Democracy and Political Participation Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What are the primary functions of political parties in a democratic system?

Political parties organize voters, shape policies, and run candidates for office.

What was the main concern of Anti-Federalists during the Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists debate?

Anti-Federalists were concerned about individual rights and wanted more power for states.

Describe the significance of the Great Compromise in the establishment of the U.S. legislature.

The Great Compromise created a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal representation.

What is the system of Checks and Balances, and why is it important?

<p>Checks and Balances is a system ensuring that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can Congress limit the President's military powers?

<p>Congress can control funding for the military and must approve declarations of war.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are Executive Orders and why are they significant?

<p>Executive Orders are directives issued by the President to manage federal government operations without congressional approval.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what ways do special interest groups influence legislation?

<p>Special interest groups influence legislation by lobbying lawmakers, funding campaigns, and mobilizing public opinion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of Separation of Powers in the U.S. government?

<p>Separation of Powers divides government responsibilities among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a democracy from authoritarian and oligarchic systems?

<p>Democracy emphasizes majority rule, individual rights, and citizen participation in decision-making.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the principle of popular sovereignty.

<p>Popular sovereignty is the principle that the authority of the government comes from the people, demonstrated through elections.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Electoral College in the U.S. presidential election process?

<p>The Electoral College formally selects the President and Vice President based on the popular vote outcome in each state.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define the term 'popular vote' and its significance in elections.

<p>The popular vote refers to the total number of votes cast by citizens, and it's significant as it determines the allocation of electoral votes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List the basic requirements to vote in the United States.

<p>A voter must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, meet state residency requirements, and not be serving a felony sentence in some states.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Highlight three responsibilities of U.S. citizens.

<p>Voting in elections, serving on a jury, and obeying the law are three key responsibilities of U.S. citizens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of due process ensure?

<p>Due process ensures that the government respects all legal rights owed to a person, guaranteeing fair treatment in the judicial system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the significance of the Mayflower Compact.

<p>The Mayflower Compact established a form of self-government where colonists agreed to govern themselves through majority rule.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is Democracy?

A system where citizens hold the power, either directly or through elected representatives. It distinguishes from rule by one (authoritarianism) or a few (oligarchy), focusing on majority rule, individual rights, and citizen participation.

What is Popular Sovereignty?

The idea that the government's legitimacy comes from the people. It emphasizes citizen consent as the source of authority.

What are political parties?

Political parties are groups of people with shared values and goals who aim to influence government policy and win elections.

What is the Electoral College?

A group of electors from each state chosen by popular vote. They formally elect the President and Vice President based on the state's popular vote outcome.

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Name the main political parties in the US.

The two main political parties in the US are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

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What is the Popular Vote?

The total number of votes cast by citizens in an election. It reflects the will of the people, but doesn't directly determine the winner in the US presidential election.

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What was the Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist debate about?

The Federalist Papers argued for a strong national government with a constitution, while Anti-Federalists favored more state power and individual rights.

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Explain the 'Great Compromise'.

The Great Compromise created a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state.

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What is Due Process?

A legal requirement for fair treatment during legal proceedings. It ensures that individuals' rights are respected by the government and judicial system.

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What did the Mayflower Compact establish?

A pact made by Pilgrims establishing self-governance based on majority rule among colonists in the Plymouth colony. It exemplified the idea of direct democracy and community agreement.

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What is the system of Checks and Balances?

Checks and Balances is a system designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. Each branch has the ability to limit the powers of the others.

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How did the Articles of Confederation fail to fund the National Government?

The Articles of Confederation failed to fund the National Government because it lacked the power to levy taxes. Instead, it relied on contributions from states, which were often insufficient.

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What is a veto power?

A veto is the president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law unless overridden by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress.

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What does the Declaration of Independence guarantee?

The Declaration of Independence states that all individuals are born with inherent rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It emphasizes the equality and freedom of all people.

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How does Congress limit presidential military power?

Congress has the power to control funding for the military and must approve declarations of war, limiting the president's ability to take military action on their own.

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What are Executive Orders?

Executive Orders are directives issued by the president to manage the government's operations without congressional approval. They have the force of law.

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Study Notes

Democracy and Political Participation

  • Democracy: A system of government where power is with the people, either directly or through elected representatives. It differs from authoritarian or oligarchic systems.

  • Popular Sovereignty: The idea that government power comes from the people, demonstrated in elections.

  • Electoral College: Formally selects the President and Vice President. Electors cast votes based on state popular vote results.

  • Popular Vote: Total number of votes cast by citizens in an election. A tie in the Electoral College is decided by the House of Representatives.

  • Voting Requirements (US): U.S. Citizenship, 18 years of age, state residency, and no felony sentence (in some states).

  • Citizen Responsibilities: Voting, jury duty (exclusive to citizens), and obeying the law.

  • Due Process: The legal principle requiring the government to respect a person's rights and guarantee a fair legal process.

Influential Documents

  • Declaration of Independence: States that all people are equal and have rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

  • Mayflower Compact: Established a form of self-government, using majority rule.

  • Articles of Confederation Failure: Congress lacked the power to tax, relying on voluntary state contributions, which were often insufficient.

Political Parties

  • Political Parties: Organize voters, create policies, and run candidates; they structure debates and represent values.

  • Major US Parties: Democratic Party and Republican Party. Currently, the President is from the Democratic Party, but the next President's party will depend on the next election outcome.

Branches of Government

  • Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Debate: Federalists favored a strong central government, while Anti-Federalists preferred more state power and protected individual rights.

  • Great Compromise: Created a bicameral legislature.

    • The House of Representatives has representation based on population.
    • The Senate has equal representation (2 per state).
    • Bicameral: A legislature with two houses.

  • Branches of Government:

    • Legislative: Makes laws (Congress)
    • Executive: Enforces laws (President)
    • Judicial: Interprets laws (Supreme Court).

  • Checks and Balances: Prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful by allowing other branches to limit its actions. Examples include Congress overriding a veto, the President vetoing laws, and the Supreme Court declaring laws unconstitutional.

  • Veto: The President's power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

  • Congress Limiting Presidential Military Power: Congress controls military funding and must approve declarations of war.

  • Executive Orders: Directives from the President to manage government operations without congressional approval.

  • Separation of Powers: The division of government responsibilities among the three branches to prevent tyranny.

Special Interest Groups

  • Special Interest Groups: Organizations advocating for specific causes or policies. Examples: American Medical Association (AMA).

  • Interest Group Influence: Lobby lawmakers, fund campaigns, and influence public opinion to support their goals.

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