers

What is a whistleblower?

A person who reports misconduct or illegal activities within an organization. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a social contract in a political system?

To establish government authority over the populace Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a representative democracy from a direct democracy?

A representative democracy involves elected officials making decisions on behalf of citizens. Signup and view all the answers

How does Harold Lasswell's definition of politics primarily differ from David Easton's definition?

Lasswell focuses on the distribution of resources and power. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of Shay's Rebellion?

It demonstrated the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Connecticut Compromise?

To balance representation between large and small states Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines the 'elastic clause' of the Constitution?

It gives Congress the power to enact laws necessary to carry out its duties. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution establish?

Federal laws take precedence over state laws when in conflict. Signup and view all the answers

Which Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the policy evaluation stage of the policy making process?

Assessing the effectiveness of already implemented policies Signup and view all the answers

How do treaties become legally binding?

Only when ratified by at least two-thirds of the Senate Signup and view all the answers

What is the necessary and proper clause?

A provision allowing Congress to make all laws necessary for executing its powers Signup and view all the answers

What defines the fiscal policy?

Strategies that control the government spending and revenue collection Signup and view all the answers

When government expenditures exceed receipts, this is known as what?

Fiscal deficit Signup and view all the answers

What is diplomacy?

The management of relationships and negotiations between nations Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Supreme Court decision in Baker v. Carr?

It established the principle of 'one person, one vote' for redistricting Signup and view all the answers

What is the intelligence community?

A network of government agencies that gather and analyze information about foreign countries Signup and view all the answers

What is gerrymandering?

The process of redrawing district lines to favor a particular political party. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a faithless elector?

An elector who does not vote for the candidate they pledged to support. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 24th amendment to the Constitution?

To eliminate the use of poll taxes in federal elections. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is associated with higher voter turnout?

Higher levels of education. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in straight-ticket voting?

Voters choose all candidates from a single political party. Signup and view all the answers

What is negative campaign advertising?

Advertising that highlights the flaws of an opposing candidate. Signup and view all the answers

How does voter turnout differ between Presidential and off-year elections?

Voter turnout tends to be significantly higher in Presidential elections. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the election of 1800?

It established the precedent for peaceful transition of power between parties. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

American National Government - Study Notes

Conflict Resolution: Methods for resolving conflicts in society are studied.
Defining Politics: David Easton and Harold Lasswell's definitions of politics.
Democracy Types: Differences between direct and representative democracies.
Shared Political Ideals: The set of shared ideals, values, and ways of thinking about politics among citizens.
Social Contract: The concept of a social contract is defined.
Federalist Papers Themes: Main themes of Federalist Papers #9 and #51 explored.
Jamestown and Plymouth Settlement Significance: Significance of these settlements for the current U.S. government system.
Declaration of Independence: Purpose of the Declaration of Independence.
Shay's Rebellion: Significance of Shay's Rebellion in U.S. history.
Coercive Acts Effect: Effects of the Coercive Acts.
Connecticut Compromise: Key elements of the Connecticut Compromise, impacting government structure.
Constitutional Amendment Process: Procedure for amending the U.S. Constitution detailed.
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: Differences in the views of Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
Separation of Powers: Meaning of the term separation of powers.
Federal and State Powers: Types of powers held by the national and state governments in the U.S. system.
"Elastic Clause": Meaning and role of the "elastic clause" of the U.S. Constitution.
Supremacy Clause: Explanation of the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Commerce Clause: Explanation of the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Incorporation Doctrine: Explanation of the incorporation doctrine in U.S. law.
Voting Rights Restrictions: Methods used to restrict voting rights of African Americans, primarily in the South.
Basis for American Government: Basis of power and legitimacy in U.S. government.
Articles of Confederation: Structure of the government under the Articles of Confederation.
First Amendment Provisions: Explaining the provisions of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Exclusionary Rule: Explanation of the exclusionary rule.
Judicial Review: Supreme Court case establishing the concept of judicial review.
McCulloch v. Maryland Significance: Significance of the Supreme Court's ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland.
System of Government: Unitary system of government defined.
Types of Powers: Definitions of delegated, reserved, inherent, concurrent, and prohibited powers.
Gideon v. Wainwright: Legal requirement established in Gideon v. Wainwright.
Civil War Amendments: Purposes of the Civil War amendments to the Constitution.
White Primary: Brief description of the white primary in southern states
Literacy Tests: Explanation of literacy tests.
Shelby County v. Holder: Significance of the Supreme Court's ruling in Shelby County v. Holder.
Jim Crow Laws: Explanation of Jim Crow laws.
Plessy v. Ferguson: Summary of the Supreme Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson.
Public Opinion: Definition of public opinion.
Political Socialization: Definition of political socialization and most influential agent.
Rational Ignorance: Explanation of the "rational ignorance" effect.
Public Opinion Distribution: Three types of public opinion distribution outlined.
Interest Groups: Definition and types of interest groups are explored..
Interest Group Incentives: Types of incentives for joining interest groups identified.
Major Interest Groups: Nine major types of interest groups described.
Lobbyists: Definition of a lobbyist.
Interest Group Influence: Direct and indirect techniques used to influence public policy. Factors determining interest group power were included
Lobbying Regulation: Legislation enacted to regulate lobbyists.
Collective Goods: Definition of collective goods.
Free Rider Problem: Definition of the free rider problem.
Party Identification: Definition of party identification.
Political Parties: Definition of a political party.
Interest Groups vs. Political Parties: Differences between an interest group and a political party explained.
Political Party Functions: Functions of political parties discussed.
Political Party Eras: Six eras of political parties and their characteristics outlined.
Divided Government: Definition of divided government.

