Baker v. Carr (1962) Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the main roles of the federal bureaucracy?

Negotiating treaties

Electing government officials

Creating new laws

Implementing policy (correct)

Which of the following is a function of the federal bureaucracy?

Conducting research to influence policy

Drafting constitutional amendments

Providing legal opinions for congress

Enforcing regulations through rule-making (correct)

What is a significant concern regarding the growth of the federal bureaucracy?

Inefficiency and potential overreach (correct)

Overspecification of policy goals

Increased public participation in governance

Lack of funding for operations

Which group primarily provides oversight of the federal bureaucracy?

Congress and the President Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a current U.S. policy area addressed by the federal bureaucracy?

Health care policy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the judiciary in relation to individual rights?

To safeguard against government or majority abuses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of Congress?

Appointing Supreme Court justices Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary components of the legislative process for a bill?

Proposals, debates, voting, and presidential approval Signup and view all the answers

Which model of representation suggests that elected officials should act independently and use their own judgment?

Trustee model Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does NOT significantly influence members of Congress when making decisions?

The geographical region of the Congress member Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the separation of powers as described in the content?

To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful Signup and view all the answers

Which article of the U.S. Constitution establishes the Supreme Court?

Article III Signup and view all the answers

According to Federalist No. 51, what is emphasized as crucial for maintaining balance of power?

Checks and balances Signup and view all the answers

What role does the judiciary play in relation to the legislative and executive branches?

To check their powers and ensure constitutional adherence Signup and view all the answers

Which section of Article I elaborates on the procedures and powers of Congress?

Section 5 Signup and view all the answers

What does Article II primarily define regarding the presidency?

Presidential duties and powers Signup and view all the answers

What limitation is placed on Congress by Section 9 of Article I?

No suspension of habeas corpus Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the roles of the Vice President as outlined in Article I?

President of the Senate Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary advantage of a unified executive according to the concepts discussed?

It avoids delays and conflicts in decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism does Hamilton argue can check the power of a strong executive?

The separation of powers among government branches. Signup and view all the answers

What is Hamilton's view on the judicial branch compared to the other branches?

It is the weakest branch due to its lack of enforcement power. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Hamilton advocate for lifetime appointments for judges?

To protect judges from being influenced by political pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What role does judicial review play in the function of the judiciary?

To ensure that laws align with the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Constitution ensure that the executive power is balanced?

By enabling Congress control over funding. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant concern Hamilton raises about executive power?

The potential for a strong executive to become tyrannical. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the highest law of the land?

The Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of dividing power among the branches of government according to Madison?

To prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful Signup and view all the answers

How does Madison describe human nature in relation to government?

Government is essential due to human imperfection Signup and view all the answers

What does Madison mean by 'double security' in federalism?

Power is divided between national and state governments Signup and view all the answers

Why does Madison argue for a bicameral legislature?

To prevent legislative dominance over other branches Signup and view all the answers

What quality does Hamilton NOT identify as essential for an effective executive?

Popular support Signup and view all the answers

According to Hamilton, what is a key advantage of having a single executive?

Clear accountability Signup and view all the answers

What is Hamilton's stance on the necessity of an energetic executive?

It is important for effective governance Signup and view all the answers

What does Madison argue is a benefit of a large, diverse republic?

It reduces the chance of majority tyranny Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following outcomes resulted from the ruling in Shaw v. Reno?

Racial classifications in redistricting must be justified under strict scrutiny. Signup and view all the answers

What legal question was primarily addressed in Shaw v. Reno?

Does a redistricting plan that creates districts primarily based on race violate the Equal Protection Clause? Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant feature of the redistricting plan in question in Shaw v. Reno?

It included an unusually shaped district stretching across the state. Signup and view all the answers

How did Shaw v. Reno influence future redistricting processes?

It limited the role of race in drawing legislative districts to strict scrutiny. Signup and view all the answers

What constitutional clause was central to the challenges posed in Shaw v. Reno?

The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Supreme Court's decision in Shaw v. Reno regarding the creation of districts?

It ruled that race cannot be the primary factor in redistricting plans. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'strict scrutiny' mean in the context of Shaw v. Reno?

Racial classifications must be justified by a compelling governmental interest. Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant precedent established by Shaw v. Reno concerning gerrymandering?

It established that racial gerrymandering is subject to strict scrutiny. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established the principle of "one person, one vote"
Fundamentally altered how legislative districts are drawn in the U.S.
Charles Baker, a Tennessee voter, sued Joe Carr, Tennessee's Secretary of State.
Baker argued that Tennessee's legislative districts hadn't been redrawn since 1901, despite population shifts.
This resulted in vastly unequal populations across districts, diluting urban voters' influence compared to rural voters.
Baker claimed this violated the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.
The Supreme Court ruled that claims of legislative apportionment based on the Equal Protection Clause are justiciable.
This overturned earlier precedents regarding these issues being "political questions."
The Court sent the case back to the lower court to make a decision.
This decision enabled federal courts to hear redistricting cases.
The ruling paved the way for subsequent decisions (such as Reynolds v. Sims) to establish the principle of roughly equal populations within legislative districts.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Addressed the role of race in legislative redistricting.
The case originated from a North Carolina congressional redistricting plan.
The plan created two majority-minority districts, one of which had an unusual shape.
White voters challenged the plan, arguing it was designed to segregate voters based on race, violating the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.
The Supreme Court established strict scrutiny for racial classifications in redistricting.
These classifications need to serve a compelling governmental interest and be narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.
The Supreme Court determined that race can be a factor in redistricting but cannot be the predominant factor.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the principle of judicial review
John Adams appointed William Marbury as a justice of the peace during his final days in office.
James Madison, the new Secretary of State, refused to deliver Marbury's commission.
Marbury petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus to force Madison to deliver the commission.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Judiciary Act of 1789, which authorized the Court to issue writs of mandamus, conflicted with Article III of the Constitution.
The Court declared the Judiciary Act unconstitutional.
By declaring a law unconstitutional, the Court claimed the power of judicial review.
This established the Supreme Court's authority to review and invalidate federal and state laws that conflict with the Constitution.
This action affirmed the judiciary's independence and its role as a coequal branch of government.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the landmark Supreme Court case Baker v. Carr. This quiz explores the key principles established in the ruling, including the concept of 'one person, one vote,' and its implications on legislative districts in the U.S. Understand the background, significance, and aftermath of this pivotal case.