Questions and Answers
What type of voting system became well known immediately following the 2000 election?
What is the term for a person who votes based on what a candidate says he or she will do in the future?
Prospective voting
Should presidential candidates receive an equal number of electoral votes, the election is decided by __________.
House of Representatives
What is a form of government in which the people are the ultimate political authority?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of democracy do New England town meetings exemplify?
Signup and view all the answers
What written work was authored by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pen name 'Publius'?
Signup and view all the answers
Which document did the signers agree to live under the colony's recognized authority in the seventeenth century?
Signup and view all the answers
Which state was the last to ratify the U.S. Constitution?
Signup and view all the answers
The purpose of the electoral college is to choose the __________.
Signup and view all the answers
In discussions over the Constitution, federalists and anti-federalists spoke of factions the way we today speak of __________.
Signup and view all the answers
The words 'All Bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.' appear in which article of the U.S. Constitution?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is the English philosopher whose ideas are heavily drawn on in the Declaration of Independence?
Signup and view all the answers
Insofar as the Constitution is concerned, members of Congress receive payment for their work from __________.
Signup and view all the answers
The Vice President of the United States is the president of what government body?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the minimum age specified in the Constitution for members of the House of Representatives?
Signup and view all the answers
Which state has relied most heavily on mail-in voting in recent decades?
Signup and view all the answers
In which of the nation's founding documents could one point to an 'elastic clause' to justify the existence of vast government agencies?
Signup and view all the answers
The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution reserves powers for __________, __________, and __________.
Signup and view all the answers
What term describes when Congress sets guidelines for government agencies to follow?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term for an unfunded requirement imposed by legislation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the formal term for the procedure where senators can 'talk a bill to death'?
Signup and view all the answers
A piece of legislation proposed to Congress is called __________.
Signup and view all the answers
What do Unanimous consent agreements accomplish?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the subject matter of Article I of the U.S. Constitution?
Signup and view all the answers
What voting controversy followed the 2000 presidential election involving punch card ballots?
Signup and view all the answers
What is forward-looking voting based on a candidate's plans for once in office called?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of voting is based on a candidate's or political party's past performance?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the ads designed to create negative feelings toward a candidate's opponent called?
Signup and view all the answers
What political system advocates against having a monarch?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a term for rule by the mob?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of government is a system run by a few people called?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Voting Systems and Methods
- Punch cards gained notoriety after the controversial 2000 election as a voting method.
- Prospective voting involves individuals supporting candidates based on future promises and plans.
- Retrospective voting focuses on assessing candidates based on their past actions and performance.
Legislative Bodies and Electoral Processes
- In the event of a tie in electoral votes, the House of Representatives decides the presidential election.
- The U.S. President is chosen through the Electoral College, which plays a crucial role in elections.
Types of Government
- Democracy entails governance by the people, encompassing all adults or excluding certain groups historically.
- Direct democracy is exemplified by town meetings in New England, where citizens directly participate in decision-making.
- Republicanism promotes a governance structure without a monarch; advocacy for representative democracy.
Key Historical Documents
- The Federalist Papers, authored by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay under "Publius," aimed to support the ratification of the Constitution.
- The Mayflower Compact established governance for early settlers, recognizing colony authority while awaiting a royal charter.
Constitution and Government Framework
- Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, highlighting the varied acceptance among early states.
- Article I of the U.S. Constitution mandates that all revenue-raising bills originate in the House of Representatives.
- The "elastic clause" within the Constitution allows for broad interpretations and justifications for different federal agencies.
Philosophical Foundations
- John Locke's philosophical ideas significantly influenced the Declaration of Independence and American governance.
- The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for states and the people.
Legislative Operations
- Congress members receive their salaries from the U.S. Treasury, as per constitutional provisions.
- The Senate, led by the Vice President as its president, plays a key role in legislative processes.
- A bill is a proposed piece of legislation that must navigate Congress for approval before becoming law.
Influential Political Concepts
- Unfunded mandates, like the Real ID Act of 2005, impose requirements on states without accompanying funding.
- A filibuster allows senators to prolong debate to obstruct legislative progress, emphasizing the power of individual members in the Senate.
Campaign Strategies
- Attack ads aim to generate negative perceptions of opposing candidates, while contrast ads highlight differences between rivals.
- The concept of "mobocracy" refers to rule based on the influence of masses or mobs, typically seen as disorderly or chaotic governance.
- Oligarchy describes governance by a select few individuals, distinguishing it from broader democratic principles.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of American Government concepts with this set of flashcards. Covering key terms and definitions, this quiz is ideal for students preparing for the CLEP exam. Enhance your understanding of the voting system and other essential topics.