Additional Notes

Democratic and Republican Parties: Major beliefs of the Democratic and Republican parties.
Party Systems: Importance of the unit rule in understanding party systems & explanation of how the two-party system endures, methods in which third parties develop, and obstacles faced by third-party candidates
Primary and General Elections: Differences between primary and general elections.
Electoral College: Electoral College structure & foundations; faithless electors, presidential vs. off-year elections.
Reapportionment/Redistricting/Gerrymandering: Concepts explained.
Voter Turnout: Characteristics related to higher voter turnout.
Campaign Advertising: Negative campaign advertising and its purpose.
Constitutional Amendments: 24th Amendment and its purpose detailed; provision of presidential incapacity.
Ballot Types: Office-block ballot and party-column ballot discussed
Incumbency: Description of the power of incumbency in elections.
Straight-Ticket Voting: Explanation of straight-ticket voting.
Australian Ballot System: Description of the Australian ballot system.
Election of 1800: Significance of the election of 1800.
Media Functions: Functions of the media described.
Yellow Journalism: Definition of yellow journalism.
Spin Doctor: Definition of spin doctor.
Media Impact on Elections: Impact of the media on election outcomes.
Federalist #10 Theme: Main theme of Federalist #10 included.
Representative Role Issues: Difficulties faced by representatives playing the role of instructed delegates.
Presidential Judge Nomination Considerations: Factors considered by the President when nominating candidates for federal judgeships
Filibuster/Cloture: Explanation of filibuster and cloture.
US House/Senate Differences: Key differences between the U.S. House and Senate explored.
Legislative District Boundaries: Drawing of legislative district boundaries to give one side an advantage (gerrymandering).
Iron Triangles: Examples of iron triangles.
Committee Chair Selection: Factors in selecting committee chairpersons in Congress.
Speaker of the House Duties: Duties of the Speaker of the House described.
Conference Committees: Purpose of conference committees explored.
Congressional Oversight: Process of Congressional oversight detailed.
Dual Court System Explanation of the U.S. dual court system explored.
Presidential Roles: Different responsibilities Presidents have in carrying out their various roles
Vice President Constitutional Duties: Constitutional duties of the vice-president explored.
Civil Service System: The creation of the civil service system and limits on the spoils system described, as well as the Monopolistic Model.
Government Employee Selection: Open, competitive examinations as a method of government employee selection explored..
Congress Bill Outcomes: Possible outcomes when Congress sends a bill to the president explored.
Congressional Override of Veto: Detailing how Congress overrides a presidential veto.
Patronage and Faithful Party Activism: Concept of rewarding faithful party activists with government employment and contracts (patronage).
Presidential Vacancies: Amendments to the U.S. Constitution regarding procedures for presidential and vice-presidential vacancies, and presidential incapacity..
Congressional Committees: Description of relatively permanent bodies with policy expertise explored.
Congressional Committees Debate Limitation: Committee in the House of Representatives proposes time limitations for debates on bills.
Bureaucracy: Definition of a bureaucracy and description of the Acquisitive Model.
Judicial Restraint: Judicial restraint as a principle in judicial decisions
Federalist #78/#84: Themes and ideas in these Federalist Papers explored
Government Corporations: Examples of government corporations.
Policy Evaluation Stage: Events during the policy evaluation stage of the policymaking process.
Bill Passage: Stages of a bill becoming law in Congress.
Policy Agenda Establishment: Explanation of the process by which matters become public policy.
Fiscal Policy: Definition and use of fiscal policy explained.
Monetary Policy: Definition and use of monetary policy explained.
Fiscal Policy Challenges: Reasons why fiscal policy can be challenging to use in regulating the economy.
Federal Reserve System: Explanation of how the Federal Reserve System operates and their role in monetary policy.
Monetary Policy Responsibility: Determination of who is in charge of U.S. monetary policy.
Budgetary Imbalances: Definition of government expenditures exceeding receipts ("budgetary imbalances").

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Description

This quiz covers essential concepts in American National Government, including conflict resolution methods, definitions of politics, and types of democracy. It also explores the significance of historical events like Shay's Rebellion and the themes of the Federalist Papers. Prepare to test your understanding of the foundations of U.S. governance!